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My favorite green smoothie recipe is really a simple and healthy alternative to a tropical energy drink. I’ve made this smoothie almost every morning to boost my energy levels and nourish my body for the past 12 years. With over 1,900 5-star reviews, I can’t wait for you to blend it and vote (by leaving a review) to let me know if you think it’s the best green smoothie.
Health Benefits of a Green Smoothie
Green smoothies are a delicious and convenient way to improve your health. Packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, a green smoothie offers a wide range of benefits. Here’s a few of the benefits I’ve experienced:
- More energy from the natural fruit sugars blended so it’s easily absorbed
- I rarely get sick (my immune system is stronger thanks to the vitamins in the ingredients)
- My digestive system is happy with all the fiber and hydration
- My skin is glowing. Adding spinach to a smoothie boosts the phytonutrients and fiber, which then slows down the absorption of sugars into your body and makes it officially a “green smoothie”.
- My kids are growing strong and healthy (they’ve been drinking green smoothies since they were little as you can see from the photos below).
I’m in my early 40’s and have two teenagers— so life has worn me down a bit. 😜 Green smoothies keep me energized and fueled so I can still go after my bucket list adventures, like:
- Run 47 miles across the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim (I’ve done this 5 times now)
- Complete a 7-day motorcycle adventure race in Morocco (I slept in floors in random houses each night)
- Hike Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park with my family (that was intense!)
- Complete a 4-day backpacking trip with my son in the Rocky Mountains last summer (my toenail still hasn’t grown all the way back)
I don’t share my adventures to brag. I share them to help you see what is possible when you nourish your body with fruits, vegetables and the best green smoothie recipe that we’ll get into now.
Best Green Smoothie Recipe Ingredients
Everything you need to make this recipe is found in a garden, farmer’s market, or the produce section of your grocery store. I’ve found that the closer we eat to nature, the better we feel. This green smoothie recipe is a great way to start that journey. Here’s the ingredients you’ll need:
- Fresh spinach: Baby spinach is the most mild version to use in smoothies, and also the most easy to find. I suggest using organic spinach because it’s one of the Dirty Dozen. The right ratio of spinach to fruit makes it sweet, as well as helps you reap all the health benefits of drinking green smoothies.
- Pineapple: I buy frozen pineapple at Costco in bulk to make Frozen Smoothie Packs. If it’s on sale, I’ll cut up pineapple and freeze it myself.
- Mango: You’ll find frozen mango next to the ice cream in the freezer section. I love how it’s already peeled and cut for you and ready to add to the blender. If fresh mango is on sale, you can always cut the mango and freeze yourself. Check out my guide on how to cut mango.
- Fresh banana: Bananas add a creaminess to smoothies that is hard to replicate. It’s magic!
- Water: The liquid base in the smoothie is water. Use filtered water to avoid any unnecessary chemicals or pollutants. I like using a Berkey Water Filter to filter my water.
Should I use Fresh or frozen fruit in a Green smoothie?
I prefer using frozen fruit because it chills down your smoothie without using ice, which can dull your blender blades overtime. I use fresh bananas in my smoothies because I like how creamy they make it.
How to Make a Green Smoothie
The only equipment you need to make this green smoothie recipe is a high-speed blender for smoothies. A juicer or food processor won’t work to get you a creamy drink you’ll want to make over and over. Check out my list of the top 10 best blenders for smoothies. Once you have a high-speed blender, you can successfully make the best green smoothie recipe by following the steps below.
- Blend 1 cup of spinach (or other leafy greens of your choice) in a blender with 1 cup of liquid. Blend until all leafy chunks are gone. You can follow my leafy greens guide for help.
- Toss in frozen mango, pineapple, and bananas in the blender. Blend on high until smooth and creamy. If you want your smoothie to be extra chilly or possibly even turn it into a smoothie bowl, use more frozen fruit. (You can freeze your favorite fruits like ripe bananas, grapes, pineapple, or berries.)
- Add in superfoods once the smoothie is nice and creamy. Chia seeds, hemp hearts, and flax seeds are all great choices.
- In order to break down the cell walls of the plants, you need to blend at high speed. You shouldn’t have any leafy chunks in your smoothie if your blender is powerful enough.
- Drink immediately. To get the maximum amount of nutrients from a smoothie, drink it immediately after blending it. The longer your smoothie is exposed to oxygen, the more it breaks down and the nutrients deteriorate. This is called oxidation. To minimize this, you can store your smoothie in the fridge with an air-tight lid for up to 48 hours, yet I think it tastes best if consumed within 4 hours after blending.
Beginner Blending Tip
When you’re making your first few green smoothies, follow my Green Smoothie Formula to get the perfect blend. Don’t just throw spinach and kale in the blender. Chances are, it won’t taste as great if you wing it right out of the gate.
Best Green Smoothie Recipe Add-Ins
- Protein powder: You can turn any green smoothie recipe into a meal replacement by adding a serving of my homemade protein powder to the blender.
- Natural sweeteners: If you are wondering how to make a smoothie sweeter without processed sugar, explore my list of the best natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, bananas, or dates.
- Chia seeds: A simple way to add more healthy fats and protein is to add 2 tbsp chia seeds. It won’t alter the taste, but drink fast or it will congeal.
- Collagen: Unflavored collaged is a simple way to add additional protein and support your gut health.
- Banana swaps: Don’t care for bananas? You can substitute it with a quarter of an avocado.
- Mango swaps: If you don’t have any mango, a full cup of frozen pineapple or peaches will work.
Common Questions
You won’t be able to taste the spinach if you use the proper ratio of fruit to spinach. This green smoothie recipe tastes like a mango pineapple smoothie with a hint of banana flavor.
Green smoothies are the healthiest fast food out there. Blending spinach and fruit into a smoothie is a great way to boost your immune system, increase fiber intake, and boost your energy levels. A kale or spinach smoothie has incredible health benefits with additional phytonutrients. What we eat can truly transform our bodies and our lives in powerful ways.
Most smoothies you buy or find online are made with just fruit and fruit juice. This makes them crazy high in sugar, which can cause inflammation and consuming excess calories. A green smoothie, on the other hand, is made with fruit, vegan milks and leafy greens, typically spinach or kale. They’re loaded with iron, potassium, fiber and vitamins galore. If you’re not sure which leafy greens to use in your smoothie, check out my Ultimate Leafy Greens Guide for Smoothies.
Any blender will work, yet to get the creamiest green smoothie you’ll need a high speed blender. Check out my Best Blenders for Smoothies guide, where I reviewed countless blenders to find the best ones for green smoothies. The key is to get rid of leafy chunks, blend quickly and provide tons of value for the price. Hint: not all of them cost $400.
For busy weeks, you can create Frozen Smoothie Packs that you prep on the weekend and enjoy all week, or month. It’ll only take you 5 minutes every morning to have a green smoothie ready to go. You can also blend your smoothie the night before and store it in your fridge until ready to drink.
Green smoothies aren’t inherently fattening. They’re packed with nutrients and fiber. A basic blend of spinach, mango, pineapple, banana, and water has about 203 calories per serving. To keep them light, avoid added sugars and high-calorie extras like sweeteners or full-fat dairy. Stick to whole fruits, veggies, and water for a healthy, balanced drink.
6 More Green Smoothie Recipes
Once you try the recipe below, you’re gonna want more green smoothie recipes. It happens every day in my inbox! I love it! Here’s some of the most popular ones on my blog to try next:
- My son is obsessed with this Mango Orange Smoothie recipe.
- Try this vitamin-C packed Blueberry Spinach Smoothie to recharge the body.
- Boost your metabolism with these Fat-Burning Smoothies For Weight Loss.
- This Simple Kale Smoothie will surprise even the pickiest smoothie drinkers.
- I love this Glowing Green Smoothie with spinach and romaine lettuce for digestive support.
- Escape with this tropical Detox Island Green Smoothie to heal from within.
Best Green Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup pineapple frozen
- ½ cup mango frozen
- 1 banana
Instructions
- Measure: Tightly pack spinach in a measuring cup.
- Add: Put spinach to blender with water. Blend together until all chunks are gone. (Should resemble green water when blended well).
- Toss: Pineapple, mango and banana to blender. I like to use frozen pineapple and mangos to chill the smoothie down and save time cutting and prepping. It’s a win-win!
- Blend: It all together until smooth and creamy. Depending on your blender, this could take as little as 30 seconds or as long as 2 minutes.
- Pour: Into a glass and serve immediately.
Equipment
Video
Notes
- Try adding a serving of Homemade Protein Powder, it’s super clean and easy to make.
- Not a fan of bananas? Swap it for 1/4 avocado, additional 1/2 cup mango or 1/2 cup peaches.
- You can use 1 cup pineapple if you’re out of mango.
- Frozen fruit is recommended to chill the smoothie (and save time cutting and washing).
- Store in the fridge with a lid until ready to drink.
What can I use if I have allergies to citrus fruits ( No pineapple, oranges, kiwi, etc..)??
Hi Resse,
Allergic to citrus, try doubling up the amount of mango in our Beginner’s Luck recipe, or try adding another fruit you can enjoy, like berries or melon.
Cheers 🙂
Hi Shawn,
We love adding protein to our smoothies to help keep us full + satisfied. Here are a few of our favorite options…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/plant-based-protein-powder
Questioning what not to blend together? We are not professional nutritionists, but all the research we have done suggests that blending fruits and veggies together is no different than eating fruits and veggies together–like a salad!
Hope this helps!
Hi. So have u ever use Flaxseeds in your smoothie?
Hi Sabrina,
We love adding flaxseeds to our smoothies! Containing both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, flaxseed oil supports healthy brain development and is great for your heart. It’s also high in fiber to keep things moving regularly.
Read more about our love for flaxseeds here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/healthy-fats
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/superfoods-list
Just so I know I am doing this right in order to get the full affect of not having cravings and being full longer Daily we should drink 16 oz of the green smoothie?
Hi Christine,
Thank you so much for reaching out! We suggest a 16oz serving for our green smoothies! If you’re finding yourself hungry too quickly try adding protein to your smoothie to help keep you satisfied longer. Here are some of our favorite plant-based proteins…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/plant-based-protein-powder
If you’re using Simple Green Smoothies as a meal replacement, we suggest also adding a healthy fat, to ensure you’re getting a complete meal…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/meal-replacement-smoothie
Tried this smoothie yesterday. I used strawberries and apples instead of the pineapple and mango. It was definitely drinkable not at all bitter. Turned lots of heads at work. Cant wait for the Smoothie challenge.
Hi Celestine,
If you get a lot of heads turning at work, challenge them to join our 30-Day Challenge!
Cheers 🙂
Hi,
I’m one those people who have a multitude of food allergies. I would love to try this, but… I’m allergic all tropical fruits. This includes the common ingredients; bananas, kiwi, mango, papaya, and pineapple(can’t even touch it). So what’s a girl to do? Would like to get the same vitamin and cleanse type effect. Help!
Hi Vkerrmit,
Thanks for reaching out! Our recipes are simply here to inspire you, none of them are set in stone. Feel free to swap out any fruit you’re allergic to with a fruit you love and adore, or double up on another ingredient already in the smoothie. If you’re able to eat them, peaches, pears, apples, and mixed berries are all great substitutes!
The best part is playing mini-chef with your blender. Not one smoothie will please everybody, but we promise as you experiment with different blends you will find a recipe that is your go-to smoothie. It will be the one you make for your friends and family and make them a green smoothie lover too. So explore, experiment, and smile!
We like to use this simple green smoothie formula when creating new blends. No matter what combination of leafy greens and fruit you use, you’ll still be getting a ton of great vitamins and nutrients!
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/how-to-make-a-smoothie
Never hesitate to reach out if you need help finding a substitute for a specific smoothie. We’re here to support you! 🙂
How long will the blended mixture be good for? Like if i made the recipe that is for 2 servings, could i keep half in the fridge over night and have it the next day? Or even make a head a weeks worth?
Hi Colleen,
Thank you so much for joining us! Some people say you have to drink it “right away” to get the optimal nutrients from each blend. But if left in the fridge over-night for one to three days in a sealed container you should be good to go. You also may add a small amount of lemon juice to preserve and keep the smoothie blend as fresh as possible. Your body is still reaping the benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables even if it is not consumed right away.
Here are our tips on prep ahead. It keeps our mornings simple!
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/frozen-smoothie-packs
Used this recipe about 5 times already and it is officially my favorite smoothie. Ughh I wish pineapples and mangoes were in season all year long. Time to stock up and freeze some!
Hi Monica,
It’s one of our favorites too! Have you tried any of our other recipes?
This is still my number one smoothie recipe. I keep trying new ones, but my kids tell me that this one is the best. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Sandi,
We love this recipe too! It seems to be one that a lot of people just keep going back to, including us! 🙂
Hi I’m new to drinking anything green. So I brought spinach, mango, bananas, and papaya instead of pineapple because the store was sold out. I wanna know if I can use strawberries and blueberries and green apples (to replace the bananas) as well
Hi Sakeena,
Feel free to replace bananas with another fruit you enjoy!
Some great banana substitutes are: Mango, Papaya, Pear, Chia seeds, Fresh dates, Nut Butters, Unsweetened applesauce, Avocado (won’t add the sweetness, but will definitely add the thick and creamy texture)!
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/avocado-smoothie
I’m allergic to spinach and nervous to make my first green smoothie. What would you recommend substituting spinach with when making your first green smoothie? I’ve tried kale and not really a fan at this point yet . Seeing the only green vegetable I really care for is broccoli (lol). I might be in trouble!!
Hi Kari,
If you’re new to green smoothies, and can’t have spinach, arugula, cabbage, + romaine lettuce are all great options!
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/leafy-greens
I have been using kale–it’s great!
Hi Kelly,
Oh, KALE yeah! Great suggestion!
Is it okay to use frozen chopped organic spinach in lieu of fresh in green smoothies? Thank you!
Hi Wendy,
Great question! Frozen spinach from the grocery aisle, doesn’t always yield the tastiest results! That’s why we like to freeze our own! Simply wash your leafy greens, pat dry, and freeze in an airtight container in the freezer (Ziploc bags work great!). Freezing your leafy greens is a great way to prevent waste, and stock up when your favorites are on sale!
If you’re looking to make your mornings easier, try using your freezer to prep your green smoothies beforehand! Check out our blog post here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/frozen-smoothie-packs
I have never tried a green smoothie in my life. But will start from this one for sure.
Hi Sangeetha,
We’re so excited to have you blendin’ with us! Beginner’s Luck is a great smoothie for first-timers, and is still my personal favorite today! 🙂
Let us know if you have any question, as you get started!
How many calories have this recipe?
Hi Isabella,
We personally don’t count calories, so we don’t include them in our recipes at this time. You’ll find that when you consume more nourishing whole fruits and veggies, you will not only feel full longer, but you’ll also have lessened cravings for high-calorie, nutritionally empty foods. So in the end it balances out. But we know many people would like to have calorie info. Three great resources for tracking calories are Self Nutrition Data, and the phone apps: My Fitness Pal and Lose It.
Hi, I have a nutribullet how would you distribute this recipie on a smaller scale?
Hi Bev,
We love the Nutribullet! When blendin’…we suggest halving the recipe, and adding a little bit of additional liquid base to ensure everything blends smoothly!
hello there. I was just wondering can you freeze the smoothies, it would be only me drinking them and I don’t like to waste. Thanks
Hi Connie,
Of course you can! We suggest thawing already blended smoothies in the refrigerator overnight. Also, separation is natural, so give your smoothie a quick shake before enjoying!
Cheers 🙂