This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I can earn a small commission from items you purchase (at no cost to you).
For this veggie fruit smoothie, I flipped my usual 60/40 fruit-to-veggie ratio to 20/80— giving you less sugar, more fiber, more nutrients, and extra hydration, while keeping it naturally sweet and delicious. We’re using a green apple here because it’s slightly lower in sugar, but feel free to use whichever type of apple you like.
When I first started drinking smoothies, I needed them to be very sweet (like taste like Jamba Juice sweet) and that’s okay! The fruits were doing all the work. Over time, I started tweaking my smoothie formula, adding more vegetables and dialing back the fruits, and now my taste buds actually crave the greens.
Table of Contents
Ingredients You’ll Need
This green veggie fruit smoothie might look like a Pinterest masterpiece, but it’s actually quite simple. Just a handful of fresh ingredients, and you’re good to go:
- Spinach and kale: Bright, vibrant greens that pack a punch of vitamins and antioxidants. I grab whatever looks fresh at the produce section.
- Green apple: Sweet, a little tangy, and adds that perfect balance to the greens. Look for apples that feel firm and heavy for their size — that’s your sign of extra juiciness and the freshest flavor.
- Cucumber: Hydrating, mild, and super refreshing, they keep the smoothie light and drinkable. Pick cucumbers with smooth skin and no soft spots.
- Avocado: Adds fiber, making it great for digestion and heart health, as it contains both soluble and insoluble fiber to keep you full and promote gut health, while also offering healthy fats and vitamins.
- Lemon and fresh ginger: Zesty, bright, and just a little spicy, these two add a natural flavor boost and help wake up your taste buds. Grab lemons that feel heavy (they’re juicier!) and ginger that’s firm with thin, shiny skin.
Save Recipe for Later!
Enter your info below and I’ll send it straight to your inbox to save for later.
How to Make a Veggie Fruit Smoothie
I know the thought of a veggie fruit smoothie can be intimidating, I’ve been there! But this one is simple, sweet, and totally kid-approved, even for kids who usually side-eye anything green. Here’s my go-to method:
- Wash the spinach and kale, peel the cucumber, core the apple, and prep the lemon and ginger. Peel the lemon, remove any seeds, then slice the lemon and ginger into blender-friendly pieces.
- Toss the greens, apple, cucumber, avocado, lemon, ginger, and water into a high-speed blender.
- Start on a low speed and gradually increase to high, blending until the smoothie is smooth and lump-free. Stop to scrape down the sides if needed.
- Pour into your favorite glass and sip right away for the freshest flavor. Add a few ice cubes for extra chill or a splash more water if you prefer your smoothie a little thinner.
Recipe Tips
Use fresh, vibrant greens: The fresher your spinach and kale, the better the flavor and nutrient content. Wilted greens can make the smoothie taste bitter.
Blend greens with liquid first: Starting with the water (your liquid base) helps break the greens down so the smoothie turns out silky instead of chunky.
Don’t over-blend: Blend just until smooth. Over-blending can dull that fresh, vibrant flavor we all love.
Easy Swaps and Add-Ins
Feel free to play around with this recipe. A few simple swaps or add-ins can change up the flavor while keeping it nourishing and refreshing:
- Swap the greens: If you’re out of kale or spinach, try romaine, Swiss chard, or even a handful of arugula. Each adds its own unique flavor and nutrients.
- Change up the fruit: Apple works great, but swap in your favorite fruits. Pear adds sweetness, pineapple brings tropical vibes, and mango gives a creamy twist.
- Boost protein: Add a scoop of my homemade protein powder for extra staying power. It blends in smoothly, adds 16 grams of plant-based protein, and keeps the flavor light and refreshing.
- Add healthy fats: A tablespoon of chia seeds or flaxseeds adds healthy fats and gives the smoothie a naturally creamier texture. If you want to make it even creamier, you can also add banana, avocado, or a splash of plant-based milk. Here’s 5 dairy-free milk recipes you can try your hand at.
Free 5-Day Smoothie Reset
Get my smoothie recipes to boost energy, fight inflammation and kickstart weight loss—in just 5 minutes a day.
More Veggie Fruit Smoothies You’ll Love
Loving this fresh, vibrant veggie fruit smoothie? Here are some more smoothie recipes to keep your mornings bright and energetic:
- Green pear smoothie blends juicy pear with leafy greens for a naturally sweet, refreshing drink.
- Glowing green smoothie combines spinach, cucumber, and a hint of citrus for a smoothie that supports radiant skin from the inside out.
- Detox island green smoothie mixes tropical pineapple and mango with kale and coconut water for a bright, hydrating mini-vacation in a glass.
- Green energy smoothie packs greens and fruit to give you a steady boost of energy any time of day.
If you make this veggie fruit smoothie, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your feedback helps me and all the readers in this community. And if you’re interested in more plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.
Beginner Veggie Fruit Smoothie
Ingredients
- ½ lemon peeled
- 1 cucumber peeled
- ½ cup spinach
- ½ cup kale
- ½ cup water
- 1 apple
- ¼ avocado
- 1 inch fresh gingerroot
- 1 serving collagen peptides
Instructions
- Blend lemon, cucumber, spinach, kale, and water until no leafy chunks remain.
- Add apple, avocado and ginger and blend until smooth.
- Add in collagen and blend on low before serving.
Helpful Tools
Notes
- Veggie tip: Spinach and kale are great, but if you prefer a milder taste, start with smaller amounts and gradually increase.
- Protein boost: You can add chia seeds, flaxseed, nut butter, or scoop of protein powder if you want more protein.
- Serving suggestion: Serve immediately for best flavor and texture, or chill in the fridge for up to 24 hours and give it a good stir before drinking.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review for a chance to win signed copies of my cookbooks!Common Questions
Yes. A high-speed blender gives you the smoothest texture, but you can still make this in a regular blender. Just blend the greens and water first until they’re fully broken down, then add the apple, cucumber, celery, lemon, and ginger. You may need to blend a little longer and scrape down the sides once or twice to avoid leafy bits.
Stick with mild veggies that blend right in. Spinach and baby kale are the easiest to “hide,” and shredded zucchini or carrot add nutrients without affecting the flavor. Start with a 60/40 fruit-to-veggie ratio, then slowly shift toward more veggies as your taste buds adjust.
If the lemon or greens feel a little strong, add a natural sweetener. A splash of orange juice, a few pineapple chunks, or part of a ripe banana will balance it out fast. You can also use a sweeter apple variety instead of green.
For the best texture, peel the ginger and remove the lemon peel. The peel can add bitterness and make the smoothie more pulpy. If your lemon has seeds, remove those too. Using just the flesh and juice keeps the flavor bright and smooth.
This smoothie was delicious
Thank you for the kind words! I’m happy to hear you’re enjoying the recipes Lina.
So Refreshing. Great combination
Truth is I was scare of this smoothie when I saw the list of ingredients but oh my! It is SO refreshing and the touch of ginger ties all the flavors together. It definitely feels like health entering my body!
I didn’t add the collagen. Love the kick from the ginger. I didn’t peel my organic cucumber and it was still great. And easy.
This smoothie is super refreshing! I love that it has more veggies and isn’t super sweet!
By far the best one all week. The zest of the lemon with the sweetness of the apple is perfect.
I doubled the greens and used both frozen greens and cucumbers that I had stashed away, as a result mine was very thick and needed extra water. I added the zest of my lemon and really enjoyed the creamy and mildly sweet flavor. Instead of the collagen, I did the homemade protein mix. I would like to try it again with the added banana. I love all of the ideas for swaps and additions!