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This insanely tasty tropical kale smoothie recipe was originally created for my #1 best-selling recipe book, Simple Green Smoothies. Over the years, I’ve craved it more and more, and even started growing my own kale to use in smoothies.
This smoothie tastes like sunshine, and will cause you to fall in love with green smoothies.
I’m sure you’ve noticed kale’s rise to fame over the last decade. It went from an unidentified leafy green to the top dog of the produce section overnight. Kale comes from the cruciferous family (along with cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, and more). Kale is a supercharged superfood, because it is loaded with vitamins A, B6, C, and K, calcium, potassium, copper and manganese.
People typically identify kale by it’s sharp taste, and tougher texture, yet if this is you, then I’m gonna ask you to give it another try.
Kale Smoothie Ingredients
This recipe takes me back to my California roots through its tropical ingredient list:
- Orange: 92% DV of Vitamin C
- Pineapple: 761% DV of Vitamin C
- Mango: Vitamin C… and a natural sweetener.
- Chia seeds: The omega 3s and 6s in the chia seeds, as well as the protein boost, help turn that natural sugar into energy as your body processes it.
- Kale: This Top Superfoods List is a great way to boost your fiber intake + help your body process the natural sugar found in the fruit ingredients.
Easy Ingredient Swaps
If you want to turn this smoothie into a great pre or post workout beverage, then swap the water with coconut water, aka nature’s gatorade. Add even more superfood goodness by swapping the chia seeds with a plant-based protein powder, like my homemade protein powder recipe.
Tips for Blending a Kale Smoothie
While this kale smoothie recipe uses Lacinato kale, any kale will work. I highly recommend removing the stems of the kale before blending to eliminate as much bitterness as possible. You can compost the stems or even feed them to the backyard chickens. To tenderize kale leaves, wash them in water, then gently massage the leaves with your fingers.
When blending kale, tear it up into smaller pieces before tossing in the blender. Blend with just the liquid + kale first, until no chunks remain. Then add the remaining ingredients and blend again. This 2 blend method helps the kale break down quicker, especially if you’re using a non high-powered blender.
Kale Smoothie FAQs
Smoothies can be great for you, if you focus on using whole food ingredients. Ditch the added sugar and processed foods and use real whole food. Fresh or frozen kale can be used (both have great nutrition!). Just make sure to swap up your leafy greens to ensure your body gets well rounded nutrients.
Yes! Just make sure to wash it well and massage with your fingers before adding it to the blender. Also, de-stem the kale to ensure those tough stems don’t end up as chunks in your smoothie.
I love the mild flavor of Lacinato kale, yet curly kale is typically the easiest to find at the grocery store. I would stay away from Tuscan kale as it is a bit spicier. If the first kind of kale you try isn’t your fav, look for another kind!
More Kale Smoothies
Whether this is a new ingredient for you or a staple in your fridge, here are some more great smoothies that use kale:
- kale mango smoothie
- kale banana smoothie
- pineapple kale smoothie
- kiwi smoothie
- coconut oil smoothie
- fruit and vegetable smoothie
- ginger pineapple smoothie
- cherry smoothie
Really, swap out the leafy green in any green smoothie with kale. It might just become your go-to smoothie ingredient too! Let me know your thoughts about this smoothie by leaving a rating + review below once you blend it.
Kale Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup kale
- ½ cup water
- 1 orange peeled
- ½ cup pineapple frozen
- ½ cup mango frozen
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
Instructions
- Blend kale, orange and water until smooth.
- Add remaining fruit and blend again.
Notes
- Use at least 1 frozen fruit for a refreshingly cold smoothie.
- Swap kale with the leafy green or your choice.
- Swap in coconut water if you need natural electrolytes.
- Depending on how big and juicy your orange is, start with a little less water and gradually add more as needed to easily blend.
I was a bit skeptical about this because while I know the health benefits of kale, I still view it as a garnish that goes on your plate in an old-school restaurant. However, I was pleasantly surprised. It tasted like the smoothie from day 1, and I don’t have a fancy blender.
Tasted just fine. Not as sweet as the others, however enjoyed it nonetheless.
Kale yeah! This was a nice & bright flavorful smoothie. I love using kale in my smoothies & this didn’t disappoint.
I really like the flavor of this smoothie. The kale was a little thinker than I like (I may have added a little extra). I added blueberries because I did not have enough pineapple and I think it really enhanced the flavor.
I was really surprised when I started sipping this smoothie. I thought the kale would overpower the other ingredients. I was wrong! All of the ingredients seemed to blend equally which created a nice…sort of light fruity flavor. I would try kale again in another smoothie.
Enjoyed this smoothie, had it for dinner! I did half kale and half spinach. Loving the orange blended in.
I thought the kale might be overpowering without the sweetness of the banana but it wasn’t. The orange kept it light and bright. It was surprisingly delightful.
I have always been kinda afraid to buy Kale but this smoothie tasted really good. I am going to start putting it in my smoothies regularly now. Thanks.
This kale smoothie wasn’t as sweet as the tropical smoothie, but it was still delicious! I do like the addition of the orange
I wrote my comment earlier, but I don’t see it as I scroll through comments… smoothy #3 was delicious too.
Good smoothie. Like the kale in it.
Yumm Yumm Yumm! I’ve been using coconut water and mixed greens in all of the drinks, and this was yet another yummy drink. I haven’t ever used oranges in my blended drinks before, but it’s been a pleasant new addition, and one I’m definitely going continue using. So good!!
Pretty good. Think I like using spinach instead. Will try it with arugula as well.
Very nutritious and tasty!
A pretty good smoothie – found the kale to be a little strong. I substituted protein powder for the chia seeds.
Kale is my go to greens for smoothies! Another delicious and refreshing boost!