This post contains affiliate links.
Close your eyes and this orange julius smoothie tastes like the mall classic, so green shouldn’t scare you away. Most copycats start with juice concentrate and sugar, but this one keeps the pulp and fiber of real fruit. Instead, a frozen banana makes it creamy, and the spinach disappears into the orange flavor. Best of all, this dairy-free version takes just five minutes and one blender.
What's in this post
Why You’ll Love It
- Whole oranges, not concentrate. Two peeled oranges bring the juice, pulp and fiber into every sip.
- Spinach you barely taste. One cup blends in quietly, so the orange and banana still lead the flavor.
- No added sugar. Each 16-ounce serving has 32 grams of sugar, all from the fruit. Choose unsweetened almond milk to keep it that way.
- Fiber-packed and satisfying. You also get 9 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein per serving.
- Dairy-free, vegan and gluten-free. Almond milk replaces the dairy, so everyone at the table can sip it.
- Five minutes, one serving. Prep takes three minutes, and blending takes two.
Orange Julius Smoothie Ingredients
The full list lives in the recipe card. Here’s a quick breakdown of why I use certain ingredients.
- Oranges: Blending peeled oranges whole keeps the pulp, which gives the smoothie body and fiber. Peel off as much white pith as you can so the flavor stays sweet.
- Spinach: Fresh spinach has a mild flavor and blends smooth when you run the blender twice.
- Frozen banana: A frozen banana makes the smoothie cold and creamy without watering it down with ice. Pick a ripe banana before you freeze it, because ripe fruit tastes sweeter. Here’s how to freeze bananas the easy way.
- Unsweetened almond milk: A small splash keeps the blades moving and keeps the smoothie dairy-free. Any unsweetened plant-based milk works, and this guide to non-dairy milk alternatives helps you choose.
- Vanilla (optional): A splash of vanilla extract pushes the flavor closer to the mall original.
November 9-13, 2026
Jen’s Free Soup Challenge
I’d love for you to soup it up with me! For 5 days, I’ll send you a daily veggie-packed soup that’s easy enough for a busy weeknight and makes enough to freeze and pull out all winter.
How to Make an Orange Julius Smoothie
- Blend the base. Add the spinach, peeled oranges and almond milk to your blender. A high-speed blender makes this step easier. Blend until no leafy flecks remain.
- Add the banana. Drop in the frozen banana and blend again until thick and creamy. That second blend breaks down any leftover spinach.
- Finish and serve. Stir in the vanilla if you like, then pour the smoothie into a glass. If your banana isn’t frozen, pour it over ice.
Substitutions and Variations
- Milk: swap in any unsweetened non-dairy milk, such as hemp, cashew or coconut milk.
- Greens: use another mild leafy green in place of the spinach.
- Less sugar: replace half of the banana with a quarter of an avocado. You keep the creamy texture, and the natural sugar drops.
- Colder: use at least one frozen fruit to keep the smoothie cold, or serve it over ice.
- More protein: stir in a scoop of vanilla plant-based protein powder. That changes the nutrition numbers.
Make-Ahead, Storage and Freezing
- Best fresh: drink it right away for the creamiest texture.
- Fridge: pour leftovers into a sealed glass jar and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Shake well before you drink, since it separates.
- Freezer packs: fill a freezer bag with peeled orange segments, sliced banana and spinach, then freeze for up to 3 months. Later, add the almond milk and blend. My guide to frozen meal prep smoothie packs has more tips.
More Orange Smoothie Recipes
If you like the citrus-and-greens combination, these two are worth blending next.
- Mango Orange Green Smoothie: orange, mango, banana and spinach with coconut water for a tropical flavor that doesn’t taste green.
- Orange Cranberry Smoothie: another orange-forward blend, this one with cranberry.
Common Questions
The classic Orange Julius is a frothy drink made with orange juice, milk, sugar and vanilla. This orange julius smoothie uses whole oranges, spinach, frozen banana and almond milk instead. As a result, it has no added sugar and no dairy.
Yes, but you will find it at fewer places than before. Dairy Queen owns Orange Julius and sells it at some locations, mostly Treat Centers and a few malls. Availability varies, so check the Orange Julius website for a location near you.
Most people don’t. Spinach is mild, so the orange and banana lead the flavor. However, a sensitive palate might notice a slight earthy note.
No. All 32 grams of sugar per 16-ounce serving come from the fruit. Use unsweetened almond milk to keep it that way.
Swap half of the banana for a quarter of an avocado. You keep the creamy texture, and the natural sugar drops.
Yes. For the best texture, blend it fresh. However, you can refrigerate leftovers in a sealed jar for up to 24 hours. You can also freeze peeled oranges, banana and spinach in a bag, then blend with almond milk later.
Recipe Card
Orange Julius Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup spinach
- ¼ cup almond milk
- 2 oranges
- ½ banana frozen
Instructions
- Pour the almond milk into a blender. Add the spinach and oranges and blend until smooth.
- Add the banana. Blend on high until smooth, 45 to 60 seconds, adding a splash more liquid if it’s too thick. Pour into a glass and serve immediately.
You’ll want it later
Save this recipe
Drop your email and I’ll send it to you.
Share with a friend
Recipe Notes
- Milk Swaps: Hemp, cashew or coconut milk all work in place of the almond milk. Use unsweetened for the brightest orange flavor.
- Flavor Tip: Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract for a flavor closer to the original Orange Julius.
- Lower Sugar: Swap the banana for 1/4 avocado for a creamy, less sweet smoothie. Here’s how to cut an avocado.
- Storing: Best fresh, but it keeps in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Shake before drinking, since the orange can separate.
Nutrition
Saturated Fat: 1 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g | Sodium: 106 mg | Potassium: 853 mg | Sugar: 32 g | Vitamin A: 3440 IU | Vitamin C: 153 mg | Calcium: 212 mg | Iron: 1 mg
I made this smoothie according to the blog post recipe, including a 1/2 tsp vanilla, a few ice cubes, and homemade protein powder. It was good but not a favorite. It’s an easy way to eat two full oranges and get a healthy dose of Vitamin C!
Knew this would not disappoint! Chia seeds were the best addition also!
Heavenly mixture and so refreshing! You can feel your body say ‘Ahhh’
Orange Julius smoothie! I think the whole point in leaving a review is reviewing the smoothie as is. Adding a few extra things may change the taste and our opinion of it. That being said, I did both… I made the smoothie as is and tasted it, it was fine! OK it was great! lol! But I like it greater-er! So I did add some extra Chia seeds. but that doesn’t alter the flavor as much. Because I’ve made an orange Julius smoothie many times and with many flavor combinations, a little bit of this and a little bit of that added makes it a much more appetizing smoothie. For example, some fresh ginger and mint leaves will definitely add a zing to it. And since it is an orange Julius smoothie, orange and strawberries go together, so a few strawberries and maybe a couple blueberries! I like this smoothie because it’s a great base for many things. When I normally make it I’ll use milk and add some oatmeal, Banana, strawberry, mint, ginger and make it as a breakfast with some protein added. And sometimes it just depends on what fruits I have lying around. I’ll even throw in a few handfuls of Protein/power greens. And when you have a vitamix blender… Well you can make what you want!
One of my faves!