Breakfast: the most important meal of the day.
We’ve all heard this from our moms, grandmoms, teachers, or friends. But do we agree? Kale yeah we do!
But that all depends on what you eat for breakfast. Try swapping a bagel and coffee for a green smoothie and you will feel supercharged and finally understand why breakfast is so important.
If you spend most mornings rushing just to make sure you’re dressed and on time for work (and getting the kids ready if you’ve got ‘em), walking out your door with a healthy breakfast in your hand ain’t easy. We are both busy moms ourselves, and ran into this problem in our early green smoothie blending days.
In the past few years, however, we’ve figured out a fabulous #smoothiehack to help you get blending, and sipping that leafy green goodness no matter how hectic your morning. (That way, you can spend those extra minutes tucking a note in someone’s lunchbox, or making sure you remember your water bottle.)
Ready? Here’s our secret: we started freezing leafy greens.
We know, we know. It sounds so simple! But the payoff is major, people—for your health, and your wallet, because it helps you avoid wasting tasty veggies and greens.
We typically use fresh greens for a couple days right after we go grocery shopping. Then, we measure out two cups of greens into each freezer bag, and toss ‘em on in the freezer. Then, as we run around making sure little teeth are brushed and school clothes are on, all we have to do is grab a bag of frozen greens and dump them in the blender!
Yep, that means no more bleary-eyed battles with the measuring cups. Greens stay good in the freezer for a couple of months instead of a week in the fridge. Boom! We know you love saving time and money as much as we do, Rawkstar!
How to freeze leafy greens
Spinach, kale, and chard all freeze beautifully. And, if you freeze your greens in one big batch instead of 2 cup quantities, just make sure to note that 2 cups of fresh greens equals 1 ½ cups of frozen greens.
note: While frozen greens are fantastic for smoothies, don’t use them for your salads… you’ll be very disappointed! (Turns out, ice chunks aren’t as fun as croutons.)
Wash leafy greens
Wash the greens well. To help remove any bugs, add a little white vinegar to the water and swish well. Shake to remove excess water, pat, or spin dry.
Remove stems
Remove the leaves from the stems (if there are large stems present, like kale), and chop or tear leaves into pieces. To do this quickly, hold the stem in one hand and run the other one along the stem to rip the leaves away from the stalk. (Some blenders can handle the stems, but others can’t. Do what works best for you!)
Label storage bags
Label bags with the amount and type of green. Adding the date can be helpful if these will be stored for a while.
Measure greens
Measure out greens into BPA-free, freezer-safe bags or containers. Squeeze out as much air as possible and seal.
Pack leafy greens into bags
Pop the bags into the freezer and store until ready to use.
Hint: if we’re feeling extra organized, we measure out the frozen fruit for each smoothie and add it to the bag of greens before we freeze. You can check out our make ahead smoothie prep tips here.)
Share your favorite hack…
Do you have a favorite smoothie hack? If you do, share it with us in the comments below. We always love hearing from you guys!
Is it ok to add almond butter to my smoothies?
Awesome! I’m on the right track. I just started doing last week.
Nice job, Anita! Keep up the great work!!
How about using a food processor to grind the greens and then freezing them as ice blocks.
It you have a large amount of greens on hand. Do you thinks it’s a good way to preserve them for future use?
Hey Nadine! That’s another great way to prevent greens from going bad before you can use them. Many SGS Rawkstars blend their greens with a little bit of water, pour the mixture into ice cube trays, and freeze for future use. 🙂
You may also enjoy this smoothie cube recipe we created that includes leafy greens: https://simplegreensmoothies.com/recipes/smoothie-cubes-alkaline-vegetables
Mary Lou wrote something of interest to me: MARY LOU SAYS:
Smoothie tip – I have researched the optimum daily dosage of several items that I want included in my daily diet. They include ground flax, turmeric, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. I mix together multiples of each in their correct ratios and prepare a Mason quart jar of the dry mixture for use over many smoothies. Then I put a couple of heaping tablespoons in my smoothie each day. I also add ground ginger as a regular ingredient, and once in a while some cocoa or raw chocolate, just because. I can feel my body saying “Thank you”, even as the cayenne pepper gives me a boost of Hot!
Can you tell me please what this ratio is or where do I find it? I’d like to incorporate this into my green smoothies! Thanks!
That’s a good question, Susan. 🙂 I sent a message to Mary Lou asking her if she could share that info. Hopefully she’ll reply back!
I add a lot of dry ingredients: protein and collagen powder, cacao, flax meal…these can be put together ahead of time. I always make a double batch and refrigerate or freeze the second smoothie for later.
Those are great tips, thanks KT! 🙂
I just pop the big bin of spianch or Kale into the freezer when purchased, I buy prewashed, this makes it fast and avoids wasting so many plastic bags, easy to brake off a healthy handful or two right from the freezer.
Good tips!
I love the idea of preparing ahead and freezing, but are these recipes geared for 2 servings or 1. I need to get more frozen fruit but was going to prepare using 1/2 the quantities as my other half won’t touch them.
Leslie-Anne, our recipes can be changed to yield one or more servings. Usually, if you’re looking to prep for just one serving, you’ll want to use 1 cup of leafy greens and 1 1/2 cups of fruit. Add to that 1 cup of liquid and that’s your basic equation for a simple green smoothie!
I will start freezing my greens. Is it ok to freeze them in mason jars? Thank you for letting me know that about freezing. This wil keep my kale from spoiling.
Barb, you can freeze your greens in any bag or container that is freezer safe. I use glass Pyrex containers. If mason jars work for you, go for it!
If you wash and freeze whole kale leaves, the leaf crumbles off the stem when it’s frozen with very little pressure. Just stuff it all in a freezer bag. So easy to prep kale without stripping or chopping. Great time saver.
Lori, that’s an awesome tip and an amazing time saver! I am going to try this next time I’m prepping kale. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Can I freeze the Earthbound Farm Organic already packaged Costco bought Deep Green Blends Power chard, kale, baby spinach too! if I place them in 2 cups per bag?
Hey Belle,
Yes you can totally do that. I actually love to freeze my greens as well because I buy a huge bulk of them whenever I go shopping 🙂
Not greens related, but I make lemon juice ice cubes. Measure 1 tablespoon of fresh squeezed lemon juice into ice cube trays. It’s easy to add to my smoothie and it’s great in my water bottle too!
Thanks for sharing that tip, Alexandra!
Thanks! Freezing greens will be a big help in in keeping me on the right track!
You are welcome, Dorothy!
Glad this was helpful to you 🙂
You recommend pulsing the greens and liquid first, right? Then, why do you put the greens in the bottom of the bag? Unless I misunderstand something here your technique requires removing all the fruit to get to the greens.
Hey Marla,
If you have a lower power blender then you would put your greens at the top of your bag so it can be blended first. If you have a high power blender then it doesn’t matter how you place your ingredients because it will all be blended smoothly.
Hope that helps!
How long can/should you store frozen greens?
Hey Colleen,
We really don’t have a certain time frame. I have personally had mine in the freezer for up to a month because I did a huge batch. Normally I use up my greens within that time frame though. Make sure to always pay attention to it and make sure it looks and smells right before adding them to your smoothie.
Hope that helps!
When you freeze your 2 cups of greens (kale, or spinach), is that 2 cups packed or loose? I’m new to drinking greens….
Hey CC,
When we measure two cups of spinach we usually do two big handfuls and that always works out great! If you add more or less that is a personal preference.
Hope that helps!
It does – thanks!
I’m enjoying my smoothies, this is a first for me and the vitamixer is terrific
Hey Betty,
The Vitamix is SUCH a great blender!!! So happy for you— you’re gonna love it 🙂
Hi! Does freezing the greens change the fiber content? Thank you!
Hey Amy,
The fiber and everything else stays the same because freezing preserves everything. So it is truly a win win!
Happy blending!
Freezing sounds like it would save a good deal of time. Great tip!!
Hey Karen,
It really is a great way to save time and preserve all the ingredients you buy. Most of the time we buy a bunch to prep ahead and if we do not use them we end up having to throw out. With freezing you never waste anything!! 🙂
I read on many other sites that you shoudl blanch greens before freezing them. What do you suggest?
Hey Susan,
We like to use raw veggies for our smoothies instead of cooked, that way we get as much nutrients as we possibly can. So I would recommend washing your greens really good first and then placing them in a freezer bag.
Hope that helps!
It sounds like I could make the blended water/spinach combo first, then pour that into silicone molds and then freeze them.
Hi Meri,
Yes, we’ve had many community members do that!
I have discovered the day they mark down the big bins of greens at the grocer and am able to purchase 5-7 huge bins of greens for half price. Freezing them has become an obsession and the way I manage it is making green ice cubes. I blend them with as much water as is needed per bin (1-2 cups) to be able to still pour them into muffin tins (silicone all the way for this) and freeze them. Usually the ratio turns out to be a regular sized muffin cube is equal to approx 3/4 cup of greens. The mini ones (easier on a lot of blenders) are about 1/4 cup of greens. I get 3-4 gallon size freezer bags of green ice cubes out of the bins and those last a good while for our morning smoothies. This also takes up a lot less baggies than if trying to measure it out at 2 cups per bag and gives you the ice needed for cold drinks in the a.m.
Roberta, this is genius! Thank you!
Thank you so much, I didn’t know you could freeze greens but I do now awesome!!
It’s life-changing, Kathy! 🙂
Thank you all, I’ve wasted so much green goodness in the past. I’ll try this tonight. Thank you again.
KALE YEAH!
I just picked up a box containing about eight containers of salad greens. (They were left over from a food giveaway.) I already knew that I sometimes end wasting my greens, but that’s because I didn’t think they would freeze well. Your article has helped me. Will this work for a mixed bag of greens, like a spring mix? And, how long can the green cubes last?
Hi Carmela,
Yes!! You can totally save spring mix greens this way! I’ve found that greens are best when stored for about 2-3 months.
Great stuff! One thing to note is that spinach is #2 on EWG’s Dirty Dozen list of fruits and veggies, those with the highest amounts of pesticides/herbicides. Strawberries are #1. So while choosing green smoothies to be healthy is great, better if using organic for at least these two ingredients – check out the others on the EWG list as well as its Clean 15 list. (I am in no way affiliated wit EWG but am very grateful for the work they do.)
Smoothie tip – I have researched the optimum daily dosage of several items that I want included in my daily diet. They include ground flax, turmeric, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. I mix together multiples of each in their correct ratios and prepare a Mason quart jar of the dry mixture for use over many smoothies. Then I put a couple of heaping tablespoons in my smoothie each day. I also add ground ginger as a regular ingredient, and once in a while some cocoa or raw chocolate, just because. I can feel my body saying “Thank you”, even as the cayenne pepper gives me a boost of Hot!
Enjoy.
Hi Mary Lou! What a great idea. In fact, your comment has garnered interest with some of our other Rawkstars. Susan asked, “Can you tell me please what this ratio is or where do I find it? I’d like to incorporate this into my green smoothies! Thanks!”
Is there any way you have that info to share? Thank you! 🙂
Hi Robin,
You’re totally right. We definitely suggest buying organic those items that are high on the EWG List!
Thank you for the freezing tips, i used to buy in bulk but end up throwing most I’d them into the thrush bun as they would be spoiled. But your tip is easy and very convenient
Hi Tandy,
Rawesome! Freezing is great for preventing waste! Also it’s perfect when you find your favorites on sale + can really stock up! 🙂
Could you also blend the greens with water (as if you were making a fresh smoothie), then pour the liquid into an ice cube tray and freeze. Then just use the ice cubes in your next smoothie. You could do the same with fresh herbs.
Hi Val,
You totally could! And some members of our community have done that too. I’ve just found this method creates the most delicious results!
Mostly I use spinach, silverbeet, celery, carrot, banana, frozen mixed berries, maple syrup
Soya milk & most important MINT.
Hi Jan,
Yum! Mint is my personal favorite!! I can’t wait for warmer temperatures when it goes wild in my garden!
Thanks so much. On other sites they recommend to blanch first, but I do not want to kill the bacteria and enzymes. This will just slow the growth. I guess if they get over 2 months old….I will just throw the rest in soups. I usually add Kiefer or yogurt for protein and probiotics. Maybe even some sauerkraut juice, lemon. or apple cider vinegar if you balance with some sweet fruit. The more I drink these, the more I like the sour over the sweet. It is a good contrast and I love lemon or lime in mine.
Hi Wendy,
We love a great hint of lemon + lime in our recipes! Here’s a few of our favorite “tart” recipes…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/recipes/smoothies/green-smoothie-mct-oil
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/recipes/smoothies/green-smoothie-mct-oil
Hi Melissa,
thanks for the measurement equivalents! that’s a big help 🙂
You’re so welcome, Donna!
For me, I just use the basics ( greens, banana, Apple juice, orange juice, pineapple & Greek yogurt). Then I throw in some extra fruit (whatever is in freezer) & a supplement. Tastes good every time!
Now I can change things up with this new handy app. Makes life so easy, and better at getting a variety of nutritious ingredients!
YAY!! Love that the app is inspiring you to change it up! If you want to get really wild, make sure and check out the Random Recipe feature in the menu bar. Simply give it a shake! 🙂
I’m not great at measuring I’m new to this green smoothie life but I’ve been putting baby spinach and kale, mangoes, strawberries, kiwi, and half a lemon in mine and it’s soooo good
Hi Aaliyah,
YAY!! Thanks for blendin’ with us!
So maybe I totally sweat the small stuff, but I’m doing a green smoothie cleanse and the recipe measurements are by handful! Would you say a handful is 1oz or 1.5oz??
Hi Melissa,
It’s going to vary, but so you have an idea of the ratios: 1 cup = 30 grams = 1 ounce. So I’d guess that a handful of leafy greens is a little less than an oz.
Hope that helps a little bit!
Thanks for the comments about washing the green veggies. Why do we want to take the stems out? I’m learning more each day!
GoodGriener
Hi Good Griener,
When it comes to fiberous leafy greens like kale, collard, and chard, we suggest removing the stems. They can be a little bit bitter and a tough on your blender. Other stems like those found in baby varieties, are a-ok to blend!
Does red leaf lettuce freeze well for smoothies?
Hi Edie,
I haven’t found a lettuce I don’t like to freeze. Give it a try, then reach back out + let me know how it worked for you!
My green smoothies sure don’t look as good as your, and I bet yours taste better too!
Hi Jacquelyn,
Let me know what’s different between ours and yours? Is it the consistency? If so, check out our post on “how to blend without leafy chunks” here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/plant-based-diet/how-to/perfect-blend
Manny
Will the green smoothies retain their nutrients if frozen for consumption at a later date?
Hi Manny,
Definitely! Freezing your leafy greens is like hitting the pause button on all of those yummy nutrients!
I’ve been putting 1/3 apple into my morning very green smoothie…however…I wonder about food combining…combining fruits and vegetables. The liver loves bitter and sour, so blending the fruit, esp. if it’s to get rid of the bitter doesn’t seem so great. Thoughts?
Thanks.
Hi Claudia,
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!
I do this once every two weeks on my day off. I’ll wash, cut and measure enough greens and pineapple for 14 days and store them in separate small Tupperware containers in the freezer. Start to finish it takes about 30 minutes-ish. If I had to do that each morning, it would take me at least 10 minutes every day. 30 leisurely mins vs 140 rushed ones is a no brainer for me.
Everything else (banana, flax seeds, oats, berries and raw eggs) goes in fresh.
Rawk on, Tim!
I thought you had to blanch greens prior to freezing them? Sorry, i have not read all the comments to know because it only shows a few at a time.
Hi Lea,
It really is about preference. Personally, we love freezing + blending our green fresh, with all of their nutrition.
If you’re sensitive to oxalate build-up, blanching your greens prior to freezing can help prevent this risk.
What amount of greens should you add to a smoothie?
Hi Janice,
The majority of our recipes follow the Simple Green Smoothie’s formula: 2 cups leafy greens, 2 cups liquid base, 3 cups fruit.
Cheers!
How many people does this recipe serve?
Hi Diana,
This recipe serves 2!
I package and label my greens and fruit in small units for the week.i blend one unit every morning,off I go
Rawesome!
Before I go to bed I place my chia, hemp and pumpkin seeds (and nuts if using) in my blender, cover with water to help with the enzyme release . In the morning I place all my ingreds. for the smoothie on top of the soaked seeds…waa-la! Blend and drink. Yum!!!
Rawesome! Thanks for sharing, Kathy!