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This spinach banana smoothie has been a longtime favorite in my kitchen, but I recently decided to give it a little glow-up. I reworked the recipe to boost fiber, increase protein, and layer in even more flavor—turning it from a light, refreshing blend into a more balanced meal replacement. It’s still just as bright and creamy as ever, but now it keeps you full, fueled, and satisfied for hours.
Table of Contents
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I love most about this smoothie is how customizable it is. You can keep it light and refreshing, or turn it into a hearty, stay-full meal with simple add-ins like protein powder, nut butters, seeds, or oats. One sip in, and you’ll understand why this blend delivers a serious happiness boost.
- Fresh spinach: A mild leafy green that adds fiber, iron, and vitamin A without overpowering the flavor.
- Orange (peeled): Bright, juicy citrus that brings natural sweetness, vitamin C, and liquid for easy blending.
- Banana: One my favorite natural sweeteners that balances the citrus and adds creamy thickness to the smoothie.
- Frozen cauliflower florets: A freezer-friendly secret for extra creaminess and fiber with zero veggie taste.
- Chilled coconut milk: Adds healthy fats and a light tropical richness for a smooth, satisfying texture. Check out my recommended coconut milk brands to help you shop. If you’re not a fan of coconut milk, swap with my recommended almond milk brands.
- Homemade protein powder (optional): Helps turn this smoothie into a filling breakfast or post-workout meal.
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How to Make a Spinach Banana Smoothie
This spinach banana smoothie comes together fast, but using a high-speed blender makes all the difference. Oranges have stringy membranes and spinach is fibrous, and powerful smoothie blenders help create a smooth, creamy texture without pulp or grit.
- Add your base ingredients. Add spinach, peeled orange, banana, frozen cauliflower, and chilled coconut milk to your blender. You can also make coconut milk at home.
- Blend until creamy. Start on low, then increase to high until completely smooth. Stop and scrape the sides if needed.
- Optional protein boost. Add protein powder and blend briefly, just until combined.
- Serve right away. Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Recipe Tip
Stocking your freezer is the secret to thick, creamy smoothies—no ice required. Keeping frozen meal prep smoothie packs on hand means this smoothie is always just minutes away.
- Frozen cauliflower: I love using frozen riced cauliflower from Costco. It blends smoothly and adds creaminess without any veggie flavor.
- Frozen bananas: Peel, slice, and freeze ripe bananas for natural sweetness and a creamy texture following my how to freeze bananas tutorial.
- Frozen spinach: You can freeze spinach in handfuls or into cubes for an easy greens boost.
- Want more tips for perfect texture and flavor every time? Check out my full guide on how to make a smoothie so every blend turns out smooth, creamy, and delicious.
Suggested Mix-Ins
Whether you keep it simple or load it up with boosts, this spinach banana smoothie proves that green smoothies can be creamy, comforting, and totally crave-worthy. Blend it once, and you’ll find yourself coming back to it again and again.
- Add nut butter: Peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter add healthy fats and make the smoothie extra satisfying. Peanut butter pairs especially well with banana and orange.
- Sprinkle in seeds: Flaxseeds, chia seeds and hemp seeds add fiber, omega-3s, and plant-based protein without changing the flavor much. Ground flaxseed blends best.
- Warm it up with spices: Cinnamon adds cozy sweetness without sugar, while fresh or ground ginger brings a zingy kick that supports digestion and immunity.
- Sneak in more veggies: Frozen zucchini, extra cauliflower, or a handful of frozen spinach work beautifully and keep the texture creamy.
- Make it extra filling: Rolled oats turn this smoothie into a stick-to-your-ribs breakfast. Start small and add more if needed.
More Spinach Smoothie Recipes
Once you’ve mastered this spinach banana smoothie, it’s fun to mix things up, Here are more smoothie recipes packed with spinach goodness, and perfect for everyday sipping:
- Spinach Berry Smoothie
- Spinach Strawberry Banana Smoothie
- Mango Spinach Smoothie
- Spinach Papaya Smoothie
If you make this spinach banana 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.
Spinach Banana Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 orange peeled
- 1 banana
- ¼ cup cauliflower florets frozen
- ¾ cup coconut milk chilled
- 1 serving protein powder optional
Instructions
- Peel and slice oranges to help blend easier.
- Blend spinach, orange, banana, cauliflower and coconut milk together until smooth.
- Add in protein powder (if using) and blend on low until mixed in.
- Pour into glass and enjoy!
Helpful Tools
Notes
- Mixing protein powder on low after initial blending prevents over-aeration.
- If you’re not a fan of coconut milk, you can swap it for almond milk or oat milk.
- Protein powders vary— I used a 25g protein option for this smoothie.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review for a chance to win signed copies of my cookbooks!Common Questions
Nope. Spinach has a very mild flavor, and in this spinach banana smoothie it’s completely balanced by sweet banana and bright orange.
A high-speed blender gives the creamiest spinach banana smoothie, especially since oranges have fibrous membranes. A standard blender works too, though the texture may be slightly pulpy.
Yes. Almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, or cashew milk all work well in a spinach banana smoothie if you don’t have coconut milk.
Frozen zucchini, avocado, or extra banana are great substitutes for cauliflower in a spinach banana smoothie. And if you want to switch things up with fresh fruit, check out my guide on how to peel kiwi for easy prep and perfectly blendable pieces every time.
If I am using a nutribullet can I blend the ingredients at the same time
Hey Jen! With a Nutribullet, I recommend blending the coconut water and spinach first and then the remaining ingredients.
So what is the secret ingredient in Orange Julius?
Hey There!
There is no secret ingredient between this one and the Orange Julius! They just have two different names 🙂
This is one of my favourites love the citrus flavour, good way to get some vitamin c. Can’t wait to drink it in the summer I think it will be very refreshing
Hey Clare,
Oh yeah!! This recipe is a perfect summer drink. I wish it was summer right now!!
If you love oranges..this one is for you!
That’s right Cory!!
All the lemon lovers are welcome!!
LOVED this one!!! So refreshing and tart. Threw in 1/2 peeled lemon
Hey Bonnie,
I’m so glad you loved how refreshing this smoothie was.
The lemon really adds a lot of flavor to it!!
Only had half an orange so next time I’ll have to make sure I have oranges on hand. Still enjoyed the taste.
Hey Carol!
I am so glad that you were still able to make this recipe and enjoy it!! The oranges are really tasty in this smoothie 🙂
Amazeballs!! Love this one…great blend of yummy ingredients…great flavor
Hey Theresa,
Haha love that!! SO happy that this recipe was a winner for you 🙂
Peel and all. Amazing. Love these smoothies. I am hooked
Hey Clare,
Yes!!! Welcome to the smoothie community!! 🙂
Tangy and good. Swapped banana for avocado, was nice and creamy. 4 stars
Hey Anita,
Love that you made this smoothie your own!
Cheers!!
Delicious! Lemon is so refreshing and not one of my ‘usual’ fruits for green smoothies, thanks for the recipe idea!!!
Hey Tanya,
Right?! It really is super refreshing with the added lemon. So happy that you enjoyed it!!
This was really quite refreshing! I loved the zing of the lemon, and will definitely add this to the regular rotation!
Hey Stephanie,
SO happy that you loved the addition of the lemon to this smoothie!
We are so excited that this will be added to your smoothie routine 🙂
One of my favourites! I didn’t have a whole lemon handy, so I used 2T of organic lemon juice instead. Added spirulina and hemp hearts for my daily add-ons and omitted the coconut water.
Hey Mireille,
That is so awesome that you made it work for you!
Thank you so much for sharing how you made this smoothie your own. You rawk!!
Yum!! I wasn’t sure how I’d like this one, but I loved it! So refreshing.
Hey Bethany!
I am so glad that you were pleasantly surprised with this refreshing recipe!
I LOVED the addition of the lemon in this one!!! I will be thinking of adding lemon more often to my smoothies.
Hey Kelly,
SO happy that you loved the addition of the lemon juice! It really is delicious 🙂
Juiced half a lemon into this and it overpowered completely. Not a fan to be honest !
Hey Neal,
Feel free to add less lemon next time or leave it out completely if you are not a fan of the taste.
I was a little unsure about this one, but I was pleasantly surprised at how yummy it was. Doubt not SGS!!!!
We love that you have some much faith in us!
I love the Vitamin C boost I’m getting with Orange Jewels! It’s pleasantly tart and a beautiful bright green. Yum!
We always love getting that extra vitamin C!
Was so refreshing and tasty. I love oranges is one of my favorite fruits. I adore any smoothie with oranges in it. I’m sold.
SO happy you love oranges so much because we have a ton of recipes with that!
One of my favs so far. Yum! I peeled lemon and threw it in there worried that the lemon would be harsh but it was perfect! Definitely saving this recipe
Hey Erica,
So happy you believed in us and threw that lemon in there 🙂
That oranges health benefits in smoothies really do wonders for the skin !!!!!!!
They really do! You are going to have such gorgeous glowing skin after this challenge 🙂