This super fun smoothie is from my Green Smoothie Challenge. I wanted a way to help others start the healthy habit of adding 1 green smoothie a day, and this challenge is a great starting point. If you are new to green smoothies, or just need a boost, then this challenge is for you! Now, let’s get blending this Vegan Tropical Smoothie!
Table of Contents
Blending a Vegan Tropical Smoothie
Smoothies are super quick n’ easy to make, and don’t require fancy equipment. I blended many smoothies with my $40 Hamilton Beach blender before making the commitment to a Vitamix. Here’s my no-fail blending formula:
- Blend spinach, orange, and water. You should blend until there are no leafy chunks swirling around, which might take a bit depending on your blender.
- Add the remaining ingredients and blend again. Blend until no chunks remain. If you’re using all frozen fruit, thaw it a bit before adding so that your blender doesn’t have to work as hard.
If you’re using a high-powered blender, then I recommend leaving as much of the white-pith around the orange as possible because that pith contains oh so many nutrients. Yet if you are using a non-high powered blender, then the pith might not fully break down.
Using at least 1 frozen fruit will give you a refreshingly cold vegan tropical smoothie. I don’t recommend freezing the orange for this smoothie since it acts as part of the liquid as well. If you do freeze the orange, then just add a bit more water to break down the ingredients.
Health Benefits
Vitamin C
This smoothie contains over 100% of the recommended daily value of Vitamin C. This is an antioxidant that fights free radicals, which cause all kinds of chronic conditions. The CDC states 45% of adults in the US have hypertension, which can put us at risk for stroke or heart disease.
Potassium
This electrolyte lowers blood pressure, boosts energy, and fights fatigue. It also assists the body with digestion. Studies by the National Institute of Health show that daily consumption of potassium can improve bone health.
Vitamin B6
Our bodies need this vitamin to help metabolize protein, carbs, and fat. It also helps regulate our mood (read: happiness levels!), to help combat depression. The National Library of Medicine shows B6 may also aid in combating Alzheimer’s disease.
Folate
Folate is vital in mood regulation as well, so it is used to combat depression. It also aids in heart health. Pregnant women are encouraged to up their intake of folate to assist in fetal brain development. This vegan tropical smoothie will take that baby’s brain to genius level.
How to make a Vegan Smoothie
Many smoothies you buy from a restaurant contain dairy in some form. Whether the liquid is milk, the chocolate contains dairy, yogurt is added or whey protein powder, something in that smoothie probably contains dairy. Yet they don’t have to!
My homemade smoothies have 3 components: leafy greens, fruit, and liquid. I typically use water or a plant-based milk (almond milk, oat milk and coconut milk are my go-tos). Try swapping your dairy milk with plant milk.
Look for a plant-based protein powder that is vegan (not whey). If you like adding in yogurt, then look for a non-dairy variety.
Smoothie FAQs
Lots of smoothies ordered at restaurants contain dairy in the smoothie mix, protein powder, or boosters. If you want a true vegan smoothie, stick to a plant based milk (or water), real fruit, and leafy greens. Use vegan protein powder and dairy free yogurt to boost.
I recommend blending your smoothies in 2 steps. First, blend the leafy greens + liquid. Once there are no leafy bits remaining, then add in the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Thaw frozen ingredients slightly to make them easy to blend.
While a Vitamix is going to give you a smooth beverage every time, they are also expensive! If you’re a smoothie lovin’ newbie, then I recommend getting a NutriBullet (not sponsored, just tested and approved!). They make great machines for a variety of budgets. Yet if you’ve been blending a long time and going through blender after blender (been there!) then I recommend saving up for a Vitamix. You will get years and years of use, and beautifully blended smoothies every single time.
More Tropical Smoothie Recipes
Tropical smoothies are delicious and easy to make. Here are a few of my fav recipes:
- Tropical smoothie bowl
- Dragon fruit smoothie
- Island green smoothie
- Margarita smoothie
- Piña colada smoothie
- Dragon fruit smoothie bowl
- Pineapple smoothie
- Tropical kale smoothie
Which one sounds fabulous to you? Leave a comment once you blend these and let me know how they turned out! And once you blend the vegan tropical smoothie recipe below, don’t forget to leave a rating 🙂
Vegan Tropical Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup spinach
- ½ cup water
- ½ orange peeled
- ½ cup pineapple frozen
- ½ banana
- 1 serving homemade protein powder optional
Instructions
- Blend spinach orange, and water until smooth.
- Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.Â
Notes
- Use at least 1 frozen fruit for a refreshingly cold smoothie
- Use coconut water instead of regular water for an electrolyte boost
- Note that this recipe uses less water than normal smoothies because the orange acts like fruit AND liquid. If your orange is extra watery, don’t be afraid to lessen the amount of water to start.
- Feel free to swap spinach with any leafy green you have on hand (kale works great in this recipe too!)
Love this recipe! Have gotten brave and tried a few variants, the most surprising being substituting butternut squash for banana. At our house, we actually like this flavor better as it isn’t quite as sweet as banana.
Yum, either version!
This is such a nutrient protein packed smoothie I love it it’s delicious abs satisfying. Tastes great too.
Very similar to the orange Julius one but I like the added pineapple. I use pineapple a lot.
Pineapple’s nutritional profile is so lovely for boosting your immune system. Bonus points, Lynne!
I loved this one!! I added cucumber.
Cucumber is a great add. Very hydrating and refreshing! Thanks for sharing!
Love this recipe. The color is beautiful. I didn’t use as much fruit as the recipe called for or as much liquid and it was still great. Will make this again.
Perfectly sweet & refreshing. I have to watch my sugar count, so I left out the orange and the smoothie was delicious!
Enjoyed this smoothie and its vacation vibes on the back deck in the sunshine! Very refreshing!
I really like the taste of orange, and pineapple. After fourth day I felt that I experience some reduction in my pain and some improvement in my sleep.
That’s fantastic! That reduction in pain is most likely the inflammation calming in your body as you blend these ingredients daily.
This one made me feel like I was on island somewhere in the caribbean!! It was really refershing to taste.
Yes! A staycation via your blender!
This smoothie gave me vacation vibes, a winning combination!
Delicious and so easy.
Favorite!!!
You’ve done it again! This one is definitely a keeper. I did add collagen peptides, so mine was not vegan anymore, but I sure did love it.
Another star smoothie from Simple Green Smoothies. I love all of them including this one. Thank you!
Really liked the flavor. Need to blend a little longer as the orange did not fully blend up.