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Our green smoothie recipe is far from the humdrum spinach health drinks of yore. This smoothie is nutrient-packed and bursting with bright flavors. And what’s more: This recipe uses just five ingredients, making it a simple way to elevate your energy levels as you start your day.
Are Green Smoothies Healthy?
Whether or not a smoothie is healthy depends on what you’re adding to the smoothie. This green smoothie recipe is healthy because it is made with whole foods and unsweetened almond milk.
You can sweeten this recipe with a bit of maple syrup or honey if you like, but adding extra processed or high-sugar ingredients can make it less healthy.
Why Frozen Fruit Is Best for Smoothies
Frozen fruit is the key to a fantastic smoothie. If you’ve ever made a smoothie with a bunch of fresh fruit and added ice for texture, you might have noticed that the smoothie tasted watered-down or it lacked sweetness. The easiest way to avoid this is to use frozen fruit instead of ice cubes. Frozen fruit also keeps the smoothie consistency thick.
And while frozen fruit is preferred for this smoothie recipe, our Test Kitchen recommends saving frozen spinach for spanakopita or chicken Florentine meatballs. Instead, use fresh spinach in a green smoothie. Using frozen spinach could dilute the smoothie and affect the consistency. If frozen spinach is all you have, place it in a strainer to thaw and allow any excess liquid to drip away.
How to Make a Green Smoothie
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This recipe from our Test Kitchen yields two servings.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks
- 1 cup frozen mango chunks
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 medium banana, halved
Directions
Step 1: Wash spinach
Make sure to rinse your spinach before placing it in the blender. Spinach is part of the “Dirty Dozen,” so rinsing will reduce the chances of pests or dirt ruining your delicious smoothie.
Step 2: Blend
Using pre-chopped frozen fruits is a great time saver. Simply pop all five ingredients into the blender, cover, and process until blended. Stir if necessary, and serve immediately.
Editor’s Tip: Pour the smoothies into chilled glasses to keep them extra cold.
Tips for Making Green Smoothies
Can I use other greens to make a green smoothie?
You sure can. Swap kale for spinach, though don’t expect the same taste. Kale is slightly more bitter than spinach, so you won’t have the same mild and smooth flavors.
This kale smoothie is a yummy alternative to the spinach-based smoothie if you want to try different fruits too. For a smoothie with a bite, opt for this ginger-kale smoothie.
How can I customize my green smoothie?
The best part of smoothies is that you can customize them to suit your tastes. To spin off this green smoothie recipe, try different types of milk. Add chia seeds or flax seed for more nutrients. Mix in protein powder or Greek yogurt if you’re looking for more calories and protein to mend muscles after a workout.
Why is the texture of my smoothie off?
There could be a few things that create oddly textured smoothies. If it’s too watery, maybe you added too much milk and not enough frozen fruit. If the recipe is really chunky, it might be time for a new blender that is sure to chop every piece of fruit into a smooth consistency.
For smoothies with added protein powders or seeds, you might notice a more grainy texture. That can’t totally be avoided, but using more liquid or blending longer than normal can help thin out the graininess.
How can I meal-prep smoothies?
Meal-prepping smoothies is a fun way to stay on top of healthy breakfast or snack choices. Add all your frozen items into portioned, freezer-safe containers and pop them in the freezer. You can even add fresh banana slices and they’ll freeze up with the pineapple and mango chunks.
When it’s time to make your smoothie, simply add milk and spinach to your blender, then dump in the portioned fruit cup and blend.
Try More Smoothie Recipes
Spinach SmoothieGet a jump-start on all the nutrients you need by starting out your day with this healthy smoothie recipe. Use nondairy milk and yogurt if you prefer. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Berry Breakfast SmoothiesSmooth out the morning rush with a boost of berries. This smoothie is tart, tangy and sweet, so there's no need to add any extra sugar to this delightfully balanced beverage. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Lime Coconut Smoothie BowlThis Key lime and coconut smoothie bowl is the most refreshing thing on the planet! —Madeline Butler, Denver, Colorado
Strawberry SmoothieMy mother gave me this healthy smoothie recipe, and it tastes fabulous. I fix it for breakfast or sometimes as a bedtime snack. —Linda Barker, Mohawk, Michigan
Blueberry Pancake SmoothieMy family loves this pancake smoothie in the morning. I don’t normally measure the blueberries, so go crazy! If you have fresh blueberries, I would recommend freezing the banana ahead of time. —Kailey Thompson, Palm Bay, Florida
Date SmoothieSmoothies are a quick and easy way to start off your day. They also make healthy after-school snacks that older kids can make themselves or with some help from an adult. If you like your smoothies with more sweetness, add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Ginger-Kale SmoothiesSince I started making this healthy smoothie recipe for breakfast every day, I honestly feel better! Substitute any fruit and juice you like to make this recipe your own healthy blend.—Linda Green, Kilauea, Kauai, Hawaii
Avocado SmoothiesHealthy smoothie recipes are a great way to get extra vitamins and minerals. Add your favorite fruit or even leafy green veggies, depending on what you have on hand. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Pineapple SmoothiesI found this smoothie recipe over 30 years ago. I've tried several diabetes-friendly recipes, and this is one of the best. —Margery Bryan, Moses Lake, Washington
TMB Studio
This delicious bright
green smoothie bowl recipe contains powerful antioxidants. Top with cucumber slices and fresh parsley sprigs for a pretty presentation. —Laura Wilhelm, West Hollywood, California
Go to Recipe
Banana SmoothieThis banana smoothie has to be one of my favorite recipes because it can be made in a flash, yet it's full of flavor. I think the honey adds just the right amount of sweetness. Everyone will love it...not just banana lovers! —Ro Ann Cox, Lenoir, North Carolina
Kale SmoothieI enjoy drinking a healthy smoothie for breakfast or as an after-school snack. The fruit and agave nectar give this healthy version a pleasant sweetness. —Kimberly Jackson, Marshfield, Missouri
Tropical Smoothie BowlThis wake-me-up smoothie bowl with fruit, oats and cinnamon helps me start the day feeling satisfied. Sometimes I top it off with granola and berries or cherries. —Jonelle Dansie, Murray, Utah
Nectarine SmoothiesThis healthy smoothie recipe tastes great on a warm summer day. Enjoy it on your patio or at a picnic! —Joni Rodriguez, Silverton, Oregon
Peanutty Strawberry Banana SmoothiesI like that this strawberry banana smoothie recipe is fairly light, but the peanut butter gives it some protein to help keep me full. It's great for busy mornings when I need breakfast on the run. —Maria Hamre, Cincinnati, Ohio
Power Berry Smoothie BowlWhile you can't taste the spinach in this healthy smoothie recipe, you'll get all its nutrients along with big berry flavor. —Christine Hair, Odessa, Florida
Brain Food SmoothieMy grandson refuses fruits and vegetables almost completely. After he and our son moved home, I tried everything to improve his diet. This healthy smoothie recipe was one of the only ways I could sneak him something nutritious, and he loves it! —Sandra Roberts, Dexter, Missouri
So-Healthy SmoothiesThis tastes like a milk shake, but it doesn't have the sugar or fat. My husband and I look forward to it in the morning. It's so good for you, and it will keep you energized for hours. —Jessica Gerschitz, Jericho, New York
Strawberry Lime SmoothiesPeak-of-freshness strawberries make this thinner, easy drink a summer staple. —Elizabeth Johnson, Greenville, South Carolina
Creamy Berry SmoothiesWho can tell that this delicious smoothie is made with tofu? No one (especially your kids)! The blend of berries and pomegranate juice makes this welcoming drink a refreshing delight. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
Strawberry-Carrot SmoothiesMy children resist veggies, but they love this healthy smoothie recipe. It packs in lots of good-for-you fruits and veggies—but to my kids, it's just a super delicious breakfast. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Peach SmoothieWhip up this creamy peach smoothie as a refreshing and nutritious snack or a quick chilled breakfast. Because you can use frozen fruit, you don't have to wait until peaches are in season to enjoy this delicious smoothie. —Martha Polasek, Markham, Texas
Mango-Peach SmoothiesThis is my toddler son's favorite breakfast—he'll take one of these over pancakes any day! Get creative when mixing fruits and fruit-flavored yogurts; we love peach yogurt with mango, strawberry yogurt with blueberries or pina colada yogurt with mango and banana. —Dana Herra, DeKalb, Illinois
Cucumber-Melon SmoothiesMy honeydew and cucumber healthy smoothie recipe has only five ingredients. I sometimes add a small avocado to make it extra creamy.—Crystal Schlueter, Babbitt, Minnesota
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