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    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Drinks

    Green Smoothie

    Published: Oct 1, 2014 · Modified: Sep 13, 2021 by Dannii · This post may contain affiliate links · 112 Comments

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    Two mason jars of Green Smoothie with a text title overlay.

    A Green Smoothie is a great pick me up when you need a green veggie boost. An easy sweet smoothie that is packed with spinach and easy to adapt with other ingredients. Just 5 ingredients and ready in minutes, this post will show you how to make a green smoothie with lots of variations. I have been drinking a green smoothie almost every day for a while now and I feel SO much better for it.

    Two jars of green smoothie next to a bottle of milk, some bananas and a pile of spinach.

    Despite the vibrant green colour, this spinach smoothie is actually really sweet. The green colour comes from the spinach, which although doesn't add any flavour, adds a whole lot of nutrients. Kids will love it (ours call it a superhero smoothie) and have no idea that they are drinking a glass of spinach.

    If you are looking for some other recipes that are packed with spinach, then why not try our 10 Minute Chickpea and Spinach Curry, Spinach and Ricotta Pasta Bake or Spinach and Mushroom Gnocchi.

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love it
    • Ingredients needed
    • How To Make a Green Smoothie - Step by step
    • What fruit to use
    • What greens to use
    • What milk to use
    • Variations
    • Storage
    • FAQ
    • Extra tips
    • More smoothie recipes
    • Recipe
    • Feedback

    Why you will love it

    • Nutrient dense - There is so much goodness packed into this green smoothie. It's a nice little pick me up if your energy levels are low.
    • A great way to get kids to eat more greens - Most kids love smoothies, and this is full of spinach and a good way to get kids to have more greens.
    • Easy to adapt - Feel free to adapt it with your favourite fruit and vegetables and to use up what you already have.
    • Can be vegan - Use a plant based milk in this spinach smoothie to make it vegan.

    Ingredients needed

    • Banana - This adds some natural sweetness to a vegetable smoothie, as well as thickening up the smoothie. If you don't like banana, then you can use avocado for thickness, and extra honey to sweeten.
    • Spinach - This is what gives the green smoothie the green boost. You could swap it for kale.
    • Blueberries - We think all smoothies should have berries in them. You can swap blueberries for raspberries or strawberries. Use frozen berries to make the smoothie really cold.
    • Milk - You have got a few options when it comes to what milk to use in this healthy smoothie, and we have written about them below.
    • Honey - This is what helps to sweeten the smoothie. You could leave it out, or even swap it for maple syrup if you want this smoothie to be vegan.
    • Almond butter - This helps to thicken the smoothie, and give it a protein boost.

    A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

    How To Make a Green Smoothie - Step by step

    One: Put all the ingredients into a blender.

    A blender jug containing banana, spinach leaves and blueberries.

    Two: Blend until smooth.

    A blender jug containing a green smoothie.

    What fruit to use

    There are so many options here when it comes to what fruit to use. We kept it simple with banana and blueberries. Use a frozen banana if you want a super cold smoothie, or you could just add some ice cubes if your banana isn't frozen.

    Any kind of berries work in this, and we also like to add strawberries, cherries, raspberries and blackberries. Bear in mind that the fruit you use can effect the colour of the smoothie. Darker fruits like berries will make the smoothie more of a brown colour, but tropical fruits will keep it green.

    If you want more of a tropical flavour to this smoothie, then use pineapple and mango. Try to make sure these are frozen too, and you will have yourself a super refreshing smoothie.

    Using frozen fruit means that you can make this green smoothie all year round and use fruits that might not be in season.

    What greens to use

    You need to use a lot of greens in this green smoothie recipe to get that super green colour. We have just used spinach in this recipe, but you could swap some of the spinach for kale, or use all kale. You could also use Swiss chard, pak choi (bok choy), romaine lettuce or even the green carrot tops, which is a great way to reduce waste.

    A large pile of spinach leaves on a wooden surface.

    What milk to use

    You have lots of options when it comes to the milk used in this recipe. We used standard whole milk, however you could make this a vegan smoothie by using a plant based milk like almond, cashew or oat.

    To make this smoothie creamier and add some extra flavour, swap 50ml of the milk for coconut milk. This will really help to thicken the smoothie too.

    You could use water instead of milk, however I wouldn't recommend doing that because it would make it really thin.

    A small glass bottle full of milk.

    Variations

    The great thing about a smoothie, is that they are so easy to adapt. We added a spoonful of almond butter (although you could use peanut or cashew butter) which gives it a protein boost, but you could add some chia seeds which will do the same too. You could also add some protein powder if that's your thing.

    You could add a little flavour with some cinnamon, or give it a chocolate twist with some cocoa powder - this would definitely turn the smoothie brown, but delicious all the same.

    Storage

    You can store any leftover smoothie in the fridge for 1-2 days. The ingredients may separate, but this is normal. Just give it a quick stir before drinking. It's always best to make this smoothie fresh - luckily it is really quick to make.

    The view looking down into two mason jars filled with a green smoothie.

    FAQ

    Can you taste the spinach in a smoothie?

    No, you can't taste the spinach in this smoothie. It just adds lots of colours and vitamins. You need to make sure you use really ripe fruit, then all you should be able to taste is the fruit. If you used kale instead of spinach, then you would probably be able to taste that as it has a stronger flavour.

    Can you make smoothies in advance?

    Green smoothies taste best when they are made fresh, however if you would like to do some of the prep in advance, you can put the fruit and spinach in the zip lock bags and then keep them in the freezer. Then, when you are ready to make the smoothie, just empty the bag in to the blender and add the milk and anything extra. Why not try our Make Ahead Smoothie Bags?

    How to sweeten a green smoothie?

    We used honey to sweeten the smoothie, however if you want it to be a vegan smoothie then swap it for maple syrup. The riper the fruit used, the sweeter it will be naturally. You don't have to use any added sweetener at all.

    What can I use instead of banana in a smoothie?

    I think bananas are kind of essential in this smoothie. Not only to they add lots of sweetness, but they thicken it too. If bananas aren't your thing, then you could use avocado instead. This will help with the green colour too. Fruits like mango would help to thicken it also.

    heart icon

    Extra tips

    • To get a super smooth smoothie, blend the liquid and greens first and then add the fruit and continue blending.
    • If you don't have frozen fruit, then you can add ice cubes to the blender instead.
    • Try to make the smoothie from fresh. However if you want to prep it in advance, then you can put everything except the liquid in a freezer bag and freeze until you need it.
    • The general rule of making a green smoothie is 1 cup greens, 1 cup liquid and 2 cups of fruit.
    • If you want your smoothie thinner, or if you want to save some calories, then you can use water instead of milk.
    • Don't use ice cubes to keep the smoothie cold, as it will dilute it. Use frozen banana instead to keep it cool.

    More smoothie recipes

    • How To Make a Smoothie Bowl
    • Blueberry Smoothie
    • Triple Berry Oat Smoothie
    • Apple Pie Smoothie

    If you’ve tried this super green smoothie recipe, or any other recipe on the blog, then let us know how you got on in the comments below, we love hearing from you!
    Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - we love sharing photos when people make our recipes. You can use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

    Recipe

    Green Smoothie

    This super simple Green Smoothie is made with spinach, banana, blueberries strawberries, and just water. It is really nutritious and totally delicious!
    the words low fat in a white circle.
    Low Fat
    An illustration of a v-shaped plant.
    Vegetarian
    4.2 from 5 votes
    Author: Dannii
    Pin Print
    Course: Breakfast, Drinks
    Cuisine: British
    Prep Time: 2 minutes
    Total Time: 2 minutes
    Allergen:
    An illustration of a carton of milk.
    Dairy
    Servings: 1 portion
    Calories: 132kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    UK Metric Measures - US Customary Measures
    • 1 medium frozen banana
    • 1 tablespoon honey
    • 20 g blueberries
    • 30 g spinach
    • 250 ml milk

    Instructions

    • Put all the ingredients in to your blender.
      A blender jug containing banana, spinach leaves and blueberries
    • Blend until smooth.
      A blender jug containing a green smoothie

    Notes

    • To get a super smooth smoothie, blend the liquid and greens first and then add the fruit and continue blending.
    • If you don't have frozen fruit, then you can add ice cubes to the blender instead.
    • Try to make the smoothie from fresh. However if you want to prep it in advance, then you can put everything except the liquid in a freezer bag and freeze until you need it.
    • The general rule of making a green smoothie is 1 cup greens, 1 cup liquid and 2 cups of fruit.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1portion | Calories: 132kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 2g | Sodium: 25mg | Potassium: 681mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 2890IU | Vitamin C: 55.9mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1.4mg
    Have you tried this recipe?Mention @hungryhealthyhappy on Instagram and tag #hungryhealthyhappy!
    DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
    « Healthy Pasta Recipes
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. lori @ TheHealthMinded.com

      October 02, 2014 at 4:32 pm

      I drink smoothies a lot and they are a mini-meal for me quite often. I made one the other day with almond milk, dash of vanilla, frozen pineapple, mashed sweet potato, a bit of coconut oil, a dash of turmeric. Really good!

      Reply
      • Dannii

        October 02, 2014 at 5:24 pm

        Yum! That sounds good.

        Reply
    2. Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen

      October 02, 2014 at 1:50 pm

      This is a winning green smoothie combo! I love my green smoothies in the morning and recently got my mom hooked on them as well! They are usually my first breakfast in the morning followed by something a little bit more substantial! :)

      Reply
      • Dannii

        October 02, 2014 at 5:25 pm

        I am not sure my mum would be a fan haha

        Reply
    3. Renee @ Two in the Kitchen

      October 02, 2014 at 1:06 pm

      I need more smoothies in my life. Especially ones that have spinach. This looks fantastic!! :)

      Reply
      • Dannii

        October 02, 2014 at 5:25 pm

        Do it! It's the way forward.

        Reply
    4. Michele @ Two Raspberries

      October 01, 2014 at 1:36 pm

      this sounds deliciously healthy and refreshing! yum ;-)

      Reply
      • Dannii

        October 02, 2014 at 11:29 am

        It definitely gives you a boost in the morning.

        Reply
    5. Kirtley [email protected] The Gist of Fit

      October 01, 2014 at 12:49 pm

      I just went to the green smoothie girl conference! It was so cool how much more nutrients did for her--it saved her life!!

      Reply
      • Dannii

        October 02, 2014 at 11:29 am

        I have heard a couple of bloggers mention that. I hadn't heard of it before.

        Reply
    6. Rosie

      June 23, 2014 at 1:21 pm

      I swear by 2 apples, 2" chunk of cucumber, handful of spinach, a stick of celery & if I've got it some pineapple blitz it up it's so sweet & lovely with ice as a quick fix!! X

      Reply
      • Dannii

        June 23, 2014 at 3:08 pm

        That sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing :)

        Reply
    7. Louisa

      March 18, 2014 at 10:43 am

      I must be one of the few people to have not actually braved a green smoothie YET but funnily enough I nearly did yesterday. Maybe today's the day. I have half a fridge of kale to use and lots of kiwis. Not much else other than an orange or two. So it'll definitely be green!.

      Reply
      • Dannii

        October 02, 2014 at 5:26 pm

        That sounds like a super green smoothie.

        Reply
    8. Claire

      March 17, 2014 at 12:47 pm

      Hi. I too have a Nutribullet and absolutely love it!!! They are worth every penny as they are so easy to use and clean, I make at least one green smoothie every day and from start to finish (clear kitchen side included) is about 5 minutes.

      My two current favourites are spinach with half a frozen banana, half a cup of mango, 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, almond milk and a tablespoon of oats. I also sometimes chuck in ground flaxseed and maca powder for extra oomph. The other is spinach, two clementines, 2 tablespoons of cacao nibs and almond milk with some ice. Kind of like a chocolate orange smoothie. Yummy!

      I tend to add in either oats or chia seeds if I am having it instead of a meal as they will keep me full till the next mealtime (and I am the world's worst snacker!).

      Love your website by the way. Very inspiring :-).

      Reply
      • Dannii

        March 17, 2014 at 3:24 pm

        Those smoothies sound great! I totally agree about how easy it is to clean. That is what has put me off other juicers or smoothie makers before, that I have sen bad reviews of what a nightmare they are to clean. This one is so simple.

        Reply
    9. Morgan @ Peaches, Please!

      March 17, 2014 at 4:06 am

      The first time I saw a green smoothie was when Rene Russo drank one several times in the remake of The Thomas Crown Affair. Everyone kept wrinkling their noses at it, so I waled away from that movie with a negative view of green smoothies. Now I'm with you and I add spinach to a lot of my smoothies! Although I tend to add a dollop of yogurt in as well...

      Reply
      • Dannii

        March 17, 2014 at 3:27 pm

        There definitely seems to be a stigma attached to them.

        Reply
    10. Janice Pattie (@FarmersgirlCook)

      March 16, 2014 at 7:28 pm

      Very healthy indeed!

      Reply
      • Dannii

        October 02, 2014 at 5:27 pm

        And delicious as well!

        Reply
    11. Sheri

      March 16, 2014 at 5:26 pm

      I jave had this every day last week since seeing your post. What I love about this smoothie is it has no juice/milk/yogurt so it is really low in calories but still tasty. I love smoothies but the calories can add up quickly when adding juice or dairy. Like you, I have an egg (boiled) and it keeps me full until lunch. I put my smoothie in an insulated cup and sip on it all morning at work.

      Reply
      • Dannii

        March 17, 2014 at 3:33 pm

        I am happy that you enjoyed it :)

        Reply
    12. Choclette

      March 15, 2014 at 6:25 am

      This sounds really good and I'm quite attracted to the green colour. I keep meaning to try greens in my smoothies, but I suspect my blender might not be up to it.

      Reply
      • Dannii

        October 02, 2014 at 5:27 pm

        If you use something like kale, then you need a good blender.

        Reply
    13. Tina @ The Spicy Pear

      March 14, 2014 at 8:19 am

      I've started to move away from my regular porridge to smoothies but I would never have thought to add spinach to the berries. Will have to try it. Good tip about adding eggs to the breakfast, as I too find myself starving an hour after my smoothie.

      Reply
      • Dannii

        October 02, 2014 at 5:28 pm

        Yes, a smoothie is definitely not enough for me for breakfast

        Reply
    14. Nayna Kanabar (@citrusspiceuk)

      March 13, 2014 at 8:51 pm

      The colour is off putting but I am a sure flavour is good.

      Reply
      • Dannii

        October 02, 2014 at 5:29 pm

        I love the green colour :)

        Reply
    15. Jacqueline Meldrum

      March 12, 2014 at 8:57 pm

      I love smoothies, including green smoothies. I really like the way you showed the ingredients pre-whizz. Nice!

      Reply
      • Dannii

        October 02, 2014 at 5:29 pm

        Well, some people would be instantly put off by the colour ;)

        Reply
    16. Tamzin

      March 12, 2014 at 3:27 pm

      I love a green smoothie but this post reminds me it's been ages since I treated myself to one! I think a combo of blueberries, tahini, spinach, ice and vanilla rice protein is a favourite of mine : )

      Reply
      • Dannii

        October 02, 2014 at 5:29 pm

        Oooh, I love the addition of tahini.

        Reply
    17. Lisa

      March 11, 2014 at 11:17 pm

      I add active yogurt and apples yummo.

      Reply
      • Dannii

        October 02, 2014 at 5:30 pm

        Sounds good!

        Reply
    18. London Unattached Lifestyle and Travel

      March 11, 2014 at 1:07 pm

      I've tried so hard to like smoothies. I think the problem is I prefer them hot (soup!). Glad you enjoyed!!!

      Reply
      • Dannii

        March 11, 2014 at 2:16 pm

        They are definitely more enjoyable when (if?) we have warmer weather.

        Reply
    19. Janie

      March 10, 2014 at 9:18 pm

      Love a green smoothie, it makes you feel all virtuous for the rest of the day :)
      Janie x

      Reply
      • Dannii

        March 11, 2014 at 11:46 am

        It really does!

        Reply
    20. Heidi Roberts

      March 10, 2014 at 6:16 pm

      My favourite is mango, banana, strawberry and Total Greek Yoghurt. I would love to try that Nutribullit!

      Reply
      • Dannii

        March 11, 2014 at 11:47 am

        Sounds delicious.

        Reply
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    Welcome! My name is Dannii. Here you will find easy family recipes with a healthy twist, along with travel, home and family life and general happiness.
    Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food and lifestyle blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

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