This Super Green Smoothie Recipe 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 just a couple of minutes. Read all the tips for how to make a green smoothie with spinach, with lots of variations - a refreshing and nutritious way to start your day.
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Despite the vibrant green color, this spinach smoothie recipe is actually really sweet. The green color comes from the spinach, which although doesn't add any flavor, is a great way to eat more vegetables.
It's filling enough for a light meal, but light enough for a energising snack. This is healthy green smoothie is a great place to start if you haven't made a smoothie before.
Kids will love this super green smoothie with spinach (ours call it a superhero smoothie) and have no idea that they are drinking a glass of spinach! You can even add some cocoa powder to give it a chocolate twist. There are lots of variations below, so you never have to make it the same way twice.
If you are looking for some other recipes that are packed with spinach, then why not try our super quick Chickpea and Spinach Curry, comforting Spinach and Ricotta Pasta Bake or our delicious Spinach and Mushroom Gnocchi?
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How To Make A Super Green Smoothie with Spinach
Select a Green Vegetable Base
First you are going to start with your greens, and this is a super green smoothie with spinach. This is what gives it the green color and all the goodness.
You could swap the fresh spinach for kale (although that has a stronger flavor and you would need a really high powered blender to make sure it is smooth). Other leafy greens like lettuce and collard greens work too.
You can even the green carrot tops, which is a great way to reduce waste.
Add Liquid of Choice
You then need to add a liquid like milk, water or coconut water. We used skim milk here, but any dairy or plant based milk will work.
Adding milk gives it the smoothie/milkshake consistency, whilst water or coconut water makes it more like a juice - it makes it lower in calories and fat too if that is something you are tracking.
Blend the greens and liquid before adding any other ingredients to get a super smooth smoothie!
Add Fruit to Balance Out the Greens
The spinach in this super healthy green smoothie recipe can give is a slight earthy flavor, so you need to make sure that it is balanced out with some sweet fruits to give it that smoothie vibe.
Bananas. Ripe bananas are a great addition, because they are super sweet and they help to thicken it too. Adding frozen bananas makes it super thick and also gives it more of a milkshake texture.
Berries. This adds some extra sweetness and color too. You can add strawberries, cherries and raspberries, but it will make it turn more of a brown color. Again, you can use frozen berries which make this super green smoothie with spinach perfect for cooling down with on a hot day.
Tropical. Give this a tropical vibe by adding in pineapple, mango or papaya. These colored fruits will help keep the smoothie green too.
Green fruit. To keep this green, you could add in apples and kiwi.
Add Extras
The great thing about smoothies is that they are so easy to adapt, so you never have to have them the same way twice. Here are some of our favourite things to add.
Nut butter. Adding some peanut, almond or cashew butter not only adds some extra protein, but helps to thicken it up too.
Seeds. Add a little boost by blending some chia seeds or flaxseeds in with this.
Sweetener. Depending on how sweet you like your smoothies and how ripe your banana is, you might want to add some extra sweetener to this. Any liquid sweetener like honey, maple syrup and agave will work. Taste it and then decide if you need to add any sweetener.
Avocado. If you don't like banana, then you could add avocado to make it creamy and help to thicken it up.
Protein Powder. Give this super green smoothie a protein boost by adding your favorite protein powder. Use a chocolate one to add a chocolate twist.
How To Store a Smoothie
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.
Make Ahead Super Green Smoothie
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 into Ziploc bags and then keep them in the freezer.
Then, when you are ready to make the smoothie, just empty the bag into your blender and add the milk and anything extra. Why not try our Make Ahead Smoothie Bags?
Tips For Making The BEST Super Green Smoothie
- To get a super smooth smoothie, blend the liquid and greens first and then add the fruit and continue blending.
- Using frozen fruit means that you can make this green smoothie all year round and use fruits that might not be in season.
- 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.
- Don't use ice cubes to keep the smoothie cold, as it will dilute it. Use frozen fruit instead to keep it cool.
- To make this smoothie creamier and add some extra flavor, swap 50ml/0.25 cup of the milk for coconut milk. This will really help to thicken the smoothie too. You could also add Greek yogurt.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you can't taste the spinach in this smoothie. It just adds lots of colors 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 flavor.
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 color too. Fruits like mango would help to thicken it also.
You could make this a dairy free vegan smoothie by using a plant based milk like our homemade almond milk, cashew milk or homemade oat milk.
We think that the Ninja 3-in-1 Food Processor and Blender is the best. It is a powerful and versatile kitchen tool that blends, crushes, and processes ingredients easily.
More Smoothie Recipes
If you've tried this super green smoothie recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Super Green Smoothie with Spinach
Ingredients
- 80 g (2.5 cups) Spinach
- 500 ml (2 cups) Skim milk
- 2 Bananas
- 40 g (0.5 cups) Blueberries
- 2 tablespoon Peanut butter
- 2 tablespoon Honey
- 1 teaspoon Flaxseeds
Instructions
- Put the spinach and milk into your blender and blend.
- Add the remaining ingredients and blend again.
- Pour into glasses and serve.
Recipe Tips
- To get a super smooth smoothie, blend the liquid and greens first and then add the fruit and continue blending.
- Using frozen fruit means that you can make this green smoothie all year round and use fruits that might not be in season.
- 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.
- Don't use ice cubes to keep the smoothie cold, as it will dilute it. Use frozen fruit instead to keep it cool.
- To make this smoothie creamier and add some extra flavor, swap 50ml/0.25 cup of the milk for coconut milk. This will really help to thicken the smoothie too. You could also add Greek yogurt.
Nutritional Information
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The 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.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Sheri says
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.
Dannii says
I am happy that you enjoyed it :)
Choclette says
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.
Dannii says
If you use something like kale, then you need a good blender.
Tina @ The Spicy Pear says
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.
Dannii says
Yes, a smoothie is definitely not enough for me for breakfast
Nayna Kanabar (@citrusspiceuk) says
The colour is off putting but I am a sure flavour is good.
Dannii says
I love the green colour :)
Jacqueline Meldrum says
I love smoothies, including green smoothies. I really like the way you showed the ingredients pre-whizz. Nice!
Dannii says
Well, some people would be instantly put off by the colour ;)
Tamzin says
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 : )
Dannii says
Oooh, I love the addition of tahini.
Lisa says
I add active yogurt and apples yummo.
Dannii says
Sounds good!
London Unattached Lifestyle and Travel says
I've tried so hard to like smoothies. I think the problem is I prefer them hot (soup!). Glad you enjoyed!!!
Dannii says
They are definitely more enjoyable when (if?) we have warmer weather.
Janie says
Love a green smoothie, it makes you feel all virtuous for the rest of the day :)
Janie x
Dannii says
It really does!
Heidi Roberts says
My favourite is mango, banana, strawberry and Total Greek Yoghurt. I would love to try that Nutribullit!
Dannii says
Sounds delicious.
lisa prince says
yep its most dfinately the colour that is off putting but for those who just want something tasty and good for them its the perfect solution x
Dannii says
I think I kind of like the colour now.
Kate Hurn says
I usually associate green with veg and health so it looks ok to me. if it was brown I'd be a bit like eugh, but this looks nice :) I love your jar glass xx
Dannii says
Haha yes, brown would be off-putting. Thanks - they are mason jars. I love them.
Karen says
I have a green goddess soup that made me feel the same way the first time I made it! This looks amazing, and so fresh and enticing.
Dannii says
I love a nice thick green soup. Best thing about them is you can throw almost anything in.
Tracy says
Looks delicious.
Dannii says
Thanks.
Donna says
I add greek yogurt and almond milk to mine. Healthy and yummy
Dannii says
Yes, almond milk is a great addition.