Did you resolve to drink a Green Smoothie for breakfast more often this year? I have the best green smoothie recipe for you!
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It’s easy to eat your greens when they taste this good.
This simple green smoothie recipe is creamy, fruity, and made with only a few wholesome ingredients.
Perhaps best (if counterintuitively) of all: you can’t taste the greens!
This is a go-to that’s great for beginners and smoothie pros alike.
I have made dozens (hundreds?) of green smoothies over the years and have developed a few tricks to ensure your smoothie is refreshing, filling, healthy, and legitimately delicious. It hinges on having the right mix of fruits, a “satisfaction” factor ingredient like nut butter, and picking greens that are mild enough to suit your own preferences.
Just look at the reviews on these super green smoothie recipes for proof: Kale Smoothie, Cleansing Apple Avocado Smoothie, 4 Ingredient Mango Green Smoothie, and Strawberry Spinach Smoothie!
Key Ingredients
You’ll find the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below, but here are some notes to keep in mind.
- Greens. You can squeeze so many more into a smoothie than you think! If you are new to the green smoothie game, start with spinach, which is the best green for smoothies (AKA you won’t be able to taste it). Once you get the hang of it, you can move on to more assertive greens like kale or chard.
- Mango or Pineapple. You can use one of these two or a mix of both with excellent results. Pineapple is the most effective at hiding the taste of greens in smoothies, especially stronger greens like kale.
- Frozen Banana. I always recommend using frozen banana in green smoothies. It makes the smoothie creamy, thick, and naturally sweet, without the need to add sugar. If you’d like to make a green smoothie with no banana, add more of the other fruit(s) in this recipe, plus some yogurt for creaminess.
- Peanut Butter or Almond Butter. To give a smoothie staying power and make it taste satisfying, I always add 1 to 2 tablespoons of nut butter.
- Liquid. I most often use unsweetened almond milk as the liquid base for my smoothies. It’s low-calorie and its neutral flavor makes it ideal for smoothies of all varieties. Dairy milk, other non-dairy milks (like coconut milk or oat milk), and even coconut water (your smoothie won’t be as creamy) will work.
- Optional Mix–Ins. Keyword: optional. You can add “bonus” ingredients like protein powder, chia seeds, hemp hearts, or flaxseed if you like; or keep things simple and enjoy your smoothie as-is.
How to Make the Perfect Green Smoothie
Combine. Add the smoothie ingredients to a blender, starting with the almond milk.
Blend. Puree until the mixture is smooth and creamy. For an extra-thick green smoothie, blend in a few ice cubes.
Serve. Pour into a glass and add any garnishes you’d like. ENJOY!
Make-Ahead Tips
Smoothies are easy, but there are a few ways you can streamline them even more to make your morning routine effortless.
- Prep the Banana. Peel and slice ripe bananas into chunks, then transfer the frozen fruit to a ziptop bag and freeze for up to 3 months. I do this whenever I have extra ripe bananas on hand. If you freeze your banana with the peel on, you won’t be able to remove it without thawing the banana first.
- Make Green Smoothie Cubes. Prepare the green smoothie as directed, then pour into the molds of an ice cube tray. Freeze for up to 3 months. Add the frozen smoothie cubes to a blender with a splash of almond milk for an easy smoothie on demand.
- Assemble Freezer Smoothie Packs. You can also pre-portion your fruits and vegetables for each smoothie into a ziptop bag and freeze. Then, simply toss the contents into a blender when you’re ready to blend.
Green Smoothie
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Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk plus additional as needed
- 2 ounces (about 2 big handfuls) fresh spinach or roughly chopped kale leaves
- ½ medium banana cut into chunks and frozen
- ½ cup frozen mango chunks or pineapple chunks
- 1 tablespoon nut butter of choice I like almond butter or peanut butter
- Ice optional
- Optional Mix-Ins: ½ scoop protein powder 1 tablespoon chia seeds, 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients in the blender in the order listed: almond milk, spinach, banana, mango, nut butter, and any extra mix-ins.
- Blend until smooth. If you'd like it a bit thicker, add in a few ice cubes and blend again. Pour and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- If you are not using a high-powered blender such as a Vitamix, I recommend blending the spinach and almond milk first, then blending in the banana, then blending in the mango, nut butter, and any additional mix-ins.
- TO STORE: Refrigerate smoothies in an airtight jar or storage container for up to 1 day.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze smoothies in freezer-safe jars for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Nutrition
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This is the first green smoothie I’ve ever tried & actually enjoyed! The kale was non-existent taste wise and was so filling!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Emily! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I made this today. The texture and all is wonderful. But I’m going to omit the nut butter next time. It was too peanut buttery for me.
Thanks, as always, Erin for your lovely recipes. I’m going to purchase your book.
Thanks for trying the smoothie, Chasity! I hope you enjoy it even more next time!
Used pineapples instead of mangoes and was amazing. The flax seeds were not as “crushed” as I would have liked but that’s probably because of the blender that I am using so I will try and soak them overnight.
You can barely taste the kale which is great for me!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Anne! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I’m a newbie to smoothies and am anxious to make my first one tomorrow! What would adding 1/2 an avocado do to a smoothie?
Hi Ellen, it might make it thicker and creamier. Enjoy!
Delicious!!
Hi Patty! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I love this smoothie. I’ve tried this recipe several times now. I even feel like it gives me a boast of energy in the morning which I need. I do add sweetened almond milk to mine and I don’t actually taste the spinach although I know it’s in there. I used pineapple, peanut butter and the milled flax seeds. I love it! Next I’m going to add some mango to see if it changes anything. Found online! Thanks Erin
So glad to hear you enjoy it, Kristy!
I’m absolutely obsessed with this green smoothie! The banana and peanut butter make it so creamy and rich, while the frozen mango chunks give it a fresh, fruity kick. The spinach is totally undetectable, which is exactly how I like it. It’s the perfect balance of flavors and textures, and it’s so refreshing and filling at the same time. I’ll be making this all the time!
Yay! Glad you loved it, Annie! Thank you!
I loved this green smoothie so much, it is so tasty and I believe it did give me energy like never before. I don’t eat greens much but want to get more natural vitamins and nutrients. I want to stay more healthy as I’m getting older, I would like to have more of these tasty smoothies. This one was so AMAZING!
So happy to hear, thank you Anora!
I just made this green smoothie for the first time, and I’m hooked! The natural sweetness from the fruit balances out the earthy flavor of the greens perfectly. It’s a great way to start the day, and I feel energized and healthy after drinking it!
Great to hear, Deborah! Thank you!