Green Smoothie
This bright, slightly sweet, and beautifully creamy green smoothie packs a serious dose of greens into your morning without actually tasting like you're chewing on a lawn. Thanks to a combination of fresh spinach, frozen banana, and a splash of coconut water, it's the kind of drink that leaves you feeling energized rather than weighed down.
Equipment
- High-powered blender (such as a Vitamix or Ninja) - or standard blender; will need to blend longer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Reusable smoothie cups with lids - for on-the-go
- Cutting board and knife - for fresh ginger and lime
- Reusable smoothie straws - optional
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach - 60g, loosely packed
- 1 medium frozen banana - about 120g, pre-sliced before freezing
- 1 cup frozen mango chunks - 165g
- 1/2 cup frozen pineapple chunks - 75g
- 1 cup coconut water - 240ml, or plain water for a lighter flavor
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk - 120ml, or oat milk
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds - optional, for added fiber and omega-3s
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger - optional, for a gentle kick
- lime - juice of 1/2, optional, for brightness
Optional Toppings
- hemp seeds - for garnish
- fresh banana slices - for garnish
- honey - drizzle, for garnish
Instructions
- Place the fresh baby spinach into the blender first. Peel and grate ginger (if using) with a microplane, and cut lime in half. If banana was frozen whole, break it into 3-4 chunks.
- Pour the coconut water and almond milk over the spinach in the blender. This creates a liquid base that helps move the spinach toward the blades.
- Add the frozen banana, frozen mango chunks, and frozen pineapple chunks on top of the liquid. If adding chia seeds, sprinkle them on top of the frozen fruit now.
- Add the grated ginger and squeeze in the lime juice (if using) on top of the fruit.
- Secure lid tightly. Blend on low speed for 15 seconds to break down larger frozen pieces, then gradually increase to high speed. Blend on high for 45-60 seconds, or until completely smooth with no visible green flecks or chunks. If blender struggles, stop and push contents toward blades with a tamper or spoon.
- Remove the lid and taste the smoothie. If not sweet enough, add a small piece of frozen banana or a couple of fresh dates and blend again. If too thick, add a splash more coconut water. If flavor is flat, add more lime juice.
- Pour into one large (16 oz / 480 ml) glass or two smaller (8 oz / 240 ml) glasses. Add optional toppings like hemp seeds, fresh banana slices, or a drizzle of honey. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Fruit-to-Greens Ratio: The trick to a great green smoothie is balancing fruit and greens. Use 2 parts frozen fruit to 1 part greens and about 1.5 cups of liquid for the perfect consistency.
- Frozen Banana Secret: Always use a frozen banana as your base. It creates a thick, milkshake-like consistency without needing ice, which can dilute the flavor.
- Spinach Pre-Blending: For the smoothest texture, blend the spinach with the liquid first before adding frozen fruit. This ensures greens are fully broken down and prevents fibrous strands.
- Storage: This smoothie is best consumed immediately. If you need to store it, keep in a sealed mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours and shake well before drinking, as separation will occur.
- Smoothie Freezer Packs: For easy mornings, portion the spinach, frozen banana, mango, and pineapple into zip-lock bags before freezing. Dump the bag into the blender with liquids and blend directly from frozen. These packs last up to 3 months.
- Sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter smoothie, add a small piece of frozen banana or a couple of fresh dates. The natural sweetness from ripe banana and mango is usually enough without any added sweetener.
- Thickness Adjustment: Start with less liquid than you think you need, as it's easier to thin a smoothie down than to thicken it back up. Add more coconut water if needed after blending.
- Blender Cleanup: Clean your blender immediately after use by filling it halfway with warm water, adding a drop of dish soap, and blending for 20 seconds for effortless cleanup.
- Oxidation: To prevent browning from oxidation, add the lime juice (which contains antioxidants) and consume within 15-20 minutes of blending. Storing in a sealed jar filled to the brim also helps preserve color.