Basic Green Smoothie
Yesterday when I shared my 2012 foodie goals with you, the one at the top of my list was getting more fresh fruit and leafy greens into my diet. I promised you a killer green smoothie recipe, and here it is! Given my aversion to vegetables, I had been giving the skeptical side-eye to green smoothies for the better part of a year before I finally caved in and tried one. I love smoothies and I love fruit, and (shockingly) I even like spinach (although it has to be raw, like in a salad – I hate it cooked), but I just never thought I would like it. When I took my first sips, there was definite shock and awe – not only did I not gag, but I actually really, really liked it. Such a bright, fresh flavor and if you do happen to be spinach-averse the good news is that you absolutely cannot taste it at all. Seriously! It just tastes like a blend of banana and citrus – I love it!
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Last year my mom and sister each did a pretty intense cleanse and my mom put together a binder of smoothie recipes that were in line with the cleanse guidelines. Not surprisingly, I am not a cleanse girl. Attempting to eliminate anything from my diet pretty much guarantees that I will crave it in 0.2 seconds. I just can’t do it, I love food too much. Instead, I stick to my “everything in moderation” and 80/20 rule of eating healthy 80% of the time so I can indulge and enjoy what I want the other 20% of the time. It pretty much works for me, but I know that I have trouble with fresh fruits and vegetables. I simply don’t eat enough of them. Enter the green smoothie – a great solution to my problem and an easy way to get 2+ servings of fruit and 2 cups of leafy greens into my daily diet without really trying. I mixed and matched some different elements of the smoothie recipes my mom had saved, with this being my favorite combination.
This makes a little over 2 cups of smoothie – you can drink it all at once or separate it into two servings. When I make this I usually like to drink half for breakfast, and then save the second half for an afternoon snack. You can store your portions in airtight containers in the refrigerator. (I actually think the smoothie tastes even better when it’s well-chilled.) When you’re ready to drink, give them a good stir (it will thicken in the fridge) and enjoy!
Do you have any favorite smoothie recipes? Feel free to share them in the comments below, I’m always looking for great new ideas!
Two years ago: Chocolate Babka
Four years ago: Brown Sugar-Pecan Shortbread Cookies
Basic Green Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups (500 ml) cold water
- 1 banana, cut into chunks
- 1 orange, peeled and separated into segments
- ½ (0.5) apple, your favorite variety, peeled, cored, and cut into chunks
- ½ (0.5) lemon, peeled and separated into segments
- ½- inch (0.5 inch) piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced
- 2 cups (60 g) baby spinach
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender and puree until smooth and completely combined.
- Drink all at once, or separate into two servings. The smoothie can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one day. When it comes out of the fridge, it will have thickened, so give it a brisk stir (or use a small whisk) and enjoy!
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this is silly but how much do you consider a serving?
Hi Wendy, I usually find 1/2 of this smoothie to be 1 serving. I can’t drink more than that in one sitting. I’ll typically drink half for breakfast, and then the rest for an afternoon snack.
Made this smoothie and did not like it much at room temperature right after I made it. Also decided it needed a bit of sweetner, not much. But…….i refrigerated the leftover, added about 1/4 tsp of sugar, and wow was it good. Now I’m making this again, but will only drink it iced cold. Thank you for the recipe to good health.
I’m allergic to bananas. What would you recommend to substitute for the banana?
Hi Mindy, Really any serving of fruit you’d like. I think mangoes would go well with the rest of the flavors in this particular smoothie.
Mindy, I’ve always read (and would agree based on my experience) that bananas not only add flavor, but they keep the smoothie ingredients from separating once they are blended. Since you can’t eat bananas, try adding 1/4 of an avocado. It has a neutral flavor and will keep the smoothie from separating. In addition, you’ll get some beneficial fat, fiber, and other nutrients. If it’s flavor you’re concerned with, definitely take Michelle’s advice and add your favorite fruits as well. Happy blending!
I haven’t thought of adding ginger to that green goodness. I will have to try as one of my daily smoothies. Thanks!
I saw this recipe on January 1st, 2012 and I have been drinking this smoothie every day since then. It’s great! I’ve also only been sick one time this year, which is totally unusual for me since I get sick often, and I think it’s because I have increased my intake of Vitamin C and other vitamins through this smoothie. I would recommend adding 1-2 kiwis in this smoothie, not only for added vitamin C (1kiwi has 120% of your daily value) but because it makes the smoothie, well…smoother. It tends not to separate so much. Also, this smoothie definitely tastes different after you refrigerate it. If you drink it right after blending it, the ginger taste is pretty powerful, but the ginger gets toned down after refrigerating it and the fruit flavors come out more. Thanks for the recipe; it has changed my eating habits for this whole year!
Oops…I meant Janurary 4th :)
Oh wow, that’s so awesome! Thanks for sharing! I definitely need to drink more of these; I never get enough vegetables and starting the day off with 2 cups of greens is always better for me!
once the greens are mixed into a smoothie and then refrigirated, wont they loose most of their vitamins when drunk later as opposed to instantly after mixing? I’m just wondering because I tend to store them frequently.
Hi Paul, I’m definitely not an expert on vitamin retention; I really have no idea if refrigerating the drink has an impact on the vitamin content. If you find out though, feel free to share!
Cleanse, schmenge…I too, needed to add the extra fruits and veggies daily and warily drank my first, and became a believer! My smoothie always contains a handfull of baby carrots. The carrots really brighten up the flavour of the smoothie. I usually add the two veggies, two fruits and some ice cubes. Some days there’s yogurt in it too. I love your idea of saving half for later in the day. When i get home from work I start picking at sometimes unhealthy choices while making supper. This would fill the gap with something quick and healthy.
Hey, I notice that most smoothie recipes include banana, what’s a good replacement fruit for banana? your smoothie looks fabulous, thanks for sharing and opening up this discussion..
You could really use any fruit that you like. Mangoes, strawberries, and pineapple are some of my favorites.
Hi Michelle, your green smoothie looks delicious! I have been drinking these things for years now to help with my weight loss goals, and get a nice shot of liquid vitamins and fiber into my diet. I became pretty passionate about this stuff so I made my own little blog of free smoothie recipes, I hope you check it out and find something you like! I would love to submit one of my recipes to your site if you would like. Here’s my site: http://www.bestsmoothierecipes.org/
Bravo! I have a two green smoothies everyday (one for breakfast, one for lunch). Along with some lean protein during the day, you can’t really go wrong.
Just remember to vary up the greens from time to time. Kale is my go-to when I need a break from spinach. And mint! I love mint in almost all my smoothies.
I enjoy frozen peaches, mint, and spinach/kale.
Apple, banana, cinnamon, and greens.
Pineapple, lemon, grapefruit, and dandelion.
Banana, cocoa powder, and greens is a nice indulgence.
Hi Margaret, Thanks so much for sharing these variations. I’m excited to give them a try!
Wow, this smoothie was absolutely delicious! I love the pretty, bright green colour (just what you need at this point in the winter). Also, the citrus-ginger combo is a very tasty surprise!
Thanks for the recipe. It is really tasty. I’m going to start drinking these regularly.
I love the recipe. I would add some kale and even a few raw carrots to the mix to bring in even more nutrients. I call that smoothie my ‘flu shot’.
Thanks for this recipe!
I added some silken tofu for protein, and had a rocket and baby spinach blend which added some nice flavours to it. Another good thing is it’s a great way to use up the leftover greens once you’ve sprinkled them on your pizza…
My favorite green smoothie is:
1/2 cup ofcold water
1/2 banana
1 cup of green grapes
1/2 cup of pineapple, I like to use fresh
2 cups of baby spinach
1/2 cup of ice
Green smoothies are just so yummy! I can’t wait to try yours!
Thanks so much for sharing your recipe, I can’t wait to try it!
I am passionate about green smoothies, I drink 48 ounces a day. I’m always trying to figure out how to add more veggies and less fruit. If I do add fruit I cut up ripe bananas in half and freeze them. This makes the smoothie COLD which tastes way better. I freeze most of my fruit for my smoothies (berries, grapes) and I like this better than just adding ice. I ALWAYS add chia seed, and usually maca powder and acai powder. For a FABULOUS spicy green veggie- 5 ounce organic tomato juice, ice, 3 celery stalks, one carrot (with the greens/stem intact) half cup spinach, two cloves garlic, a little but onion, sea salt, pepper, hot sauce, bit of flat leaf parsley)chia seed. it is DELICIOUS. I get compliments whenever I serve it and would love to try it with vodka for a bloody Mary! You can use red pepper also if you like it.
This was my first green smoothie! It was pretty good, but I think (for me, anyway) it was missing the ice factor. The 2 cups water was too much. Even after adding some frozen peaches, it didn’t help at all. So maybe next time half water, half ice? Whichever way, it’s a great base and I think I’ll be enjoying more green smoothies in the near future. :)
I regularly make green smoothies, and just tried this one. It’s my new go-to smoothie! It is so clean and light and fresh-tasting. I love it! Thanks for sharing it.
Ive never been a fruit or smoothie girl. Last year I worked in a bit of fruit, this year, there will be more. I hope this smoothie kicks two birds off that list.
Let me say I passed this recipe around (attaching website) at work, and two of us have tried this (and both LOVED it). I am drinking mine this morning, a little citrusy which I love. You can not taste the spinach at all, and it’s only 5-6 WW points…yummm I have only drank half and I am FULL. So I could have drank half, and had less points. But I am going to drink while I work. Also the top three things to eat to naturally detox is Apples, Spinach (green leafy veggie) and citrus (lemon/orange)…so you can not go wrong with this smoothie, Thanks so much for the recipe!!!!!
I’ve been wanting to try green smoothies forever, and now I have no more excuses! It looks fabulous and such a great way to get some more leafy vegetables in me. Can’t wait to try it!!
I tried this morning, and I am happy to report that this tastes pretty good. As I posted before, I was skeptical that I would like it. I thought the fresh ginger was the ingredient that really made the taste “pop”.
I just made this and drank the whole thing! THANK YOU!!! I especially love the fresh ginger and lemon juice for the refreshing zing they give—kind of like ginger ale!
Congratulations on a new discovery! It looks delicious and I’m sure tastes even better.
I really hate to bring a sad note into the discussion (and complicate it), but if you’re trying to cleanse, you should also be aware of pesticides. Almost none of us can buy all organic, but here’s a list of the worst contaminated foods, called the “Dirty Dozen…and on the bright side, there’s also a “Clean Fifteen”! It will at least help you prioritize if you decide to buy some organic food.
http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/
I’m so afraid to try these, even though I’ve been wanting to for a while and I like all of those things. Sigh. I’m nervous, haha.
I’m drinking this smoothie right now and I have to say I love it. I think next time I will cut down on the lemon and maybe add more banana. Very great, thank you for this!
I make a delicious green smoothie:
white grape juice concentrate (you can sub grapes), banana, greek yogurt, a slice of pineapple (core and all), half an orange, and two good sized handfuls of spinach. I blend it with some ice, deee-licious! I do use a Vitamix with awesome results.
i, too, am interested in what kind of blender you used. i tried a green smoothie last year (it contained kale) and could not drink it. i couldn’t puree down the leaves and…. gag. i’m pretty sure i used a simple KA blender too. perhaps i should have blended longer?
thanks for the recipe though. our family is back on the healthier eating wagon (for now), and i’d love to try this.
Hi Jamie, This is the KitchenAid blender I use: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CSNVEM/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=broeyebak-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000CSNVEM. The leaves blend down just fine (as you can see) – I would try pureeing for a longer amount of time. I let mine go for a couple of minutes.
I love green smoothies! Kale and spinach are my favorite leaves to add. If anyone’s worried about it tasting “leafy,” it doesn’t! Pineapple and blueberries are my secret weapon for good flavor. Though, if you add blueberries, it’s not really a green smoothie anymore. Kind of purple. ;)
I, too, have been quite skeptical of all of the green smoothies that I’ve been seeing on blogs for a while. But, if you can do it, so can I, right? I need to give this a try.