Green Smoothie

Want a quick and tasty way to get your greens in? This green smoothie has you covered! It’s packed with healthy spinach, tangy fruit, a bit of ginger for zing, and a splash of juice for sweetness. Best of all, this single serving smoothie recipe delivers a delicious and nutritious boost in minutes.

This versatile green smoothie is perfect for a variety of occasions. Enjoy it alongside a savory egg wrap or avocado toast for a satisfying breakfast. It makes a refreshing midday snack, a quick pre-workout fuel-up, or a revitalizing post-workout boost. Pair it with a light green salad and zesty vinaigrette for a balanced lunch, or sip it as a guilt-free, nutrient-packed dessert.

No more big batches of smoothie that go to waste! This single serving recipe lets you enjoy a fresh, nutritious smoothie without any food waste. It’s perfect for those who want a healthy option without the hassle of a full-size recipe.

Ingredients

This quick smoothie recipe is totally customizable! Here’s one of my favorite ingredient combinations:

• Spinach: This leafy green is key for the smoothie’s vibrant color. About 2 to 2 1/2 cups of fresh spinach, loosely packed, is ideal. If unavailable, substitute with kale, but be mindful that kale has a more pronounced flavor, which might be noticeable in your smoothie. Spinach, on the other hand, blends seamlessly without altering the taste. If you’ve got extra spinach, consider using some in Tuscan Chicken or a breakfast sandwich.
• Banana: A medium to large banana is perfect for adding natural sweetness and creaminess to the smoothie. Got an extra banana? Use it to make Banana Bread or Banana Pancakes.
• Blueberries: Add 1/2 cup of blueberries, either fresh or frozen, to contribute to the flavor and antioxidant content. Leftover blueberries can be used in a Blueberry Crumble or Baked Oatmeal.
• Pineapple: Use 1 cup of chopped pineapple for a tropical flavor twist. Consider using leftover pineapple in an Ambrosia Salad or Tropical Smoothie.
• Ginger: A 1/2-inch piece of peeled ginger adds a zesty kick. For best results, grate or thinly slice the ginger before blending. Fresh ginger is preferred over powdered for this recipe. Extra ginger can be added to Turmeric Tea or Chicken Tikka Masala.
• Juice: Around 1/2 cup of no-sugar-added juice such as cranberry, apple, or pineapple is recommended. You can also use coconut, almond, cashew, or soy milk. If using water, you may want to add a touch of honey or another sweetener to compensate for the reduced sweetness.

Optional ingredients:

• Protein powder: I use 2 scoops of Vital Protein Collagen Peptides which adds collagen to the smoothie and also makes the smoothie creamy. You can use your favorite protein powder instead or leave the protein powder out altogether.
• Ice: For a colder smoothie, add ice if using fresh fruit. If your blender struggles with ice, frozen fruit is an effective alternative.
• Healthy Fats: Consider adding coconut oil, nuts, seeds, or a 1/4 avocado for added nutrition.

Pro Tip: Feel free to experiment with other fruits like mango, strawberries, apple, or pear. This recipe is flexible, so tailor it to your taste preferences!

Expert Tips

• Blending in Stages: If your blender isn’t very powerful, you might need to blend in steps. Start by blending the spinach with the liquid until smooth. Then, add the rest of the fruits and blend again. This helps create a smoother consistency. For those with high-powered blenders like a Vitamix, you can blend everything at once.
• Using Frozen Fruit Instead of Ice: To keep your smoothie cold without diluting it with ice, use frozen fruits. You can freeze ripe bananas (peeled), as well as spinach and kale. Just add them straight from the freezer into the blender.
• Balancing the Flavor: If your smoothie tastes too much like greens, sweeten it up with more fruit. Bananas, pineapples, mangos, apples, blueberries, and pears are all naturally sweet options that can enhance the taste without needing added sugars.
• Fruit Substitutions: Don’t worry if you’re allergic to or don’t like certain fruits like blueberries, pineapples, or bananas. Simply swap them out with an equal amount of another fruit you prefer.
• Adjusting Smoothie Thickness: For a thicker smoothie, add more fruit or a bit of avocado. If you prefer a thinner consistency, simply increase the amount of liquid in your blend.

If you’ve tried this green smoothie or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.

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