• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Free Bonus
  • About
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Boulder Locavore®

Easy Flavorful Recipes for Everyday

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Free Bonus
  • About
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • Free Bonus
    • About
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Smoothies » Green Smoothies: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners + Pro Smoothie Lovers

    LAST UPDATED: September 2, 2020 • FIRST PUBLISHED: May 6, 2020 By Toni Dash 46 Comments

    Green Smoothies: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners + Pro Smoothie Lovers

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Green Smoothie title image

    Green Smoothies are a delicious way to pack in great nutrition into your day! This guide will tell you everything you need to know to make delicious smoothie recipes your whole family will love!

    Green Smoothie title image

    Green Smoothies are packed with great nutrition and wholesome ingredients.

    But how do they taste? 

    Don’t let the ‘green’ part scare you. They are completely delicious!

    This guide and recipes will make you a pro whipping up YOUR favorite combinations in no time.

    What is a Green Smoothie?

    A combination of fresh leafy greens, flavorful nutrient-rich fruits, and a liquid base is all it takes to make a ‘green’ smoothie.

    ‘Green’ refers to it having the leafy greens in it.

    The smoothie will often also be green in color (but not always depending on the other ingredients).

    You can also add some superfood options, like raw seeds and nuts.

    Smoothies include dietary fiber (e.g. pulp, skin, and seeds) and so are thicker than fruit juice, often with a consistency similar to a milkshake.

    The healthfulness of a smoothie depends on its ingredients and their proportions.

    Many Green Smoothie recipes include large or multiple servings of fruits and vegetables, which are recommended in a healthy diet or are intended to be a meal replacement.

    Green Apple Kale Smoothie

    How to Make a Green Smoothie

    STEP 1: Choose the Leafy Greens

    Start with a leafy green like spinach, kale, collard greens or lettuce. Lettuce is the most mild, while (in my opinion) spinach has the most pronounced flavor.

    I love using kale which is nutrient-dense and surprisingly doesn’t have a very strong flavor.

    STEP 2: Choose a Liquid

    Use almond milk, oat milk, regular milk, water, juice or coconut water.

    Milk will give it a thicker consistency, while water will give it more of a juice consistency.

    STEP 3: Blend the Greens and Liquid

    This allows a blended base before adding the fruit for a smooth result.

    This is easier for standard blenders too which can strain with hard to blend ingredients.

    If you have a high speed blender like a Vitamix or Ninja then you can blend all the ingredients at once

    STEP 4: Add the Fruit

    Pick a fruit or fruits to complement the flavor of the greens.

    Banana, mango, pineapple, pear, kiwi, avocado, green apples, or a combination of these, balance out the flavor of leafy greens really well.

    Fresh fruits will blend more easily than frozen fruits. 

    If using frozen fruits, add a little at a time blending in between to not over strain your blender.

    STEP 5: Consider Optional Ingredients

    Add more flavor, more sweetness, more texture, or more nutritional value with all kinds of added ingredients.

    This includes protein powders, seeds, natural sweeteners, nuts or nut butters, oils or spices.

    STEP 6: Final Blending and Adjustments

    Place all the remaining ingredients in the blender with the blended base (greens and liquid) and blend until smooth.

    Adjust to taste – adjust the level of thickness or sweetness as desired.

    Add more milk, fruit (or frozen fruit), ice, or natural sweeteners like honey.

    Adding a bit of ground cinnamon will give the smoothie some warmth and balance the bitterness in any greens too!

     

    Dark green leafy vegetables in colander

    What Greens Should I Use for a Green Smoothie?

    Greens are very nutrient rich. Including them in a smoothie is a an easy and tasty way to get them in your diet!

    Kale

    Kale is full of the most important nutrients, such as potassium, iron, protein, vitamins A, B6, and C, calcium, and even more.

    When using a regular blender (vs a Vitamix) tear the kale leaves before adding them to the blender for best results. 

    Arugula

    Arugula isn’t just for salads! Try arugula instead of spinach in any type of smoothie.

    It’s loaded with many of the nutrients needed for a healthy diet, including calcium, fiber, protein, and phytochemicals like beta-carotene!

    Swiss Chard

    Swiss chard is one of the most popular ingredients for a Green Smoothie, for a number of reasons.

    For one thing, it has soft leaves that won’t cause problems with any blender.

    Not only are the leaves soft, but they also have a slightly salty taste to them, which is a good complement to the natural sweetness of the fruit.

    Not to be outdone, chard is also a good source of plenty of vitamins (A, C, and K), as well as calcium, iron, and even more.

    Broccoli

    Broccoli is a classic green vegetable and readily available in grocery stores.

    Although the broccoli florets may present a challenge for some blenders, if you stick to one cup or less you shouldn’t have a problem.

    Pair the slightly bitter broccoli with bold fruit flavors to even out the taste, and enjoy the nutritional benefits, which include plenty of fiber and vitamins C, A, and K.

    Celery

    You often see celery paired with peanut butter, but did you ever think about using it in your smoothies?

    The unsung hero of greens, celery has a myriad of health benefits, including regulating your body’s alkaline balance, reducing inflammation, and helping digestion.

    Did you know celery also has properties that help soothe your nervous system?

    If you’re stressed out, throw some celery in your smoothie!

    Parsley

    Although more commonly thought of as a garnish, parsley can do so much more for you than just make your fillet appear more appetizing.

    This powerful little herb is packed with iron and vitamins C, K, and A, as well as antioxidants.

    One thing to keep in mind about parsley is the pungent taste, so you should probably only use about one cup of it for your smoothies.

    Spinach

    Spinach is popular because it’s always easy to find and has a refreshingly mild (but distinct) taste to its leaves.

    With a healthy dose of calcium, fiber, protein, and vitamins (A, B6, and C among them), spinach is awesome.

    Bok Choy/Chinese Cabbage

    Chinese cabbage, also known as bok choy and pak choi, can do a lot more for you than just fill out your stir-fry recipes.

    If you want variety in the best greens for smoothies, bok choy is your best bet.

    Although it’s bitter, the bitterness is all too easily counteracted by the fruit you include.

    One cup is only nine measly calories, but you get plenty of protein, dietary fiber, and vitamins C and K!

    greens for smoothies

    What Liquids to Use

    Here are some liquids for making Green Smoothies:

    • Water (filtered or real spring water),
    • Regular dairy milk
    • Soy Milk
    • Almond milk
    • Rice Milk
    • Coconut milk/water
    • Kefir (from milk or coconut water)

    PRO TIP: the more liquid you add, the more watery or runnier your smoothie will be. If you prefer a thicker consistency, use slightly less liquid.

    green fruit and vegetable smoothies

    What Fruits to Use

    Pretty much any fruit is great for Green Smoothies, yellow and green fruits work particularly well especially to retain the green color of the smoothie (if that matters to you).

    Here’s some fruit that balances out the bitterness of leafy greens:

    • Mango
    • Avocado
    • Kiwi
    • Pineapple
    • Peach
    • Banana
    • Melon
    • Apricot
    • Green Apple

    Nuts, Nut Butters and Seeds

    Veggies are vital in a smoothie, but protein will stabilize your blood sugars and keep you feeling full.

    Peanut butter, other nut butters, nuts and seeds provide protein — and they also provide heart-healthy fat.

    Nuts, nut butters and seeds also help to slow your digestion.

    Choose natural peanut or almond butter (all peanuts or almonds, no fillers), or add walnut halves to boost your omega-3 intake.

    Because nuts, seeds and nut butters are high in calories, so be mindful of portion sizes.

    Add no more than half an ounce of nuts or seeds, or 1 tablespoon of nut butter, per serving.

    For example, eight walnut halves equal half an ounce.

    leafy green smoothie

    Sweeteners

    Most smoothie recipes include enough sweet fruit to bypass a sweetener to enhance the taste, but if not, here are some good ones:

    • Honey
    • Stevia
    • Maple syrup
    • Dates

     PRO TIP: My favorite way to make a smoothie thick and sweeter without using a sweetening ingredients can be found in this Banana-Peach Smoothie Recipe.

    Are Green Smoothies really that good for you?

    Yes! Green Smoothies are packed full of healthy ingredients with no added sugar.

    There’s a good amount of fiber and protein in it to help you feel satisfied and full.

    It’s packed full of vitamins and minerals and it’s a great way to up your fruit and vegetable intake in a quick, easy and delicious way.

    Can you drink a Green Smoothie everyday?

    Yes! You can vary the ingredients in your smoothies so you don’t get bored.

    Having them for breakfast sets you up for the day with a heap of nutrients.

    Can you freeze Green Smoothies?

    Yes you can. Prepare the smoothie as directed, then place in the freezer in freezer safe containers.

    Smoothies can also be frozen in popsicle molds and ice cube trays.

    The smoothie mix will keep for about 3 months in the freezer.

    The night before you plan to drink the smoothie, place a smoothie jar in the fridge and defrost overnight.

    You can also leave the smoothie on the counter for a few hours for a quick defrost.

    Two green smoothies

    Storing Green Smoothies

    Simply make the smoothie as directed, pour the smoothie into a container and place in the fridge.

    Smoothies will keep in the fridge for 1-2 days.

    Separation may occur after the first day. This is completely normal. Just stir or shake.

    fruit and vegetable smoothie

    Troubleshooting Your Smoothie 

    Too frothy

    Try using a little less liquid, and make sure not to blend too long. Try withholding the liquid (maybe just half) until the other ingredients are thoroughly mixed or liquefied, then add the remaining liquid and only blend on the lowest speed until it’s incorporated.

    Milk can cause frothiness, maybe try water instead. When blending greens like baby spinach, you won’t need as much liquid because they blend so well and contain a fair amount themselves.

    Too runny

    The quick fix for this is reducing the amount of liquid. More thickening smoothie ingredients will also alleviate this problem.

    Not sweet enough

    Simply add a little more of your preferred sweetener. I recommend honey, stevia, maple syrup, and dates.

    Too bitter

    Use less greens and/or more sweet fruit and sweetener.

    Not blending well

    Filling your blender jar to high might result in less than ideal blending.

    If you have an older or low powered blender, you may need to blend your liquid, base, fresh fruit, and greens (chop into small pieces) first, then add in any frozen fruit or ice cubes and blend until nice and smooth.

    You may also need to add more liquid to balance out the ingredients. Your blender may be the culprit.

    green smoothie with red berries

    Pro Tips

    Blend the leafy greens with the liquid first!

    The purpose of this is to avoid having chunks of unblended vegetables or fruit while sipping the smoothie.

    After blending then add the fruits, chia seeds or any other boosters. I

    f you have a high-speed strong blender like the Vitamix or Ninja, you can throw everything in the blender at once though.

    Freeze the fruits

    This gives the smoothie an extra smooth and creamy consistency.

    Any time you have extra ripe fruit, it’s a great idea to freeze them in freezer-safe bags.

    That way they’re ready to go when you want a smoothie.

    It also gives an extra cold and creamy texture to the smoothie that you won’t get from adding ice cubes necessarily.

    Use ripe fruit

    That’s the best way to avoid adding sugar.

    It’s nature’s natural raw sugar essentially, so make sure the fruit is ripe and you shouldn’t need to add any sweeteners to the smoothie.

    This way you’ll save on calories and carbs.

    Apple Lime & Leafy Greens Smoothie

    Great Starter Greens: Kale, Baby Spinach, Arugula, Lettuces, and/or Parsley paired with fruit (apple, banana, orange, grapes) and some freshly squeezed citrus juice produce a beautifully balanced smoothie without tasting densely ‘green’. The combination possibilities are endless!

    Delicious Green Smoothie Recipes You’ll Love!

    To start your journey make the Bright Morning (Apple, Lime & Leafy Green) Smoothie at the bottom of the blog post! 

    The following are more of my favorite Green Smoothie recipes you’ll love: 

    • Bikini Body Smoothie
    • Berry Mojito Smoothie
    • The Cheeky Monkey Smoothie
    • The Green Zinger Smoothie
    • Fall Get-Up-and-Go Smoothie
    • No Fat Pants Persimmon Smoothie
    • Cranberry Pear Ginger Smoothie
    spinach smoothie
    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

    Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK , TWITTER , INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST !

    Apple Lime & Leafy Greens Smoothie

    Bright Morning Apple Lime Leafy Green Smoothie

    This starter smoothie is chock full of nutritional dark leafy greens but you'd never know it from the flavor. The addition of fresh lime juice and Granny Smith apple lend a sweet, bright flavor that is irresistible.
    5 from 24 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 1 smoothie
    Calories: 147kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 10 red grapes
    • ½ cup baby spinach
    • ½ cup arugula
    • ½ cup parsley
    • 1 heaping cup kale leaves*
    • ½ granny smith apple
    • Juice one lime
    • 6 baby carrots
    • ½ cup filtered water

    Instructions

    • Put all the ingredients into a blender, pouring the water in last.
    • Pulse blender until vegetables and fruits are broken down then run the blender until the mixture is fully liquefied.

    Notes

    *if using a regular blender consider pre-chopping the kale leaves to achieve a smoother consistency smoothie.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 147kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 107mg | Potassium: 901mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 18140IU | Vitamin C: 121.4mg | Calcium: 177mg | Iron: 3.6mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!

    Originally published: January 3, 2014

     

    « Queso Fundido – Spicy Mexican Cheese Appetizer Dip
    Shrimp Salad Recipe »

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

    Free Email Course

    5 FAST & EASY 15-MINUTE RECIPES
    Spending too much time in the kitchen?
    These recipes are fast, easy, and perfect for every occasion.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Savita says

      January 07, 2022 at 4:33 am

      5 stars
      This looks so refreshing and healthy. Perfect breakfast option.

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Primary Sidebar

    About Toni Dash

    Toni Dash BoulderLocavore.com Head Shot

    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

    Search Boulder Locavore

    AS FEATURED ON….

    BoulderLocavore.com Featured By Press

    Mother's Day

    • Milk bath rose petals, cornmeal, cucumber slices DIY Home Spa Treatments for Mother’s Day {that kids can do!}
    • 10 Rose-Flavored Dessert Recipes title image 10 Rose-Flavored Dessert Recipes
    • BAKED DOUGHNUTS TITLE IMAGE Easy Baked Donuts with fresh Raspberries
    • DIY Sparkling Flower-scented Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub pink with pink sugar DIY Gift Idea: Sparkling Flower-Scented Coconut Oil Sugar Scrubs
    • Edible Flower Springtime Tea Party Edible Flower Springtime Tea Party
    • a silver bowl full of rose-flavored dark chocolate truffles Rose-Flavored Dark Chocolate Truffles

    TRENDING RIGHT NOW

    • Ultimate Burger Grill Guide title photo with burgers on a charcoal grill Ultimate Burger Grill Guide: How to Grill the Perfect Burger
    • artichoke dipping sauces Artichoke Dipping Sauce: 4 Easy Delicious Recipes
    • Carafe of apple cider vinegar with apples (titled image of how to make homemade vinegar) How to Make Homemade Vinegar
    • How to Make Moist Homemade Shredded Chicken Breast title How to Make Moist Homemade Shredded Chicken Breast Recipe
    • Subway Cookies Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies (Subway Cookies Copycat Recipe)
    • Korean BBQ Chicken title image Easy Korean BBQ Chicken recipe

    Footer

    Contact | About | Privacy Policy | Disclosure Policy | Accessibility Statement | Cookie Policy


    SIGN ME UP to get FREE recipes directly to my inbox!

    Don't miss our TRAVEL SECTION!


    Copyright © 2010-2022 All Rights Reserved

    Boulder Locavore is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.