Have you gotten on the green smoothie wagon yet? Over the past few years, I've started making them for breakfast each day. It started out to be about health and an easy breakfast I could sip as a busy work-from-home mom, and then I became utterly and completely addicted. I love my daily smoothie!
All About Green Smoothies
Maybe you've wanted to try green smoothies, but you haven't known where to start. Or perhaps you've been too busy to look for recipes or tackle the daily prep involved.
That's where make-ahead frozen smoothie packs come into play. They are awesome, and you'll wonder what you ever did without them.
What is a green smoothie?
Let's start with the basic makeup of a green smoothie. First, it doesn't have to look green! A good green smoothie is built on several things—leafy greens, fruit (sometimes veggies too), liquid, and other nutritional add-ins.
Typically, a green smoothie is 40% greens and 60% fruit, liquid, and other add-ins. You can play with that ratio until it feels right for your taste buds.
Leafy greens: chard, spinach, kale, collards, bok choy, romaine, and other sweet lettuces, mint, parsley, cilantro
Fruit: berries, pineapple, mango, citrus, avocado, pears, apples, bananas, melon, dates (can be fresh or frozen)
Veggies: cucumber, celery, fennel, tomatoes, carrots, beets, pumpkin or butternut puree
Liquids: water, coconut water, milk, non-dairy milks (coconut, hemp, soy, oat, nuts), juice, tea, fermented and cultured beverages (kefir, kombucha, buttermilk, whey, yogurt )
Sweet naturals: dates, agave, honey, date syrup, maple syrup, flavored stevia drops
Nutritional add-ins: chia seeds, flax seeds, acai powder, green or other superfood powders (beetroot, cacao, maca, spirulina, wheatgrass), protein powder, spices, hemp seeds, whole nuts, oats
How to make a frozen green smoothie system
1. Buying in bulk
You've probably seen commercially prepared smoothie packs in the freezer sections of some stores. Awesome, but you can do it for less money at home, especially if you hit up a sale on fruit and greens.
Try to use what's in season in your area. It can be a little harder for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere during the winter. That's when I rely on buying fresh and frozen food in bulk at discount grocery stores.
2. A different smoothie each day
For these packs, I used baby spinach, fresh pineapple (got a killer deal on them!), bananas, blueberries, and blackberries. With those four fruits, you can mix and match to create a slightly different smoothie for each day or make the same one.
And you can always add different elements later if you want to change them up. Leafy greens freeze really well. You can puree them and make ice cubes ahead of time, or just toss the leaves into the bag.
3. Getting the right bags
Reusable quart-size resealable freezer bags are great because I can rinse and reuse them over and over. Mark each one with the date you made the pack, and cross it out once you've made the smoothie.
The packs won't last forever before the quality is affected by hoar frost (ice crystals). Think of it as a once-a-month or every-other-week kind of task, though these will last for several months if you're feeling particularly ambitious and want to make a ton.
4. How to pack a pack
Put the leafy greens into the bag first, followed by the fruit. I do about 2 packed cups of baby spinach and 2 to 2-½ cups frozen and/or fresh fruit. You could add the chia or flax seeds, but I find they stick to the bag. (Plus, sometimes I like to soak my chia seeds before blending.)
5. Working for your blender
Remember that cutting fruit into smaller pieces makes it easier on your blender. Bananas, if they are really ripe, usually do okay halved, but you can slice them up before you put them into the bags.
If you don't have a high-speed blender, like a Vitamix, Blendtec, Ninja, and the like, then you might want to try making leafy green ice cubes for better blending. Another option is to only make freezer packs with the fruit and then use fresh leafy greens.
6. Avoid frost
Squeeze out as much air as you can, and seal the bag. Removing the air helps prevent frost from forming.
7. Easy stacking
For easier stacking in the freezer, you can flatten them out a bit more just before sealing. The bags will freeze more quickly if placed in a single layer in the freezer.
You could also freeze the fruit on cookie sheets and then transfer them to the bags. Totally up to you on that.
8. When it's time to blend
When you blend, add 1 cup of liquid with the packet contents. The greens will break up a little easier after having been frozen, but you will probably need a little more liquid than normal for your blender to puree them properly.
When I make a fresh smoothie (not from a frozen pack), I layer the liquid, then greens, then fresh fruit, then frozen fruit, and seeds or other add-ins on top.
9. Experiment with flavor combinations
It's really fun to mix it up with other varieties of fruit and greens. Above (left to right):
Banana-blueberry: 1 large banana, 2 cups blueberries, 2 cups spinach
Pineapple-blueberry: ½ banana, 1-½ cups pineapple, ½–¾ cup blueberries, 2 cups spinach
Kiwi-watermelon: 1 sliced kiwi, 1 cup diced watermelon, 1 cup grapes, 2 cups spinach
Banana-berry: 2–3 cups mixed berries, ½ large banana, 2 cups spinach
Melon-berry: 1 cup melon, 1-½ cups mixed berries, 2 cups spinach
Pineapple-banana: 1 large sliced banana, 2 heaping cups pineapple, 2 cups spinach
We've got 10 more 3-ingredient smoothie pack combinations here. This detox smoothie recipe is another favorite. Or try this wrinkle-reducing berry and kale smoothie.
10. And that's it! Easy and quick.
P.S. Ready to start juicing? Try our 3 Juicing 101 recipes!
Quick Green Smoothie Recipes
Mango Spinach Smoothie
- 1 cup frozen mango
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
Pineapple Kale Smoothie
- 1 cup frozen pineapple
- 1 cup fresh kale
- 1 cup oat milk
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
Green Banana Smoothie
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 cup frozen spinach cubes
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 tablespoon flax seeds
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
To make any of these green smoothies, simply add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. You can adjust the amount of liquid based on how thick you like your smoothie, and you can add more or less sweetener depending on your preference. Enjoy your delicious and nutritious green smoothie!
This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Gina Jansheski, a licensed, board-certified physician with more than 20 years of practice experience. Learn more about Hello Glow's medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice, and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
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Brittany says
This is an awesome idea. Some website linked here saying I could make a month of smoothie packs in an hour. I was looking for supplies and directions lol
Patricia says
Hi, were you aware of the high nickel content of spinach and raspberries? If you have a nickel allergy, for example you can’t wear a watch without getting bumps on your wrist, or silver jewellery, you might want to know that spinach and raspberries aren’t your friends. Sad I know, two really great food groups! Soy is high on that same list.
Saving Says says
Looks delicious, Definitely going to try it. Such a healthy and tasty treat. One question do I need to defrost the bag first? Thanks for sharing your recipe. I'll give you the feedbacks after trying it : )
Stephanie Gerber says
No need to defrost, you can dump it in there frozen!
Elsa Leena says
Thanks! I will try this ;) Smoothy is fine to take with breakfast.
Susan @ BlenderUnderBudget says
Having tried your recipe combinations, I can attest: your strategies guarantee tasty smoothie making experience. I like trying the various flavors of berries in my green smoothies and I have never been disappointed.
Shout Me Crunch says
Thanks for providing such nice recipes for making smoothies. I will try some of your recipes and definitely give feedback about how the test is.
Sarah says
Nice, I used to do something similar to that, because if you're going to make a mess in your kitchen, once a month is easier, and less time consuming.
Kate says
Love the idea. Any concerns or knowledge of frozen plastic bags leach chemicals into the food? Thanks!
Tim says
Hi Lindsey!
Great idea and recipes! They taste great! Do you know what the calorie load is for one of these? Just a general idea would be helpful.
Tim
Lindsey Johnson says
Hi Tim. It's so hard to estimate the calorie count for these, but if you aren't adding anything besides fruit and leafy greens, my guess would be between 150-ish to 200 calories for a 16 ounce serving. Once you start adding chia seeds, protein powders, nuts/nut butter, etc., the calories jump up quite a bit.
Dawn Hamilton says
What a great idea! Thanks for posting! Now, when I don't feel well, hubby can make the juices and smoothies without having to ask me what to put in, how much, etc. Easy peasy. Thanks so much for this post!
Mahina says
I am so used to traveling and pre making foods. I feel so silly that I didn' t think to do this for smoothies. This is such a great idea! Thank you for writing!
Sarah | Well and Full says
These all sound amazing, especially the kiwi watermelon! I'll have to try that flavor combination :)
Berlinda says
Great info! Thank you! I will be doing this. :)
Jo says
Have you tried adding the liquid juice in with the fruit and greens then freezing them? Does that work?
Kelly says
I tied this and it didn't work! Freezing fruit and veggies with the liquid somehow made the whole thing turn rancid. Just add the liquid right before blending.
Megan Lawrence says
What kind of liquid do you add? Water?
Amber says
Do you defrost the smoothie the night before?
Monica says
Thank you so very much for this! Can't believe that hubby is willing to drink green smoothies but I don't always have time to make them. Can't believe I never thought about doing this!!
S says
I always add 1/2 lemon to my smoothies -- just makes them a little brighter. I also add a bit of local honey, cinnamon, and ginger. My favorite ingredients are spinach, kale, parsley, apple, carrot, and beets.
Jen matthews says
How to add 1/2 lemon. Chopped no skin leve out seed?
Shevona says
Yes...peel lemon and add seeds too. It gets all blended up.
Marcela Hannon says
I usually use spinach & kale in my smoothies, I been freezing individual bags of frozen fruit, but I don't like to freeze spinach or kale, I did that once by mistake & I didn't like texture or taste, it defenetley changes the taste. I normally buy fresh fruit & let it get nice & ripe specially in the summer. In the winter I'll buy frozen fruit if I can't find it fresh, Costco is a good place to get it.
Phil Smith says
Might there be a quality issue with freezing the greens, such as spinach and kale?
Roeid says
My vegetables are always cut and frozen ahead of time (mushrooms, spinach, onions..) for my eggs in the morning.. never had a problem neither with taste nor with texture, but thats when i cook them with my scrambled eggs. Not sure about keeping them cold.
Jacqueline says
I just tried the banana berry with fresh non frozen ingredients and it did not turn out to good. I followed the instructions but it was still very bitty and thick. What should I do differently next time to avoid this?
Jenny says
Hi Jacqueline,
It sounds like your blender is not strong enough to break down the ingredients. These green drinks need to be done in a vitamix, ninja or what I use is the nutribullet. I own the vitamix but for my smoothies I like the nutibullet for ease of use and I can drink it out of container I mix it in. If you are using a high speed blender the try adding more liquid. Keep trying you will feel a difference in how you feel drinking one a day.
Kat says
I would try adding a tablespoon of honey or even a couple of dates with out the seed. :)