Don’t get us wrongโwe love letting someone else do the work for us occasionallyโbut making healthy green smoothies at home is such an easy part of your healthy-eating routine. Just make sure to have a few essential ingredients on hand (here are 10 3-ingredient smoothies for inspiration), follow this green-smoothie formula, and mix and match flavors to your liking. So simple! (P.S. – you’ll hardly taste the greens.)
Foolproof Green Smoothie Formula
1. Start with 1 cup liquid
Choose from:
- Coconut, almond or another non-dairy milk (learn how to make your own here) or kefir
- Cooled herbal tea
- Water or coconut water
- Fresh-squeezed juice (stick to veggies if possibleโthink carrot, or a celery-apple combo)
2. Add 1 1/2 cups greens
Use any combination of:
- Spinach
- Kale
- Parsley
- Chard
3. Add 1/2 to 1 cup fresh or frozen fruit for sweetness and added nutrients
Frozen fruit (especially banana) will add a great creamy texture and make your smoothie more “shake-like”โjust note that you may end up needing more liquid if you go that route. Some ideas:
For a vitamin K and potassium boost: stone fruits like peaches, plums, cherries apricots or nectarines (pitted, of course)
For extra fiber: raspberries, avocado, pears, apples, bananas
For an immunity and antioxidant boost: peeled fresh orange or grapefruit, blueberries, strawberries
For extra omega-3s (and to keep it low-carb): raspberries, blackberries, cranberries, cantaloupe, honeydew, avocado, guava
4. Nutrition-boosting extras
These aren’t necessary, but can be a nice touch:
For added protein: 1 tablespoon bee pollen, nut butter, raw almonds (preferably soaked), or pumpkin seeds
For detoxing and a metabolism boost: 1 teaspoon ground turmeric, cinnamon or grated fresh ginger, or fresh herbs like mint or basil
For extra fiber: 2 tablespoons chia seeds or chopped dates
For omega-3s: 2 tablespoons raw walnuts or flax oil/seeds
5. Sweeten if desired (optional)
- Liquid stevia (SweetLeaf is our favorite because it comes in so many flavors)
- 1 teaspoon raw honey (try infused)
- Extra banana (the riper the better) or dates to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon agave nectar
To get you started, here’s one of our go-to green smoothies. It has naturally sweet oranges for a vitamin C-rich immune boost, protein-rich spinach, plus a nice subtle, minty finish. Use frozen banana to thicken it up!
Easy Green Smoothie: The Orange Blitzer
- 1 1/2 cups coconut water or coconut water kefir
- 1 cup spinach + 1/2 cup parsley
- 1 orange, peel removed + 1/2 banana
- 5 mint leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Blend and enjoy!
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I really love the graphic, so descriptive thank you!
Love the graphic, itโs an all in one reference for when youโre out of ideas, thanks!
Do you add ice and if so, how much? I would freeze the coconut water into cubes if not adding additional ice so it isn’t warm. I think a cold temperature would taste better, but don’t want to dilute the flavors.
Love the graphic! Question: do you normally soak Chia seeds before adding? If so, for how long?
I absolutely love this graphic! I feel like my horizons have been broadened for making the best green smoothie with whatever I have on hand at the moment. Thank you, I can’t wait to try out all different mixes. :)
Fantastic tips Dana! I’m a total green smoothie addict!
Glad you like it, and hope it sparks some smoothie inspiration!