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. :)
korah says
How many serving per bag?
Lindsey Johnson says
It's one large or two smaller servings. I tend to use one for myself to drink for breakfast and as a snack over the course of a few hours in the morning while I work.
Liz Nichols says
Wondering if eating all this fruit is too sugary and will put weight on me..thanks Liz
Lindsey Johnson says
There are lower sugar fruits you can use if you're worried about calories. Berries are much lower in sugar than tropical fruits. If you're trying to lose weight, I would consult with a nutritionist or doctor and ask their recommendations about smoothies.
Nutribullet user says
I did put weight on using only fruit and a small amount of leafy greens. I now mix fruit and veg. tomato, carrot, beetroot are all good to mix with fruit (I know tommys are a fruit but they are closer to veg in the calorie range).
Meghan says
This is exactly what I need for the upcoming semester! I was wondering, how many cartons/boxes of fresh or frozen produce do you purchase to be able to make a month of smoothies? I'm worried about not buying enough/buying too much (and then the too much will go to waste).
Thanks!
Holly says
does nutritional content change with freezing?
Lindsey Johnson says
I don't believe so. I have heard people say yes and no. But I personally don't think it alters the nutritional content, and if it does, it's probably negligible.
Sara says
I love this idea! I have smoothies a few times a week with Matcha green tea mixed in for an extra energy boost, this idea will make my life so much easier. Thank you!
Joanna says
Guess who's going to the market this Saturday and is going to bring back a lot of heavy bags with fruit and veg? Smoothe mission is on the horizon!
brandy says
This seems like it will make quite a bit. Is this for just one serving?
Suzie Adv says
I always freeze my bananas still in the peel. The peel does turn brown, but the inside stays yellow/beige, normal banana color. I also freeze kale. The leaves get very crunchy and it's easy to crumble them up and pop them into my nutra bullet.
louise says
hi ya
i have just got a nutribullet and want to use frozen spinach in it for easy and cost, however i am afraid that the shop bought frozen spinach tends to be in largeish size lumps, ( say the size of a marshmallow)
i know the nutribullet is supper strong but im afraid that several lumps for rock hard spinach in the mix may be asking too much of this clever little machine.
dont want to break it its brand new lol
any advice please???
lou
Nutribullet user says
Get the spinach cubes/lumps out of the freezer 10-15 mins before you blast. they will be softer. My nutribullet does put up with a lot from me though I think you'll be ok
Jada says
What liquids do you recommend or use in the smoothies?
Lindsey Johnson says
And kind of dairy or non-dairy, water, or juices is fine.
Carrie says
I wanted to ask, do you thaw the frozen stuff before you blend?
Lindsey Johnson says
You can thaw them, but you certainly don't have to. You just might want to add a little extra liquid for easier blending. I just pour everything from the bag into the blender, add the liquid and it works great.
Karen Rozycki says
I am doing these smoothies for sure. Just bought a new blender, and then this showed up....meant to be.
I am on a path to a new me...will enjoy your help!
Shirley says
Helloglow I've been diagnosed with diverticulosis, do you think the Ninja bullet (old one) can purée flaxseed and other smaller seeds? I'm trying to gain weight
Ana M Munoz says
Thank you so much Lindsey Johnson;)
michelle says
i have Wanted to do this for a long time !! but i have frozen just my bananas in bags alone and they Always turn brown :(
how do u stop yours from turning brown ??
Lindsey Johnson says
You can dip them in lemon juice and that will help the surface, but unfortunately they will pretty much always turn brown eventually.
Nutribullet user says
theyre still fine to blend and taste fine
Colby Gardner says
Are each of these smoothies 1 serving or 2 servings?
Lindsey Johnson says
These are for 2 servings each. The formula I use is: 2 cups greens, 3 cups fruit, 2 cups liquid for two servings.
Kathy says
I've recently started using coconut milk in some of my smoothies to give them a tropical flavor (as well as the benefits of coconut). But it can take a long time to go through a can or jar of coconut milk. Can you freeze coconut milk? I'm thinking as a spoonful in the bag with the other ingredients, or in an icecube tray so I have a portion of coconut milk at the ready. Thank you,
jj says
I do the same thing. I usually do about 10-15 bags at a time.
I use some other items like broccoli, carrots, whole or half oranges, skin included, it gives a lot of flavor and fights cancer cells (I recommend organic everything but especially if you are including the skins you should use organic) You buy on sale and freeze for later, you don’t have to worry about anything getting mushy as it just goes in the smoothie. Almost anything goes (except peas for some reason, you can taste them)
You can also combine all your dry ingredients in a separate container. I use a bunch of ground nuts and seeds and whole food protein powder, psyllium husk, green superfood, black seed. 1 big scoop is alot easier then getting it all out every time.
Another thing, organic apple cider vinegar is very healthy and even if you don’t like vinegar, you might find a little gives it a kick that you like, my sister did. I use about a TBS (in a large smoothie) you might want to start with a tsp and work you way up.
yenny says
How long you can keep the frozen fruits and vegies in freezer ?
Lindsey Johnson says
They will keep for several months.
allison c says
could i add already frozen fruit to fresh spinach/kale?
Lindsey Johnson says
Yes, definitely!
Lindsey says
Super good idea! Too bad I was completely interrupted by a silly pop-up ad about ice cream that took me forever to figure out how to disable...
teeky28 says
what a great idea! I always add gelatin (the green can), protein powder, and shredded coconut to my smoothies. rather than get them out every time, I mix them in a mason jar and add a couple of tablespoons of the mix in. hey, anything to save a little time. :D
Gail says
This is a very good idea. I have tons of smoothie recipes but gravitate towards the "usual" banana/strawberry/spinach because I've grown used to it. Spending an hour so to make them up in advance makes it easier, and sticking to the recipes encourages you to have diverse smoothies. Thanks!
Gail says
To get more air out of the bags: Once you've put the food items in the bag, put a straw half way down the corner of the bag. Zip the bag from the other side up to the edge of the straw. Using your mouth, suck the air out of the straw. When you've done this, clamp the straw part where it is touching the zippered portion to prevent more air coming back in. Remove straw. Then quickly zip the remaining section where the straw was. It may take a little practice and a few times to get it right, but I do it with all my bags of food to be frozen. You may want to spread your food in the bag to make it flat before inserting the straw, because once you've sucked the air out of the bag, the food becomes stationary.
Tena says
do you have to blanch the greens prior to freezing?
Lindsey Johnson says
I don't blanch them, but you could if you wanted. I prefer them raw-frozen.
Tena says
do you need to blanch the greens prior to freezing?
Michelle says
I like to use avocado in my smoothies. Do they freeze well? Any tips?Thanks so much!
Lindsey Johnson says
Yes! Avocados do freeze well, as long as you don't try to make guacamole out of them - it doesn't work. haha What I do is cut them into smaller pieces and dip them in acidulated water. (The juice of a lemon in a small bowl of water works great.) You can freeze them on a baking sheet and then put in the bags and then they won't stick together in big clumps.
Brenda Damman says
Is the 2 cups of greens and 2 cups of fruit for one or two servngs?
Lindsey Johnson says
One big one or two smaller ones.
kym says
Newbie at making Smoothies. This is so helpfull. Some morning I just dont have time. But now I see how I can prepare packs. Thank you for sharing.
Amber says
You mention adding 1 cup of liquid before you blend. What liquids do you use? Thank you!
Lindsey Johnson says
Milk, non-dairy milks, yogurt, water, coconut water, juice. Whatever you like! And you might need a little more depending on how easy your blender does with the frozen fruit and greens.
laura says
Loved this post but once i sliced bananas and the froze them and they got all dark and changed flavor! So is it inevitable for banana to get dark?
Lindsey Johnson says
Yes, I think it is. You can try dipping the bananas in water with a little lemon juice added.
Gail says
Yes...go ahead and dip the banana slice in lemon juice - works perfect.
Helen says
Freeze the bananas whole with peeling on. The peeling turns dark, but the bananas come out fine.
Paula Schikkerling says
Wonderful post, thank you!
Question: does Kale freeze well? Do all the greens freeze ok?
Lindsey Johnson says
Kale does freeze well. Just wash them and try to dry them as best you can. That will help prevent hoar frost from forming as much. (Or so I've learned along the way!) Try to squeeze all the air out of the bag too. They will keep for a few months this way. I do it all the time!
Evelyne@cheapethniceatz says
Great idea and tutorial for making the bags ahead. Can you mention about how much greens and fruits do you buy, quantity wise, for the month?
Lindsey Johnson says
It really varies because sometimes I am making them just for me, and other times I am making bigger batches for my kids to enjoy too.
Christina says
Can you recommend how to make the leafy-greens into ice cubes ,if I don't have a high-power blender just a regular blender
Lindsey Johnson says
Hi Christina, if you blend the greens with water in your regular blender, it should work pretty well. Also, freezing the greens before seems to help them blend more easily too. The leaves will break apart once frozen. Hope that helps!
Brenda says
Wow I love this idea, I have a Vita-Mix and I love it... to me all the other blenders don't compare and the smoothies come out smooth not with little bits and peace's ... I would not recommend to blend the smoothie and then freeze because then its not going to be drinkable your going to have to brake it up and blend again or put in microwave to melt... for a snack I will make one of these and for a meal i will just put some Rice protein powder in it...
Carol says
I think this is a god idea for those who wouldn’t otherwise make these healthy smoothies and drink them.
Fresh is always best, but if you can’t or won’t or don’t have the time unless you use this method, it is worth loosing the small amounts of healthy benefits from the fresh ingredients.
I do think that maybe blending them first might be a better option, but then, not as easily stored, (or maybe more easily stored as they would most likely stack flatter?) and convenience is the issue here.
Anyway, this is a great idea to save time and perhaps eat (drink) something healthy instead of reaching for that granola bar or whatever your weakness is!
Sonya says
I just wonder why you wouldnt blend them all up and freeze the smoothy itself in the freezer bags? So much easier and less mess.
Michele says
I wish there was a print friendly version!
Barbara says
I do the freeze ahead packs as well. I also get small craft baggies and put in the spices; cocoa, and flax seeds that I love. I put one in every baggie of fruit and veggies so the spices stay dry but are right there with everything else. I also use a black marker and put a final Calorie, carb, fiber total on the baggie.
Emily says
Experiment. Start out with one cup liquid and see how much you end up with, then adjust accordingly.
Brittany says
What liquid is used with each smoothie recipe ?
Emily says
She mentions what liquids to use at the top part of this page, under 'What is a Green Smoothie'. Basically, water, coconut water, nut milks, etc.
Martha says
What is the best blender to use for making smoothies?
Madison says
I use the nutribullet for all of my smoothies. I love it :D
Lex says
I love my Ninja and have friends who love their bullet. For those who have both, they use the ninja unless they need a small portion because the bullet has the smaller cups. Hope that helps.
Jason Hurley says
We have a Vitamix and although it's expensive, it's well worth it. The quality of the blender is incredible, plus it can blend anything.
Kim S Hawkins (ツ) (@CoachKimH) says
Love knowing that I can freeze the "greens" too! That will be a tremendous space saver in my tiny RV camper fridge. I have a separate freezer. Thanks for sharing!!!
Shelagh storer says
I love the idea of freezing the fruit & veg. I usually add coconut oil & lots if fresh ginger to my smoothies, and I am losing weight without even trying. No more mid morning snack attacks.
Kristi says
Hello, I would like to subscribe for this weblog
to take most recent updates, so where can i do it please help.
Mary Lou Keller says
I had pinned this to my smoothie board and finally got around to openkng it. Perfect idea! I leave for work early and most mornings I am running late enough I don't have time to make my smoothie. This would help so much! Making night ahead is not so good since it tends to separate and get funky. I love idead of soaking the chia seeds ahead as well. What a powerhouse of nutrition they have. Many times I will add flaxseed oil for the omega 3's it provides.
Going to stock up on ziploc freezer bags and give this a try!
mike says
awesome! how bout an actual grocery list for us ultra lazy...?
susan says
I love breakfast smoothies too. It is a great way for me to get veggies in my diet first thing in my day. I haven't ever made up kits for the freezer. What a helpful idea as sometimes I am rushed for time and so forgo the morning smoothie.
Debra Hight says
You inspired me! Not sure if these are correct ratio of veg to fruit but it was DELICIOUS!! Frozen spinach, cucumber, celery, red bell pepper, green apple, purple grapes and skim milk with one scoop of protein powder. Perfect consistency, I don't care for the icey types. This was kind of fluffy:) Thanks for getting me motivated again!
Lindsey Johnson says
Sounds great! The best part about smoothies is the you can make whatever kind you like - no hard, fast rules. :)
Shelly says
Do you wash your spinach before putting them into the baggies? I know the containers say pre-washed but I get a bit nervous to not wash them myself. But I seems they might get yucky if I washed then before freezing them?
Lindsey Johnson says
I sometimes do. If the spinach is from a farmer's market or it's a fresh bunch, then I wash it several times. You can totally wash it and just spin it dry. It won't affect things too much.
DJ says
I feel you get a better consistency when you blend the greens with a cup of water first - then add your fruits and flaxseed and finish blending.
Lindsey Johnson says
That's a good tip! I used to do that before I got my Vitamix.
Anne G says
my gosh what a great idea, This summer I decided that I am going raw til dinner time, so this will be a easy way to make sure I have a smoothie in the morning instead of making the excuse of not enough time
Joe says
I like bananas a lot!
Sheila Locke says
Just a thought, I buy frozen spinach in cubes, easier than trying to keep it fresh
Sheila Locke says
Love your site, do you send regular e mail news items ,on making smoothys,etc.
Warm Regards,
Sheila
Kathy says
Lindsey,
Love your site! This was a very interesting read for me as I love to make green smoothies. I've jotted down a few of your combinations and I'm going to try freezing several weeks worth like you have shown here. I just go buy a bag of spinach every other day to make smoothies for a few days .- This would be easier Plus, I wouldn't have to worry about anything going bad. Right now I have a freezer filled with Pineapple chunks because Kroger had them for .99 a few weeks back. Today, I bought a large bag of frozen cherries from Sams ($9) and added a cup to my spinach/avocado/chia seeds/mango/wheat grass/squirt of lemon and lime/coconut milk/fresh cranberries mix and it is so delicious!
When watermelon are on sale, I will buy a lot and freeze. Wanted to give you a tip on the watermelon drinks - I add a dash of Cayenne to watermelon drinks - it really intensifies the flavor. I just tell people to play with it till they like the taste. It's really good for our immune system as well. Just do a search on the benefits of cayenne. It's pretty amazing
I grow wheat grass in a pot which I bought from a local grocery market - it's fun adding this to the drinks. I feel it does give me an energy boost.
Thanks for all you share. I'm now subscribed to you and also following you on Pinterest.
Cyndi hulst says
Fantastic idea and another excellent use of my FoodSaver! Thanks for sharing - this might help get my husband to ingest something nutritional for breakfast vs. eating leftover pizza or a breakfast burrito!
Carolyn says
I make these ahead EVERYTIME I travel, so much more portable than hauling all my ingredients. Plus they make great ice packs in the cooler. D
I enjoy throwing a piece of ginger in mine it freezes well, if your concerned about your blender add it morning of, or dice it into small chunks when fresh and add a T to each bag. (I'm a serious ginger-aholic, and it's good for your belly too)
I use unflavored pea protien, and ground flax, the protien does get stuck to the bag, I found blend 5scoops of protien and a cup of water really well in blender. Then poor into ice cube trays then put 2-3 cubes per bag or just bring protien and add it on the morning of. I like to blend mine with liquid first. Then add my bag. (I save the scoops the protien comes with and travel with a scoop and ziplock of protien, I know I'm doing the right amount, very packable) always throw an extra scoop or two in the bag .
pd says
Just wondering if you know anything about mixing the greens with the fruits together. I've heard to keep veggies abs fruits in separate bins in the fridge because they emit different gasses. Is this still the case when storing for freezing? Love this idea though. Very smart
Lindsey Johnson says
I'm not sure about that with freezing. Sorry! It might be worth checking out, but I haven't noticed any problems storing them together.
Stephanie C says
Yesss! I am going to try this! My sister use to make us fresh smoothies but she's fallen down on the job ;) Question, for the watermelon kiwi smoothie you mentioned, would you need to like flash freeze the watermelon or can you just toss it in the bag with the spinach? I was thinking of blending that one up with coconut water, what do you think? Also, do you ever add protein powder to your smoothies? Thanks!!
Lindsey Johnson says
Hi Stephanie! You could flash freeze the fruit first. When I use glass jars, that's how I do it. The plastic bags seems to fare a little better. I do let them sit out for a few minutes before blending to thaw a bit. I think coconut water sounds fantastic! It's one of my very favorite liquids to blend with. I haven't used protein powder much, but you totally could. I tend to add a few spoonfuls of hemp hearts and chia seeds to amp up the protein. They also keep me fuller longer.
Adrianna says
Hi there!
Love this post! Just made all my smoothies. I did it exactly as you said (measurements and all). Is one bag one smoothie or does it make 2? Also no ice needed ?
Thanks again ! I can't wait to get my hubby drinking fruits and veggies!
-Adrianna
Lindsey Johnson says
Each bag is for one serving. Let me know how it goes!
JoAnne Murphy says
I use a mason jar for my shakes too. I use the two piece tops, but added a second inside top which I had pounded a hole in with a large nail and then pounded the edges flat. I place that piece on the jar first, add the second inside piece which is whole and cover with the screw band. Now I can travel with it, taking out the inside whole lid and insert a straw into the extra lid, replacing the screw band. Saved buying one of those speciality mason jars with holes for straws. Recycling the inside lids too, as usually in canning those lids cannot be reused. Hope you like my idea. Thanks for the great shake recipes.
Cynthia says
Very clever! I'd love to see and pin a picture of your great idea (especially using a straw with it!) Nicely done and thanks for sharing
Cindy says
Unless I just overlooked it I don't see how much liquid you add when you get ready to make these. So how much liquid is used for each package?
Lindsey Johnson says
I typically use 1-2 cups depending on how thick I want it that day. Great question!
Amanda says
What liquids do you typically add?
Lindsey Johnson says
Usually coconut water or water. Sometimes almond milk. You could use juice, milk, kefir, yogurt, buttermilk. Whatever you want!
Nathalie Beauregard says
Hello,
I have tried the spinach in my smoothies and I love it. I also use the Masson jars and I think it's a great idea. You can use different sizes. Thank you for sharing the ideas.
Nathalie
Becky Bertuzzi says
Can you just use water for the liquid or is using almond milk or something similar better? Thanks!
Lindsey Johnson says
I use water, coconut water, almond milk, coconut milk, or green tea in mine. You can use whatever you like best! I tend to go for unsweetened because the fruit usually adds enough sweetness.
Angel says
I don't make my smoothies frozen, usually fresh. I put in a cpl big handfuls of spinach or kale, some yogurt, a bananas,an apple and a carrot then whatever fun fruit I buy...strawberries oranges peaches etc. oh and a little milk for liquid. I get 3 small smoothies or 2 large out of one blender full.
I can tell you as much as I love munching on fruit and veg I wouldn't be able to sit down and eat an apple a banana an orange and some strawberries in one sitting. But I can drink them all in one smoothie and get all the fiber and nutrient dense goodness :)
Lindsey Johnson says
Yes! This is what I tell my husband. He's still not budging on his "I'd rather eat it than drink it."
Judie says
P.S. I don't have the best blender in the world, but it still mixed the smoothie well. I cut the fruit in smaller pieces before freezing, and I added Greek yogurt and a little coconut water to the blender while mixing. Blended up really well!
Judie says
Lindsey, thank you so much for the great idea! I made my first smoothie this morning, and it was fabulous! Couldn't taste the spinach at all!
Lindsey Johnson says
That's great, Judie! :)
Berta says
So is it better to blend straight from the freezer? Or take one out the night before?
Lindsey Johnson says
Blend right out of the freezer. You could thaw it, but it would be pretty watery and not taste as appetizing.
Lauren says
I was wondering, Have you ever made up smoothie packs with fresh greens and then frozen fruits? I buy the huge bags of frozen mixed berries, and cherries, and raspberries from Sam's and also frozen mango, pineapple, blueberries from Trader Joes. I think I will try a couple of batches and see how they come out. When I make my smoothies I usually use a combo of pomegranate juice and rice milk (nut and soy allergies here). They come out creamy but still fruity.
Lindsey Johnson says
Yes! All the time. Sometimes I can't find the fresh fruit I'm looking for or it's too expensive so I turn to bags of frozen fruit. They are often sweeter anyway because they are picked when ripe and flash frozen. Love that Trader Joe's! :)
Alta says
I've heard that it's a good idea to rotate your greens, so I'd do spinach one day, kale another day, swiss chard another day, romaine lettuce another, etc. Also, it's a good idea to have some kind of citrus fruit in the smoothie to help digest the greens. Pineapple, oranges, strawberries, etc. are good.
Veronica says
Can't wait to try this thanks for sharing.
Lori says
Why store in toxic plastic ? I would store in small mason jars as the plastic will leech into your food.
Tonnie says
Very good point!!
Joanna F says
A few commentators have brought up Mason Jars--I use the jars to store the pre-mixed ingredients AND blend directly in the jar. No need to buy a bullet--most blender bases will screw directly onto the jar. Just be sure to check on an empty jar that the blades are able to clear the sides, and you're good to go! Then I screw on the lid, throw it in my lunchbox, and head to work! Saves time, dishes, and plastic.
Nathalie Beauregard says
Thank you for the idea. I love it!
Denise Walden says
Have so been trying to stay on a green smoothie diet and have failed so bad and thrown away so much food because it goes bad. Today I am going to Sprouts and buying a month worth of veggies and fruit and going to make 60 bags ! That along with salads at night I CAN reach my goal. THANK YOU FOR SHARING.... this is the solution to my diet.
Catherine says
Just tried this for the first time tonight. Can't wait to use my packed bags with my NutriBullet. This is such a great idea.
P R says
I love this idea!!! Question? Would you lose much nutrition if you made the smoothie & froze it? We are getting ready to travel for 12-15 days. I would like to be able to mix these and freeze to take with us. I have a great blender at home (too big to travel with). I also have a stick blender that I can use to "reblend" right before drinking.
Lindsey Johnson says
Sorry! I'm just seeing this now. Yes! You can totally make these ahead and freeze. It works great!
Brittany says
How does the smoothie taste after thawing? Is it watery? Suggestion on thawing?
Lindsey Johnson says
What I usually do is put it in the fridge the night before. When I wake up the next morning, it's still kind of icy and slushy. I either quickly stick my immersion blender in the jar, or you can also use one of those blender cups that has a ball in it. A whisk might work too!
Mary Ann D. says
Thank you so much for inspiring me this morning. I had a few things on hand (spinach, oranges, banana, chia seeds and unsweetened almond milk) and blended up a tasty green smoothie. Will start planning out my smoothies via your guidelines and freezing for the ready. So glad this popped up on my Pinterest page this morning. I feel headed in a new direction. Blessings to you!
Elisa says
I love my green smoothies too! My blender would never be able to handle this much prozen stuff, so I tend to make them every morning, though it can be a bit time-consuming. Pre-cutting the fruit and veg the night before helps with quick prep somewhat.
Bonnie says
My blender is also not that powerful for all those things frozen. I take a bag out of the freezer the night before and leave in the fridge overnight. It is partially defrosted by morning and my blender does fine with it.
Linda Schulte says
Thanks for the ideas and pictures! We purchased a Vitamix recently and love it.
I love to eat fruits and veggies, too, and smoothies help me to eat some that are a little more challenging, like kale!
It is SO good for you!
Heather says
These sound really great and I absolutely love some of the combinations up there! Made me realize how amazing my smoothies will taste when we get to farmer's market season! Squee!!!! Also, I've been noticing that here lately I've been getting hungry sooner, whereas a month ago my green smoothie in the morning would last me until lunch. Reading this, I realized I'm using about half as much of everything as you are and you say this feeds one... I think I'll increase my fruits, veggies, and almond milk. Should I leave the protein powder the same, though?
Rachel says
Heather, do you use chia in your smoothies? They really help you stay full longer. I like to soak my chia before adding as Lindsey suggested. The chia adds fiber, protein, a touch of healthy fat, and a lot of bulk. I add them to *everything*, so so good for bulk eaters like me :) Oh! And sipping thru a straw instead of just chugging it makes me feel fuller too, slows me down.
Theresa mitchell says
Will it taste good with just plain water instead of milk? If so, how much water to add?
Rachel says
Theresa, totally personal preference but I use half unsweetened almond milk and half crushed ice and I like the taste just fine--with less almond milk and more ice I miss the creamy mouth feel a bit but it's probably just because I'm used to it :) It still tastes good with more ice, just different texture.
eileen reppenhagen 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.
Kay says
The previous comment is over a year old and I noticed that no one responded to this comment. It was really so important, I just had to comment. Checking on the information given in the post, Eileen is correct. It appears that 15% of people have a nickel allergy. Eating foods containing nickel could be to someone detriment. If one gets a rash wearing nickel jewelry, imagine what it would do to your insides if you eat foods with nickel in them???
As for all the prep for 30 days of smoothies is a good idea for people who are very busy these days. I add a little nut butter in mine.
jen says
I am wondering how much smoothie one bag makes? One tall glass only or would it be enough to feed several people breakfast?
Lindsey Johnson says
Hi Jen! It's really only enough for one. You could double it up in the bag for two servings.
martin says
Hi Lindsey,
I am a little confused. What size glass or serving in liquid ounces are you speaking about as one serving?
If you put the frozen pack of veggies & fruit in the portions you indicate in your recipes and then add in flax, chia, superfood blend and protein powder how much liquid would I add to get a 16 oz serving?
Emily says
Martin, I'm sorry you haven't received a reply yet, but try this: Start with 1 cup of liquid in blender. Add your bag's content: greens, fruit/vegs, add-ins like chia, flax protein powder. Blend until completely smooth. Not the liquid measure level on blender container. From there, you can add another cup of liquid if you want. Hope this helps.
Whitney says
I just blogged about how I love smoothies! This is a great idea for making them when you are in a rush.
katie says
What an awesome idea! I need to do this STAT!
Meghan says
Just made 34 freezer packs. Cant wait to try one in the morning!
BP says
If I can make a suggestion, look at the sugar content of your fruits when making your combinations. Too much sugar in your drink will lead to increasing your glycemic index making you just feel hungry soon after eating and not helping you lose weight or maintain weight. Grapes and watermelon have a crazy amount of sugar. Try some citrus instead. :)
Julie K. says
Green juices are a great way to drink something sweet and yet very healthy.
Lately, I've been seeing that to almost every fresh juice goes spinach. I think it's a good way to track your daily income of iron. These pictures made me to think of drinking a green juice today!
Lisa Yeager says
These look so good. I have been wanting to try smoothies like this for a while. I asked for a Ninja for Christmas with no luck. I have a cheap blender and I am afraid I will end with just chunks of everything, not making for a good smoothie :-(
Katie says
Buy the nutribullet I got mine for 60 on sale at kohls. Makes great drinks! :-)
TetaMom says
Check HSN or QVC for easy pay on the ninja. You will love it!
Debora Cadene says
I think this is a terrific idea, especially if you don't want any of your produce to go to waste. I am wondering if you loose any of the nutritional value of the veggies once you freeze them though. I realize they are put in fresh and not blanched, but does the freezer take any thing away from the frozen greens vs fresh. I have a vitamix and I absolutely love my green shakes.
Lindsey Johnson says
I have heard other people say the same thing, but I heard a nutritionist say that's not really true, or that the loss isn't very great. Good question!
Vera says
Amazing idea!!!!! I make smooties sometimes for breakfast - but it takes a while. This solves my problem - LOVE IT!!!! Also I try and buy fruit when it is on sale - 2 for 1 strawberries, blueberries........
Marilyn says
To keep it healthy what liquid is the best to use?
kustom says
I use almond milk or coconut water ;)
Lindsey Johnson says
I love coconut water the very best, but you could use almond milk or another non-dairy milk. I can't have dairy anymore, so those are my go-to choices. You could also use yogurt or kefir.
Monica says
These look great! I wonder if you are concerned about the toxins found in plastic, even those that say they are BPA-free.
Thank you!!
Lindsey Johnson says
You can totally use a pint-size canning jar instead of the bag. We do that too.
Janine says
I have a Tribest Personal Blender and I can put a mason jar directly into it to blend...so I freeze my produce in it and take the jars out as needed in morning :)
crystal says
I want to try these to add more veggies and fruit to my diet... My only question is if I made one of this up in the am. Will it still be good at noon... I don't eat breakfast but would love to drink it at lunch time.. But I work and don't have a blender at work.
Libby says
Do you have a way to take a personal sized blender to your work? I bought one from Meijer for $10 and I leave it in my desk and use it. Just a suggestion :)
Fay says
I use glass mason jars and pack them in an insulated lunch bag with ice packs in it. Mines stay cold all day (10-12 hours depending in when I make them).
Melissa says
You could purchase an insulated thermos, such as Hydro Flask, make your smoothie in the morning, and drink it for lunch. I do not work for Hydro Flask, but I have four of them and am in love. They come in all sorts of sizes and keep your cold drinks cold for 24 hours and hot drinks hot for 12. They are a little spendy, but trust me, SO worth it.
Lindsey Johnson says
Thanks for the tip! I'll look into those!
Linda Canniff says
Are you aware that there are websites profiting from advertising that reblog your recipes and ideas? I have a Facebook home and garden page (that I sell nothing on nor make any money from) and I make sure I always follow the links back to the original creator before posting to the FB page. Personally, I think it is a shame they can make money sitting around posting other's creativity. Do you some how view it as free advertising? I just wanted you to know I always post your original blog.
Peggy says
It was unclear to me if you were implying that this post was an original blog or if this post was posting other’s creativity.
Ramona says
Love it.
Patsy says
This is fabulous, thanks.
carissa says
just finished making some of these! can't wait for tomorrow to try one frozen:)
Anne-Marie Laliberté says
I started it a week ago and I LOVE it!!! I add 1 or 2 table spoons of plain greek yogourt. This way, I can easily wait until diner!
Rachel | 52 Weeks Project says
This is brilliant! Absolutely what I needed to stick to my smoothie resolution this year :)
Susanna says
This is awesome, really need to do this fir my breakfasts
Jen @ Cuddles and Chaos says
I'm a smoothie maniac and never thought to make these little packs ahead of time. Mind = blown. Thank you for this!
Necole@seriouslysassymama says
I never really jumped on the smoothie or juicing. I find pleasure in just eating the fruit and veggies.
Julie says
I love making my smoothies an ice cream consistency and eating it with a spoon! I like juicing fruit that I don't think is going to last much longer and mixing in some veggies that I probably wouldn't otherwise remember to eat.
Happy says
Lol, Necole, then why are you reading about and posting a comment on a smoothie page??
Lindsey Johnson says
My husband says the same thing. :) I'm never going to convince him otherwise. haha
martin says
My son was always in favor of a solid food breakfast. I've now gotten him to agree to a 12 - 16 oz smoothie PLUS a breakfast sandwich or breakfast quiche. Then again he's 17, growing and trying to bulk up.
Tami says
My husband is NOT a big veggie OR breakfast eater. So, I bought my husband a Nutri-bullet for Valentine's day (because that's what EVERY guy wants for V-day!) to try and help him incorporate both those things into his diet. He is truly enjoying his smoothie every morning along with all the "hidden" veggies and protein. He is also pleasantly surprised that he is enjoying them as much as he is...SUCCESS!!!