This quick prep method is my favorite way to guarantee that for a whole week, at least one meal will provide a good dose of greens. I love green smoothies, but if you’ve ever made too much at once and put it in the fridge for later, you know how tragically the story ends. It separates, turns a lovely brown shade, and takes on what can only be described as a funky smell —not the most appealing thing to drink.
With a simple big batch system you just pour into serving-size mason jars and freeze—it’s a no-brainer for busy weeks!
Transfer it out of the freezer and into the fridge the night before you want a smoothie for breakfast. Or if you’re looking for mid-morning or afternoon snack, the frozen smoothie makes a great ice-pack for the rest of your lunch.
The best part? It takes 10-15 minutes to make 5 smoothies!
The next best part? There’s no funky smell, and it tastes just as delicious as it was when it went in.
Big Batch Smoothie Recipe
You can do this with any smoothie recipe, but if you love the pineapple-coconut combo, I highly recommend giving this one a try. And if you have an aversion to putting green things into drinks, trust me when I say that this drink puts the classic piña colada to shame.
Richly coconut-y and creamy, this drink is one you want to sip—no spinach detected. Worst case scenario (or best, you be the judge): come Friday night, you’ve got a great vehicle for your rum and a healthier take on a summery cocktail.
Want more mason jar recipes? Try these make-ahead mason jar salad ideas!
📖 Recipe
Pina Colada Green Smoothie Recipe
Equipment
- Blender
- Mason jars or freezer-safe containers
Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh roughly chopped pineapple
- 8 cups spinach
- ½ cup vanilla or unsweetened protein powder preferably with a low sugar content
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- 4 cups your favorite unsweetened coconut water
- 1.5 cups unsweetened almond or coconut milk
- Dates optional *See note
Instructions
- Layer the ingredients in a blender in the order listed (pineapple, spinach, protein powder, coconut, chia seeds, and liquids (coconut water and almond milk).
- This will help with proper blending. You may need to do this in 2 or 3 batches, depending on the size of your blender.
- Blend until smooth and then taste. If the smoothie is too sweet, consider adding in more spinach and almond milk. If it’s not sweet enough, add a date or two.
- Blend again until smooth. If you don’t have a strong blender and you have pieces in your mixture, you may want to strain it.
- Pour into 5 mason jars, leaving a little space at the top so it doesn’t expand and pop the lid in the freezer.
- Put the lids on and store in the freezer for when you’re ready to use.
Notes
Photos by Ana-Maria Stanciu
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Kelly says
Thank you so much for posting this. It’s nice to be able to make a handful of smoothies at once! I’m not a pineapple fan but I added green pears instead. I also only started off with 4 cups of spinach. Have to slowly work into the spinach ! Lol
Splendiferous Life says
Allergic to coconut ????
Tyler says
How are you gonna even rate a recipe when you cant try it? Dont rate it all, not the fault of the creator that you're allergic to its ingredients. Wow.
Haden Searcy says
What size mason jars lol I used 16 oz and it made like 12 16 oz jars full.
Kayla Halsey says
What size mason jars do you use for this volume?
Chris Sherwood says
*see note
No note. Thanks.
Chris Sherwood says
That was meant as a general comment, not a reply, sorry.
Jennifer says
I would like to know about the protein as well. My husband experienced horrible joint pains when we tried the protein powders before.
John says
I hope he saw a doctor because your husband has gout. Happens to me if I have protein powder as well. I take Allopurinol everyday to help prevent gout attacks, but he may want to limit his red meat intake and increase his water.
Marja voogt says
Doesn't the glass jars brake in the fridge?
Sissy Melotte says
I'm not the administrator of this site, so I ask for forgiveness in advance...but I often freeze in glass jars. Just leave a couple of inches at the top for expansion and it will work.
judsjo says
Thanks, i was worried about the breaking as well but i will try this method
cindy coven says
this is a great idea. I forwarded to several friends. My daughter works hard as a single mom so this would be great for her. Thanks for the idea. cindy
Grace from The Big Reveal says
This really is kinda brilliant. I've been prepping mine the night before, but it never occurred to me to make and freeze for the week. What a great idea and it will make use of my many, many mason jars!
Marlene @ Jade and Fern says
Sounds delicious and practical! Is there something else that can be used in place of the protein powder to get a bit of protein in there? I try to avoid processed ingredients like that when I can.
ty says
my question too...did you get an answer? I like to avoid processed stuff as well.
Steph says
I sometimes use organic silken tofu to add some protein in my smoothies. I will also use a spoonful of natural peanut butter, chia seeds or flax seed meal.
Jenn says
I use hemp hearts in my smoothies for protein :)