Enjoy 7 Days of Green Smoothie Recipes! They’re healthy, quick & easy, and you can even make freezer smoothie packs! Use spinach or kale, and try them with Greek yogurt, kefir, or non-dairy milk.
There are two basic types of green smoothie makers:
TYPE A. The person who throws in whatever they think sounds good and VIOLA! – They have a deliciously healthy smoothie.
TYPE B. The person who follows a recipe because they’re slightly afraid that just throwing in this or that will make their smoothie taste bad. And then they’ll feed bad for wasting all that produce. And then drink the smoothie anyway.
I’m type B. I want my smoothies to taste good, so I follow a recipe. Mr. Crumbs is type A. He doesn’t care what it tastes like in the end as long as he’s getting a glass full of fruits and veggies. He says that it tastes “good,” but I’ve tasted a few and it’s hard to get past the look of it in order to qualify the smoothie as edible.
So I stick to the plan. Mostly.
I spent 7 days drinking 7 healthy new smoothie variations – off of a base green smoothie recipe – and I just want to say….
THESE ARE DELICIOUS SMOOTHIES! SERIOUSLY.
I’m addicted. I can’t imagine having anything else for breakfast for the rest of my life. Cross my fingers that I never have to eat scrambled eggs with bacon and homemade biscuits!
Mmmm… maybe that should be on the dinner menu then…
I figured if I liked them, you would too, so I’m sharing some basics and some variations for you to try.
7 Days of Green Smoothie Recipes
Not only are drinking green smoothies a delicious way to enjoy a plant based breakfast, they are also:
- Healthy! Of course, it’s a no brainer. But with leafy greens (like spinach or kale), which are high in fiber, protein, iron, folate and a bunch of other vitamins and minerals, you can’t beat a green smoothie for breakfast!
- Quick and easy. Perfect for weekdays on the go, where there’s no time to fix pancakes, waffles, or a breakfast casserole.
- Convenient. Did you know that you can make frozen smoothie packs ahead of your week? Then you just pull a pack from the freezer each morning, whiz in your blender, and go!
What are the ingredients in a basic green smoothie?
- 1 cup milk (see this page for a listing of homemade non-dairy milks like coconut milk or almond)
- 1 banana
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 tablespoon flax seed (optional)
How to make a green smoothie
- Place all ingredients in a blender, and blend on high until smooth.
Note: Add ice cubes to the blender if you want it extra cold and thick. Or use a frozen banana / frozen mango in place of ice.
What are the best green smoothie recipe variations?
These variations are ALL delicious, but day #4 was one of my very favorite green smoothie recipes – with the pineapple and mango! YUM!
Feel free to use these variations or mix and match ingredients to your liking. Don’t forget that you can always switch up the greens, non-dairy milks, or add chia seeds rather than flax seed.
Day 1: Switch to non-dairy milk and add kefir
- 1/2 cup kefir (or use Greek yogurt)
- 1/2 cup plain almond milk
- 1 banana
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 tablespoon flax seed
Day 2: Add strawberries to this green smoothie
- 1/2 cup kefir
- 1/2 cup plain almond milk
- 1 banana
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 tablespoon flax seed
- 4 whole strawberries
Day 3: Add blueberries
- 1/2 cup kefir
- 1/2 cup plain almond milk
- 1 banana
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 tablespoon flax seed
- 1/2 cup blueberries
Day 4: Pineapple juice and mangoes make this green smoothie amazing
- 1/2 cup kefir
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice (strained from canned pineapple, or use orange juice)
- 1 banana
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 tablespoon flax seed
- 1/2 mango
Day 5: Add peanut butter for protein to this smoothie with greens
- 1/2 cup kefir
- 1/2 cup plain almond milk
- 1 banana
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 tablespoon flax seed
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
Day 6: Nutella makes this green smoothie rich & nutty
- 1/2 cup kefir
- 1/2 cup plain almond milk
- 1 banana
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 tablespoon flax seed
- 1 tablespoon Nutella
Day 7: A mixed berry variation makes this green smoothie bright and flavorful
- 1/2 cup kefir
- 1/2 cup plain almond milk
- 1 banana
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 tablespoon flax seed
- 1/2 cup mixed frozen berries
Additional Variations for Green Smoothie Recipes:
- Substitute 1 cup kale for 2 cups spinach
- If you’re not ready for kefir, use 1/2 cup homemade yogurt and 1/2 cup coconut water
- Increase the protein naturally with these other easy changes
- Find 10 more smoothie recipes here, all tested and approved – and enjoyed – during a 5 day smoothie fast!
- 30+ high protein recipes in my new eBook, High Protein, No Powder!
How do you add healthy protein to smoothies?
My eBook “High Protein, No Powder” is the ONLY eBook that educates on the dangers of protein powders, teaches you how to make your own high protein smoothies using REAL food and offers 20 smoothie recipes you can make NOW. Read more HERE and continue the journey to healthy living!
What greens to put in a smoothie recipe?
Leafy green vegetables (spinach, kale, chard and romaine lettuce) are high in fiber, protein, iron, folate and a bunch of other vitamins and minerals that you probably didn’t know you needed. 🙂
You can pretty much add whichever greens you want. I first started with the basic recipe – the “no fail” recipe that even beginners would like – and I built the variations from there.
Are green smoothies really that good for you?
I definitely think so! Green vegetables blended with fruits, yogurt or kefir, milk (dairy or non-dairy) and natural proteins are an amazing way to begin the day. You’ll get a great start on a ton of vitamins, nutrients, protein and fiber.
Is it OK to drink a green smoothie every day?
According to myplate.gov, the average person should consume 3 cups of vegetables a day (or more). Green smoothies are the perfect way to get in a portion of your daily requirement for fruits and vegetables.
Want to learn more about healthy smoothies?
Here’s how to…
- Boost the protein -> 12 Ways to Naturally Boost the Protein in Smoothies
- Add superfoods -> 7 Superfoods to Hide in Your Smoothie
- Detox -> Detox Smoothie with Redmond Clay
Freezer Cooking: Breakfasts
Sign up to get instant access to my Freezer Cooking: Breakfasts Plan, complete with recipes, supply list, and shopping list!Basic Green Smoothie Recipe
Enjoy 7 Days of Green Smoothie Recipes! They’re healthy, quick & easy, and you can make freezer smoothie packs! Use spinach or kale, and try them with Greek yogurt, kefir, or non-dairy milk.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender, and blend on high until smooth.
- Add ice cubes to the blender if you want it extra cold and thick. Or use a frozen banana / frozen mango in place of ice.
Jill @ Create.Craft.Love.
I have heard so many people talking about adding spinach to smoothies. Thanks for the recipes! I’m definitely a Type B smoothie maker. My husband is much like Ratatouille in that he can just smell things, throw them together, and it tastes great. Thanks for sharing at the Pomp Party! Pinning to our Pomp Party board!
Kristiina
I love green smoothies! Sometimes I freeze pairs to sweeten the instead of bananas and avocados to make them creamy. Cucumber is also great in them.
I will have to try adding flax sometime. I never have. Do you pre-grind the seeds or throw them in whole?
Tiffany
Hi Kristina! I buy my flax from Costco and it’s ground for me. I do want to look into buying them whole, in which case I’d throw them in whole since my blender can handle it. Pears and cucumbers – I hadn’t heard of either! I love pairs so when they’re in season, I’ll definitely give them a try!
Addicted to Recipes
Thank you for sharing at Scrumptious Sunday! You’re being featured this week! Congrats! Come by and check it out 🙂
Amee (inspired-housewife)
Thank you pinned!
Just Winging It
Thank you for participating in Show Your Stuff Blog Hop, You are invited to come back!
Peg
What is kefir? What could I substitute for it? Thanks, sounds like something I would like to try to get off iced cappacino.
Tiffany
Hi Peg! Kefir is fermented milk. Sounds weird, but think yogurt and add even more good-for-you probiotics. It’s thicker than milk but thinner than yogurt. You can substitute 1 cup of milk, or 1/4 yogurt with 3/4 cup of milk if you’re looking for greater digestion benefits. I think this could get you off iced cappuccino’s, but I’ll warn you that there’s no coffee!
Carole
Some great smoothie ideas here. I found this through Turning the Clock Back’s What’s Cooking Wednesday. I have linked in an attempt at meatballs. Have a lovely week.
Rhiannon-Baked In The South
Love this! Thanks for sharing! We would love to have you link up over at our party!
Tiffany
Thanks for the invitation Rhiannon! Just liked up!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
I’m a little afraid…but I think I’ll have to trust you! It looks so good!
Tiffany
Don’t fear! Try one with berries, mango or peanut butter first – those “hid” the spinach flavor best. As I keep testing new ingredients, I’m learning that the stronger the flavors of everything else, the more mild the spinach.
Claire Jain
These sound amazing! I’m going to the store this afternoon, so I’ll be picking up some ingredients for sure! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Tiffany
You’re welcome!
Mary@Back to the Basics!
I love green smoothies! Thanks for all of the extra ideas! Just stopped by from Eye Heart
Erin @SalmonAtSeven
I’m a type A Smoothie-er. I love combining spinach, berries, coconut milk and a little protein powder. It’s the secret to my success – though sometimes, I toss a little pineapple or mango in. YUM. I can’t wait to make smoothies with spinach from my own garden. Anyway… great post! 🙂
I newly launched Salmon At Seven (I used to be EKat’s Kitchen), and would love if you stopped by, said hi, and maybe, entered a giveaway!xoxo
Susieqtpies
Love these! Thank you for linking it up in my pinterest link up! I”m giving it a pin!
Kristina
Looks yummy! I love smoothies and we start everyday with Kefir smoothies, haven’t put spinach in them before though, maybe I will get brave and try it. 🙂
Rita
I’ve been wanting to make some green smoothies at home but don’t want to invest in a juicer until I really am ready…this looks great to start off with in a blender!
Tiffany
Hi Rita! If you have a decent blender (simply one that gets the job done), I personally don’t see a need for a juicer unless you specifically want to juice. A little bit of liquid goes a long way into making veggies drinkable!
Shirley@motivatedmommyoftwo
I love to drink green smoothies, once you get started you cannot stop. I like to make mine with coconut water, pineapple, mango, banana, spinach. A Tropical green smoothie.
I have also used low calorie coconut milk, plain greek yogurt for my smoothies.
I love them I cannot go a morning without having one. Stopping by from Motivate Me Monday link party
JoAnn
Sounds good – green is pretty 🙂 Hope this recipe bides well with the lactose free milks – I’m lactose intolerant :/
JoAnn
Lyndsey
JoAnn, most people who are lactose intolerant can tolerate yogurt – the live cultures digest the lactose for us- I use plain yogurt instead of milk in mine and it works great. Truth be told I also add chocolate soy milk for the liquid component.
Amy
I made one this morning after seeing your post. I used almond milk, bananas,frozen vanilla yogurt (bought a big container on clearance and froze it in ice cube trays for smoothies),peanut butter, and spinach. It was so yummy!!!
Tiffany
I’ve been craving a smoothie with peanut butter since the first one I made! I’m trying to try a different variation every day, but I may make an exception for that one… or make another smoothie for lunch! Good idea on freezing the yogurt!
Mary Katherine
Looks wonderful. Nice work !
Leona Davison
Green Monster smoothies?!! It does not look delish! Are any of you turning green yet? LOL We don’t own a blender — gave mine away before we left Seaside — and Wayne doesn’t have one either. Maybe someday we’ll catch the smoothie fever and buy one — just maybe. Anyway, y’all enjoy your monster drinks!
Love,
Leona