For a quick energy boost, whip up this easy spinach smoothie. It’s a healthy treat with fruit and veggies like pineapple, banana, and apples. Each sip contains a nutrient-rich combination of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Recipe Science
- Baby spinach breaks down into tiny particles in a blender, resulting in a vibrant hue with minimal taste impact.
- When the blender blades chop frozen fruit, the solidified juice crystals hold their shape and create a substantial mouthfeel.
- Using frozen fruit doesn’t dilute the smoothie flavor as it melts compared to ice cubes.
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Featured Comment 16
“Very yummy spinach smoothie recipe!”—Rhonda T.
Why It Works
When I envision Popeye gulping down spinach for instant strength, it amusingly mirrors the natural health benefits of this leafy green. Spinach is packed with nutrients and antioxidants like magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, vitamin C, and soluble fiber. In addition, the leaves have a very mild flavor, making them seamless additions to a green smoothie recipe.
The good news is that spinach can barely be tasted when combined with diced apples, frozen bananas, and pineapple. Other elements like Greek yogurt and almond milk provide protein, creaminess, and probiotics in each glass. This refreshing and satisfying drink can be made in 10 minutes and will energize you.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Spinach: I use the baby spinach variety because the leaves are extremely tender, require no extra preparation, and have very little bitterness.
- Pineapples: Use frozen pineapple chunks or, when in season, freeze fresh pieces.
- Banana: Slice ½ cup of ripe bananas to add sweetness and a creamy texture from the starches in the fruit. Freeze the slices for a thicker consistency.
- Apples: Chopped apples add soluble and insoluble fibers to the smoothie. For a sweeter flavor, use Fuiji or your favorite red apple. Granny Smith green apples add a refreshing tartness. The pureed pulp also helps to make the smoothie thicker.
- Yogurt: Add plain Greek yogurt boost of protein and probiotics.
- Almond Milk: The liquid helps puree the smoothie and adds a subtle nutty flavor.
- Ice: Ice cubes add thickness to the beverage.
See the recipe card below for all ingredients and measurements (US and metric).
Ingredient Substitutions
- Using Fresh Fruit: Use my guide to learn how to cut a pineapple into about 1-inch pieces. Cut the bananas into 1/2-inch thick slices. Freezing bananas and pineapple in a single layer on a sheet tray takes about 6 hours to solidify.
- Apple Options: Use any types of apples that you prefer. Varieties like Fuji, Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, or Gala provide more natural sweetness than tart green.
- Make it Dairy-Free: Substitute coconut, almond, soy, or cashew yogurt for Greek yogurt. Add cashew or soy milk instead of almond milk.
- Boost the Fruit Flavor: Use pineapple or orange juice instead of almond milk. Swap pineapples for frozen mangos, peaches, and berries like blueberries or strawberries.
- Boost of Nutrition: Add extra fiber and omega-3 fatty acids with chia seeds or flaxseed.
- Extra Protein: Add a scoop of your favorite protein powder or nut butter to make the smoothie a more substantial snack.
- Increase Sweetness: Add a few teaspoons of pure maple syrup or honey and kids will ask for seconds.
How to Make a Spinach Smoothie
Step 1: Layer the Ingredients
Learning how to make a smoothie is essential, especially when there is a high ratio of frozen ingredients. First, add the ice, pineapple, and banana slices to break them into smooth, chilly particles.
Next, add the apple to break down the fibrous skin. Then, layer in the soft spinach leaves. Add the yogurt and almond milk to help process the smoothie into a drinkable consistency.
Step 2: Cover and Blend
I use my Vitamix to process the smoothie ingredients over medium speed, about 30 seconds, to get the initial breakdown. If needed, use a tamper to push the greens down into the blades of the high-speed blender. Increase the speed to high, processing until smooth.
Experimentation Encouraged: If you prefer a less thick and creamy consistency, gradually add more almond milk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Make sure it’s washed well before adding to the blender. Spinach has a very mild flavor compared to more bitter greens like kale. When pureed with naturally sweet fruit, you can barely taste the greens.
Frozen spinach can be used in the smoothie recipe. However, it has been blanched, giving it a slightly cooked flavor. Frozen spinach is much more compact, so use ⅓ cup instead of 2 cups packed fresh spinach. Do not defrost. Just add directly to the blender.
Using a higher ratio of frozen fruit creates a thicker smoothie consistency. The ice crystals inside the fruit act like mini ice cubes inside the plant cells, keeping the beverage chilly for longer.
Spinach leaves contain nutrients like soluble fiber for bulking, magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, vitamin C, and vitamin K. For a healthy breakfast, incorporating them into a beverage can boost each serving.
Prepare individual freezer packs of the spinach smoothie recipe for meal-prepping. This makes it easy to grab the plastic bag with premeasured ingredients and blend. It works well to add the fresh spinach leaves and freeze them with the fruit. You won’t notice a taste change.
More Healthy Smoothie Recipes
If you tried this Spinach Smoothie recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below!
Spinach Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 2 cups frozen pineapple chunks
- ½ cup frozen banana slices, about 1 medium banana
- 1 cup diced apple, Fuji, red, or green, 1" pieces
- 2 cups baby spinach
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
Instructions
- Layer the Ingredients – To a blender, add ice cubes, pineapple, banana slices, diced apple, baby spinach, yogurt, and almond milk.
- Cover and Blend – Cover and process on medium speed for about 30 seconds, using the tamper as needed. Increase to high speed for 15 to 30 seconds until thick and smooth. Adjust with more almond milk if needed to reach the desired consistency.
Notes
- Recipe Yield: 5 cups
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Freezing Fresh Fruit: Slice bananas into 1/2″ slices and pineapple into 1″ chunks. Freeze in a single layer until solidified, about 6 hours.
- Make it Vegan and Dairy-Free: Substitute Greek yogurt for plant-based yogurts like almond, soy, cashew, or coconut.
- For a Sweeter Taste: Add pure maple syrup or honey, 1 teaspoon at a time, until the desired sweetness level is reached.
Nutrition Facts
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet. All nutritional information is based on estimated third-party calculations. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
Recipe Resources
Richel Pate says
Sooo good! I made it without apple because we didn’t have any and it still turned out really good! Will keep doing this from now on!
Jessica Gavin says
Thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the spinach smoothie recipe!
ThatLoveKat says
This is my first smoothie to start my work day and I love it! I also add flax seed to mine!
Jessica Gavin says
I love it! That’s great that you added flax seed for extra fiber.
Hope says
So smooth and delicious. I love it
Jessica Gavin says
Great to hear that you enjoyed the spinach smoothie recipe, Hope!
Peggy says
I love smoothies And after reading this recipe, I had a thought. Since it makes five servings, can you freeze the other serving for the next day? What do you do with the three extra servings?
Jessica Gavin says
In the recipe card you can select the “print” button and reduce the servings id=f needed. You can freeze the remaining smoothies in an ice cube tray, and then blend them again with some liquid the next day.
RHONDA TAYLOR says
Very yummy smoothie recipe!
Jessica Gavin says
Glad you enjoyed the smoothie recipe!
Sophia says
Hi, it was really nice of you to put this on your website for those who want to try it! Though, I wanted to try it, but I didn’t have any Greek yogurt 😭😭😭
Rebecca Richardson says
Can I freeze this smoothie and if so, what’s the proper way to do it?
Sandra D says
This recipe makes 5 servings and I’m only making it for 1 person. So my question is if you store the remaining servings in the refrigerator for a quick grab-and-go breakfast?
Kat says
Excellent recipe!
Jessica Gavin says
Thank you!
CC says
I started making smoothies a year ago after discovering i needed to take bone health supplements but we’re making fruit smoothies. I found this recipe and tweaked it to include only baby spinach (up’d it to 1/2 cup and sometimes add arugula) blueberries, half a banana, half a tablespoon honey along with the almond milk unsweetened and it’s the best! The banana really shines in this recipe and if you don’t add blueberries, the color is beautifully summer green! Thanks for the tips on using the spinach!