This green matcha smoothie recipe will energize you in an instant! It’s a healthy blend of green tea, yogurt, almonds, banana, spinach, and kale in one tasty sip.
Recipe Science
- Matcha powder in a smoothie provides a concentrated source of antioxidants, particularly catechins.
- The fine particles of matcha powder evenly disperse throughout the smoothie, creating a smooth texture and a robust, earthy flavor.
- Combining matcha with ingredients like milk and yogurt adds creaminess and balances the matcha’s natural bitterness.
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Featured Comment 38
“This smoothie is amazing! You had me at matcha, so this was easy for me to love. So refreshing! Looking forward to drinking it all the time.”—Serena L.
Why It Works
This refreshing matcha smoothie will give you the energy boost you need to kick-start your mornings. By making some simple, wholesome swaps, you can easily add protein, fiber, fruit, vegetables, and antioxidants to your glass without compromising on flavor. Let’s put that blender to work!
I love the challenge of developing better-for-you recipes that you will enjoy! To balance the bitter taste of green tea powder, kale, and spinach, add a bit of sweetness and fat. I use bananas and some sweetener paired with yogurt to mask any astringent notes. In less than 5 minutes, you have a cold, creamy, and delicious smoothie ready to drink at home or on the go!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Matcha: There are numerous nutritional benefits of matcha. The ground green tea leaves can contain up to 10 to 15 times more overall nutrients than traditional green tea. Matcha is packed with antioxidants, about 100 times more. The antioxidants from different catechins help protect against free radicals and strengthen the immune system.
- Milk: Unsweetened almond milk adds a light creaminess and helps to process the frozen ingredients.
- Yogurt: Greek yogurt adds a boost of protein, so you stay satiated until the next meal. Yogurt also contains probiotics which daily consumption has been shown to help to increase the immune system and promote a healthy digestive tract.
- Greens: Baby kale and spinach are delicate and tender. The earthy and bitter notes are not as strong in the smoothie, especially when paired with the green tea powder. Kale provides protein, fiber, vitamins A, C, K, folate, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and phytonutrients, while spinach is rich in iron and vitamins K, A, C, and folic acid.
- Fruit: Fresh fruit like bananas add a natural sweetness and creamy texture to the green smoothie. It’s also a good source of potassium and electrolytes and contains prebiotic fibers that aid in digestion.
- Sweetener: To balance the bitterness of the greens and tea, a small amount of sweetener is added to the matcha green tea smoothie recipe. I use a zero-calorie, stevia-based sweetener like Truvia.
- Nuts: Sliced almonds add extra protein and interesting texture to the smoothie.
- Ice: Ice cubes add a chilly thickness to the beverage.
See the recipe card below for all ingredients and measurements (US and metric).
Ingredient Substitutions
This green tea matcha smoothie is made with simple ingredients so it’s easy to customize! Try these delicious options:
- Milk Options: For the creamiest texture, use cow’s milk. Try other plant-based options like soy, cashew, hemp, or coconut milk.
- Yogurt Swaps: Use plain or flavored Greek or regular yogurt. Dairy-free cashew, coconut, or almond yogurt also works well.
- Sweetener: Honey or maple syrup are good choices. You can also use Stevia or Erythritol for a natural, low-calorie sweetener.
- Add Protein: Add a scoop of protein powder or a tablespoon of homemade almond butter to the smoothie.
- Nuts: Replace the almonds with various types of nuts, like walnuts, cashews, or peanuts. Add coconut flakes for a tropical flavor. Nuts can also be omitted altogether if desired.
- Frozen Fruits: Add frozen bananas to make the smoothie stay cooler for longer and not dilute the flavor. Pineapples, mango, peach, or strawberry would also pair nicely with the matcha.
How to Make a Matcha Smoothie
Step 1: Layer the Ingredients
Learning how to make a smoothie the right way will ensure consistent textures and ensure all of the ingredients are optimally processed together. Start by adding the ice and milk. This will help the solids break down faster.
Next, add the soft ingredients like yogurt, spinach, kale, bananas, and apples to break down the fibrous skin. Lastly, add the sliced almonds, matcha powder, and sweetener.
Step 2: Cover and Blend
Process the smoothie ingredients over medium speed for about 30 seconds. Use a tamper to push the ice and greens down into the blades of the high-speed blender. Increase the speed to high, processing until smooth, about 60 seconds more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Matcha powder is finely ground whole green tea leaves that provide a mild tea flavor with a hint of sweetness and creamy texture. Ceremonial-grade matcha has a more delicate flavor but a higher price than culinary-grade matcha. That’s because it’s used for the highest quality drinking tea.
For culinary purposes, matcha powder can be used in beverages like smoothies and matcha lattes, desserts like ice cream, puddings, baked goods or snack bars. I recommend starting with one teaspoon and then gradually increasing until you reach the desired amount of green tea flavor.
In powdered form, incorporating matcha into beverages is simple, as it readily dissolves. Blending further incorporates the tea ingredient effortlessly. Adding matcha to smoothies imparts a distinctive bitter and earthy taste. Its blend of caffeine and L-theanine enhances energy levels. Pair it with a naturally sweetened fruit like banana, pineapple, or mango to balance the astringent taste.
More Smoothie Recipes
If you tried this Matcha Smoothie Recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below!
Green Tea Matcha Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 cups ice cubes
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- ½ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt, or dairy free
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1 cup baby kale
- 1 sliced banana
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
- 1 tablespoon matcha green tea powder
- 2 teaspoons Truvia® Natural Sweetener, honey, or maple syrup
Instructions
- Layer the Ingredients – To a blender, add ice cubes, almond milk, yogurt, spinach, kale, banana, almonds, matcha powder, and sweetener.
- Cover and Blend – Cover and process on medium speed for about 30 seconds, using the tamper as needed. Increase to high speed for 30 to 60 seconds until thick and smooth. Adjust with more almond milk or ice to reach the desired consistency. Add more sweetener to taste.
Notes
- Milk Options: Unsweetened cashew, soy, rice, coconut, or dairy milk can be used instead of almond milk.
- Add Protein: For an extra protein boost, add protein powder. I usually use 1 scoop to 8 ounces of liquid. Alternatively, add a tablespoon of nut butter.
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.
Joan Broderick says
Do you have a favorite brand of matcha powder that you might recommend?
Jessica Gavin says
There are a lot of matcha tea powder options. I like Navitas organic matcha powder; I seem to find that easily at most large grocery stores.
Anthea says
Hi there. Used yr recipe and made a basic matcha smoothie. Only good matcha tea, spinach, banana, oat milk. That’s it. Easy to prepare in morning on the run.
So thanks for the inspiration. It’s delicious!!!!
Jessica Gavin says
Your smoothie sounds healthy and delicious!
sandra sydnor says
The best place to get high quality premium grade match is Nature’s Blueprint…just ask for Val. I’ve been buying my match there for 3 years. Always quality.
Eula Hobock says
It is very easy to go wrong while brewing green tea. It needs to be brewed at the right temperature, for the right amount of time. For that perfect cup of tea, the optimal temperature is 80 degree Celsius. Anything over this temperature and you risk your tea turning bitter. Green tea has a lot of elements in it that contribute to its complex flavor.
Jessica Gavin says
Thanks for sharing your green tea insights, Eula!
Chas says
Made this this morning! Excellent matcha smoothie!
Jessica Gavin says
Thanks, Chas!
Serena Lofton says
This smoothie is amazing. You had me at matcha so this was easy for me to love. So refreshing and looking forward to drinking it all the time.
Instead of almond milk I use a vanilla protein shake. The shake and the banana add the perfect amount of sweetness and the protein keeps me full. Also use hemp seeds instead of almonds. ?
Great recipe! Thanks for sharing!!
Jessica Gavin says
Love the addition of the protein shake in the matcha smoothie! Extra boost!
AB says
Hi ! Great recipe, I really loved the taste of this smoothie 🙂
This might be a strange question, but where did you get this glass ? I love it !! Thanks !!
Jessica Gavin says
Great to hear that you enjoyed the smoothie! I actually got the glass from crate and barrel. It’s called a beer can glass because of the appearance. 🙂
Taste of Vitality says
It looks delicious on the photo! Can’t wait to try it out.
Alice Schoo-Jerger says
Leaving out the ice cubes (or frozen fruit) I make it a week in advance storing in frig in 6 pint Mason jars for 2 servings each. The morning of, dump in the blender with the ice cubes (or frozen fruit). Blend & serve. If you like to add oats or flaxseed to your smoothies, these are also items that should be added in the morning of. They stick like crazy to the Mason jar otherwise.
Mogan says
Is this recipe make-ahead friendly? Could I make a larger batch for maybe 3-4 smoothies and then keep them in the fridge (in airtight containers) to drink throughout the week?
Dave says
Where is the best place I can get matcha powder?
B says
I’ve heard the “daily matcha” is great. You can get it from amazon and it’s 100% Japanese matcha powder from premium Japanese Tencha leaves.
Becca says
I get mine from Sipology. They have lots of great flavors too! I love the strawberry matcha in milk, the peppermint in white hot chocolate, and the vanilla in orange juice! I’m excited to try some in a smoothie though!
Sophia says
Jessica I love this smoothie its my new go to breakfast smoothie! I love the energy boost I get from the matcha. One question I have is how you get the smoothie so smooth? When I do green smoothies with leafy greens like kale or spinach I end up chewing them because its not shredded finely enough. I’m using a ninja blender right now but I’ve been looking into getting a refurbished vitamix or blendtec. What blender are you currently using and what would you recommend?
Jessica Gavin says
Hi Sophia! I just published an article on blenders, perfect timing! I have tried a ninja blender and although it breaks down tougher ingredients really well, I had the same experience as you that it never became a really superfine and creamy smoothie. I always had green chunks in my teeth, haha. I believe it’s the gravity feeding and super sharp small blades of the Vitamix that gives the extremely smooth texture. I have two Vitamix blenders, a new A3500 ascent series that have a bunch of pre-programmed settings and a digital touchscreen. It’s got all the bells and whistles and can even make soups. I also have a more basic Vitamix CIA professional blender that I started with and still love. I think you should get a 64 ounce size and just make sure it has a variable speed dial. Other than that, the other features are just a bonus. I’m having a vitammix giveaway contest that’s ending soon for my cookbook launch, you should sign up!
Emily says
Is matcha the dominant flavor in this smoothie?
I’m 11 weeks pregnant and having trouble getting adequate nutrition these days as all I want to eat is cold cereal, bananas, crackers/cheese, and potatoes. I’ve never been a fan of green smoothies (I like salads, but don’t like drinking them…) – I usually use frozen berries or mango, but I love matcha lattes and have been drinking them (made with almond milk) in lieu of coffee, which I suddenly find is too acidic!
Julie says
My all time favorite!!!
James Ludwig says
Hey there! Thanks for the awesome recipe, I am excited to try it!:) If you don’t mind me asking, where does one normally go about purchasing matcha?:)
Jessica Gavin says
Hi James! Do you have a whole foods or sprouts new you? That’s where I usually get mine or search on amazon for matcha green tea powder.
Lily says
I just tried this smoothie this morning. So delicious! This will be one of my favorite smoothies from now on, that’s for sure! Thank you for the recipe.
Jessica Gavin says
I’m so thrilled to hear that you like the matcha green tea smoothie Lily!
Kevin says
I made it today and it’s delicious. I love the green tea taste. Thank you.
Jessica Gavin says
Yay Kevin! Thank you for trying the recipe and letting me know what you thought 🙂 I love green tea flavor too!
Gabriella says
This matcha green smoothie looks SO good! I’m actually drinking my favorite tropical green smoothie as I write this, but I have to give yours a go. I love matcha and I love smoothies, but I’ve never had a matcha smoothie. Thanks for the inspiration!
Jessica Gavin says
Thank you so much Gabriella! The combination is addicting, I have it every morning! I LOVE a good tropical smoothie 🙂 What do you add to yours?
Kristin Wheeler says
I want to make this! YUM!!! Beautiful photos.
Jessica Gavin says
I can’t wait to hear what you think Kristin! Thank you 🙂
Mitja says
The pictures look spectacular, really crisp and sharp. I see matcha is quite popular lately, have to try it out 🙂
Jessica Gavin says
Thank you so much! Yes, it’s one of my favorite flavors 🙂
Jessica Gavin says
Thank you so much Mitja! It’s one of my favorite flavors 🙂
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
This smoothie is sure to fuel me through the day!
Jessica Gavin says
Definitely Shashi! Enjoy 🙂