Love juice but don't have a juicer? This is how I make Vitamix green juice in my blender! You don't need any special juicing equipment here taking up extra counter space, just a multipurpose high-powered blender that can be used for so many other kitchen tasks.
Yes, drinking juice from a blender isn't quite the same, and you don't get all the cold-press-juice benefits. But until a quality juicer is in the budget, and there can be space to store one, I love this method. Best of all it utilizes a tool many of us already have and prevents us from having to consume more, which I think is just the best.
Love making your own smoothies and other drinks at home? Try my dreamy Lavender Latte, homemade Iced Masala Chai, or staple everyday Simple Green Smoothie.
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Ingredients
They key to a perfect green juice is a balance of vegetables with just enough fruit to make it a touch sweet. Too many bitter greens and it won't taste nice. Think neutral vegetables, like celery, combined with something sweet and something a bit more bitter, like kale.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Apple: or pear, if preferred. Choose a good sweet apple and not a really tart one.
- Cucumber: english is best as they're really mild. If you want to use a garden cucumber, it might be best to cut the seeds out first.
- Celery: this makes up the bulk of the juice because it has a neutral taste and contains a lot of liquid.
- Fennel: leave it out if you don't like the anise taste.
- Kale: this is optional but tastes good and really amps up the green colour. Chard or other hardy greens can also be used.
How to Make Blender Green Juice
Step 1: cut the vegetables into small pieces, then layer into your blender.
Step 2: blend on high speed until smooth.
Step 3: use the tamper if needed to make sure everything is blending properly.
Step 4: strain through a nut milk bag or cheesecloth.
Chopping
For best results chop all your fruits and veggies into bite-sized pieces. Certain veg, like apples, are best peeled as they can change the colour of the juice (we're talking brown juice). Chopping veg can be done ahead of time and the veg stored in the fridge until it is ready to use. Harder vegetables (like carrots and beets) can even be grated which is a time saver.
Layering
Layering is key! Softer, more watery fruits and veggies should be added to the blender first as they puree easily and help the other veggies reach the blades and blend. I like to add things like cucumbers, apple, pear, lemons, limes, and oranges first. Next, you can layer the firmer juicy veg like celery, fennel, and ginger. Lastly, I add the leafy veggies that tend to get caught in the blender blade. These include parsley, cilantro, kale, lettuce, and chard.
Straining
Because this Vitamix green juice is full of pulp, it is best to strain it (chunky juice, no thank you). I like to use my nut milk bag for this task and strain the juice as you would strain nut milk (and if you don't know how here is a helpful vid). If you don't have a nut milk bag you can use layers of cheesecloth to make your own, but nut milk bags are super helpful and I recommend picking one up.
Just like when making nut milk you don't squeeze the bag too firmly as you can cause the pulp to squeeze out the mesh. After you have stained all the juice, you can compost the pulp or (if you're feeling adventurous) mix it into crackers.
Top Tips
To make Vitamix green juice (or blender juice) you don't need anything too fancy. I make my juice in a Vitamix, but I have also made juices in my mum's 45-year-old blender which is far from a highspeed dream. There are a couple of key steps you'll want to follow to ensure your juice works out.
- Chop the veggies/fruits small
- Don't overfill your blender
- Layer your veggies/fruits strategically
- Add a splash of water if your blender is having trouble blending
- Stain your juice through a fine-mesh
How to Store
Storage: the juice can be refrigerated for about three days, but is best fresh.
Freezing: I don't recommend freezing this recipe, unless you want to make ice cubes to add to other smoothies!
FAQ
Is it OK to drink green juice everyday?
Green juice is great, but lacking in fibre, and it's a good idea to balance it out with green smoothies so you get all of the fibre from the fruits and vegetables, too.
What is the best time to have green juice?
You can have it any time of day but it's a nice way to start your day. Green juice is really hydrating and contains lots of vitamins, so it's a good morning drink.
Is green juice better than coffee?
In terms of health benefits, for sure. It won't give you as much energy as caffeine, especially if you're using to having coffee everyday, but green juice contains a lot more vitamins and nutrients, and is easier on the stomach for most people.
More Green Drinks
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Recipe
Vitamix Green Juice
Equipment
- Blender
- Nut milk bag
- Bowl or jar
Ingredients
- 1 ½ English cucumber chopped
- 3 medium apples or pears peeled and chopped
- 3 lemon peeled
- 9 stalks celery chopped
- ½ small fennel chopped
- Thumb-size piece ginger chopped
- 9 leaves kale optional
Instructions
- Layer the veggies in the blender. Start with cucumber, apple, lemon, celery, fennel, ginger, then greens if using.1 ½ English cucumber, 3 medium apples or pears, 3 lemon, 9 stalks celery, ½ small fennel, Thumb-size piece ginger, 9 leaves kale
- Puree. If you have a high-speed blender use the wand to tamp the ingredients and help them puree. If you have an older blender use a little splash of water to help the mixture blend.
- Place your nut milk bag over a bowl or jug and pour the veggie puree into the bag. Gently squeeze the mixture to remove the juice. You might need to do this in batches.
- Once the mixture is all passed through the nut milk bag, compost the pulp and chill the juice.
- The juice will be the best when consumed within a few days.
Wancharida says
Your Vitamix machine can blend as well as perform whole-food juicing easily, but if you're really in a time crunch, blending is an easier and cleaner option.