This simple green smoothie is made with ginger, coconut water, kale, apple, and spinach. It's the ideal basic green smoothie for everyday, and you can change up the greens and fruit used to suit what you have on hand.
This is particularly good if you want to start drinking more greens but still want it to taste like a smoothie. Not only is it much more cost-effective than buying kale smoothies at cafes or shops, you know it's fresh and you can make it exactly how you'd like.
If you need more greens in your life, try making your own blender green juice, easy kale pesto pasta, or green gazpacho with mint and avocado.
Ingredients
This is the perfect combo of grassy greens, a bit of spice and acidity from the ginger and lemon, and just enough sweetness with banana and apple.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Greens: use all kale or all spinach if preferred, or mix in some chard or other greens you have on hand.
- Apple: switch it out for a ripe pear if you have one.
- Lemon: try orange instead of lemon, or even grapefruit.
- Coconut water: use a light non-dairy milk like sesame or hemp milk instead.
Step by Step
There's not much to it, but it is worth it to freeze some bananas ahead of time if you're planning on making this recipe often. Just pop everything in a blender and mix.
Step 1: add all of the ingredients to a blender or bullet blender.
Step 2: mix on high speed until completely smooth and serve.
Top Tips
- Keep balance in mind: this version is mildly sweet and a bit healthy tasting, with some kick and freshness from ginger and lemon. To use other greens or fruit, keep around the same amounts for a well-balanced drink.
- Use what you have: if you make your smoothie with ingredients you have in the house on a regular basis, you'll be a lot more likely to make it. Basic greens and fruit are easiest.
- Jazz it up: if you're looking for some more elaborate, add some green powder, a shot of wheatgrass, or even a hit of iron.
FAQ
Does blending spinach destroy nutrients?
No. A smoothie has just as many nutrients and fibre as the whole raw vegetable or fruit does.
Is raw kale in smoothies good for you?
Kale in a smoothie is just as good for you as it is whole, so drink up! Kale is totally fine to eat raw and is packed with nutrients, including loads of vitamin C and calcium.
Is it OK to drink a green smoothie every day?
Green smoothies are filled with antioxidants, nutrients, and fibre. It's like eating a kale salad and an apple every day, but easier! Having one daily is not only okay, but a pretty good choice to make.
More Vegan Drinks
If you make this Spinach Smoothie or any other vegan drinks on Wholehearted Eats, please take a moment to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It’s such a help to others who want to try the recipe. For more WHE, follow along on Instagram or subscribe for new posts via email.
Recipe
Simple Green Smoothie
Equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Blender
Ingredients
- 2 leaves kale torn, stems removed
- ½ cup fresh spinach
- 1 banana preferably frozen
- ¼ of a lemon peel removed
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger I like to use a microplane
- 1 cup coconut water plant-based milk will work too
- ½ an apple peeled and cored
- Pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Place everything in a blender and puree until smooth. Add more coconut water if needed. Garnish with hemp hearts, ground chia, or flax if desired and serve immediately.2 leaves kale, ½ cup fresh spinach, 1 banana, ¼ of a lemon, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, 1 cup coconut water, ½ an apple, Pinch of sea salt