The best green smoothie recipe because of a secret fruit that makes it taste great! It is also perfect for more energy, clearer skin, better sleep, and only five easy ingredients. No banana! A daily smoothie is a simple way to change your health. Free smoothie chart download included. See easy step by step video in the post.
Best Green Smoothie + (chart)
This is the best green smoothie because it is full of vegetables and a secret fruit that makes it refreshingly tasty. I'm going to tell you more about this smoothie but first, here is the free downloadable chart, a chart which will help you mix and match and build your own healthy smoothies.
Okay so back to this green smoothie though. Something in this smoothie is special.
For one, there are no bananas. A lot of smoothie recipes require bananas to thicken and sweeten. Not this drink. No bananas. Instead I used a fruit that is rather ordinary but makes a green smoothie extraordinarily fresh and frosty.
And for another, the fruit I chose makes this green smoothie tastes better than most green smoothies. That special fruit is green grapes. And not just any green grapes, but frozen green grapes.
Table of Contents For this Post
Frozen Green Grapes Make This Smoothie Delicious
Drinking a green smoothie daily is beneficial is so many ways. In general, it is an easy, refreshing way to get your daily required vegetables and fruits.
Specifically, a green smoothie a day will boost your health. Depending on the ingredients, it can increase your energy, provide protein, disease protection and even beauty enhancements.
This smoothie, with my secret fruit, frozen green grapes, is super delicious as well as high in vitamin C, Vitamin K, B6 and potassium. All of these vitamins boost the immune system, skin healthy and heart health.
Do Green Smoothies Help With Weight Loss?
Yes! Green smoothies are perfect for weight loss because of two factors:
1. The leafy greens provide insoluble fiber that supports digestion so you don't feel bloated.
2. The added fruit and other fiber-rich foods help you lose weight by making you to feel full so you eat less.
The Best Green Smoothies Have Variety of Fruits and Veggies
The best smoothies are like this one, have only a few ingredients, each are whole foods and nutrition-rich, and they are easy to find. You want your green smoothie to be easy to create so you can drink one daily, because it's the everydayness that provides the ultimate benefit.
At the same time, however, variety is also important. You don't want to be drinking the exact same smoothie every day. So here I give you a delicious yet basic smoothie recipe, but I also tell you my favorite veggies and fruits to use in a smoothie in general so you can start creating on your own, swap in and out, change up your smoothie daily. So you can make your own Best Green Smoothie.
What Is A Beginner Green Smoothie Recipe?
The best beginner green smoothie is a smoothie that contains leafy greens and other veggies, yet has a clear sweet flavor - that's why this smoothie with green grapes is perfect for those just beginning to drink greens. Another important aspect is protein and milk and nuts are perfect solutions.
Also, FUN FACT: even though my smoothie is green, a "green" smoothie does not have to be green in color. The term "green" is merely a synonym for a smoothie made with nutritious ingredients.
There's no exact science for how to make a green smoothie, but in general, a great green smoothie recipe will feature an ample portion of leafy greens, along with some fruit, healthy fats, and protein. This is a basic green formula, which you should feel free to tweak and adapt!
Ratio for The Best Green Smoothie
The ratio I found to be best for a green smoothie is 1:1:1 with leafy greens, liquid and frozen fruits and veggies in equal amounts. Then bonus seeds and proteins in a few tablespoons. This structure can vary, however, for example adding more fruits to increase sweetness. That's what's so great about green smoothies - customize to fit your needs.
While we are talking smoothies, I'll just pop in here and invite you to my FREE 6-Day Smoothie Challenge. I email you recipes and you make them, drink them and feel awesome. Sound good?
Sign up by simply dropping your email in the sign-up box and you’ll receive an email with a welcome instructions and grocery list so you can begin as soon as you’d like.
How to Make My Green Smoothie Recipe
My complete recipe is below and a step by step video is on this post and here.
However, here is a brief review. My recipe is made with baby spinach, green grapes, apple, water and lime juice. It is the best green smoothie for a beginner especially because it is so delicious.
To make this green smoothie, add the spinach and lime juice to the blender and blend. Then add the grapes and apple half, and half the water. Blend again. Add the rest of the water only if you want to, to make the smoothie more liquidy. It will depend on how much liquid your grapes provided. Drink right away.
Ingredients in My Beginner Green Smoothie
Why did I choose these ingredients? Because together, they are delicious and nutritious.
The spinach in baby form is mild yet bursting with potassium and other nutrition.
The green grapes and apple bring a sweetness and fiber and more nutrients.
And the lime juice is the star, and freshens the flavor while adding a sweetness that lemon would not. This recipe is awesome for both the beginner and seasoned smoothie drinker.
And it does not have any banana. Banana is fine but too many smoothie recipes call for bananas so mine typically don't have them. There are plenty of other fruits and veggies that add creamy texture, and sweetness.
Best Leafy Greens and Vegetables For Smoothies
Pretty much any vegetable can be thrown in a blender but if you want your smoothie to taste great and have a smooth texture, it's best to stick to a few tried and true vegetables. Most vegetables you'll add to a green smoothie are not cooked, however there are a few, like cauliflower, that do better steamed for texture.
In addition, using raw vegetables means you should try to use organic. This is both because organic vegetables will not carry pesticides into your smoothie, but also because organic means the soil they grew in is "cleaner" and has more nutrients.
My favorite vegetables to include in a smoothie are:
Spinach & Kale: Baby leaves are best for easier blending and mild flavor
Other Leafy Greens: Collard greens and cabbage and other leafy vegetables can be used but they will have a stronger flavor and thus more fruit will be needed for best flavor.
Fennel: the white bulb gives your smoothie a licorice flavor and is high in fiber and disease-fighting antioxidants.
Cauliflower: Steam and cool this nutritious vegetable, otherwise it might be too grainy.
Zucchini: Peeled or not, this vegetable is an awesome smoothie thickener.
Avocado: Provides a creamy texture, disappears in flavor especially with chocolate, and adds tons of potassium, important for sleep, heart and more.
Best Fruits To Include in a Green Smoothie
Of course the world's the limit on fruits we can throw in that blender but I will share my favorite few that make a potent contribution and are easy to work with. Use them all frozen for frosty texture:
Berries: Easy to add, super strong antioxidants, high in fiber, yet very low in sugar
Green Grapes: Add fiber, and antioxidants and a clean mild sweetness.
Mango: Adds the creaminess of a banana, as well as extraordinary fiber.
Watermelon: Rich in essential electrolytes, and a watery sweetness
Pineapple, Peaches, Pears: All provide essential nutrients, and creamy texture.
You are probably thinking but where is banana on this list.
How Do I Make Smoothies Without Bananas?
Bananas work well in a smoothie, adding sweetening, fiber and potassium and a creamy texture. But not everyone likes bananas, or can eat them. I can't, and I don't like their flavor. I rarely create smoothie recipes with bananas, although there is one in my 4-Ingredient Smoothie & Juice cookbook on Page 23, Chocolate Banana. Just to be nice.
To get the same sweetening, fiber and creamy texture bananas add, use these ingredients to make a banana-free smoothie. Use the fruits frozen. The yogurt can be used semi-frozen for frosty texture. The zucchini can be used frozen or not, peeled or not. But always use organic because zucchini absorbs insecticides easily.:
1. Avocado or zucchini, but add fruit to sweeten
2. Mango, pears, pineapple
3. Yogurt
Best Proteins & More To Include in a Green Smoothie
The best way to pop protein into your smoothie is to add a handful of nuts or seeds, or a few tbsp of your favorite nut butter.
If you want to get fancier and add different nutrients and fiber, as well as omega-3s, buy some chia seeds, hemp seeds and flax seeds. Find my favorite brands in my Amazon store here. A bag of each goes a long way if you are only adding a few tbsp per smoothie.
And you can also try adding garbanzo beans or beans. There will be a beany flavor to overcome though, so try using someone's tried and true recipe first. Like perhaps my Black Bean Brownie recipe on page 175 of my 4-Ingredient Smoothie & Juice cookbook. I don't mean to keep shamelessly plugging my book, but when I have relevant recipes I feel I should share!
Yes, I know what you are saying now. What about protein powder? I don't recommend adding protein powder since it is processed and you have so many glorious protein options that are whole foods to choose from.
Best Liquids to Use In A Smoothie
Typically I use dairy-free milk, water, coconut water, coconut milk, and teas of all kinds, matcha, hibiscus, lemon ginger. Coffee also can be used, and occasionally juices although only fresh or not from concentrate with little sugar.
Tricks to Making The Best Green Smoothie
Making a smoothie is fairly simple but there are some tricks to help it turn out right.
1. Add leafy greens and liquids first, and blend for a minute before adding other ingredients. This is vital if you don't have a high speed blender, and useful if you do to puree those leafy greens.
2. Add the fruit last, add only half, blend and taste-test. See if you can get away with less fruit, which means less sweet. That will make your smoothie all the healthier.
3. To get into a smoothie-a-day routine, take your favorite fruits and freeze them, or buy them frozen. The more frozen ingredients you blend, the creamier and frostier your smoothie texture will be. I even keep a stock of milk frozen into ice cube trays to use in smoothies.
What's The Best Blender for Making Green Smoothies?
I have a strong preference in Blendtec's high speed blender. I love that their jar is square, so it's easy to blend a thick collection of ingredients fast, and so easy to clean those smooth sides. I also love that it produces a foamy, lighter smoothie.
Buy Blendtec. Use discount code: GSgourmet20
Vitamix is another popular high speed blender. And it's probably more popular than any other brand, but I still prefer Blendtec. If you don't and you want to splurge, go for it!
A more affordable blender brand is Ninja. This small blender is powerful and less expensive than the other two.
Finally, any smaller affordable blender can be used, obviously. You just have to be sure to blend the leafy greens and liquids first.
Green Smoothie Q & A
Are Green Smoothies Really That Good For You?
Green smoothies are only as nutritious as the ingredients you add. To make a green smoothie that is good for you, try for a balance of 3 to 2 with 3 being leafy greens or raw vegetables, and 2 being fruits.
Is it OK to drink a green smoothie every day?
It's more than OK, it's great for you if this green smoothie is made in a nutritious way and provides you with a good portion of daily recommended fruits and veggies. Look at my easy 5-ingredient recipe below as a good basic green smoothie to start with. Then change it up as the days go on by adding and swapping ingredients from my provided options.
Side Effects of Drinking Green Smoothies?
The key to avoiding side effects from green smoothies is to not depend on the same veggies over and over. Variety is key to avoid oxalates from spinach which can cause kidney stones, too much fiber from cauliflower and so on.
Do Green Smoothies Help You Lose Weight?
They can! Make sure to replace one meal with a smoothie, probably breakfast or lunch so you can use the energy well. Make it a meal replacer so it can carry you until lunch. Ingredients to add to help the smoothie become more filling include rolled oats and yogurt.
Want to Get Started with Green Smoothies?
I have options for you!
Sign Up for My 6-Day Smoothie Challenge
1. Sign up for my 6-Day Smoothie Challenge email course. You sign up, receive a welcome email with a grocery list, and each day after that you'll receive a brilliantly easy nutritious smoothie recipe. A fuss-free way to upgrade your health. Sign up by simply dropping your email in the sign-up box and you’ll receive an email with a welcome instructions and grocery list so you can begin as soon as you’d like.
Download My Free Smoothie Building Chart
2. Download my Green Smoothie Building Block Chart. If you use this chart to build your own smoothies using this guide, and please share on Instagram or Facebook and tag me! I want to see!
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Best Green Smoothie Recipe (+ chart)
Ingredients
- 1 cup spinach
- ½ apple
- ¾ cup white grapes (sometimes called green grapes; use frozen)
- ¼ cup lime juice
- ½ cup water, divided
Optional Additions
- 2 tbsp chia seeds for added protein
- 2 tbsp flaxseeds for added fiber
Equipment
- Blendtec Blender Use code GSGourmet20 for discount.
Instructions
Prep
- Freeze the grapes the prior night to make the smoothie extra frosty.
Blend smoothie
- Add lime juice and spinach to the blender first, and blend.
- Add grapes and apple, and half the water and blend. If you need more water, add the rest and blend again. Drink right away or refrigerate for 1 day, or freeze in ice cube trays for one month.
Tina
I was never able to find the smoothie chart????
Dee Dine
Hi Tina, it's under the "Want to Get Started With Green Smoothies?" section. Here it is as well: Green Smoothie Chart
Platt College
I am always looking for a healthy smoothie recipe, thanks!
Debbie
You are most welcome! Thanks for visiting!