Trying to figure out a way to sneak more greens into your day? Try the best green smoothie recipe! Both kids and adults will love this refreshing and healthy daily dose of greens.
The best green smoothie recipe
Green smoothies are one of my all time favorite drinks. Between homesteading, homeschooling, working, and daily life around the house, sometimes it’s tempting to reach for quick food items that lack nutritional substance. Green smoothies are one of the easiest ways to sneak in a few more (or a lot more!) veggies into your daily diet without much effort. Easy and delicious? I’m in.
If you’re like me, then you eat with your eyes. If a smoothie doesn’t look appealing, then I’m not interested in drinking it. The trick to making the best green smoothie recipe that also looks delicious is balancing your fruit choices. Dark colored fruits generally turn your smoothie brown, which looks a bit unappetizing. I generally avoid blueberries all together and balance alternative berry choices (i.e. strawberries, raspberries, etc) with lighter colored fruits that are extra creamy (i.e. bananas, mangoes, etc.)
If you think worrying about the color of your smoothie is ridiculous and trivial, then feel free to simply disregard 😉
Kiddo approved
My kids are by far, the pickiest eaters. Meals are constantly a battle in our house, which is ironic considering we spend so much time emphasizing the importance of growing our own food! I’m hopeful that this “picky eater” phase will eventually fade, but until them, I’m going to sneak in all the vegetables as humanly possible.
My two little ones are always excited about smoothies. Shockingly, green smoothies are one of their all time favorites. During those nights when my kids pick at their dinner, at least I’m a bit comforted knowing that they ate a lot of spinach and arugula without even totally realizing it! Countless families from my Farm Classes have shared that their kids love this recipe too! It really is the best green smoothie recipe 😉
… but aren’t smoothies seasonal?
I’ve always gravitated more toward a seasonal diet. During the cold winter months, I crave warm, comforting, and hearty foods. I took a break from my daily green smoothie as the weather changed, but I realized how much I missed that nutritional punch! I simply feel better when I consume more greens (bonus if they’re harvested straight from the garden), so I started implementing green smoothies back into my diet. There’s something comforting about a big old mason jar filled with nutrient dense foods.
The best green smoothie recipe notes
This green smoothie recipe is extremely forgiving and can easily be modified to meet your specific taste preferences. If you’re trying to “hide” the green taste, then I recommend mixing 1/2 juice of your choice with 1/2 water. I usually use either orange juice or apple juice, but you can simply use any juice that you enjoy
If you’re looking for extra creaminess (+ extra vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids), then consider adding an avocado. I recently started adding an avocado to my green smoothies, and I love that it makes it a bit more filling and also adds some healthy fats.
Kitchen Tools
Alright, let’s get blending and start making the best green smoothie recipe!
Green smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen mango (can sub 1 frozen banana)
- 1 cup frozen strawberries or frozen raspberries
- 3 cups fresh greens (can use any combination of kale, spinach, and arugula)
- 2 cups orange juice
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- In a high speed blender, add orange juice, water, and all frozen fruit. Blend on high until smooth and combined.
- Add fresh greens to blender. Blend on high until smooth and combined. Add or subtract the quantity of greens, depending on taste preference.
- Pour and enjoy! This smoothie is 42 oz, so it’s the perfect size for sharing.