Learn how to make the best green smoothies with this step-by-step guide! Includes ingredient tips, healthy add-ins, and easy recipes for all ages.
Want to start your day with something green, clean, and energizing? Smoothies are the ultimate, jam-packed nutrient bomb! Green smoothies, in particular, are a fantastic way to get greens into your diet in a very easy, delicious way. Building the perfect green smoothie isn’t hard, with these tips. This guide shows you how to make the best green smoothies—whether you’re a beginner or a blend-it-all pro. With the right balance of leafy greens, fruits, liquids, and healthy add-ins, you can create nutritious, delicious smoothies that even picky eaters will love. In this post, you’ll find ingredient ideas, blending tips, and easy recipes to help you build the perfect smoothie every time. Great for all ages, these smoothies are a tasty way to boost your fiber, vitamins, and plant-based goodness.
How to Build a Green Smoothie
Follow this step by step guide for building the healthiest, yummiest green smoothie!
1. Grab Your Blender!
If you’re making an individual smoothie, small blenders, such as a Nutribullet, works great.
Pro Tip: I love to use a large blender, such as a Vitamix, if I’m making a big batch of smoothies (just make 2-4 times the following ingredient amounts for a larger batch).
2. Add Your Veggies (1 cup)
Add what ever seasonal fresh (or frozen) veggie you prefer to your smoothie blender container, such as bell peppers, carrots, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, celery, radishes, and tomatoes. Slice into smaller chunks to speed up blending. You don’t have to peel most veggies, and do include the tough stems and leaves, too!
Pro Tip: Follow your favorite flavor profiles. If you aren’t a fan of bell peppers, you may not enjoy their bite in your smoothie. Don’t be afraid to try raw beets, broccoli, avocados, and cauliflower, which offer a surprisingly mild taste.
3. Add Your Fruits (1/2 cup)
Now comes the fun part—adding your favorite seasonal frozen, canned, or fresh fruits, such as berries, melon, peaches, apricots, plums, cherries, oranges, bananas, and mango. Don’t remove the peels of most fruits (except bananas and mangos), but do remove the pits. Place the fruit in your smoothie blender container.
Pro Tip: Adding bananas will help mask the bitterness of any dark leafy green, as well as a creamy texture when frozen. The deep purple shade of blueberries will cover up the green color of most green smoothies, too.
4. Add Your Greens (1 cup)
Pack in those leafy greens, such as fresh or frozen kale, collards, spinach, chard, sprouts, arugula, basil, parsley, or cilantro. You can also use a combo of greens. Check out my leafy greens guide to learn more.
Pro Tip: These healthy fats and protein sources will help you sustain energy throughout the day.
5. Add a Touch of Flavor (up to 1 teaspoon)
Toss some potent flavors into your smoothie blender container, such as fresh ginger, lemon juice, lime juice, cinnamon, basil, cilantro, or mint; or dried coconut, cocoa powder, cinnamon, or turmeric.
Pro Tip: Use flavors that complement the theme of your smoothie (i.e., coconut with pineapple and bananas).
6. Add Healthy Fats and Protein (2 tablespoons)
Spoon in some protein-rich nuts (pistachios, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts, or pecans) and or seeds (chia, flax, hemp, sesame, sunflower, or pumpkin). These additions also have the bonus of added protein.
Pro Tip: These healthy fats and protein sources will help you sustain energy throughout the day.
7. Pour in Your Liquid (1/2 – 1 cup)
You’ll need some liquid to process your smoothie. So, try a protein-rich unsweetened plant-based milk, such as soy milk, along with a touch of 100% fruit juice (try orange, pomegranate, or apple) for added sweetness, if desired.
Pro Tip: Avoid using too much added juice. But do stick with the plant-based milk!
8. Hit the Button!
Now you’re ready to push the button and blend up your perfect smoothie. It may take time to process all of the ingredients, so blend until very smooth and creamy. Enjoy it now or later by storing in a Mason jar in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Pro Tip: Add even more bulk and nutrition to your smoothie with a touch of cooked grains or oats! For added sweetness, add a date!
Top 10 Green Smoothie Recipes
Try some of my favorite smoothie recipes here!
Super Green and Gold Layered Smoothie
Trail Mix Smoothie Bowl
High Protein Super Green Smoothie
Antioxidant Smoothie
Green Pistachio Smoothie
Purple Power Blueberry Smoothie
CBD Green Smoothie
Mermaid Smoothie Bowl
Compost Green Goddess Smoothie
Seaweed Mixed Berry Smoothie
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