Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this Spinach Smoothie because I can prepare it in just a few minutes with simple ingredients. The frozen banana and pineapple create a naturally sweet, creamy texture, so I don’t usually need much additional sweetener.
I also like how flexible the recipe is. I can change the fruit, use my favorite type of milk, add seeds or nut butter, or adjust the consistency depending on whether I want a thick smoothie or something lighter.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 frozen ripe banana
- 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 3/4 cup milk or unsweetened plant-based milk
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup, optional
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds, optional
- 1/2 cup ice, optional
Directions
- I add the milk to my blender first. Adding the liquid before the other ingredients helps everything blend more easily.
- I add the fresh spinach and blend briefly until the leaves are mostly broken down. I find this helps me get a smoother drink without noticeable pieces of spinach.
- I add the frozen banana, pineapple, Greek yogurt, and chia seeds if I’m using them.
- I blend everything on high until the smoothie becomes creamy and completely smooth.
- I taste the smoothie and add honey or maple syrup if I want additional sweetness.
- If I want a thicker, colder smoothie, I add some ice and blend again. If it’s thicker than I prefer, I add a splash of milk and blend until I reach the consistency I like.
- I pour my smoothie into a glass and serve it immediately.
Servings and Timing
I get approximately 2 small servings or 1 large smoothie from this recipe.
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Blending time: 1–2 minutes
- Total time: About 7 minutes
- Servings: 1 large or 2 small smoothies
Variations
Spinach Mango Smoothie
I replace the pineapple with frozen mango when I want an extra-creamy tropical variation. Mango provides plenty of natural sweetness and pairs nicely with banana and spinach.
Spinach Berry Smoothie
I replace the pineapple with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or a frozen berry blend. I keep in mind that darker berries can change the bright green color of my smoothie.
Spinach Avocado Smoothie
I add about half a ripe avocado for an especially thick and creamy texture. When I use avocado, I sometimes reduce the banana slightly depending on how thick I want the finished smoothie.
Protein Spinach Smoothie
I add a scoop of my preferred protein powder or extra Greek yogurt when I want to increase the protein content. I add a little extra milk if the protein powder makes my smoothie too thick.
Dairy-Free Spinach Smoothie
I use almond, oat, soy, or coconut milk and replace the Greek yogurt with a dairy-free alternative. I find frozen banana especially useful in this version because it keeps the smoothie creamy.
Storage/Reheating
I think this Spinach Smoothie tastes best immediately after blending, when it’s cold, creamy, and fresh. If I need to store leftovers, I transfer them to an airtight container or jar and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours.
Some separation is normal during storage. I simply shake or stir the smoothie thoroughly before drinking it again.
For longer storage, I pour the smoothie into a freezer-safe container or ice cube tray and freeze it. I can blend the frozen smoothie cubes with a little milk whenever I want another serving.
I don’t reheat this smoothie. I serve it cold and blend it again with ice or frozen fruit if I want to refresh the texture.
FAQs
Can I taste the spinach in a Spinach Smoothie?
I find that baby spinach has a relatively mild flavor, especially when I combine it with sweet fruits such as banana and pineapple. Using ripe fruit helps balance the earthy flavor even more.
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh spinach?
Yes, I can use frozen spinach, although I usually start with a smaller amount because frozen spinach is more compact than fresh leaves. I also make sure I’m using plain spinach without sauces, salt, or seasonings.
How do I make my Spinach Smoothie thicker?
I use frozen banana and frozen pineapple instead of fresh fruit when I want a thick smoothie. I can also add Greek yogurt, avocado, chia seeds, or a few ice cubes to create an even thicker consistency.
Can I make a Spinach Smoothie without banana?
Yes. I can replace the banana with frozen mango, avocado, pineapple, or a combination of fruit and yogurt. I may add a little honey or maple syrup if the replacement ingredients aren’t as naturally sweet as banana.
Can I prepare a Spinach Smoothie the night before?
I can prepare it the night before and refrigerate it in a tightly sealed container, although I prefer it freshly blended. If it separates overnight, I shake it well or quickly blend it again before serving.
Conclusion
This Spinach Smoothie is a quick and flexible recipe that I can prepare whenever I want something fresh, creamy, and naturally fruity. I love how banana and pineapple provide sweetness while spinach blends easily into the background.
PrintSpinach Smoothie Recipe
This Spinach Smoothie blends fresh baby spinach with frozen banana, pineapple, Greek yogurt, and milk for a creamy, naturally sweet drink. It is a quick and refreshing choice for breakfast or a snack.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 7 minutes
- Yield: 1 large or 2 small smoothies
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 frozen ripe banana
- 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 3/4 cup milk or unsweetened plant-based milk
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup, optional
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds, optional
- 1/2 cup ice, optional
Instructions
- Add the milk to the blender first to help the ingredients blend smoothly.
- Add the fresh spinach and blend briefly until the leaves are mostly broken down.
- Add the frozen banana, frozen pineapple, Greek yogurt, and chia seeds if using.
- Blend on high until completely smooth and creamy.
- Taste and add honey or maple syrup if additional sweetness is desired.
- For a thicker, colder smoothie, add the optional ice and blend again. If the smoothie is too thick, add a splash of milk and blend until the desired consistency is reached.
- Pour into a glass and serve immediately.
Notes
- For a mango variation, replace the pineapple with frozen mango.
- For a berry variation, replace the pineapple with frozen strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or mixed berries.
- Add half a ripe avocado for an especially thick and creamy smoothie.
- For additional protein, add a scoop of protein powder or extra Greek yogurt, adding more milk as needed.
- For a dairy-free version, use unsweetened plant-based milk and dairy-free yogurt.
- Frozen spinach can replace fresh spinach, but use a smaller amount because frozen spinach is more compact.
- For a banana-free smoothie, substitute frozen mango, avocado, pineapple, or a combination of fruit and yogurt.
- The smoothie is best served immediately but can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. Shake, stir, or blend again before serving if separation occurs.
- For longer storage, freeze the smoothie in an ice cube tray and reblend the frozen cubes with a little milk.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 recipe
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 8 mg