Green Smoothies Recipes (and a tip!)
Here are a few green smoothies recipes (and a tip!) to get your year started out right. Or any time!
I’ve been a fan of green smoothies for about 5-6 years now. I love them.
And what’s not to love?
They are healthy and taste great. (well, they can taste bad too but I’m going to help you with that)
I would’ve shared them with you before now but around January of last year, within months of starting this blog, I had lofty dreams of creating another blog devoted solely to food and recipes.
Funny. I had no clue how involved (creating content, taking photos, editing photos, writing, building, etc) a blog was.
I do now.
Let’s just say, I won’t be starting a second blog anytime soon. ;) (edited to add…I did finally start that blog in March/2015 –>> www.foodiechicksrule.com )
So…that means I’ve decided to share some of my favorite recipes here with you all. See the new little “recipe” tab up above?
That’s where they’ll be.
I love to cook and I love to cook healthy which means I have a bunch of recipes I’m looking forward to sharing with you throughout the new year.
But first….let’s talk GREEN SMOOTHIES (and then green smoothies recipes, too).
Super healthy and a great way to get your veggies.
I’m also a fan of juicing but today we’ll just talk smoothies.
The problem with making smoothies has always been prep and such. Not really a problem, I suppose, but just involved and time-consuming.
All fine and good…and healthy…. but who has time for that?
So, I tended to get a bit slack in my smoothie-making at times.
Until I decided to pack them up in serving sizes for the freezer.
So there’s the “tip“…
Lay it all out, cut it up, package ….all at one time. What a time saver.
So simple…not sure why I never thought of doing this before. Anyway, wow, sure makes it easier to eat healthily!
Grab a bag, add juice or water and go…
Can’t get much easier than that…..
*I’ve included an affiliate link for the Vitamix below (which I love!). See full disclosure here.
My blender is a *Vitamix 5200 Series Blender that I purchased from Costco about 5 years ago.
It’s a bit pricey but worth it, in my opinion.
It blends everything up WELL. And you want these green smoothies blended well, trust me on that.
If you don’t have a Vita Mix, no worries, you can still make palatable smoothies. It’s just my preference to use the Vitamix for them.
Years ago when I first started making green smoothies organic fruits and vegetables were harder to come by.
Nowadays they are much more readily available. Costco has all kinds of organic berries and fruit, frozen.
They also have some organic greens and vegetables. Kroger is a great place for organics too. (no affiliation..it’s just where I shop )
You definitely want to use organic whenever possible, for obvious reasons.
I’ve had many requests for recipes but I will tell you, it’s a “trial and error” kind of thing.
I will include some here for you though.
You will figure out as you go along what you like and what you don’t.
What tastes good and what doesn’t.
And how to add things to camouflage some of the stronger greens (like Kale and Mustard Greens, for example, –>and always remove the stems, they make your smoothie very bitter)
As a rule, I’d suggest rotating your greens weekly. You don’t want to eat the same thing over and over again.
Too much of anything is not a good thing. The same applies to your additions. I’d rotate and mix it up a bit.
Even taking a break from smoothies altogether, from time to time.
So don’t forget to label your smoothies with the type of green that it contains (and the date is always good too) when freezing.
You can add any kind of juice (or water to keep the “sugar” content down) or milk, almond milk, etc.
I personally try to stay away from cow’s milk and do not drink soy milk for health reasons.
My choice is unsweetened almond milk or water, occasionally juice.
Below are some ideas of ingredients for your green smoothies recipes:
Greens
Spinach
Kale
Romaine Lettuce
Parsley
Chard
Mustard Greens
Beet Leaves
Fruits
Mango
Apples
Oranges
Pears
Peaches
Bananas
Grapes
Berries
Strawberries
Blueberries
Raspberries
Blackberries
Blueberries
Vegetables
Celery
Carrots
Beets
Cucumbers
Peppers
Fresh ginger root is a nice addition too sometimes. Gives it a bit of a zip.
You can add things like Flax or Chia seeds, protein powder, etc.
Cocoa is nice to add along with almond milk (and even instant coffee crystals) for a “Frozen Cafe Mocha” style drink…only healthier.
You can use sweeteners until you get used to the flavor. I don’t anymore unless I’m making something like I mentioned above.
The fruit makes it sweet enough for me.
The sweeteners I use are Stevia, Xylitol, and Agave. (I don’t use Agave as often)
You can use whatever you like to sweeten.
Anyway, here are a few recipes to get you going.
(ice is not necessary if you make them ahead of time and freeze)
–all recipes say “1 large handful”…adjust as needed, more or less. (I do more greens/veggies and less fruit but I don’t like very sweet things in general)
A very good basic green smoothies recipes to start:
1 large handful of spinach
1 banana
1/2 mango (or 1 peach)
small handful of grapes
5-6 baby carrots
ice and water
OH! ..and don’t be turned off by the lovely brown shade these “green” smoothies can turn with the addition of berries.
They may not look appetizing but they are still super healthy and still very green.
Now, remember, these are just basic guidelines. You can add a little more of this or a little more of that.
You will get a feel for it after you’ve made a few.
And if it doesn’t taste right, add something until it does.
Love it? PIN it to save it!
Have you tried green smoothies before? Think you might?
I hope you will. It’s a great way to get your veggies in.
**Please visit my new FOOD blog over at www.foodiechicksrule.com for more recipes!**
Note: I am not a health professional or medical doctor. The information and directions given on this site are of my own opinions and my own experiences with such and are not meant to take the place of medical or professional advice. You may choose to try any or all recipes, etc, I post at your own discretion.
Nancy~I LURVE this post. I’m sipping a green smoothie right now. Can’t wait to try your recipes too. :)
Thanks Beth!! And yay on the green smoothie! I’m sipping one right now as I reply! ;)
Have a great weekend!
Nancy
I have a nutrabullet since nov. loving it. this sounds great but I`ve never frozen greens like this. does this work on the spinach without it turning yucky?
Oh the spinach is fine frozen. Doesn’t get yucky at all. I can’t tell the difference between a frozen batch or fresh. Both taste the same! :)
Nancy
Nancy, I love this idea of batching it all together. My “buzz” word for the new year is “simplicity” so this method speaks to me. When you make it simple by batching, you’re more likely to eat healthier! Grab, blend, and go! :)
Serena @ Thrift Diving
Oh yes, makes it sooo much easier! I am loving it. Simplicity is a great word! :)
Nancy
Hey you!!! This is completely awesome! i have heard so many wonderful things about that blender and your tips are the best I have seen! I am so pinning this! I think that having everything bagged would make things so much quicker…and with these beans I need fast! Hope you are well and I can’t wait to see more of your recipes!!! Nicole
Hey, Nancy! Thank you for taking the time to provide all this great information.
Here’s my problem. I really WANT to drink green smoothies. I just can’t convince myself to actually make them and drink them. I know you (and others) say they taste great, but I am SUCH a picky eater. I don’t do mango and I really dislike the taste of kale (believe me, I really tried to like it!) and mustard greens (tried to like them, too!). I suppose I could use other greens, but the idea of mixing fruit and veggies together… idk! I guess I would need to actually taste one already put together to convince myself I could do this. Wish I knew someone close to me who drank these things! :) OY….. what a dilemma! xo, K
Try one at a natural juice bar and ask them to tell you all they put in it-that might help.
Start with fresh baby spinich – 1 handful. Then any fruit you like, blueberries, strawberries, apples, oranges. Only fruit “required” really is at least a half a banana (and frozen banana is best) to make it nice and smooth. Add a sweetner. in the beginning just to make it nice and sweet, then back off that gradually. Any sweetner you like, or even juice. I guarantee guarantee you will not taste the spinich. Try it!
Yum! I love the idea to pre-pack them! Brilliant. Now I’m totally craving a smoothie.
Thanks Kelly! Packing them ahead has made it SO easy to make them ever day! I love easy! ;)
Nancy
Nancy, this idea is the absolute best! I can never seem to get it “all together” without something going bad, and so freezing makes perfect sense! I need to loose a few pounds and this is going to help me do it! Thanks!
Thanks Candy :) It really makes it so, so easy to make them now. And you are so very right! That was always my issue..the greens would go bad before I could use it all up.
Nancy
Well done! This has inspired me to get started on green smoothies. Thanks for sharing your recipes and tips and organization! Green is so good for you!
Regards,
Lois
Hi Lois,
Thanks so much! It really does make it easy and I am so glad it inspired you! :)
All the best,
Nancy
I have been collecting recipes for smoothies. I want to start that this year. Just need to get me a better blender and I love the idea of freezing portion sizes. I think it will make it much easier to commit to. Loving your blog by the way.
Hey Sherry!
Oh yes, do start! They are really healthy for us and I know you feel the same..doing whatever we can to stay healthy! :) Freezing had made a huge difference for me. It’s just so much easier.
So glad you like the blog!! Thank you :)
Nancy
Would you believe that I’ve never had any type of smoothy?? My friend makes them for her breakfast everyday, so I know that they are good and healthy, I just never have tried it. I like how you prepped baggies of supplies to make the process easy.
Oh Paula, you have to try it! Plus, it really is a great way to get your greens in every day! (freezing portions makes it more doable too ;) )
Nancy
You are a dang genius and I just love you. I made my first green smoothie a couple weeks ago and it wasn’t bad, but wasn’t great. I’m SO glad you posted this. It’s exactly the kick in the pants I needed. The bonus is that looking at a green smoothie makes my husband gag. ;)
xoxo
-andi
Ha, Thanks Andi! :) Yes, work/mess all at one time, smoothies for a month. Easy…and I love easy! ;)
I am thinking the smoothie with the addition of berries might be an even more entertaining choice for your husband. lol…instead of green they are a (not so) lovely shade of brown.
xo
Nancy
So, I had to tell you…I got my fabulous frozen bag of smoothie stuff out this morning aaaaand….promptly broke my blender. :/ No worries…Phil has already ordered the replacement part, but apparently I’m going to need to let my bag thaw in the fridge over night from now on….. ;)
-andi
Oh no! Boo. So sorry!! Yes, mine are like a block when they come out. I have to break my little baggie up on the counter before I throw it all in the blender. I have a VitaMix blender (it’s a beast!lol) and it blends really good. (and really finely, which is necessary for these to be palatable to me! ;) ) Maybe Phil can get you one for his birthday…oh that already passed didn’t it–but hey, a blender and a vacuum cleaner..he should be happy, right? ;)
xo
Nancy
SO glad you posted this! (yeah…I’m playing catch-up!!!) I love smoothies, but make the same fruit on all the time. Like your variety mentioned! Thanks for the tips!!! ~Christy
You are welcome Christy! It’s been so much easier to eat/drink them since I’ve been freezing them ahead!
Nancy
Thanks for great idea, making a pack of all thing into the bag,,
Now i can just grab and go in the morning ;)
You are welcome!
Nancy
This is such a great idea! I love green smoothies but get lazy, but this is a great way to get back into the swing of things! Do you think I can put the chia seeds in the freezer bags? Or do you think that is something I should add when I make the smoothie?
Hi Shannon,
I think you could do it either way. But those are easy to just have as an “extra” to add when you make it!
I sometimes add a few extras when I pull mine out of the freezer. :)
Nancy
I bought a NutriBullett (www.nutribullet.com) recently and am now looking for recipes. Thanks for your suggestions here. The nutribullet costs about $120.00 with shipping. You get 2 blenders, 3 glasses for blending, and a book of suggested ingredients. I don’t know if you can cut the price by buying just one. So far, it works good, but doesn’t seem to finely grind the covers of lemons and limes. I would be interested in hearing of others’ experience with a Nutribullet. Can’t wait to try freezing my ingredients.
Hi Richard,
I’m sorry, I don’t have any experience with that product. The Vitamix is a bit pricier but really does the job very well. It has held up like a champ! Good luck and enjoy!!
Nancy
I may be feeling extra dense today, but with everything mixed up in 1 bag, how do you layer the ingredients the way Vitamix recommends? Or doesn’t it matter if the fruits & veggies are all together before you start blending?
Hi Lorrie,
I don’t think it really matters overall. It all gets blended together anyway. I just throw it in and blend! ;)
Happy blending!!
Nancy
Hi!
I know this past is a year old, but hoping you’ll still answer my question! Any idea if any of the ingredients “lose” their nutritional value once frozen? Also, you’ve added baby carrots to your freezer combos before? How have they held up in the freezer? I always thought you had to blanch carrots before freezing which I’ve always avoided because I’m all about saving time!! Thank you in advance, and I love this post.
Hi Elizabeth,
I think frozen vegetables are best. (well fresh is always best, but frozen is second) But, I don’t think they lose much, if any, nutritional value once frozen.
No problems with the carrots at all. They blend up nicely with everything else.
I am starting a new food blog and hope to have it up soon. I will be including many more smoothie recipes (green, berry, and even healthy but non-green ones too) among other meals/snacks/desserts etc. Be sure to check back or you can subscribe here so you don’t miss it. :) My subscribers will be the first to know!
Enjoy those healthy smoothies!
Nancy
How long can you keep the bags in the freezer?
Hi Stella,
I would say they’d be best used within a few months but I’d think they’d be fine for awhile longer.
Nancy
Hi, nancy.
Love it! Just a question: can I freeze ginger together or have to be fresh?
Hi Elisa!
Absolutely! You can definitely freeze all of together. Actually, I always keep “fresh” ginger in the freezer for use in cooking.
Nancy
I love this
I have metastatic breast cancer this type of nutrition is a major must for me. And I can’t be pulling stuff in and out of fridge and cupboards constantly this will be a big help. Would luke to get hooked up with your new blog
Thanks Nancy! Yes, these are great for health and nutrition. :) My food blog is up and running at http://www.foodiechicksrule.com. I have regular recipes and healthy recipes both over there. God bless, xoxo