This easy green smoothie recipe uses minimal ingredients and tastes GOOD. Perfect for beginners with a step by step guide including optional mix-in’s.

I love a good smoothie. This simple green smoothie recipe is ideal for many reasons. It tastes amazing, is super easy to make, and is the perfect starting point for green smoothie beginners.

Continue reading to get all of our green smoothie tips and tricks including different ways to add more healthy add-in’s!

Green not your thing? Check out this list of the BEST smoothie recipes to find your flavor.

Green Smoothie Ingredients:

This smoothie is VERY beginner. I’m a newbie when it comes to green smoothie recipes and this was the very first one I made. It has become a staple and my go-to whenever I am in doubt of what to add. Here are the ingredients we use for this tropical flavor:

Pineapple– Fresh is best when it comes to pineapple, however canned or frozen works too!
Mango– I always use frozen mango. You can pick it up for fairly inexpensive at most grocers. In fact, you can find a tropical blend in the frozen foods section of Costco that is AMAZING and replaces both the pineapple and mango in the ingredient list.
Banana– Over ripe bananas are an incredible way to add sweetness to your smoothie.
Coconut Milk– Keeping with the tropical vibe, we add a splash of unsweetened coconut milk.
Orange Juice– With all of the sweet ingredients, citrus is key to tone things down! Fresh orange juice really is the best but store bought works in a pinch.

Tip: This smoothie is sweet. If you want to have a less sweet version, leave out the coconut milk and substitute with all orange juice.

Do you need to add ice to a smoothie?

No. In fact, I leave ice out of all of my smoothies. Ice tones down the flavors and makes a less enjoyable drink. To replace that frozen texture I use frozen fruits and even frozen greens.

What greens to add to a smoothie:

There are SO many options of leafy greens to add to your smoothie. Below our my go-to’s but you can also add romaine lettuce or chard if you have it on hand.

Spinach– Spinach has a very mild flavor that is simple to mask with fruits and juices. It is loaded with vitamins and has a hefty dose of magnesium, iron, and potassium.
Kale– We opt for kale when we are looking for a good boost of vitamin C. It also has a great amount of fiber and calcium to your drink.

Can you taste spinach in a smoothie?

No! This was tested on my very picky eleven year old. He has a very very sensitive palate, although I feel he likes more than he will admit too, but he slurped this down and raved about the fun fruity taste! Kale is a little stronger and I personally could tell there was a slight aftertaste.

Optional Smoothie Add-In’s:

There are so many additional options to add to your smoothies. Below are the ingredients we have tried and love.

Chia Seeds- These are great options for a little added protein.
Flax Seeds- Adds a hefty dose of Omega 3’s.
Yogurt- If you want more of a creamy texture, replace half of the liquid with yogurt.
Protein Powders- I suggest sticking with vanilla if you do use a protein powder.
Acai Powder- Amazing way to get some antioxidants into your smoothie!
Honey or Agave- Natural sweeteners.

How to make a green smoothie that actually tastes good:

Pour the coconut milk and orange juice in a high powdered blender.
Add the frozen ingredients.
Add the banana and spinach.
Blend on high speed for 1 to 2 minutes, or until all of the ingredients are fully combined.
Pour into two glasses and enjoy.

Tips for this recipe:

Use a quality blender. We upgraded to a Blendtec after my trusty blender failed to do the job. Now, within one minute, all of our smoothies are creamy and delicious.
Watch the order you add your ingredients to the blender. To help everything work properly it is best to add the liquid ,followed by the frozen fruit, and topped off with fresh ingredients.
Sweeten your smoothies by adding honey or agave. But make sure you taste it before you add any sweeteners!

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