We’ve all had moments of going overboard on indulgent eats and treats during the holidays, on vacation, or for celebrations, and need something to get back on track, right? That’s where my Green Detox Smoothie comes in handy!
This gluten free, dairy free, and banana free smoothie recipe is packed with good for you, detoxifying ingredients including baby spinach, orange, carrot, ginger, chia seeds, and pineapple – which I used instead of a banana to thicken and sweeten the smoothie. Throughout the years of posting smoothie recipes with bananas here on IGE I’ve learned that many people are either allergic or can’t stand the taste of bananas. Who knew?
Well, banana haters, this smoothie’s for you!
Including ingredients with benefits ranging from boosting metabolism to removing toxins, reducing inflammation and aiding in digestion, this smoothie will make you feel fantastic after a little too much indulging. Most importantly, it tastes great!
My Green Detox Smoothie recipe is actually based on one of my all-time favorite juice recipes, which I tend to make at a feverish pace after the holidays. It includes spinach, carrot, orange, and ginger. Since a juicer isn’t a common find in most people’s homes though, I thought I’d adapt it for the blender. The result is a smoothie that’s so healthy I can hardly even stand it and, although it’s packed with vitamins and minerals, it tastes like a drink you’d get at a tropical resort on vacation!
How to Make This Recipe:
Start by adding almond milk to your blender followed by baby spinach, chopped pineapple, chopped carrot, and peeled orange, followed by chia seeds, and fresh ginger. Blend the smoothie until VERY smooth, adding more almond milk if needed. Finally, add a cup of ice cubes then blend again until smooth.
Tips for cutting a pineapple:
I wanted to show you real quick how easy it is to chop an entire pineapple at home vs buying it pre-cut from the grocery store which sells it at a PREMIUM. Look for a pineapple that’s more yellow than green, which indicates it’s ripe and sweet, then slice the top and bottom off.
Next, cut the rind off in strips, going deeper than you think you should to get all the tough eyes off. That said, you can go back around after you’re done to clean it up a bit.
Slice the pineapple into quarters then place each quarter cut-side down and slice the core out on an angle. Slice into strips then chop. That’s it!
Another note, I used chia seeds in this smoothie not only because they help thicken it up without having to use a banana but also because they are nutritional POWERHOUSES full of fiber, protein, calcium, and iron. I love adding them to Lincoln’s smoothies especially because he can’t eat dairy and I’m always looking for good calcium sources for him. Chia seeds are usually in the health market section of the grocery store.
Pour this vibrant Green Detox Smoothie into a glass then immediately reap the rewards!
Similar Recipes:
- Best Ever Green Smoothie >
- Blueberry Muffin Smoothie >
- Strawberry Shortcake Smoothie >
- Tropical Pineapple, Mango & Orange Smoothie >
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Green Detox Smoothie (Gluten, Dairy & Banana Free!)
Description
Back on Track Green Detox Smoothie is gluten, dairy, and banana free. Perfect for resetting after over indulging!
Ingredients
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup plain almond milk
- 2 cups lightly packed fresh baby spinach leaves
- 1 cup chopped fresh or frozen pineapple
- 1 medium-sized carrot, peeled then chopped
- 1 clementine or 1/2 orange
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh microplaned or minced ginger (optional)
- 6 ice cubes
Directions
- Add 1/4 cup almond milk to the blender then add spinach, pineapple, carrot, clementine, chia seeds, and fresh ginger if using. Blend until very very smooth, adding up to 1/4 cup more almond milk to reach desired consistency (I used 5 Tablespoons total.) Add ice cubes then blend again until smooth.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Deb 12.01.2014
Any suggestions for an almond milk substitute for someone with a nut allergy? Dumb question, but would you just use cow’s milk?
Kristin 12.01.2014
Totally – whatever you’ve got around in the fridge!
Kerri 12.01.2014
Just curious what kind of almond milk you use? Sweetened? Unsweetened? Flavored? My son drinks a blend of the So delicious protein plus unsweetened, with a splash of the “original” (sweetened) thrown in while we slowly work him all the way off the sweetened one. So I have both on hand and was wondering which would work best in this recipe?
Kristin 12.01.2014
I use original unsweetened almond milk (HyVee brand) but whatever you have on hand will work great!
Melissa B in IL 12.01.2014
YAY.. no bananas! one of the allergic ones here :-) I would also love the gumbo recipe!
Amy 12.01.2014
I’m excited to try the breakfast casserole when I have guests over the holidays! Thanks for sharing! I would love it if you would share your award-winning gumbo recipe! :)
Christy @TheMuddyApron 12.01.2014
You’re so inspirational to get back on track! Looks delicious.
C.
Marie 12.01.2014
Since it’s going in the blender, do you really need microplane the ginger? Or could you just add a slice? Maybe a 1/4″-1/2″ or so?
Kristin 12.01.2014
I would at least mince it because I always seem to find a long fiber or two if I throw it in whole. I think 1/4″ is plenty!
Trish 12.01.2014
Super excited to try this since i am allergic to bananas. Do you soak your chia seeds before or just throw them in as is? Also, if you were to make this in a juicer, do you do anything different? Thanks! xoxo
Kristin 12.01.2014
I just throw the chia seeds in without soaking. Also, if I were to juice this I would omit the chia seeds, almond milk, and ice!
susie 12.01.2014
I don’t have a fancy blender. Will this work in just a regular blender? Or will the carrots be too hard?
Thanks!
Kristin 12.01.2014
Good question! If you have an extra carrot I would do a trial run with just a carrot and some water and see if your blender can get it smooth enough. If it passes the test you can make the smoothie as written – if not, just omit the carrot and it will still be delicious!
Ashley 12.01.2014
Banana-hater and carrot-disliker here! Thanks for the banana-free smoothie. For the carrots, I bet that using shredded carrots would work in the blender easier than just chopped carrots, and you would avoid any big chunks. :-)
Kerri 12.06.2014
I just made this and shredded my carrots using a cheese grater and they blended in perfectly!
Amber C 12.01.2014
Glad to see dairy and banana free smoothie. I like the idea of a smoothie, but the texture of banana in it freaks me out!
Sheryl 12.01.2014
cannot wait to try this! happy to see no banana and the addition of pineapple. thanks!
Chicago Jogger 12.01.2014
Yum! I’ve never tried adding pineapple or carrots to a smoothie…must add this to the list. I also started the day with a green smoothie, with frozen peaches, banana and lots of spinach!
Annie 12.01.2014
I think you left out the orange in the recipe at the bottom…but it sounds delicious. Looking forward to trying it!!
Kristin 12.01.2014
Ahh, you’re right – thank you for the heads up!!
Jennifer @ Crockpot Gourmet 12.01.2014
Perfect timing!! I just got a new blender yesterday and was on the hunt for some new smoothie recipes!
Kerry 12.01.2014
I am incredibly allergic to bananas (it’s a latex-fruit allergy and fairly serious) so I sooooo appreciate this recipe!!!! Thank you so much! Can’t wait to give it a try!
Kristin 12.01.2014
Perfect – I hope you enjoy!
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files 12.01.2014
Finally a smoothie that looks great and no bananas! Nothing against the little guys but sometimes banana free smoothies call my name!
Ali | Gimme Some Oven 12.01.2014
Your Thanksgiving looks like it was so fun!!! Love all of these great people in your life. :)
And cheers to detox smoothies, especially sans bananas!
Lea J 12.01.2014
I do love a good smoothie. My grocery list for today has lots of smoothie and juice ingredients to get me through these next few weeks of indulgence! I usually throw a banana in because I don’t know what else to do, but I will have to give this a try!
Maggie 12.01.2014
Random question but where did you get Lincoln’s smoothie cup from and what brand? I’m on the hunt and the cups with straws we have right now aren’t quite right for toddler smoothies.
Kerry 12.01.2014
I second this question! My 18 month olds love smoothies but I am struggling with a good straw cup for them!
Kristin 12.01.2014
My Mom actually bought a bunch of them from the $1 store, believe it or not, for the grandkids, and gave me a couple!
Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama} 12.01.2014
Green smoothies for everyone! Perfect timing. :)
Bri | Bites of Bri 12.01.2014
I need this too. Lots of food and drinks over the weekend. Feeling blah now that it’s Monday.