You’ve probably seen 1,001 green smoothie recipes on the interwebs, and I have a couple here on IGE, but I’ve officially found the most delicious one yet. The BEST EVER Green Smoothie, if I do say so myself!
I can’t take all credit as the combination comes from a new-to-me smoothie shop that Ben, Lincoln, and I visited last weekend. We trekked inside, glanced at the menu, and it was all I could do to prevent a Ben-shaped hole from appearing in the doorway because the smoothies were EIGHT DOLLARS a piece. I could buy, like, eight semi-useful things from the Target $1 bin for that kind of cash!
Watch How to Make It!
Needless to say we got one smoothie to split between the three of us, but it ended being so unbelievably delicious that I accidentally drank more than my share and made Lincoln cry because he didn’t get as much as he wanted. Can you say Mother of the Year?
I got back in my baby’s good graces the following day when we recreated the smoothie at home for a fraction of the cost, and it ended up being a dead ringer for the $8 one. I mean, we nailed it!
Just four ingredients – kale, baby spinach, frozen mango, and apple juice – are blended until brilliantly green, and silky smooth. If you are a green smoothie skeptic, promise me you’ll try this combo. Lincoln sucked. it. DOWN. and has had one every single day since Saturday. I mean, a salad in a glass that tastes like a tropical drink? Heck yes!
Normally I would never put juice in a smoothie – I prefer to eat my calories vs drink them (except when they’re in fermented grape form, of course) – but for me the pros outweigh the cons in this case. Loads of healthy, dark leafy greens more than make up for using 100% apple juice as the blending liquid, plus the taste is just so gosh darn good. That said, if you want to cut down on sugar you could try using coconut water in place of some of the juice. I tried water and it tasted a little bland.
We’ve been drinking Best-Ever Green Smoothies in the morning or after nap time for a boost of healthy greens, but it’d also make a great pre-workout drink. Pair it with a couple scrambled eggs or piece of peanut butter toast for a well-rounded breakfast, or even replace your nightly fermented grape juice with this smoothie instead. Who am I to tell you when and how to drink it though – just go for it!
Oh! This green smoothie makes great smoothie packs. Stuff the kale, baby spinach, and mango into ziplock baggies then freeze. When you’re ready to drink, pour the contents into a blender, add the liquid, and then blend!
Start with 1 cup packed chopped curly kale. I am counting down the days until our farmer’s market opens so I can use mountains of local kale in here! If you are thinking about starting a vegetable garden this year, consider planting kale. It’s super easy to take care of and grows well into the fall.
Add the kale plus 1 cup packed baby spinach into a blender with 1 cup frozen mango chunks. I have a Blendtec and absolutely love it. Kale can be a bit tough, but it’s blended to smithereens in this high-powered blender.
Finally add 1 cup no sugar added 100% apple juice.
Pop the lid on top then blend until silky smooth. NO color editing here – the smoothie really is this bright green, but doesn’t taste like it!
Pour the smoothie into glasses then add a straw. The recipe makes 16oz so you could split with a partner, or keep the whole thing for yourself. Bright, fresh, healthy, and 100% delicious. I hope you love this healthy smoothie recipe as much as we do – enjoy!
More Healthy Smoothie Recipes
- Back on Track Green Smoothie
- Strawberry Shortcake Smoothie
- Blueberry Muffin Smoothie
- Razzy Navel Smoothie
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Best-Ever Green Smoothie (For the Green Smoothie Skeptics!)
Description
4-ingredient Best-Ever Green Smoothie is gluten, dairy, and banana-free, and is the best-tasting green smoothie EVER! If you don't want to eat your dark leafy greens - drink them instead!
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed chopped curly kale
- 1 cup packed baby spinach
- 1 cup frozen chopped mango
- 1 cup no sugar added 100% apple juice
Directions
- Combine ingredients in a blender in the order listed then blend until very smooth and serve.
Notes
- This smoothie makes great smoothie packs! Combine kale, spinach, and mango in baggies then freeze. When ready to drink, dump contents of one baggie into a blender, add juice, and then blend until smooth.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Video
That adorable little face sucking down his smoothie is INTENSE! I love it, lol!
This recipe is perfect, I love the simplicity of it! I find these days people are trying to pack too many thing into smoothies and the flavour becomes a mish mash! I love mango and can’t wait to make this for breakfast!
Thank you so much for making a smoothie with no bananas!! I’m allergic to them so I’m always looking for good smoothie recipes and I am definately picking up mangos for this one next time I’m at the store!! I’ve been putting beets in my smoothies for extra veggie power and they are a neon pink – its beautiful! I love pretty food.
From Iowa girl to another – Thank you!
Emily B.
Love the beet idea – I usually juice them, but should try adding them into my smoothies!
I’ve been having something close to this most mornings for the past month. I use water instead of apple juice and fresh ginger root. The ginger gives it a bit of snappy bite, which I love!
Ohhh I love the idea of adding ginger! I’m going to experiment with adding fresh lemon juice, too!
Oh my gracious! Thank you for linking to that Etsy print. I had her calendar a couple of years ago and have been wishing for prints of some of the designs ever since. And the smoothie looks amazing!
Yum! We’ve been on a big green smoothie kick here thanks to a book my husband got me for Christmas. Most days it’s the only way I can guarantee my little nugget gets any vegetables (#toddlerproblems). We’ll have to try this one!
Totally feel you. I wasn’t kidding when I said this is so good Lincoln cried when he didn’t get as much as he wanted the first time we had it!
This looks fantastic! Putting the ingredients on the grocery list. I’m so not a morning person and am really envious of those who are.
Looking forward to more healthy recipes!
I can’t wait to try this. I’m going to get the ingredients this weekend.
I am an anti-smoothie person because I don’t like the textures they sometimes have. I would be willing to try this if there is no textures and it really is smooth. Can you tell me if I can get this smoothie smooth with no added things left unblended? (if you know what I mean)
If you have a high-powered blender like a Blendtec, Vitamix, or even a ninja, your smoothies will be completely smooth!
Throw in half an avocado to make it super smooth!
I was just looking for an easy green smoothie recipe, and made it this morning! I used water instead of juice, and I added some Stur water enhancer for a little flavor here’s the link if you’re interested – http://www.amazon.com/Stur-ALL-NATURAL-sugar-free-calorie-free-preservative-free/dp/B00C1LXBFC/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1457540470&sr=8-1&keywords=stur. The smoothie was delicious – thank you!
I looove mango in my green smoothies! Berries are always good too.
I keep telling myself that I’m going to start drinking smoothies, but that has yet to happen… Maybe I’ll start with this simple recipe. Thanks!
Yes! Finally a smoothie with NO bananas! Can’t wait to try this – thank you :)
This looks so good. The color is amazing! So GREEN for spring.
Fellow morning person in the house, er internet/blog :) You lost me at the mango. Do you have a suggestion for mango?
You could try frozen pineapple instead. They are sold right next to each other in the freezer section if you feel like giving mango a try (assuming there’s no allergy or anything!)
I love this smoothie so much, simple and clean. My daughter is allergic to mango, so I made it for her with frozen pineapple and it is delicious as well!
I am also a fellow morning person and not a mango lover. Would pineapple work?
Thats so pretty! Love only 4 ingedients!
Oh and my gosh! Look at that cute little sucker upper!!!! ;-)
Oh my gosh so this post reminded me that your Green Monster smoothie was the first blog post I EVER read. I was in graduate school at the time and my friend and I pioneered green smoothies every day for two months, the whole dietetics program was on board! So in December of 2013 you had at least 20 people making that smoothie daily! Thanks for a new one to be obsessed with!
That is amazing!! :D
Yum!! I have a green smoothie almost every morning! Mango is my favorite fruit in a green smoothie!
I love the simple ingredients and the color is stunning!