This green smoothie is one of my favorite ways to get 3 full servings of fruits and veggies into my body first thing in the morning. It makes me feel ah-mazing and it’s so creamy and delicious thanks to the secret ingredient: frozen zucchini!
If you’re anything like me, you probably have your own green smoothie recipe that you like and make often….but this is a recipe I would highly recommend adding to your rotation!
It has the consistency of a milkshake thanks to my must-have smoothie combo: plant milk, nut butter and cinnamon. This combination creates a silky-smooth texture and creamy richness, plus it provides extra nutrients like healthy fats, fiber and protein.
Tips for Making the Perfect Smoothie at Home
Frozen fruits and vegetables is key. I used to add whatever fresh fruit I had on hand but actually, using frozen produce like ripe bananas, chopped zucchini, frozen mango, berries and even cauliflower can help take your smoothie to the next level texturally speaking. Frozen produce will make the smoothie thicker, creamier, colder (obviously) and more like a milkshake.
Add fats like nuts, seeds, nut butter, coconut milk and avocado. Not only does this improve the texture, but adding healthy fats also makes a smoothie much more satisfying and well balanced. I stay fuller for longer when my meals and snacks have a mix of fiber-rich carbs, fats and protein, and smoothies are no exception.
Opt for baby spinach instead of kale. I LOVE kale (evidence here, here and here) but in this smoothie, the mild taste and softer texture of baby spinach is the way to go. It blends up perfectly in my blender – I use this one – and you can’t taste it at all. Kale is great but the flavor is a little stronger so I save it for soups, salads and pastas.
Healthy Tip: Nuts and seeds also boost the the fiber, protein and mineral content so I love adding hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, almonds or a Brazil nut before blending or on top for some texture!
Spice it up! It might seem odd to add cinnamon to a smoothie but it’s SO tasty! I really think the cinnamon is a game changer in this smoothie recipe. It makes this pretty green smoothie taste like a decadent sweet treat.
GREEN SMOOTHIE INGREDIENTS
- Banana – 1 very ripe banana, chopped and frozen
- Zucchini – 1 small zucchini, chopped and frozen (a baby zucchini that’s about 6in length is perfect)
- Spinach – 2 big handfuls of baby spinach
- Peanut or Almond Butter – 1 heaped tablespoon (I prefer salted)
- Medjool Date – 1 large date, pitted
- Cinnamon – 1/2 tsp
- Plant Milk – 1/2 cup (like soy, almond, pea or oat)
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST GREEN SMOOTHIE
Simply place all of the ingredients in a high speed blender and blend for a little longer than you think you need to. That’s the trick!
You’re not just looking to break down the ingredients. You want to continue to blend them together so they kind of whip up and emulsify in the process. This will give you that insanely smooth milkshake texture. I let it blend for about 30-40 seconds.
RECIPE FAQS
How do I make my smoothie thicker? If you want to make a smoothie bowl, rather than a smoothie you can sip, simply use less plant milk. Add a tablespoon or two start and only add more if needed. This will create a thick, ice cream-like texture.
What if I added too much milk already? If your smoothie is too thin, add some extra banana and zucchini. If you don’t have that on hand, try adding some avocado to thicken it up.
Can I add ice cubes to my smoothie? A lot of recipes call for ice cubes but I find that thy create a more watery, slushy type of smoothie and the ice cubes can water down the flavor as the smoothie melts. Plus, I find that the ice is unnecessary if you’re using frozen fruits and veggies.
Is this smoothie a meal or a snack? Totally up to you but I generally have this an afternoon snack. It’s a great pick-me-up and so energizing. If I’m having it for breakfast, I will often pair it with some avocado toast or a bowl of oatmeal unless I’m in the mood for a very light breakfast. Again, it’s all personal preference so always remember to eat until your’e full and satisfied and focus on counting colors, not calories 🙂
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE THIS EASY SMOOTHIE RECIPE
3 Minute Blueberry Milkshake Smoothie
Pretty Green Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 frozen banana ripe and spotty bananas work best
- 1 small chopped + frozen zucchini a baby zucchini that's about 6in length is perfect
- 2 handfuls baby spinach
- 1-2 Medjool dates, pitted I start with one and add the other if I feel like the banana isn't ripe enough that day
- 1-2 tbsp peanut butter salted
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup unsweetened soy or oat milk
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients in a high speed blender and blend for 30+ seconds until very smooth and creamy!Enjoy as is or top with fun toppings like hemp seeds, fresh fruit, granola or shredded coconut!
If you like this recipe please leave a comment and rate this post below! And if you’re on Instagram, tag me in a pic so I can see your recreation! @nikkivegan
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Hey! I’m Nicole and I make practical vegan recipes for REAL life. I cook with simple, easy to find ingredients and I’m passionate about creating delicious plant-based meals that everyone will love!
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This was delicious. I used a small yellow squash and it was not frozen, but this still turned out delicious! It really turned out creamy! Thanks Nicole!