Spinach Smoothie

It’s easy to enjoy this Spinach Smoothie, thanks to its balance of delicious ingredients! Our version includes bananas for sweetness, strawberries for flavor and plant-based milk for a touch of creaminess. Whirled together, they’re not only tasty, but offer some great health benefits to boot. Spinach is a nutrient powerhouse, providing a healthy dose of folate, while fruits like bananas and strawberries provide vitamins and minerals like vitamin C and potassium that help fuel our bodies and keep our immune systems strong. Use the recipe below, following our tips and suggestions for making a spinach smoothie part of your regular rotation.

How to Make a Spinach Smoothie

1. Use Baby Spinach

We prefer baby spinach here, as its tender leaves and stems are ready to go straight out of the bag. If you use mature spinach, remove any tough stems and roughly chop the leaves to measure 1½ cups.

2. Add Ingredients for Blending

To ensure everything gets blended smoothly, add the ingredients in the order they’re listed. Start blending on medium-low speed to combine the ingredients, then turn it up to medium-high to thoroughly blend the smoothie. You may need to stop once or twice to scrape down the sides of the blender.

Best Variations to Try 

• Replace strawberries with mango and add a teaspoon of unsweetened shredded coconut before blending.
• Swap frozen strawberries for blueberries and add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. 
• Substitute frozen strawberries for cherries and use unsweetened almond milk. Add ¼ teaspoon almond extract and 1 tablespoon sliced almonds before blending.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!

• Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to add a touch of flavor and sweetness without additional calories. Vanilla bean paste will also work; start with 1 teaspoon and add more to suit your preference.
• For extra-cold, smooth creaminess, freeze the banana before blending. If you make smoothies often, consider buying an extra banana or two at the store. Once they’re fully ripened, remove the peel and transfer to a freezer-safe storage bag. You’ll always have a frozen banana ready this way!
• Strawberries are suggested in the recipe, but other berries or a blend of berries will also work. Try a combination of blueberries and cherries or any of your favorites!

Nutrition Notes

• Spinach is an easy leafy green to love, thanks to its mild flavor and stunning nutrition profile. You’ll get plenty of immune-boosting vitamin C along with heart-healthy nutrients like folate and magnesium.
• Enjoy the banana in this recipe for the creamy sweetness it provides, but also for its potassium! Potassium is important for heart health and may also help lower blood pressure. It also benefits digestive health, thanks to its prebiotic properties. It makes a great recovery food too, since potassium stores are often depleted during exercise and need to be replenished.
• The bright red color of strawberries indicates the presence of powerful antioxidants that have health-protective benefits. Pair those antioxidants with vitamin C and you’ve got a powerful tool for warding off inflammation and protecting against heart disease.