10 simple and quick green smoothie recipes

Among the popular wellness tips you often hear, from detox routines to morning rituals, one keeps coming up: drink green smoothies. Many celebrities enjoy this plant-based drink every morning. But what exactly is a green smoothie, and how do you make one? Read on to discover everything you need to know about green smoothies, along with some recipe ideas to inspire you!

What is a green smoothie?

A smoothie is a cold, creamy drink made from blended raw fruits and vegetables, to which you can optionally add liquids (juice, plant-based milk, green tea), seeds and dried fruits (nuts, raisins, goji berries, prunes, chia…), or even spices (cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric…). Its texture is similar to a milkshake, though a smoothie generally contains neither ice cream nor milk.

A green smoothie is made with one or more green ingredients, whether vegetables (spinach, kale, cucumber…) or fruits (Granny Smith apple, kiwi, lime…). These ingredients give the drink its characteristic green colour.

A green smoothie differs noticeably from a green juice: while a juice is made using a juicer, such as a centrifugal juicer, to extract only the liquid from the fruits and vegetables, a smoothie is made in a blender, retaining both the juice and the pulp, including its fibre.

Which green vegetables should you use in a smoothie?

Spinach is probably the easiest vegetable to sneak into a smoothie, thanks to its mild flavour. The recipes below also use kale, cucumber, courgette, celery, lamb’s lettuce, rocket, fennel and broccoli.

For a vegetable smoothie that’s pleasant to drink, pair them with one or two fruits (apple, pear, banana, kiwi, pineapple), which soften the overall taste. If you’re just starting out, begin with mild-tasting leaves such as spinach or lamb’s lettuce. You can then try stronger flavours as you see fit.

What are the benefits of green smoothies?

Trendy as they may be, green smoothies are also genuinely appealing. Here are some of their key benefits:

• A boost for your vegetable intake: green smoothies encourage even the most reluctant vegetable sceptics to eat more greens. Easy to make and easy to drink, they win everyone over!
• A genuine taste experience: a green smoothie is a clever balance of flavours. It isn’t made purely from fruit, so it’s not overly sweet. Nor is it made only of vegetables: its subtle sweetness masks the taste of the greens.
• Raw produce: a green smoothie is made with raw fruit and vegetables, sometimes even with the skin on. And with an endless variety of fruit and vegetable combinations, you’ll never run out of ways to vary the flavours!
• An alternative to sugary drinks: if you enjoy fruity drinks, a green smoothie can take the place of your usual fizzy drink, whenever you fancy.
• The fibre stays in: unlike a juice, the drink keeps the pulp, and therefore the fibre of the produce. Discover our handy tips on digestion too.
• A source of chlorophyll: green produce contains chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for its distinctive colour. On the beauty side, take a look at our advice on caring for your body and skin.
• Seasonal variety: green smoothies adapt beautifully to the seasons. You can tailor your recipes to whatever fruits and vegetables are available, so you’ll never get bored.
• Part of a balanced lifestyle: finally, a green smoothie fits neatly into a balanced lifestyle, alongside a varied diet and regular physical activity. Also worth a read: our pick of everyday foods.

10 green smoothie recipes to try right now!

For all these recipes, the method is always the same: place the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth! If the texture seems too thick, feel free to add a splash of water or plant-based milk to thin it out.

Recipe 1: The celebrity green smoothie

This is the green smoothie recipe by Kimberly Snyder, an American nutritionist whose advice is closely followed by the stars! To make it, you’ll need:

• 500 ml cold water
• 7 handfuls of spinach
• 6 handfuls of romaine lettuce
• 2 celery stalks
• 1 apple
• 1 pear
• 1 banana
• 2 tbsp lemon juice

Recipe 2: Apple & courgette green smoothie

A very mild-flavoured green smoothie — perfect for beginners! To make it, you’ll need:

• 1 banana
• 1 unpeeled courgette
• 1 apple
• 1 handful of spinach
• 1 handful of sprouted seeds
• A splash of plant-based milk (soy, rice, oat)

Recipe 3: Cucumber & mint green smoothie

A wonderfully refreshing green smoothie, ideal for summer! Simply blend:

• Half a peeled cucumber
• Half an apple
• 200 ml plant-based milk
• 10 fresh mint leaves
• Ice cubes

Recipe 4: Pear & celery green smoothie

Pear softens the sharpness of celery for a winning combination! To make this smoothie, you’ll need:

• A handful of lamb’s lettuce
• 2 pears
• 1 kiwi
• 1 celery stalk with its leaves
• A splash of water

Recipe 5: Aperitif green smoothie

A recipe with Mediterranean flavours that’s sure to delight, especially at aperitif time! To make it, you’ll need:

• 2 handfuls of rocket
• 5 basil leaves
• Half a cucumber
• Half an apple
• A celery stalk
• A tomato
• Salt and pepper
• A splash of water

Recipe 6: Exotic green smoothie

A green smoothie that takes you on a journey! To make it, you’ll need:

• Half an avocado
• 2 generous slices of pineapple
• A little fresh ginger
• 2 handfuls of spinach
• A splash of water or plant-based milk
• Sesame seeds

Recipe 7: Fennel & chia green smoothie

A green smoothie with a subtle anise flavour — refreshing and full of flavour! To make it, you’ll need:

• 50g chia seeds
• 1 fennel bulb
• 1 generous slice of pineapple
• 1 handful of salad leaves (lamb’s lettuce, lettuce, mixed leaves)
• The juice of one lemon
• A drizzle of honey
• A splash of water

Recipe 8: Berry & flaxseed green smoothie

This colourful smoothie will do nicely for your snack break! To make it, blend:

• 1 to 2 small handfuls of berries – blueberries, raspberries, redcurrants, strawberries, depending on what’s available
• 1 handful of fresh spinach
• Plant-based milk
• 1 banana
• 2 tbsp flaxseeds

Recipe 9: Carrot & kale green smoothie

Kale is having a real moment — so why not turn it into a delicious smoothie! To make it, simply blend:

• 2 apples
• 4 carrots
• 4 kale leaves
• A few cashew nuts
• Half a lemon

Recipe 10: Broccoli & coconut green smoothie

A surprising green smoothie, but a real treat. To make it, you’ll need:

• 1 cup of broccoli florets, stem removed
• 1 cup of coconut water
• 1 banana
• A pinch of cinnamon
• A drizzle of honey
• Desiccated coconut (optional)

There are so many more recipes to explore… The secret to a great green smoothie? Creativity! Follow your instincts and it will always turn out beautifully!

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Useful categories: Slimming Nutrition.

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