Jugo Verde (Green Juice)
“Jugo Verde” Green Juice – Mexico’s healthy and delicious green juice is light on the hips and big on flavor!
My Favorite Juice
I love to travel south or the border. One of the greatest joys of waking up in Mexico is sipping a frothy glass of “Jugo Verde” Green Juice first thing in the morning.
Jugo Verde, translated from spanish as Green Juice, might be the thing I miss most from our recent trip to Mexico. Whether we were eating breakfast at the hotel or heading out on the streets to find an open-air cafe, I could count on getting a bright fruity glass of fresh juice for breakfast.
…If only Lt. Dan would serve me freshly-squeezed juice with a paper umbrella every morning. Then I could be truly happy. *wink*
Mexican Favorites
We experienced so many wonderful dishes in Mexico, yet it’s the simple things in life that leave the greatest impact.
Fortunately I can have Jugo Verde any time I want! This Mexican tradition is a simple blend of fruit and vegetables with a clean tropical flavor. Jugo Verde can be made with any combination of fruits and vegetables. However, the key ingredients in the variety we had in the Mayan Riviera are cactus, parsley and pineapple.
If you can’t find cactus paddles in the produce department of your grocery store, substitute a large celery stalk. The flavor will be different, but celery does provide the same “fresh and clean” quality as cactus.
Jugo Verde Tips
To make Jugo Verde at home, you can use a juicer if you have one. Yet I just pureed my green juice right in the blender. You can drink it thick and frothy like a green smoothie, or strain it to remove the pulp.
Either way, Jugo Verde is ridiculously refreshing and so good for you! This is a great way to get your kids to “eat” their veggies. Bonus, there is no need to mention the words vegetable or green in the title. *wink*
The combination of cucumber, cactus, parsley, orange, and pineapple is so vibrant and festive, if I close my eyes, I can almost imagine myself right back in Mexico!
Green Juice Ingredients
- Orange Juice
- Fresh Pineapple Chunks
- Nopal Cactus Paddle (or substitute for celery stalk)
- Cucumber
- Packed Parsley or Cilantro
Green Juice Recipe
This is a very simple recipe. All you need is some fresh produce and a blender…
- Set out a bender and add in all the ingredients to the blender jar. Also add in a pinch of salt.
- Cover and turn on the blender. Puree until the contents are smooth.
- Once the juice is blended and its frothy, you can either filter out the pulp or drink it as is!
That’s it. Super simple and very delicious!
Get The Full (Printable) Recipe Below For How To Make Jugo Verde (Green Juice).
Green Juice Benefits
The ingredients in this fresh-made juice are all high in antioxidants which can help with anti-aging and disease prevention.
This juice is also full of key vitamins and minerals that help with your energy levels, so you can feel energized throughout the day to take on your busy life. The nutrients also help your immune system and improves your digestive health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you peel the cactus or blend it whole?
When I make green juice I blend the whole piece of cactus. This is how I was taught to make it in Mexico.
Why make this drink?
Other than the great flavor of this beverage, it helps you to get in some necessary fruit and vegetables for your daily diet.
How long does this drink last?
You can make green juice up to 5 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container to the refrigerator. Then stir well before serving.
Other Green Recipes
- Detox Celery Juice Recipe
- Basil Beet Juice Recipe
- Green Protein Smoothie Recipe
- Panda Express Super Greens Copycat Recipe
- Lean Green Chicken Soup Recipe
- Mean Green Buddha Bowl Recipe
- Zucchini and Green Chutney Salad Recipe
- Green Risotto Recipe
Jugo Verde (Green Juice)
Ingredients
- 2 cups orange juice
- 1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
- 1/2 Nopal cactus paddle chopped (or substitute 1 celery stalk)
- 1 large cucumber with peel, cut into chunks
- 1/4 cup packed parsley or cilantro
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in the blender. Add a pinch of salt, place the lid firmly over the top, and puree until smooth.
- Once green and frothy, serve as-is or pour through a sieve to remove the pulp.
Video
Nutrition
Making this recipe? Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!
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what can i substitute for the pineapple? allergic and also nobody likes the taste in my family
fresh strawberries? high season now
Hi Eva,
In order to keep the green juice green, I would stick with more OJ, white grape juice, or even apple juice. :)
You could also use a stalk of aloe vera in place of the cactus. Just be sure to cut the thorns off.
Great tip, Cherylynn!
I love the hint of citrus, pineapple and orange, in this juice it was delicious, so refreshing and yummy.
Absolutely delicious! I’ve made one of these for breakfast ever day this week!
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Me encanta jugo verde por desayuno en Mexico. Que rico.
Does one need to peel the cactus? Or put it in whole?
Hi Lomagirl! I used it whole.
Have you tried putting spirulina (algae) as one of the ingredients? I know, it’s kinda disgusting knowing that there are algae in your green juice or smoothie. I was hesitant back then when someone recommended me that recipe but when she said its health benefits content, I forced myself to do so. And I feel a big difference in my body. However, if you don’t like the idea of green smoothie with spirulina, you may take the capsule form. I have read a review on how safe this capsule. Click here: Spirulina Review
This is o my kind of green juice!!! *Slurp!!*
I just got back from Mexico, where I had “Cactus Juice” every morning. I swiped the recipe (took a picture of the ingredients with my phone) so I can start enjoying this.
Now, to find cactus paddles…..
So interesting! I always wondered what people used that cactus for?! Now I can try it out! Thanks for introducing me to something new =)
This looks wonderful! I’m such a green juice addict so definitely going to try this combo out!
Oh this is so right up my alley! I love parsley and celery in green drinks!
This sounds so fun!
This looks and sounds delicious! I love the recipe and can totally get behind waking up to this.
I love green juice! I love adding lemon to mine its a great way to give you an energy boost in the morning. And I agree I like it fresh out of the blender. We all need a little more fiber in our diets! ;)
this looks right up my alley!! delicious!
Green juice all the way! Need to try this version!
Ok, the ingredients in this juice sound amazing! Now I need to find a cactus paddle!
Beautiful! What a great way to start the day. Now if only we could go back to the beach :-)
Oh how I miss Mexican produce!! I’m going to have to replicate this one. Thanks, Sommer!
Great way to start the day!!