Green Protein Smoothie
Green Protein Smoothie Recipe – A simple smoothie recipe loaded with protein and greens. This isn’t your average hard-to-swallow green smoothie recipe. This is a lean green breakfast shake you will crave!
Juicing vs. Smoothies
I’ve been trying to get into juicing for years. Every so often, I muster up the courage to try it again. I load both refrigerators with bushels of kale, cucumbers and apples and dust off the industrial strength juicer.
I tell myself, “This time I will like juicing. I will, I WILL.”
Then I shove my produce feverishly into the juicer and watch and thick murky liquid emerge. Long sigh….
Slow reluctant sips, followed by green teeth and a gritty coating on my tongue.
Then I spend the next week serving kale salad with every meal.
Why do I do this to myself over and over?
Smoothies For The Win
After several episodes of juicing, I determined to make “green” smoothies, hoping they would be more enjoyable.
Again, I loaded both refrigerators with kale and started searching for a green smoothie recipe online that I would enjoy each morning. Unfortunately, this proved to be tricky.
Most of the green smoothie recipes I found were heavy on greens, low on fruit, and just as tough to swallow as green juice. So today I’m sharing my version of a healthy green smoothie recipe. One that tastes good.
The Green in Green Smoothie
The key is to use less kale and more fruit. I know, I know, you are liquifying your greens to make sure you get MORE of them each day.
Hey, some kale is better than no kale. For me, it has to taste good, or I won’t keep up with it.
This simple smoothie recipe combines pineapple, banana, and mango with kale and protein powder, to provide a healthy dose of vitamins, minerals and protein each morning. I find the combination of creamy banana with tangy pineapple and mango, really balance out the grassy flavor of the kale.
Plus they are Gluten Free! (If your Protein Powder is Gluten Free.)
Cheers to green smoothies! Even Lt. Dan asks for this one.
P.S. If you can’t stomach kale, make this as a Spinach Smoothie Recipe instead!
Protein Smoothie Ingredients
These ingredients, though minimal, will make a great tasting and filling smoothie with those pesky greens that you have been struggling to get into your daily diet!
- Protein Powder
- Chopped Kale (or Spinach)
- Low-Fat Milk or Almond Milk
- Frozen Pineapple Chunks
- Frozen Mango Chunks
- Frozen Banana
How to Make This Green Smoothie
This is also a great recipe that you can prepare ahead and keep in the freezer until you are ready to make.
- Make sure all the frozen fruit is in 1 inch chunks and place into the blender
- Add the kale and protein powder to the fruit.
- Add in the milk and puree until it is smooth
This will make about 2-3 servings.
Get The Full (Printable) Recipe Below For How To Make Healthy Green Smoothie Recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the fruit need to be fresh or can I buy it frozen from the store?
Either one will make this smoothie taste just as great. I prefer to make this with fresh fruit, but for some people who have more of a time crunch, the frozen fruit will also make it just as tasty.
How do I make my smoothie thicker? How do I make it thinner?
The best way to make a smoothie thicker is to add more frozen fruit, or even add in some ice before blending it to add in that extra thickness. If you want to make it thinner, you can either add in less frozen fruit or add in more of your almond milk or low fat milk to add in that extra liquid to make it thinner.
Why is there no ice in this smoothie?
We wanted this recipe to have all the great fruit flavors and adding in more fruit in place of the ice cubes was a way to make the kale flavor less noticeable. If you are trying to watch your sugar intake and want to up your veggie intake, you can substitute some of the fruit for ice cubes and add more kale, just know you will get more a kale flavor which could make it harder to drink.
More Amazing Smoothie Recipes
- Mango Green Tea Smoothie Recipe
- Milk and Cereal Smoothie Recipe
- Simple Strawberry Smoothie Recipe
- Smoothie King Caribbean Way Recipe
- Coconut Choco Chai Smoothie Recipe
- Strawberry Chocolate Mint Smoothie Recipe
- “Date with Fate” Tropical Smoothie Recipe
- Yogurt Berry Smoothie Recipe
Best Green Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 scoop protein powder plain or vanilla
- 1 cup chopped kale, about 1 large leaf (or spinach)
- 2 cups low fat milk or almond milk
- 3/4 cup frozen pineapple chunks
- 3/4 cup frozen mango chunks
- 1 frozen banana
Instructions
- Prepare ahead: Cut all fruit into 1-inch chunks and place in separate freezer bags. Freeze. (You can find these items precut and frozen in most grocery stores.)
- To make: Place all ingredients in a heavy-duty blender and puree until smooth.
- Makes one enormous serving, 2 large servings, or 3 small servings.
Nutrition
Making this recipe? Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!
What protein powder do you recommend?
I have allergy to Banana as does my daughter. What can be substituted for the banana in this recipe.
Hi Maxine,
You can omit the banana and add additional frozen mango and pineapple. Or frozen coconut chunks would be great as well, and offer a creamy texture. :)
I love how easy this comes together! Great for for an afternoon snack. I made it with spinach and it’s definitely going to be my new healthy treat.
This is my go-to green smoothie now!!
Loved it
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I agree about blending vs juicing. Juicing isn’t very filling so most people don’t stick with it. I blend because there is so much variety you can do and then just do batches of green juice for on the go vitamins.
That green smoothie looks delicious and healthy too! Is it the Kale that gives it the green color?
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My husband and I drink smoothies daily. I bought an expensive juicer and it was o.k. for “juicing”. But we wanted the full effect of eating healthier, so we bought the nutri bullet. Love them. You don’t loose any of the fruit/veg. You can make it as thin or thick as you want and add whatever you want. There are 100’s of recipes out there , but this is one we usually turn to.
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Recently got a Nutra Bullet RX. Frozen bananas, strawberries and mangoes does not even make it breathe hard. This drink is so delicious I feel like I must be cheating. I am fighting with the wife, I want to put more green in – probably spinach, but after pouring out my last green concoction she doesn’t want me to touch this recipe.
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Pingback: Healthy Smoothie Recipes Greens – about food and health
Pingback: Healthy Smoothie Recipes That Taste Good – about food and health
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ダウン デュベティカ
What a great Green Smoothie Recipe. Has just the right amount of fruits vs. veggies. Thank you for posting.
Jake
Smoothies
Green is the way to go! I have been juicing for years and could not do without it. Green smoothies are a great way to start. After you see and feel the difference you may be delighted and want to get on the juice wagon! Blessings!
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Can’t even taste the kale!! Great recipe : )
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I hate eating breakfast. But I know I have to eat something in the morning. If I make a big batch on Sunday how long will it last? Has any one tried that?
Thanks in advance.
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Green smoothies are my absolute favorite! I didn’t think I’d go near one in a million years but they are amazing. Can’t wait to try your version!
I’ve been experimenting with green smoothies lately and have been adding almond butter for a bit of protein and flavor. I think your recipe plus a little almond butter might be the winning combo I’ve been looking for. Thanks for the ideas!
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I’m trying to smoothie my way out of the sugar addiction I picked up over the holidays, so I’ll be trying yours here any minute ;) I love kale and could definitely use some in a smoothie!
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That does sound good! I find that when I mix greens in a shake I really have to put sweet things in with it too or it just tastes terrible haha. Looks like you did well here!
I can’t wait to try this recipe – I have been looking all over for some good tasting green smoothies! thank you!
the color alone is tempting. love green smoothies!!
I’ve been making green smoothies lately too and have found that it is hard to find a good balance between being too “green” and just green enough. I like the pineapple in this recipe! Ive been buying big containers of Anni’es organic greens that include kale, tat soi, spinach and arugula that are great to add to a quick smoothie and as they come prewashed. Im going to give your version a try!
I’m with you, I need a smoothie that tastes good! Love the pineapple and mango!
Fruit smoothies are always a hit and I love how healthy this one is!
I love smoothies! I just had one for breakfast {strawberry banana :) } Love this green smoothie, Sommer! And I’ll have to try one with kale !
Hugs <3
Hahaha, I have to laugh because I just wrote about juicing and green juices! I know they take some getting used to. I’ll take a nice smoothie like this one any day, sounds healthy and delicious!
Sylvie, I read your post this morning and would take the non-green juices in a heart beat! They looked divine. The green juice is just a bit much for me. :)
Looks good, Sommer! I need to add kale to my smoothies! :)
Love how you use mango! Will have to try this soon!
Thanks for another greenie to add to our menu, Sommer! (Site looks great, btw!)
I love green smoothies. The mango is a great idea!
I’ve yet to try a green smoothie, but I think I might be able to do this one!
I need to give more green smoothies a try !
Love this Sommer – definitely some kale is better than none. My kids will drink green smoothies in small doses, but only if they’re sweetened with lots of fruit.
What a healthy and delicious way to start the day!
Green smoothies are my JAM! just add some peanut butter and you have no idea they are healthy!
Seriously, some kale IS better than no kale! Although I don’t have a blender strong enough to whip kale into smoothie material, so I usually stick with spinach. This smoothie sounds amazing to me though!
Your green smoothie sounds fabulous. I can’t wait to give your recipe a try! I have everything on hand except the mango. must run out and grab a mango!
I am so anxious to try this! I love green smoothies and usually use spinach. I never used kale before so that is a great idea my kids would even enjoy!
I’ve been looking for some smoothie and juice recipes for the New Year–I’m adding this one to my list!
I love smoothies but I have not tried the green variety. It would have to taste good and I’m betting yours is great!
We love a fruit smoothie anytime of the day. YUM!
I’m definitely one of those that chokes it down, no matter the taste. Every now and then when I accidentally make a good green smoothie (usually when I’m running low on kale), it tastes good and I’m shocked. Yours looks delicious! Frozen pineapple sounds perfect!
I agree… green juices have never been appealing. But a fruit smoothie with a little kale…. that works beautifully! Will have to pull my juicer out for this baby!
The spinach -fruit smoothie in the Vitamix cookbook has about one cup spinach to four cups fruit, and it’s deelish. Turns very, very green, but you only kinda sorta get a V8-ish taste in the background.
If you want breakfast smoothies, you gotta get one of the high-powered blenders. You can throw pineapple cores in a vitamix, saving all the fiber.
Cheers!
Totally agree. I love my Vitamix!
this is my morning favorite! Can’t wait to try your version
I too tried Juicing and not only is it not filling….it is sooooo expensive. You have to use so much produce for so little drink :(
Green smoothies are my fav. I always use spinach, I will have to try Kale.
I’ll take one of these for breakfast :)
I love the mango and pineapple in this!
I love smoothie and mango also, but I don’t think I have time to have smoothie in the morning every day except in the weekend. I’m way get up too late. :(
I keep meaning to juice…but I’m a lazy juicer!