Baby spinach is the gateway green: it has almost no flavor once blended, so two whole cups disappear behind pineapple and banana. The color is bright green; the taste is tropical.
Ingredients
You’ll need: Blender
Method
Blend the almond milk and spinach first until no leafy bits remain, about 30 seconds.
Add the pineapple, frozen banana and ginger.
Blend on high until smooth and creamy, 30-45 seconds.
Add a splash more milk if it’s too thick to pour.
Tips
Blending greens with the liquid first is the secret to a smoothie with no stringy bits, especially in a less powerful blender.
Graduate to kale once you love this: start with one cup.
Nutrition per serving, approximate
- Calories
- 240
- Protein
- 6g
- Carbs
- 52g
- Sugar
- 31g
- Fiber
- 7g
- Fat
- 4g
Estimated from standard USDA values for the ingredients listed; brands vary.
Variations
Mango green: Swap the pineapple for frozen mango.
Protein green: Add 2 tablespoons hemp hearts or a scoop of vanilla protein.
Nutrition at a glance
One serving has about 240 calories, 6 g protein, 7 g fiber and 31 g sugar (mostly from fruit). Pair it with eggs, toast or a handful of nuts if it’s your whole breakfast. Values are estimates from USDA data for the exact amounts listed; swapping milks or yogurts changes them: try our smoothie calorie calculator to check your version.
Make it ahead
Pack the solid ingredients (fruit, greens, seeds, oats) into a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. In the morning, tip the bag into the blender, add the liquid and yogurt, and blend. A blended smoothie keeps in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 24 hours; shake before drinking. More on smoothie freezer packs.
Frequently asked questions
Can you taste the spinach?
Barely. Baby spinach is mild; the fruit dominates. Kale has a stronger flavor.
Is it OK to blend raw spinach?
Yes: raw baby spinach is commonly eaten in salads and smoothies.
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Gear for this recipe
Vitamix’s entry model blends nearly as smoothly as the 5200 with a shorter jar that fits under cabinets. It’s the high-end blender we’d recommend to most smoothie fans.
- Type
- Full-size
- Power
- 1,380 W (2 HP)
- Capacity
- 48 oz
- Warranty
- 5 years
More power than the BL610 plus Auto-iQ programs that pulse and pause for you: press “smoothie” and walk away. Smoother results with greens than cheaper Ninjas.
- Type
- Full-size
- Power
- 1,400 W
- Capacity
- 72 oz
- Warranty
- 1 year
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