10 Tasty Green Smoothie Recipes

Making green smoothies can be one of the most joyful experiments to take place in the kitchen. What is not to love? It’s one of the few things out there that is quick, easy and healthy to the extreme. You won’t have to deal with a big mess afterward. Best of all, it’s a great way to sneak some amazing extra nutrition into the diet of those you love.

The green smoothie recipes contained herein will get your started. Once you get a feel for the combinations that taste good to your palate, you will be able to come up with crafty inventions on the fly. Once you get hooked, it is hard to believe that something so healthy can taste so divine.

1. A powerful blender - Turning greens into a smooth puree is tough on the motor of a blender. I’ve had one die on me that was doing great prior to my green smoothie experiments. Consider upgrading your blender if you plan to make smoothies on a consistent basis. Although the price of a Vita-Mix or Blendtec may seem a little tough to swallow at first, any raw food enthusiast will tell you it’s well worth it.
   
2. Sharp knives and a big cutting board - Having the proper tools around the house makes the chopping a whole lot more fun.
3. Really fresh produce - Be sure that your fruits and vegetables are fresh and crisp. Some assume that since the contents are being blended, you can fake it with something that has been living in the crisper for a while. This is definitely not the case.
   

Add your greens to the blender first along with enough water to avoid strain on the motor. Blend thoroughly and bring to a good consistency. Once the green portion is looking smooth, add fruit and blend some more. It’s better to over-blend than under-blend as most will agree smoothies taste best without chunks of fiber that escaped the blade.

Adding just the right amount of water to suit your tastes is something that can only come with experience. If in doubt, pour in a modest amount, blend and give it a try. You can always add more later.

Most of these recipes are fruit based as this is usually associated with “tasty” more than strictly veggie-based smoothies. The exceptions are Victoria and Sergei Boutenko's favourites at the bottom.

Berry Blast

1/2 pint rasberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 pint blueberries
2 bananas
3 big handfuls of baby spinach
Water to thin

Citrus Surfer

Zest of an lemon
1 whole seedless orange, cut in quarters, flesh and sections (keep the pith for fiber)
1/2 banana
1 large Swiss chard leaf (slice off the ribs)
Water to thin

Apple Plum Fairy

1/2 banana
Zest and juice of a lemon
1 small apple, cored, skin left on
2 Italian plums, pitted, skin left on
Apple juice to thin

Strawberry Banana Romaine

1 cup of strawberries
2 bananas
1/2 bunch of romaine lettuce
Water to thin

Parsley and Pear

1/4 bunch of fresh parsley
2 large pears
1 stalk of celery
2-3 tablespoons of coconut cream
Water to thin

Avocado and Kiwi

2 kiwi fruits, skin removed
1 banana
1 mango
3 cups of kale
1 avocado
Water to thin

Spicy Island

1/2 head romaine lettuce
1 cup pineapple
1 large mango
1 inch slice of fresh ginger
Water to thin

Dragon’s Treasure

1 large dragon fruit
2 bananas
1 small handful of parsley
1 bunch of bok choy
Water to thin

Victoria Boutenko's Favourite

6 leaves of red leaf lettuce
1/4 bunch of fresh basil
1/2 lime (juiced)
1/2 red onion
2 celery sticks
1/4 avocado
2 cups of water

Note: For those that don’t know, Victoria Boutenko is an esteemed author on the subject of raw food. Her top selling book “Green for Life” is extremely popular among enthusiasts for it’s great advice and recipes.

Sergei Boutenko's Favourite

5 kale leaves (green)
1/2 bunch of fresh dill
1/2 lime (juiced)
3 cloves garlic
1/4 cup sundried tomatoes
2 cups of water

Note: This is Victoria’s husband. The entire Boutenko family began to follow a raw food diet to combat various health problems. Noticing drastic improvements to their health, the Boutenko’s have become advocates of raw foods.