It’s not easy being green … or is it? We took that challenge for National Spinach Day on March 26. How? We taste tested a variety of spinach smoothie recipes and are reporting back as to which ones made the cut. Finding the best spinach smoothie recipe is one exercise that is not for the faint of heart!
Matt and I have made fitness a priority in our lives over the past few years. It’s been a long, tough, painful, sweaty, exhausting, (need I go on … ?) journey but it has been so worth it. And I have to admit, I’ve become kind of obsessed. So on National Spinach Day, we decided to let the wholesome and green fun begin!
We typically make berry and banana smoothies with our Vitamix.
I’ve been really hesitant to add greens into our container. Despite a love of spinach salads, the thought of blending it just makes me shake my head “no.” But I am willing to give it a try. Here are the recipes we taste tested, as well as our unbiased, uncensored and unpaid reactions. We’d love for you to celebrate with us by trying them too and sharing your thoughts!
GOING GREEN SMOOTHIE
- One cup water
- One cup green grapes
- ½ cup chopped pineapple
- ½ banana
- Two cups spinach
- ½ cup ice cubes
Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid. Select “Variable 1.” Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to high. Blend for 45 seconds or until desired consistency is reached. Serve immediately. (Recipe courtesy of Vitamix)
SMOOTHIE ONE REVIEW:
Matt: You can really taste the grapes in this first smoothie. It’s a little overwhelming actually. The texture is also a little chewy, which I wasn’t expecting.
Annemarie: I was highly doubtful of this smoothie because of the grapes. I had a bad experience once accidentally putting red grapes in the mix, the result made my smoothie taste like wine. But the grapes are great in this recipe. It’s more like a juice than a smoothie though.
Matt: This would be refreshing on a hot day.
Annemarie: You would need hungry again within 20 minutes if this was all you ate. This probably needs to be paired with something else to make it a meal.
SPINACH AND BANANA POWER SMOOTHIE
- One cup plain soy milk
- ¾ cup packed fresh spinach leaves
- One large banana sliced
Blend soy milk and spinach leaves together in a blender until smooth. Add banana and pulse until thoroughly blended. (Recipe courtesy of Allrecipes)
SMOOTHIE TWO REVIEW:
Matt: I am surprised by the floral taste of this smoothie.
Annemarie: This recipe popped up when I googled “best spinach smoothie recipe,” so I had high hopes for it. It’s good. I wouldn’t say it’s the best ever, but it’s definitely good.
Matt: It’s definitely more filling than the first one. It has a unique creamy texture. I’d make this one again …
Annemarie: I feel like it needs something added, maybe peanut butter?
Matt (after stirring in some PB2 and tasting the new version): Well, hmm … that was not a good addition. It now tastes like some sort of weird Thai Salad in a glass.
STRAWBERRY BANANA SPINACH SMOOTHIE
- Six to seven large frozen strawberries
- One frozen banana
- Two cups orange juice
- ½ cup yogurt, kefir, or coconut milk (we used yogurt)
- One to two cups spinach
Combine all the ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. (Recipe courtesy of Meaningful Eats)
SMOOTHIE THREE REVIEW:
Matt: Smoothie three reminds me of the old Orange Julius at the mall, but not as sweet. I think I expected it to be creamier.
Annemarie: My first impression is its tartness! Subsequent sips weren’t as tart … I really like this one. I’d make this again.
Matt: I think we should start adding spinach into our smoothie routine …
Annemarie: I agree. I really liked all three of these “new-to-me” variations. Spinach has a lot of nutrition packed into those leaves and it’s easy to add. It didn’t add the bitterness that I was expecting.
THE WINNER:
Matt: I liked the second one, Spinach and Banana Power Smoothie.
Annemarie: If I had to choose, I’d pick the third one, Strawberry Banana Spinach Smoothie!
Looking for other healthful, breakfast recipes? Check out this easy biscotti recipe!
How are you going to #MakeEveryDayanEvent? Share your reactions to our smoothie recipes here!
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