This refreshing green spinach apple smoothie is among my favorites — and you'll love it too if you prefer smoothies that are juicy and not too thick.
The cucumber adds a deliciously refreshing flavor and definitely adds to the juiciness of this Spinach Apple Smoothie!
Tips, Tricks, & Variations
This recipe will make two 12-ounce or three 8-oz servings.
I used fresh spinach in this green smoothie. But you could also substitute kale if you prefer. I have also had readers report success with frozen spinach, but I would suggest defrosting and writing out the extra moisture before using it.
Any type of nondairy milk will work fine in this smoothie. I prefer almond milk but soy or cashew milk are also great choices. For a thicker smoothie, try substituting a dairy free yogurt instead.
The hemp or chia seeds are totally optional, but highly recommended. They add a nice punch of protein, and also help thicken up the smoothie.
If you like this Spinach-Apple Smoothie, you may enjoy learning about the top 10 benefits of green smoothies, as well as trying these other delicious and simple smoothie recipes:
Explore more recipes for Green Smoothies on VegKitchen!
Spinach and Apple Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 big handfuls baby spinach
- 1 medium apple cored and cut into large chunks
- 3- to 4- inch piece cucumber preferably peeled, cut into chunks
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla nondairy milk or water or half of each
- 1 to 2 tablespoons hemp seeds or chia seeds optional
- 2 teaspoons agave nectar or other liquid sweetener optional
- 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice to taste
- A few ice cubes optional
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a blender. Process until completely smooth. Divide between 2 or 3 glasses and serve at once.
Ellen Claire says
Just got a new blender, and this was the first recipe I tried in it--boy is it good! Yum!!!
Nava says
So flattered that you chose one of VK's recipes to try first, and that you enjoyed it!
Ewelina Savas says
Tried and love this recipe.I frequently use flax meal in my smoothies,particularly if I use water. Flax meal adds extra nutrients and fiber and curbs hunger. Love Chia seeds too.
Nava says
Thank you for your input, Ewelina — glad you enjoyed this!
Joy says
My husband and I are starting green smoothie mornings. This recipe looks great! I just have one question: why should it be served immediately? Is making it the night before, a bad idea?
Nava says
Joy, once you liquify veggies and fruits, they lose nutrients and the flavors go flat as well. You get the most benefits and best taste if you drink it right away!
Supreet Sandhu says
why spinach or any green leafy vegetable generally used in apple smoothie....???
Nava says
Supreet, having a leafy green in the smoothie adds a lot of fiber and antioxidants without adding too much of a "green" flavor. The greens also add a nice contrast to the sweetness and sugars in the apple. It's a great way to get the goodness of greens, broken down to the cellular level.
Barb A says
I just tried this recipe.. I was really good..
I did a couple of alterations to it though..
I used flax meal as I ran out of Chai and haven't been able to purchase more yet.. I didn't have agave, so I used a few chunks of honeydew.. I used unsweetened organic van. rice milk.. It is so very good.. Thank you for posting such a tasty recipe..
Donna says
This is a tasty smoothie! Will make it again! My husband even enjoyed it! Thanks so much for a great recipe!
jane says
Well here goes! Today I bough my nutra bullet I am looking at just vegie smoothies with milk and whey protein does anyone have any thoughts or ideas on this regards jane
Nava says
Jane, veggie smoothies will do you a lot of good, but why add dairy? You don't need it, nor does any adult need the milk that nature formulated especially for calves. Enjoy!
rosalind waltzman says
Can leftover smoothies be made into popsicles? TU!
Nava says
Rosalind, that's a great idea!
AM says
Smoothies need to be consumed within 20 minutes for full nutritional benefits. Beyond that, they lose their nutritional and fibrous punch but are still refreshing and definitely a better choice over canned sodas and other crappy caloric-laden alternatives!
Also, I don't share America's obsession with sugars or fats. I find the addition of agave or any other sweetner absolutely unnecessary in this smoothie or any other. Natural foods speak for themselves, need NO enhancements and I enjoy them in their natural form.
Your mileage will vary.
AM says
P.S. Nava is absolutely right. There's no reason for the nondairy (or dairy) addition! Fruits and veggies and seeds pack their own flavor punch and stand on their own. Don't understand why smoothie-makers feel a need to cloak their natural beauty with dairy or non-dairy (or added sweeteners).
Only time I use non-dairy (unsweetened soy milk in small amount) is in my evening treat -- a "milkshake" of banana, unsweetened dark cocoa and peanut butter and ice.
Buugi says
Wow, thank you so much for this recipe. I liked it a lot.I used organic soymilk. it was so good.
Nava says
Thanks so much; glad you enjoyed it!
lea says
Just made this sans sweetener and it's great. Even my 2 year old likes it.
Laura says
This is an exceptional smoothie.
Used granny smith apple, spinach,cucumber,water, lemon juice, agave syrup and it was beautiful.
Only one problem......
Can't stop drinking it. 😉
Nava says
The good thing is that you need not stop!
Nazia says
Hi, thank you for these recipes, they are very helpful for beginners like myself. My veggie smoothies seem to come out quite foamy...is this normal or am I doing something wrong? Also there seems to be a separation in the glass between the liquid and the veggies. Please help. Thanks:)
Sam says
Tried this as I'm trying to cut down on snacking at night will have it for breakfast tomorrow as it was so filling thank you for this great recipe!!!
Marka Howard says
Are you allowed to eat with this diet along with the smoothie?
sunshine says
I ran across this, and I've been drinking green smoothies for a couple of months and I need different ones to try they all sound good and from reviews they say they are good can't wait to try, thank you.
Rosemary says
Are you supposed to drink the entire thing? Also, what are the nutritional facts for this recipe; calories, fat, etc..
Nava says
Rosemary, this makes 2 or 3 servings, so find someone to share this with! We're working to analyze all of our recipes, but in the meantime you can DIY on myfitnesspal.com — you can be sure that each serving is very low in calories and has virtually no fat.
Keikei Val says
Love this site. So glad I found it.
Nava says
Thank you! I hope you come back often.
Carina says
Doing a green smoothie 30 day challenge and I had this one just now. Delicious, and very refreshing!! Thank you.
Kamma Dunning says
I was a little hesitant on the proportions; I didn't think one apple would be enough, but this smoothie is amazing!! I left the skins on and threw in a handful of cashews in place of the milk. I added cinnamon and vanilla just for kicks and I am loving this smoothie. Bravo!!
Nava says
Thanks for your feedback, Kamma. Love your tweaks — that's why simple recipes are great; they serve as templates that people can alter to suit their own tastes.
Erin Hagan says
This was the first green smoothie I've ever made and I love it! Might have me hooked!! (I added a banana to it, it tastes great!)
Nancy says
I used coconut water and it was delicious and refreshing!
Anupama Bharathula says
Will the lemon not spoil the milk?
Crystal Flanagin says
My first try at a smoothie. I was hesitant to use spinach, but it tastes pretty good. The aftertaselte is going to take some adjustment! Off to a fabulous start though! Thanks for the recipe!
Liz Swann { Red Smoothie Detox Factor Review } says
I don't like spinach. What can I sub?
Nava says
If you have a high-speed blender, try collard greens. But you'll be surprised, you won't even taste the spinach!
Neeru says
Hi!! It's a good recipe..please advice if I can replace cucumbers with some other veggie or fruits. Thanks!
Paul Kreher says
I've been doing a variation of kale smoothies everyday for nearly 2 years. My 45 year old body has never felt better. My smoothie is a meal, more concerned with general health and no worries about weight loss, but I exercise a ton! So...my meal includes the following:
non fat unsweetened greek yogurt, kale, cukes,1/2 sweet pepper, 1/3 cup oatmeal, Tart Cherry juice (keeps my joints happy), frozen berries, and...a raw egg. The egg adds awesome protein and raw is the most nutritious way to consume egg, as cooking will denaturate the protein. Today's supermarket eggs are super fresh and safe. No need for expensive hemp or chia, shoot-eggs are under $2 a dozen!
Christi says
I was really hungry and this tasty smoothie was just what i needed. Definatly a daily drink.
Zalak Desai says
I just tried this and it turned out to be great, I also added a kiwi in it. Tasted wonderful!
Roxanne says
This was my first time making a spinach smoothie and it was AMAZING. It tastes nutty and is nutritious of course. I highly recommend this recipe for anyone who is starting to drink green smoothies! It's not thick at all, I added three ice cubes and used 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk. It was dee-lish!
Lola says
I just tried making this and it really wasn't my favorite. I don't like the consistency and I thought the contrasting flavors would be way tastier. Would I make it again? probably not but I might try tweaking the recipe somehow