I used to LOVE green smoothies, but only ones made with spinach (which simply melts into the texture undetected). But because spinach is often more expensive than other greens, I recently decided to switch things up by adding kale. Although kale has a much coarser texture and stronger flavor than spinach, I’ve found a great way to disguise both the flavor and texture!
Here are my tips on how to make an actually delicious kale green smoothie:
- Start with a base of almond milk and chia seeds. Chia seeds help thicken up the smoothie (the seeds absorb water and take on a gel-like texture, which is undetectable once they’re ground up) and add a boost of fiber, protein, and calcium. Sometimes I add a little water to thin things out.
- Add two large handfuls of kale. All that bitterness will be whirred away in a few seconds!
- Add frozen bananas. I leave bananas on my counter until they’re covered in brown spots, then I slice them into chunks and stick them in a plastic bag in the freezer. I add about half to one whole banana to my typical smoothie.
- Add frozen fruit. This adds great, icy body to the smoothie and flavor to hide the kale. I like strawberries or any frozen berry. (Mango is also great, but I find it’s not as appealing in a green smoothie.)
- Add peanut butter. A nice spoonful helps make everything creamy and further hide the flavor of the kale!
At this point, I always stop to taste and re-adjust. If I can taste the kale, I throw in more bananas/peanut butter/strawberries. Too thick? I add water or milk. Too thin? More fruit and another sprinkle of chia.
Perfect Kale Smoothie
Servings 1 smoothie
Calories 288kcal
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2-1 tablespoon chia seeds optional, but highly recommended!
- 2 cups kale or spinach
- 1/2-2/3 frozen banana
- 4-5 large frozen strawberries or other frozen fruit
- ½ tablespoon peanut butter or other nut butter
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender in the order listed. Blend until smooth.
Nicole
I have been wanting to try kale in my smoothies, but I hate the bitterness. I just read today that freezing the kale helps eliminate that taste! Wash, dry, and freeze for about 10hrs….guess what’s in my freezer right now? 😉 Hope
it works!
green smoothie recipes
This is a really nice way to get a lift after a walk or exercise, my partner whipped up a couple after our sunday ride and we both enjoyed them plus this smoothie is healthy, what more can you ask 🙂
Katie
I made this for the first time today and it was extremely delicious!! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
erika
Katie, I’m so glad! Thanks for letting me know 🙂
Hannah
Clean and green- Can’t go wrong with a smoothie so sweet and creamy as this. I’m still not crazy about all-kale blends, but am a big fan of the kale/spinach combo.
erika
Yeah, it took awhile for the kale to grow on me. I would drink use all spinach purely for taste, but kale is just so darn healthy. Darn that kale. I’m going to start doing combos–so smart!
Lianna
zucchini noodles with almond pesto?! that sounds like a meal I would order from a top notch raw food restaurant. my mind is blown that you have been doing so well with your raw food diet, 90% is pretty amazing! I’ve only tried making green smoothies a few times, but you’ve definitely inspired me to make healthier, vitamin and nutrient-packed smoothies! this would taste so great after a long run or any workout really. not that I really need an excuse for a smoothie 🙂
erika
Lol it wasn’t SO fance. Straight out of Smitten Kitchen’s cookbook! (Although I’d definitely order her food in a restaurant). Who would have guessed she has raw-friendly recipes? (At least one.) Lol my raw diet is definitely over, but it was good while it lasted…and yes, yay for nutrient-packed smoothies! You definitely need some after your crazy runs!
erika
Ps. You should definitely add chocolate protein powder or something to yours. It will make it look super murky but I hear protein powder/chocolate milk is awesome for recovery after workouts right?!
Barb @ Profiteroles & Ponytails
I think you may have just convinced me to give Kale a try. Great post!
erika
Yay! I hope you do give it a try! Thanks Barb 🙂
Kym
Hmmmm, i’ve just started to accept kale as part of my diet by having it baked to a crisp and enjoying it like chips but…. in a smoothie?? i’m hesitant. Veggies in smoothies just doesn’t make sense to me yet. BUT you make it sound so delicious and I did just invest in a super awesome food processor juicer thing… so maybe, maybe. 😉
erika
Omgosh. Please try it!! As long as you add enough banana/frozen fruit/nut butter, it totally tastes like a normal smoothie. Almost like a milkshake. But then I haven’t had a milkshake in a really long time, so I might not be the best judge. Esp with your fancy juicer!!! Try it and let me know!
Lilly Sue
Yummy shake!! I have been drinking a similar detox shake…spinach, strawberries, banana, fresh ginger, orange juice, almond milk 🙂
erika
That sounds great! I’m still not at the point where I’m inviting ginger into my smoothie parties, but sounds like a great power combo!
Nancy @ gottagetbaked
Erika, I really wish I had your will power. Reading your posts is really inspiring me to get my butt moving into the gym and towards a healthier diet. I don’t eat as badly as I used to but I still eat way too much processed foods, carbs and sugar. Smoothies freak me out because of the blended vegetables. I’ll let you know when I get over that fear and try one. As for the kale, I actually really like eating it. My husband HATES it, even though I tell him he should eat it because it’s so good for him. Have you made kale chips? I haven’t but according to the thousand bloggers out there who have, they’re supposed to be amazing.
erika
Oh Nancy, you flatter me so 🙂 But really, sometimes I wonder if all my detoxing is for nothing…I doubt I’m going to live longer than you and might as well enjoy life in all its processed carbs right? At least sometimes! (You should have seen my diet this past week–what I didn’t say in my blog post is how many MEXICAN PASTRIES I’VE EATEN!! I’ve literally been to 8 bakeries in the past 4 days. EIGHT. And you don’t just get one pastry at a Mexican bakery. This is my (delicious) penance.)
But yay for you! I keep hoping one day my taste buds will change and I’ll love eating kale. I haven’t made kale chips, but my friend’s mom made them and they are SO GOOD. How do you like eating kale??
Nancy @ gottagetbaked
I’ve been pretty boring with my kale-eating – I usually saute it with a crapload of garlic, or use it in soups. As for the enjoying oneself – I do a bit too much indulging. I’m sure I’m shortening my life span with every cake, cookie and doughnut I eat. I just freaking ate a handful of chocolate covered nuts right before writing this comment!
IRENASdots
As a kid I couldn’t eat kale as well, but today I love it! Combination of veggies and fruit is great way to sneak some veggies to our diet. Smoothies are best thing for breakfast (or instead of it). Thanks for sharing the recipe, I’ll give it a try, looks lovely <3 <3
erika
Ahh I WISH I loved raw kale!! I agree, smoothies are so great for breakfast and it’s so awesome when you can pack a serving of vegetables in! Let me know how you like it 🙂
IRENASdots
As a kid I couldn’t eat kace as well, but today I love it! Combination of veggies and fruit is great way to sneak some veggies to our diet. Smoothies are best thing for breakfast (or instead of it). Thanks for sharing the recipe, I’ll give it a try, looks lovely <3 <3
Kristi @ My San Francisco Kitchen
I never would have thought to add peanut butter, that sounds incredibly delicious!
erika
Thanks Kristi! Smoothies with nut butters are so good! Makes them so milkshake-y–I could drink them all day. With a side of your banana cream pie, hopefully!! 🙂
Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
Blech. I hate kale. I do love green smoothies though-just with spinach for me 😛
erika
That’s what I thought too! It took a little getting used to, but now I LOVE my kale smoothies. I feel like spinach ones are missing something! You should try ittttt 🙂
Melise
I love the high raw intake posts 🙂
erika
Thank you! 🙂
Bam's Kitchen
I have to admit I was pretty scared when I seen the glowing green concoction in a glass. If this was straight up kale, it would taste as bad as drinking chinese medicine. However very happy to hear that you hid the taste with berries, fruits and peanut butter, now that I could do. Happy detoxing!
erika
Haha Bam…no, I would never juice straight up kale. Ugh even thinking about that is gross! But yes, you should try this!
yummychunklet
Delicious looking green smoothie!
Alex @ Cookie Dough Katzen
I always try to choose greens over chocolates and sweets! Definitely easier said than done, right? I try and think of the great health benefits from choosing the healthier option. Great smoothie recipe!
erika
Thanks Alex! Yeah, lately it’s been more easy for me to choose these smoothies over dessert which I never thought would happen! They just taste so much like a milkshake 🙂
Brandi
I eat like this all the time! I have my detox smoothie every morning and it is by far the most popular recipe with hits daily. I’m addicted to my smoothies. I add spinach to mine too sometimes. I love kale but eat it in soups and bake it too. Your kale one looks yummy, minus the bananas, haha! I use nut butters to make them thick or just tons of fruit. I have a spinach pea pesto that you’d probably love. My friends make it all the time. 🙂
http://thehealthyflavor.com/2012/07/13/spinach-pea-pesto-2/
erika
That pesto looks fabulous!