Getting Green Smoothie (Easy Spinach Smoothie)

If you need baby steps before jumping on board the “green” train, this smoothie is for you. It’s sweet, refreshing and scrumptious, with the spinach tucked in where you’ll never taste it.

This green smoothie for beginners blends fresh spinach and cucumber with green grapes, pineapple and banana. It’s ready in under a minute and tastes like a fruit smoothie that just happens to be green.

The Best Green Smoothie for Beginners (Sweet, Mild and Easy)

If you need baby steps before jumping on board the “green” train, this smoothie is for you. It’s very similar to my scrumptious All Green Smoothie, but with fewer green items that hopefully freak you out less. It’s simply tasty! I love green smoothies.

Have you read my post on making your own healthy smoothie? It lists 4 musts of smoothie making. One essential element is having a quality blender. Everything will be chunky and you will not be able to get a smooth consistency without an awesome blender.

I’ve heard good things about the Ninja and BlendTec, but I’m a Vitamix lover myself. Here’s why you should buy a Vitamix.

I love playing with different combinations and making them taste scrumptious… especially with hidden veggies. In this one, sweet green grapes, juicy pineapple and banana do the heavy lifting, while the spinach and cucumber quietly blend in. The result is light, fresh and naturally sweet, the perfect first step if green drinks make you nervous.

Why You’ll Love This Getting Green Smoothie

• Beginner friendly. Fewer green ingredients than an all green smoothie, so the flavor stays fruity.
• Two cups of spinach. A big handful of greens blends in without a trace of bitterness.
• Naturally sweet. Grapes, pineapple and banana sweeten it with no added sugar.
• Quick. Blend for 30 to 45 seconds and it’s ready to drink.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here is what goes into this easy green smoothie and what each ingredient does. Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.

• Water or vanilla almond milk: The liquid base. Water keeps it light and refreshing, while vanilla almond milk makes it creamier and a little sweeter. Pour it in first so the blender blades spin freely. Unsweetened vanilla almond milk adds flavor without much extra sugar, since the fruit already brings plenty.
• Green grapes: Sweet and juicy, they add lots of natural sugar and keep the color a bright green. Seedless grapes blend the smoothest, and frozen grapes make the smoothie extra cold.
• Fresh pineapple chunks: Pineapple’s sweet, tangy flavor is the best partner for greens because it covers any earthy taste from the spinach. Fresh pineapple tastes brighter than canned.
• Banana: Adds creaminess and body so the smoothie isn’t watery. A ripe banana with brown speckles is the sweetest and blends the smoothest. If your bananas are getting too ripe, peel and freeze them for future smoothies.
• Fresh spinach: Two cups of fresh spinach. Spinach is the mildest leafy green, which makes it perfect for beginners. Baby spinach is especially tender and blends easily. Wash it well before using. Pack the spinach loosely into the measuring cup rather than pressing it down, and add it after the liquid so it gets pulled into the blades.
• Cucumber: A half cup of chopped cucumber adds a cool, crisp freshness and extra hydration with almost no flavor of its own. There is no need to peel it if the skin is thin, just wash it and chop it into chunks.
• Ice or frozen banana: This is what makes the smoothie thick and frosty. Ice keeps it light, while a frozen banana makes it thicker and creamier without diluting the flavor.

How to Make a Getting Green Smoothie

1. Prep your produce. Wash the grapes, spinach and cucumber well, since all of them go into the blender skin and all. Peel the banana and chop the cucumber and pineapple into chunks so they blend quickly. Smaller pieces mean less work for the blender and a smoother finished drink.
2. Load the blender. Place all the ingredients in a Vitamix blender. Put the liquid in first, then the fruit and spinach, and the ice or frozen banana last so its weight pushes everything down toward the blades.
3. Blend on high. Blend on the highest setting for 30 to 45 seconds, until the smoothie reaches the consistency you like. It should be completely smooth and an even bright green, with no flecks of spinach. If the blender stalls, stop and push the ingredients down with the tamper, or add a splash of liquid.
4. Adjust the thickness. If you want a thicker consistency, add more ice 1/2 cup at a time and blend well. If it’s too thick, add a splash more water or almond milk. Taste it too. If you want it sweeter, a few more grapes or a little extra pineapple will do the trick.
5. Serve. Pour into glasses and enjoy right away while it’s cold and refreshing. Green smoothies taste best fresh, before the color starts to dull and the ingredients begin to separate. Serve it with a straw for an extra refreshing sip.

Ways to Customize This Green Smoothie

• Go greener. Once you love this one, try the All Green Smoothie for even more greens.
• Swap the fruit. Mango or green apple can stand in for the pineapple or grapes, and frozen mango makes it extra thick.
• Add a fresh twist. A squeeze of lemon or lime brightens the flavor and makes the greens taste even fresher.
• Add a boost. A spoonful of chia seeds or flaxseed meal blends right in.

Getting Green Smoothie FAQs

• Can you taste the spinach? Not really. Spinach is very mild, and the grapes, pineapple and banana cover its flavor.
• Do I need a Vitamix? A quality blender is one of the musts of smoothie making. I’m a Vitamix lover, though the Ninja and BlendTec are also well liked. A weaker blender can leave the smoothie chunky.
• Can I use frozen spinach? Yes. Frozen spinach makes the smoothie colder and thicker, so you may need less ice.
• What’s the difference from the All Green Smoothie? This one has fewer green ingredients, so it tastes fruitier and is a gentler place to start.
• Can I make it ahead? It’s best fresh. Leftovers can be kept in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to a day; shake or blend again before drinking.
• How do I make it thicker? Add more ice 1/2 cup at a time, or use a frozen banana instead of ice.
• Can I use kale instead of spinach? You can, but kale has a stronger, more bitter flavor. Spinach is the gentlest green, which is why it’s the best choice for this beginner smoothie.
• Can I freeze it? Yes. Pour it into ice cube trays and blend the cubes later with a splash of almond milk.
• Is it good for kids? Its sweet, fruity flavor makes it an easy way to introduce greens, and the bright color is fun.

Easy Green Smoothie with Grapes and Pineapple

Green smoothie for beginners made with fresh spinach and cucumber blended with green grapes, pineapple and banana. It tastes fruity and sweet, with fewer greens than an all green smoothie.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup water or vanilla almond milk
• 1 cup green grapes
• 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
• 1 medium banana peeled
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup chopped cucumber
• 1 cup ice or frozen banana

Instructions

 

• Place all ingredients in Vitamix blender. Blend on highest option for 30 to 45 seconds until desired consistency.
• If you want thicker consistency, add more ice 1/2 cup at a time. Blend well.

Made this smoothie? Leave a star rating in the recipe card and let me know in the comments below which combination is your favorite.

More Recipes You’ll Love

• All Green Smoothie
• Citrus Power Smoothie
• Orange Strawberry Banana Smoothie
• Banana Apple Oatmeal Smoothie
• More Jamba Juice copycat recipes