This citrus power smoothie is sunshine in a glass. A whole orange and a whole lemon blend with sweet pineapple, banana and frozen mango for a bright, tangy drink that tastes like a tropical vacation.

It also hides a few vegetables. Raw yellow squash and carrots disappear right into the fruit, so you get an extra serving of veggies without tasting them at all. It blends in under a minute.

The Best Citrus Smoothie (Tropical, Tangy and Packed with Hidden Veggies)

A great citrus smoothie needs balance. Too much lemon and it puckers, too little sweetness and it tastes thin. This one gets it right by pairing the sharp, fresh citrus of a peeled orange and lemon with the natural sugar of fresh pineapple, ripe banana and frozen mango. No added sweetener is needed.

The texture comes from the frozen fruit. Two cups of frozen mango or a frozen tropical fruit blend chill the smoothie and make it thick and frosty without watering it down the way a pile of ice can. The banana adds creaminess, so the finished drink is smooth and spoonably thick rather than icy.

Then there are the vegetables. Half a raw yellow squash and a cup of carrots go straight into the blender. Yellow squash is mild and slightly sweet, so it vanishes into the fruit and adds body. Carrots add a gentle earthy sweetness and boost that golden orange color. Together they turn a fruit smoothie into a power smoothie.

Because the whole orange and lemon are blended in, not just their juice, you keep all the fiber of the fruit. A high powered blender like a Vitamix turns everything silky smooth. Serve it for breakfast, after a workout or as an afternoon pick me up on a warm day.

Why You’ll Love This Citrus Power Smoothie

Bright and tangy. Whole orange and lemon give it a fresh citrus kick.
Hidden vegetables. Yellow squash and carrots blend in so smoothly that no one will notice them.
No added sugar. Pineapple, banana and mango bring all the sweetness.
Fast. Blend for 30 to 45 seconds and it’s ready.

Ingredients You’ll Need

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

Water: The liquid base that gets the blender moving. Water keeps the flavor clean and lets the fruit shine. Add it first so the blades spin freely.
Orange: Peeled and added whole. It brings sweet citrus flavor plus the fiber you would lose with juice. Pull away as much of the white pith as you can, since it can taste bitter.
Lemon: Peeled and added whole for a bright, tart edge that wakes up all the tropical fruit. Remove the seeds first so they don’t add bitterness. If you prefer a sweeter smoothie, start with half a lemon.
Fresh pineapple chunks: Juicy and sweet with a natural tang that pairs perfectly with citrus. Fresh pineapple has a brighter flavor than canned. Look for a pineapple that smells sweet at the base and has a golden color, which means it’s ripe.
Banana: Peeled and added for natural sweetness and creaminess. A riper banana with brown speckles will make the smoothie sweeter and creamier, while a greener banana tastes more starchy.
Yellow squash: Half of a medium squash, raw and with seeds. It is very mild, so it disappears into the fruit while adding body and a little extra nutrition. Wash it well, since the skin goes in too.
Carrots: A cup of carrots adds earthy sweetness and deepens the golden color. Chop them into small pieces so they blend completely smooth. Baby carrots work too and save you the peeling and chopping.
Frozen mango or tropical fruit blend: The key to a thick, frosty smoothie. Frozen fruit chills the drink and adds body without diluting the flavor the way ice does. A tropical blend with pineapple, mango and papaya works just as well as straight mango.

How to Make a Citrus Power Smoothie

Prep the produce. Peel the orange, lemon and banana. Cut the yellow squash in half and chop the carrots into small pieces. Removing the lemon seeds now saves you from bitter bits later.
Load the blender in order. Add the ingredients to a Vitamix blender in the order listed: water, orange, lemon, pineapple, banana, squash, carrots and finally the frozen fruit. Liquids and soft fruit on the bottom help the blades catch, while the heavy frozen fruit on top pushes everything down.
Blend on high. Start on low for a few seconds, then turn the blender up to high. Blend for 30 to 45 seconds, until the smoothie is completely smooth with no flecks of carrot left. It should look bright golden orange and pour in a thick, steady stream.
Adjust the thickness. For a thicker smoothie, add more frozen fruit or ice 1/2 cup at a time and blend again. If it is too thick to blend, add a splash more water.
Serve right away. Pour into glasses and enjoy while it’s cold and frosty. The fresher it is, the brighter the citrus tastes. If it sits, the fruit and vegetable fibers start to settle and separate, so give it a quick stir before you sip.

Kami’s tip: Add the ingredients in the order listed and blend on high for 30 to 45 seconds. For a thicker smoothie, add more frozen fruit or ice 1/2 cup at a time.

Ways to Customize This Smoothie

Make it creamier. Swap the water for almond milk or add a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt.
Change the frozen fruit. Frozen peaches or strawberries work in place of mango.
Add greens. A handful of fresh spinach blends in easily, though it will change the color.
Turn down the tart. Use half a lemon, or skip it, for a sweeter, milder smoothie.

Citrus Power Smoothie FAQs

Can I really taste the squash and carrots? No. Raw yellow squash is very mild and the carrots are naturally sweet, so the citrus and tropical fruit cover them completely.
Do I need a Vitamix? A high powered blender works best because whole citrus and raw carrots need a strong motor to blend smooth. A regular blender may leave the carrots a little grainy, so chop them small and blend longer.
Do I peel the yellow squash? No. The recipe uses it raw and with seeds. Just wash it well and cut it into chunks.
Can I use orange juice instead of a whole orange? You can, but you will lose the fiber and some of the body. A whole peeled orange gives the best texture.
Can I use canned pineapple? Fresh pineapple tastes brighter, but drained canned pineapple works in a pinch.
Can I make it ahead? Smoothies are best fresh. You can store leftovers in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to a day; shake or re-blend before drinking, since it will separate.
Can I freeze it? Yes. Pour leftovers into ice cube trays or popsicle molds. Blend the frozen cubes with a splash of water for an instant smoothie, or enjoy the popsicles as a cool snack.
How do I make it thicker? Add more frozen fruit or ice, 1/2 cup at a time, and blend again.

Pineapple Mango Orange Smoothie

Citrus power smoothie made with whole orange and lemon, pineapple, banana and frozen mango, with raw yellow squash and carrots blended in. It is bright, tangy and naturally sweet with no added sugar.

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Ingredients

1 cup water
1 orange peeled
1 lemon peeled
2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
1 banana peeled
1/2 medium yellow squash raw and with seeds
1 cup carrots
2 cups frozen mangoes or frozen tropical fruit blend

Instructions

Add ingredients in Vitamix blender according to order listed. Blend on high for 30 to 45 seconds until desired consistency is met.
For thicker consistency, add more frozen fruit or ice 1/2 cup at a time.

Made this smoothie? Leave a star rating in the recipe card and tell me in the comments below if anyone noticed the hidden veggies.