Spinach and Pineapple Smoothie

This spinach and pineapple smoothie is a quick and refreshing way to boost your greens intake and it doesn't taste like dirt. It's naturally sweet and comes together in minutes, making it perfect for busy mornings or as an after-school snack. Main ingredients: pineapple, baby spinach, apple juice, lime

Serves:

Prep time: 3

Jump to Recipe

After years of trying to get my family to drink green smoothies - they kinda taste like dirt or weirdly banana - this spinach and pineapple smoothie has come up trumps. I make this a few times a week to boost our greens intake and simply because they are vibrant and tasty. This fresh green smoothie comes together in seconds with a handful of easy to find ingredients.

Why This Recipe Works

Reader Review. "I have to admit, day to day, leafy greens are not my favourite. This smoothie is the best and most enjoyable way to incorporate leafy greens into my day. Hidden veg recipes can exist for adults too, right?" (Madison) ★★★★★

Our spinach and pineapple smoothie has two packed cups of baby spinach in each serve.
There is no banana in this smoothie. It's clean, green and fresh. Don't get me wrong, I love bananas. But they make everything taste like...well, banana.
This smoothie is green, but tastes fruity rather than earthy.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Green smoothie ingredients in grid with labels.

Baby spinach. I use baby spinach so much. It's in my chickpea and spinach curry, my Marry Me chickpeas and I always throw it in spaghetti. For this green smoothie, baby spinach breaks down quickly in the blender and has a milder flavour than many leafy greens. You could use other greens like kale or English spinach but the smoothie will have a slightly more fibrous texture

Make sure to give your spinach a good wash before using it.

Pineapple. Pineapple adds natural sweetness, vitamin C and a lovely tropical flavour. Frozen pineapple also gives the smoothie a creamy texture.

Apple juice / apple. My kid doesn't like that apple gives the smoothie a slightly fibrous tongue feel, so this recipe uses a half-cup of apple juice.

To add more fibre, add a lovely sweet apple like a fuji or jazz to add sweetness, hydration and fibre. You'll need to swap the apple juice in the recipe for water.

Lemon or lime. Lemon or lime. Citrus adds brightness and acidity, which helps balance the sweetness of the fruit and masks some of the earthy flavour of the spinach. It also adds vitamin C.

Coconut natural yoghurt. A little yoghurt makes the smoothie smoother and creamier. If you choose a yoghurt with live cultures, it can also provide beneficial bacteria.

Water. Water helps keep the smoothie light and refreshing. You can swap some or all of it for coconut water if you enjoy the flavour.

A note on coconut water: Coconut water contains electrolytes, which can be useful when you're losing fluids through prolonged or heavy sweating - whether you're exercising or simply living somewhere hot enough to make perspiring your default setting. For the rest of us, water is generally more than enough to keep us hydrated.

How to Make a Spinach and Pineapple Smoothie

Are you ready for it?

OK, you throw all the ingredients in a blender, pop the lid on, and press "on."

Two food images with a green smoothie in a blender.

Mind blown, right? Just blend away until smooth and you're done.

Servings

This recipe will make either a larger smoothie (which I carry around in a jar and sip over the course of a morning) or two kid or small adult size.

FAQs

Can I use other greens instead of baby spinach?

You could swap spinach for kale, Swiss chard leaves, Romaine lettuce or even beetroot leaves. It's worth noting, they will affect the taste and texture of the smoothie. Whichever leafy green you choose, make sure to give it a good wash.

Is it OK to drink a green smoothie everyday?

Yes. For most people, there's no problem with drinking a green smoothie every day. What matters most is the overall balance and variety of your diet.

However, if you notice any digestive issues after drinking any smoothie, including this green one, take a break. Like with any food reactions, take note of the ingredients and explore whether you have reactions every time you consume them.

Can I add protein powder to this smoothie?

Sure. It will affect the flavour, is all. For added protein, you can also try adding a few tablespoons of silken tofu.

Is it safe to put raw spinach in a smoothie?

For most people, yes. Raw spinach is a nutritious food and is fine to eat as part of a varied diet. Spinach is high in oxalates, however, so people who have been advised to follow a low-oxalate diet - for example, some people who form calcium oxalate kidney stones - may need to limit their intake. If that applies to you, speak with your healthcare professional or dietitian.

More Plant-Powered Recipes

Sign up to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Insta for all the latest news. If you like this recipe, please check out my cookbook "Great Vegan Meals for the Carnivorous Family" It's full of simple, carnivore-approved family recipes.

Make This Recipe