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    Home » All Recipes » Breakfast + Brunch

    Green Breakfast Smoothie

    Published: Feb 28, 2020 · Modified: Sep 6, 2021 by Megan · This post may contain affiliate links.

    2.1K shares
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    green breakfast smoothies with spinach and blueberries in cups

    Are you looking for a simple Green Breakfast Smoothie that ACTUALLY tastes good?! If so, then this easy 5-ingredient vegan green smoothie filled with fruit and veggies is for you!

    green breakfast smoothie in cup with cacao nibs and hemp seeds on top

    Not only is making this banana spinach smoothie at home affordable, but it can be made in 5 minutes or less and is easy to meal prep for the week. This morning green smoothie recipe is healthy, contains a natural source of protein, and is the perfect grab-and-go breakfast option!

    How to make a vegan breakfast smoothie

    Okay now I know you must be excited to start making this simple green smoothie. So, let's chat about the ingredients, tools, and substitutes you can use in this smoothie recipe.

    Ingredients:

    • Frozen bananas 
    • Frozen blueberries
    • Spinach (Frozen or fresh)
    • Plant-based milk (I prefer oat milk)
    • Raw & shelled hemp seeds

    While completely optional, I also love to top my vegan smoothies with cacao nibs, dried goji berries, or extra hemp seeds for a little crunch!

    Tools:

    There is only one tool you need to make a great smoothie recipe and that is a good blender. While I would love to have a Vitamix in my life someday, I currently use my Kitchenaid K400 Blender and it does the trick!

    I will say, in order to get a good creamy smoothie texture, you are going to want to invest in a semi-decent blender. Again, it doesn't have to be an expensive Vitamix, but definitely pick an option that you know can really chop and blend up frozen fruit and veggies.

    Once you have all the ingredients for this hemp seed smoothie, simply add them to a blender and blend until smooth. It's really that easy!

    green smoothie ingredients being added to blender and blended

    Smoothie substitution ideas:

    For frozen bananas:

    This is the one ingredient I actually don't recommend substituting. Why? Because it is what gives this smoothie that pleasant sweet taste to counteract the bitterness of greens.

    Plus, bananas are incredibly high in potassium, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin C. Personally, they give me a ton of energy to tackle the day!

    If you really want a green smoothie with no banana, it can be subbed 1:1 for frozen cauliflower. Cauliflower gives smoothies a similar creamy texture like bananas do, however, it will offer no sweetness. If I use cauliflower in a smoothie in place of banana, I almost always add in 1 pitted date or 2 Tbsp maple syrup.

    For frozen blueberries:

    I chose to add blueberries into this recipe because they happen to be my absolute favorite berry for smoothies! However, blueberries can be subbed 1:1 for any other frozen berry.

    This includes strawberries, blackberries, or raspberries. Technically, you could even add in frozen cranberries, but if that's what you're looking for I'd actually recommend checking out my Cranberry Orange Smoothie Bowl recipe instead (just add more milk for a smoothie vs. thick smoothie bowl).

    Another option could be frozen kiwi or frozen mango chunks!

    For Spinach:

    Spinach is my FAVORITE green for veggie shakes because it is very mild, contains a decent amount of iron (which is harder to get as a vegetarian), and it has a very smooth texture.

    I prefer to use fresh spinach for this recipe, but frozen spinach works just as well (just expect a thicker smoothie).

    If you don't have spinach, it can be replaced for kale, arugula, or even romaine. The tastes of this vegan green smoothie will be different, but if it's too strong, add in more banana or even a fresh pitted date to sweeten up this green morning smoothie.

    For oat milk:

    For this green protein smoothie, I used oat milk. I love using oat milk because it is SO creamy and happens to be nut-free.

    However, literally ANY plant-based nut, seed, or grain milk works in this recipe as a 1:1 substitute. That means almond milk, rice milk, cashew milk, flax milk, soy milk, coconut milk, sesame milk, hemp milk, pistachio milk- and virtually any other combo you can think of!

    For hemp seeds:

    Hemp seeds are a great source of omega-3 and omega-6, Vitamin E, and protein. Also, they are a complete protein source and contain all 9 essential amino acids that you must obtain from your diet (aka your body cannot produce these naturally).

    I buy my hemp seeds from Manitoba Harvest, but they also have flavored protein powder varieties you can add to this smoothie for more flavor. Also, once the package is opened, I store my hemp seeds in the fridge or freezer to maintain freshness.

    If hemp seeds aren't your thing, flax seeds or chia seeds work as a good substitute (though I would cut the amount in half). If you do use chia seeds, drink the smoothie right away or it will turn into a gelatinous mixture called a chia seed pudding.

    green smoothie poured from blender into smoothie glass

    Smoothie add-in ideas:

    There are also additional ingredients you can to this green smoothie to give it extra flavor and enhance the benefits of having a smoothie for breakfast. Here are a few of my favorite add-ins:

    • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (for even more protein and for a flavored smoothie)
    • 1 Tbsp cacao nibs (for a crunch and even more antioxidants)
    • ½ avocado (for a greener and creamier smoothie)
    • 1 Tbsp almond butter (for a creamier thicker smoothie. Can also be replaced with any nut or seed butter)
    • ¼ tsp cinnamon (for a flavorful kick!)

    Can you store smoothies in the fridge?

    If you have any leftover green smoothies, they will keep in a covered container for one day in the fridge.

    Sometimes I make two smoothies at a time and then I just shake the stored refrigerated one the next day before drinking it.

    Since there are no gums or additives in this smoothie, separation will naturally occur if stored for a longer time, so just make sure to stir before enjoying leftovers.

    two green smoothies in cups with blueberries, hemp seeds, and spinach

    I truly hope this recipe convinces you that greens in the morning be healthy, simple, AND taste good. If you are ready for an easy & healthy breakfast option, go out and make this vegan, gluten-free, and added-sugar free Green Breakfast Smoothie recipe today!

    More healthy vegan breakfast recipes you will love:

    • a bowl of maple almond granola and milk with a tray of extra baked granola
      Vegan Maple Almond Butter Granola
    • a purple smoothie bowl with blueberries, granola, and pansy flowers on top
      Blueberry Lemon Smoothie Bowl
    • Vegan Banana Blender Pancakes
    • two watermelon strawberry smoothies with watermelon wedge on top with slices of fresh watermelon on side
      Strawberry Watermelon Smoothie (Vegan)

    If you loved this recipe, please leave a 5-star review on the recipe card. I always appreciate your feedback and support! You can also follow along on my Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Pinterest, or sign up for our newsletter!

    two green breakfast smoothies with spinach, blueberry, banana, hemp seeds

    Green Breakfast Smoothie

    A simple 5-ingredient green breakfast smoothie that makes the best protein packed healthy breakfast to start the day!
    4.50 from 6 votes
    Print Pin
    Course: Breakfast + Brunch
    Cuisine: Vegan
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 2 8 oz smoothies
    Author: Megan Horowitch

    Ingredients 
    US Customary - Metric

    • 1 ½ cups frozen bananas
    • 1 cup spinach loosely packed
    • 1 ¼- 1 ½ cups oat milk use less for thicker smoothie
    • ¼ cup frozen blueberries
    • ¼ cup hemp seeds

    Instructions

    • Add all of the ingredients to a blender. Then, blend on high speed for 2+ minutes until the smoothie is completely blended and smooth.
    • Pour the green smoothie into a large 16 oz glass or two 8 oz glasses and enjoy!

    Notes

    • There is only one tool you need to make a great smoothie recipe and that is a good blender. While I would love to have a Vitamix in my life someday, I currently use my Kitchenaid K400 Blender and it does the trick!
    • Oat milk can be substituted 1:1 for any plant-based milk
    • Spinach can be substituted 1:1 for any green, though it will affect the flavor of the smoothie since spinach is very mild.
    • Frozen blueberries can be substituted 1:1 for any berry, but it will change the flavor of the breakfast smoothie.
    • It is best not to substitute frozen bananas because of their unique texture and sweetness. However, if you really want a green smoothie with no banana, it can be subbed 1:1 for frozen cauliflower. Cauliflower gives smoothies a similar creamy texture like bananas do, however, it will offer no sweetness. If I use cauliflower in a smoothie in place of banana, I almost always add in 1 pitted date or 2 Tbsp maple syrup.
    • If you would like a substitute for hemp seeds, flax seeds or chia seeds work as a good substitute (though I would cut the amount in half)

    Nutrition

    Serving: 8ounces | Calories: 339kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 84mg | Potassium: 575mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 1926IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 272mg | Iron: 5mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @shortgirltallorder or tag #sgtoeats!
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    Hi, I'm Megan! I believe eating plant-based food can be enjoyable for everyone. Eating plants doesn't have to be hard and it certainly shouldn't be boring. I am here to help you on your journey to eating food you actually feel good about and to make cooking at home fun again! 

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