4.94 from 15 votes

Green Protein Smoothie

Name: Green Protein Smoothie
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 frozen banana; 1 scoop vanilla protein powder; 1 cup cold unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or other milk); 2 cups baby spinach (loosely packed ); 1 Tablespoon chia seeds

Brittany MullinsUpdated Jun 12, 2023

GF DF V VG HP

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Servings: 1

5 mins

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This green protein smoothie is packed with spinach, banana and vanilla protein powder and makes for the perfect healthy breakfast or post-workout snack! Added bonus: it’s vegan and dairy-free!

A mason jar containing green protein smoothie. The jar is resting on a plate with a small bowl of protein powder. The smoothie has been topped with chia seeds and a wooden straw sticks out of the top of the glass.

I go through phases with smoothies — I’ll be on a total kick, making one every single morning, and then for whatever reason, I just stop. Anyone else? It’s a whole cycle! But right now, I’m firmly back in smoothie mode, and this green protein smoothie has been on repeat.

It’s super simple to make, comes together in minutes, and actually keeps me full (which can be hard to find with smoothies!). I love that it’s packed with nutrients from the spinach, healthy fats from chia seeds, and a boost of protein to keep energy levels steady all morning long. Whether you’re trying to add more greens to your diet or just want an easy breakfast or snack, this smoothie is such a good one to have in your rotation.

Why You Gotta Try This One

Woman (Brittany Mullins) wearing a white shirt and sipping a green smoothie.

Some smoothies feel like a gamble… this one never lets me down. It’s easy to make, easy to customize, and always leaves me feeling energized and clear-headed. A solid go-to when you want something light, fresh, and actually nourishing!

Ingredients Needed

Ingredients measured out to make a green protein smoothie: chia seeds, spinach, vanilla protein powder, almond milk and frozen banana.

banana – make sure you’re using a frozen banana for a refreshing smoothie! If you’re not a fan of bananas, I have some tips for you below.
vanilla protein powder – my favorite protein powder is Nuzest. Use code eatingbirdfood for 15% off your order!
milk – I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk but any milk works! Here’s how to make homemade almond milk.
baby spinach – spinach is a really mild leafy green so you’ll get the benefit of the greens without the strong taste!
chia seeds – adds healthy fat and fiber to the smoothie.

Make It Your Own

Once you’ve got the base recipe down, there are so many fun ways to play with this smoothie:

Add extra greens: Baby spinach blends in beautifully, but you can toss in a little kale or even frozen zucchini if you want to boost the green factor without changing the taste much.
Sneak in more nutrients: Toss in a scoop of ground flaxseed, a few frozen cauliflower florets, or even a spoonful of Greek yogurt for extra protein and creaminess.
Top it off: Pour it into a bowl and add your favorite toppings like granola, hemp seeds, almond butter drizzle, or fresh berries. It instantly becomes a nourishing smoothie bowl.

How to Make Green Protein Smoothie

This smoothie couldn’t be easier to whip up. Just toss everything in your blender, hit blend, and sip away! It’s perfect for busy mornings or a quick, nourishing snack.

Frozen banana slices, vanilla protein powder, vanilla almond milk, spinach and chia seeds in a high powered blender.

Step 1: Add banana, milk, protein powder, spinach, and chia seeds to a high-powered blender.

Ingredients for green protein smoothie blended together in a high powered blender.

Step 2: Blend until completely smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Pro Tip!

Protein powder matters: If your smoothie tastes chalky or too sweet, it’s probably the protein powder. I recommend using a clean, mild-tasting brand like Nuzest. If you’re trying a new powder, blend everything but the protein first, then add a little at a time to avoid overpowering the smoothie.

If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.

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4.94 from 15 votes

Green Protein Smoothie

By: Brittany Mullins

This green protein smoothie is creamy, refreshing, and packed with nourishing ingredients like spinach, chia seeds, and banana. A quick and easy breakfast or post-workout snack!

Prep Time: 5

Total Time: 5

Servings: 1

Ingredients

▢ 1 frozen banana
▢ 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
▢ 1 cup cold unsweetened vanilla almond milk, or other milk
▢ 2 cups baby spinach, loosely packed
▢ 1 Tablespoon chia seeds

Instructions

Place all ingredients into a high-powered blender and blend until smooth.

Notes

What to use instead of protein powder: If you don’t have protein powder on hand, you can add protein in a variety of ways. You can mix in Greek yogurt, nuts, nut butter or seeds. I tried this smoothie with Greek yogurt instead of protein powder and it was very spinachy so I’d recommend using only 1 cup spinach if using yogurt as the protein. If you add nuts or seeds, I recommend adding about 2 Tablespoons total.
What to swap the banana with: You can replace the frozen banana with ice or frozen milk ice cubes (about 1 cup), frozen cauliflower rice (start with 1/4 cup), frozen zucchini or other frozen fruit like mangos or peaches.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like This Recipe? Rate & Comment Below!

An overhead photo looking at a mason jar containing green protein smoothie that has been topped with black chia seeds. A straw sticks out of the mason jar.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best protein powder?

My favorite protein powder is Nuzest. It has a short ingredient list, clean ingredients, is allergen friendly and has no chalky taste! Use code eatingbirdfood for 15% off your order!

How can I add protein without using protein powder?

If you don’t have protein powder on hand, you can add protein in a variety of ways. You can mix in Greek yogurt, nuts, nut butter or seeds. I tried this smoothie with Greek yogurt and felt it was very spinachy, so if you go that route I recommend reducing the spinach to just 1 cup. If you add nuts or seeds, I recommend adding about 2 Tablespoons total.

How often can I eat a protein smoothie?

If you’re a smoothie fan, feel free to eat one once a day! I love getting extra nutrients in from fruits and veggies in smoothies. Since they are a lighter option, I recommend enjoying them as a snack or for breakfast and not as a full meal replacement.

Are smoothies good for weight loss?

Yes! Protein smoothies are amazing for weight loss and weight management. My recipes are made with whole food ingredients and packed with nutrients and protein.

Why would you want to add more protein to your diet?

So many reasons! It’s great for balancing out your snacks and meals so you feel fuller and more satisfied. It can help you build muscle, increase energy and can help with weight management.

A mason jar containing green protein smoothie, topped with black chia seeds. A wooden straw sticks out of the top of the smoothie.

More Smoothie Recipes to Try

Be sure to check out all of the smoothie recipes on EBF!

4.94 from 15 votes (10 ratings without comment)

Green Protein Smoothie

Ingredients Needed

Make It Your Own

How to Make Green Protein Smoothie

Pro Tip!