The best green smoothie with frozen banana, peanut butter and baby spinach. If you’re new to green smoothies this is the perfect recipe to start with.
If the thought of drinking kale, spinach, collard greens and swiss chard makes you cringe, please don’t leave just yet! I promise that you can create green smoothies that actually taste good and they’ll make you feel good too!
To be honest, I’ve always liked green smoothies, but never tried drinking them on a regular basis until recently.
And it’s been amazing!
I’ve made a a bunch of different green smoothies over the years and I always feel awesome after drinking them.
It makes sense considering leafy greens are one of the most nutritious foods you can eat. It’s one of the reasons I love incorporating one large salad a day, but putting greens in your smoothie is such an easy way to pack a lot of greens into one meal.
Benefits of Eating Dark Leafy Greens
I’m sure you’ve heard that greens are good for you, but did you know that greens are high in calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, zinc and vitamins A, C, E and K? They’re also crammed with fiber, folic acid, chlorophyll and many other micronutrients and phytochemicals. The benefits of leafy greens are amazing. Here are a few:
Blood purification
Cancer prevention
Improved circulation
Strengthened immune system
Promotion of healthy intestinal flora
Promotion of subtle, light and flexible energy
Lifted spirit and elimination of depression
Improved liver, gall bladder and kidney function
Cleared congestion, especially in lungs by reducing mucus
Getting Started with Green Smoothies
Baby spinach has a mild flavor and is a great place to start! Add a handful or two of baby spinach into your smoothies then work your way up to adding a larger amount of spinach or different greens that are a little more pungent like collards and kale.
Use frozen fruit! Frozen bananas and mango add a nice sweetness, great texture and cover up the taste of the greens really well. <– Just make sure your bananas are ripe and that you peel them before freezing. I like to slice them in half (or in chunks) and put them in freezer-safe bags or storage containers before placing in the freezer.
I recommend using a high-powered blender like a Vitamix. If you don’t have one you can still make green smoothies, but you’ll probably have to deal with pieces of un-blended greens. Just be sure to check your teeth. 😉 For what it’s worth, I LOVE my Vitamix.
Remember that green smoothies don’t have to be green. When you include other colorful fruits (like berries) into the smoothie the color isn’t always green.
I’ve been using plant-based protein powder in my smoothies. My favorite protein powder brand is sweetened with stevia and that definitely helps to make the smoothie taste delicious.
One of my favorite green smoothies to date is this one with banana and peanut butter. This combo never disappoints and it’s delicious in this smoothie! I promise you won’t taste the spinach at all. I hope this post will inspire you to try a green smoothie, if you haven’t before and if you have, perhaps it will be a friendly reminder to add a green smoothie or two back into your routine. Drink up and enjoy all the great benefits!
If you try this peanut butter banana green smoothie be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Your feedback is super helpful for the EBF team and other EBF readers.
3/4 cup cold unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or other milk)
2 handfuls of baby spinach
Instructions
Add all ingredient into a high powered blender and blend until smooth. If the smoothie seems too thick you can add a splash more almond milk. Once the consistency is to your liking, pour into a glass and enjoy!
Yay!! So glad you enjoyed this smoothie, Maren. Thanks for trying my recipe and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. 🙂
Ahh yay!! That makes me so happy to hear, Casey. 🙂 So glad you’re enjoying this smoothie. Thanks for trying it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it!
This is THE. BEST. Packed with healthy fats, fiber and protein, the PB and banana totally hide the spinach and the texture is so so smooth. I used PB2 powder and then added a tsp of good old Jiff for texture and a little fat. Soooo good. Adding this to my morning routine!
Ahh yay!! So glad you enjoyed this smoothie, Elizabeth! Thanks so much for giving it a try and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I really appreciate it. 🙂
I hate waking up not knowing what to eat for breakfast, so getting this in my email made breakfast easy today! Peanut butter, banana + Tera’s Whey bourbon vanilla protein powder is actually my go-to when I do make smoothies but I never thought to add spinach. It didn’t add a spinachy taste but somehow it tasted better than when I make it without. I think I’m going to try the cinnamon oatmeal cookie smoothie next time!
Ahh yay!! That makes me so happy to hear, Molly. I’m so glad you enjoyed this smoothie. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. <3
I love this recipe!! For me, it makes almost the perfect smoothie. It’s a little on the thicker side, but if you don’t enjoy that, add milk! Also, if you aren’t into the strong vanilla flavor (like me!!), add only half a scoop of a few tablespoons of the protein powder!
Is a pint of green smoothie enough to have for lunch? I had a pint of my pint about an hour ago and I was full at the time but now I’m hungry again. I love spinach and I wonder if eating the food in the smoothie would be more filling than drinking it.
Thank you for such wonderful info! Working on getting more green into my smoothie, and you have been a great inspiration. Know I want to find these bean burgers…
This green smoothie is life changing! I am very new to smoothie making but this one tastes amazing:) I really can’t believe that you can’t taste the spinach at all! This is a great alternative to eating salads all the time.
It’s official. I am obsessed with your blog! I’m a second year grad student and have very limited time to prepare food on my own that isn’t frozen, but with a little bit of time and effort I have made a few of your recipes this weekend, and I feel SO energized that I will definitely keep continuing! It’s so worth it 🙂 I literally feel 10 times more energized!
Hi really liking your blog. I am big smoothie enthusiast. I was just wondering why you recommend freezing fresh bananas and using them? Is it just for coldness and texture or is there another reason i’m missing? Thanks!
To CR:
I personally use frozen bananas mostly because I don’t want them to go bad over the period of time, but when they’re frozen, you can skip the ice step sometimes and it really doesn’t change the texture. I can assume that with non frozen bananas, it will be a tad more creamy, but when I use frozen bananas, it pretty much leaves the same texture.
I hope this helps!
Green smoothies are the best!! Thanks for your article. I’ve been thinking about throwing some peanut butter in mine. Didn’t know if it would be good. Here’s a link to my recipe. I drink one every morning!
<a href="http://forkstofeet.blogspot.com/2013/03/green-smoothie-recipe.html
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So yummy!! Tried with crunchy peanut butter and omitted protein powder, and it was the best!! Still a great snack without the added protein.
★★★★★
So glad you loved this recipe! Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it, Haley.
This smoothie was so yummy!!
★★★★★
This smoothie is so simple and tasty. Will definitely be making it again!
★★★★★
Yay!! So glad you enjoyed this smoothie, Maren. Thanks for trying my recipe and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. 🙂
Yummmmm!!! My pickiest eater and I shared these for breakfast and she gobbled it ALL up! Thanks Brittany😃
★★★★★
Yay!! So glad this smoothie was a hit, Erica. 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it!
Absolutely love love love this smoothie. So simple and such a burst of flavour!
★★★★★
So glad you enjoyed this smoothie, Amrita! Thanks for trying it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. 🙂
I may or may not have made this three days in a row! Soo good, cant even taste the spinach. Looking forward to trying more of your recipes 🙂
★★★★★
Ahh yay!! That makes me so happy to hear, Casey. 🙂 So glad you’re enjoying this smoothie. Thanks for trying it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it!
Love the combination! Amazing
★★★★★
This is THE. BEST. Packed with healthy fats, fiber and protein, the PB and banana totally hide the spinach and the texture is so so smooth. I used PB2 powder and then added a tsp of good old Jiff for texture and a little fat. Soooo good. Adding this to my morning routine!
★★★★★
Ahh yay!! So glad you enjoyed this smoothie, Elizabeth! Thanks so much for giving it a try and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I really appreciate it. 🙂
I hate waking up not knowing what to eat for breakfast, so getting this in my email made breakfast easy today! Peanut butter, banana + Tera’s Whey bourbon vanilla protein powder is actually my go-to when I do make smoothies but I never thought to add spinach. It didn’t add a spinachy taste but somehow it tasted better than when I make it without. I think I’m going to try the cinnamon oatmeal cookie smoothie next time!
★★★★★
Ahh yay!! That makes me so happy to hear, Molly. I’m so glad you enjoyed this smoothie. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. <3
This is my go-to breakfast smoothie! Love adding a few shakes of cinnamon (for flavor and anti-inflammatory properties!)
That smoothie looks really great! Thank you for sharing the recipe. Keep up the great work!
I love this recipe!! For me, it makes almost the perfect smoothie. It’s a little on the thicker side, but if you don’t enjoy that, add milk! Also, if you aren’t into the strong vanilla flavor (like me!!), add only half a scoop of a few tablespoons of the protein powder!
★★★★★
I’m so glad you love this smoothie recipe, Elizabeth! I really appreciate you coming back to leave a comment and star rating. <3
Just tried to make your green elvis, with kale instead of spinach. But I think I need a better blender. Can you recommend one?
★★★★★
Er … excuse me but … why ‘Elvis’?
Yes, I tried the recipe and loved it, but I’m still left with the question.
What if I add buttermilk? Do you think it would make a difference on its taste?
I haven’t ever tried it with buttermilk so I’m not sure.
Are there any nutrient values for this smoothie?
I add a shot of instant coffee granules (decaf) and WOW! Yummy!
Is a pint of green smoothie enough to have for lunch? I had a pint of my pint about an hour ago and I was full at the time but now I’m hungry again. I love spinach and I wonder if eating the food in the smoothie would be more filling than drinking it.
Thank you for such wonderful info! Working on getting more green into my smoothie, and you have been a great inspiration. Know I want to find these bean burgers…
This green smoothie is life changing! I am very new to smoothie making but this one tastes amazing:) I really can’t believe that you can’t taste the spinach at all! This is a great alternative to eating salads all the time.
★★★★★
It’s official. I am obsessed with your blog! I’m a second year grad student and have very limited time to prepare food on my own that isn’t frozen, but with a little bit of time and effort I have made a few of your recipes this weekend, and I feel SO energized that I will definitely keep continuing! It’s so worth it 🙂 I literally feel 10 times more energized!
Thanks for a lovely blog. One question, what is the measurement for a scoop, is that a tablespoon? Thanks!
I usually use the scoop that comes with my protein powder to measure protein powder, but I think it’s about 2 Tablespoons. 🙂
Hi really liking your blog. I am big smoothie enthusiast. I was just wondering why you recommend freezing fresh bananas and using them? Is it just for coldness and texture or is there another reason i’m missing? Thanks!
Yup – frozen bananas give smoothies the best texture!
To CR:
I personally use frozen bananas mostly because I don’t want them to go bad over the period of time, but when they’re frozen, you can skip the ice step sometimes and it really doesn’t change the texture. I can assume that with non frozen bananas, it will be a tad more creamy, but when I use frozen bananas, it pretty much leaves the same texture.
I hope this helps!
– Hana
Hi-Just found your blog here – I tried to find the 5 day slim down you mentioned, but could not – can you reference that for me, please? Thanks!
Hey Rhonda, the 5 Day Slimdown is part of the Tone It Up Nutrition Plan (http://www.toneitupplan.com/).
Green smoothies are the best!! Thanks for your article. I’ve been thinking about throwing some peanut butter in mine. Didn’t know if it would be good. Here’s a link to my recipe. I drink one every morning!
<a href="http://forkstofeet.blogspot.com/2013/03/green-smoothie-recipe.html