This lightly sweet arugula smoothie tastes just like it’s from the spa or juice-bar, but can be made in just 5 minutes with simple, nourishing ingredients, so you can enjoy it any time!

Side shot of a bright green arugula smoothie with pineapple on top and arugula strewn around the bottom.
Overhead shot of a blender with arugula, pineapple, ginger, and chia seeds.

About This Arugula Smoothie

We’re big fans of quick and easy smoothie recipes around here, and this one is no exception.

This light and refreshing green arugula smoothie is packed with lots of good-for-you ingredients, including antioxidant rich arugula (source).

At first glance you might be skeptical about adding the spicy green, but yes, you can absolutely add arugula to a smoothie!

Once combined with the other ingredients the arugula just adds a bit of spice, without being too overpowering.

To balance out the arugula, I also use pineapple, ginger, lemon juice, and banana to make this smoothie super light, fresh, and totally delicious.

I love this simple green smoothie as a morning wake-up drink (almost better than coffee) or as a snack for an afternoon pick-me-up.

Tip: The super fast prep time also makes this smoothie easy to blend, pour & take on the go!

Side shot of a bright green arugula smoothie with pineapple on top and arugula strewn around the bottom.

Fun Variations to Try

Apple arugula smoothie: Add 1 small cored and chopped apple (any kind) to the mix.

Arugula and spinach smoothie: Use 1 cup arugula and 1 cup baby spinach.

Blueberry arugula smoothie: Use 1 cup frozen blueberries in place of the frozen pineapple.

Process & Tips

All you need to do is add all your ingredients to a blender and let it work it’s magic.

Before you know it you’ll be sipping on a nutrient dense smoothie!

This smoothie contains no banana and instead is sweetened with pineapple. 

If you prefer a sweeter, fruitier smoothie you can add 1 sliced banana to this recipe.

I use a high-speed blender for this recipe, which makes quick work of larger tougher ingredients like the fresh ginger.

Tip: If you don’t have a high speed blender, you can finely chop or grate the ginger prior to adding.

Overhead shot of a blender with arugula, pineapple, ginger, and chia seeds.

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Arugula: Adds a vibrant green color, light spice, and tons of antioxidants (source). You can also use baby spinach or kale in its place if you prefer.

Banana: Adds creaminess and a touch of sweetness, but you can skip it if you want to make and arugula smoothie without banana.

Pineapple: The pineapple adds some brightness and acidity to this smoothie, along with some light sweetness. You can use fresh or frozen pineapple (if using fresh, use extra ice).

Fresh ginger: For best taste use fresh or frozen ginger. If you prefer, you can substitute with a small pinch of ground ginger in its place.

Chia seeds: The chia seeds really help to thicken up this smoothie and provide some healthy fat & fiber. If you don’t have them or don’t like them, you can skip them in this recipe.

Lemon juice: I like how lime juice pairs with the tropical flavor of the pineapple, but you can also use lemon juice in its place.

Side shot of a bright green arugula smoothie with pineapple on top and arugula strewn around the bottom.
Side shot of a bright green arugula smoothie with pineapple on top and arugula strewn around the bottom.
5 stars (3 ratings)

5-Minute Arugula Smoothie

This lightly sweet arugula smoothie tastes like it’s from a spa or juice-bar, but can be made in just 5 minutes with simple, nourishing ingredients so you can enjoy it any time!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups arugula
  • 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks
  • 1 frozen banana, broken into chunks
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, (from about 1 lemon)
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup ice

Instructions 

  • Add all the ingredients to a high speed blender. Blend on high until very smooth.

Notes

See blog post, above, for ingredient notes and substitutions.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 (of 2), Calories: 132kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 0.3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Sodium: 17mg, Potassium: 419mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 16g, Vitamin A: 564IU, Vitamin C: 54mg, Calcium: 90mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition disclaimer
Did you make this recipe?If you do, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me at @realfoodwholelife so I can see!

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