This bright, vibrant glowing green smoothie is packed with good-for-you ingredients, yet tastes like a treat. Whip up a batch for breakfast and start your morning refreshed and glowing!

Green smoothie in a clear glass with a glass straw, topped with mandarin orange slices with spinach and orange slices scattered around.

About this Glowing Green Smoothie Recipe

We are huge fans of quick and easy smoothie recipes around here!

First of all, they’re a delicious way to fit extra greens and fiber into your day.

Second of all, green smoothies are one of my favorite easy breakfasts because they are so simple to throw together!

I have one most mornings and love knowing I’m getting a filling combination of fruits and veggies, plus good fat and protein.

This Glowing Green Smoothie is the perfect blend of frozen bananas, oranges, handfuls of green spinach, and creamy non-dairy milk.

It also contains chia seeds and ground flax seeds, a fantastic way to add a little extra plant-based protein and fiber to your morning!

Plus, the flavor reminds me a little of the mall Orange Julius’ my dad used to splurge on for me and my sisters as a special treat (man, did I love those!).

Overhead shot of a clear blender filled with spinach, mandarin orange slices, banana, flax seed, chia seeds, and coconut milk.

Process & Tips for Making a Green Smoothie

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

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

Note, this vegan smoothie is only slightly sweet from the natural sweetness of the banana, oranges and the vanilla protein powder. 

Tip: For a sweeter smoothie option you can add 2 teaspoons of pure maple syrup or 1-2 pitted dates before blending.

How to Make a Green Smoothie Bowl

You can also turn this recipe into a smoothie bowl by making the smoothie thicker using only ¾ cup milk.

Also, make sure to use frozen bananas, frozen mandarins and frozen spinach to help you get that thick consistency.

Once blended, pour into a bowl and add your choice of smoothie bowl toppings.

Topping Ideas: Some fun topping ideas would be nuts, seeds, sliced fresh fruit, granola, honey, cacao nibs and a drizzle of nut or seed butter.

Green smoothie in a clear glass with a glass straw, topped with mandarin orange slices with spinach and orange slices scattered around.

Ingredients, Substitutions, and Modifications

Frozen banana: You can also use fresh banana in place of frozen banana in this recipe. The banana adds some natural sweetness to the smoothie. If you don’t care for bananas feel free to omit them and add 2 additional mandarin oranges and extra ice.

Mandarin orange: The mandarin orange in this adds subtle sweetness and brightness to this smoothie. I like to use the whole fruit pieces instead of just using juice for the added fiber & texture. 1 large navel orange, peeled, will also work in place of mandarins.

Baby spinach: I like to use tender, non-bitter greens for smoothies. But you can use any greens you like that blend easily and work well with these other ingredients. Some baby kale would work well in addition to (or in place of) spinach here too.

Ground flax seed: Ground flax seed adds a bit of fiber and a dose of plant-based protein. I find it easier to use ground flax seed but you could also add whole flax seeds if you have a high speed blender. 

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.

Vanilla protein powder: You can use any protein powder you like the taste of. To keep this recipe vegan friendly, be sure to use a plant-based. To keep this recipe paleo friendly, be sure to use a grain-free and dairy-free protein powder. You can also skip the protein powder if you don’t have it or don’t want to use it.

Non-dairy milk: Any non-dairy milk will work great in this recipe. I used almond milk, but you can also use cashew milk instead. For a nut-free option try hemp milk or oat milk. If you like a thinner consistency in your smoothies, add more milk. You can use traditional milk or even water if you prefer as well.

Tip: If using fresh banana in place of frozen, be sure to add ice to the blender for better texture.

Overhead shot of a clear blender filled with spinach, mandarin orange slices, banana, flax seed, chia seeds, and coconut milk.

This Recipe Is…

Green smoothie in a clear glass with a glass straw, topped with mandarin orange slices with spinach and orange slices scattered around.
Green smoothie in a clear glass with a glass straw, topped with mandarin orange slices with spinach and orange slices scattered around.
5 stars (2 ratings)

5-Minute Glowing Green Smoothie

This bright, vibrant glowing green smoothie is packed with good-for-you ingredients, yet tastes like a treat, and is ready in just five minutes!

Ingredients

  • 1 banana, frozen, broken into chunks
  • 3 mandarin oranges, peeled, (or 1 navel orange, peeled)
  • 2 cups baby spinach, about 2 big handfuls
  • 1 ½ cups unsweetened non-dairy milk
  • 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup ice, optional
  • 2 scoops vanilla protein powder, optional

Instructions 

  • Add all the ingredients to a blender. Blend on high until well combined. For a thinner consistency add additional milk.

Notes

Add 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup or 1-2 pitted Medjool dates if you prefer a sweeter smoothie.
For a thinner consistency, add more milk.
For nut-free be sure to use a nut-free milk like oat milk, coconut milk or hemp milk.
For vegan, be sure to use a plant-based protein powder.
For paleo, be sure to use a paleo-friendly protein powder.
Nutrition information calculated using almond milk and protein powder. Nutrition information will depend on the type of products you use.
For more ingredients & substitutions, see blog post above.
This recipe has been revised to remove the coconut milk. If you prefer to keep it in, add 1/4 full fat coconut milk to the mix and then blend.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1(of 2), Calories: 355kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 25g, Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 32mg, Sodium: 155mg, Potassium: 905mg, Fiber: 10g, Sugar: 17g, Vitamin A: 3373IU, Vitamin C: 138mg, Calcium: 352mg, Iron: 2mg
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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