Name: Green Ginger Smoothie
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2 cups almond milk; 2 cups fresh baby spinach (about two large handfuls); 1 orange, peeled (medium-large size); 1 cup pineapple chunks, frozen; 1 piece fresh ginger, peeled (see note 1) (1.5-2 inch length or about 10g); 2 tablespoons hemp hearts (optional); 2 tablespoons chia seeds (optional); 2 tablespoons ground flax seed (optional); stevia extract (optional, or honey if not vegan)

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Start your morning with this refreshing Green Ginger Smoothie! Made with pineapple, orange, a healthy dose of spinach and warming ginger, you will love every sip!

Two green smoothies in mason jars sitting side by side with a white background

Do you ever wake up feeling just a bit blah and you wish you had a way to feel more vibrant and ready to take on the day? My answer is usually coffee, but not today! I’ve got a better solution than caffeine, my friend. This Green Ginger Smoothie is beyond delicious and you will feel healthier just by drinking it. I’m pretty sure my exact words to my husband were, “I feel so healthy now!” after I finished the first batch for taste testing. Smoothies really do seem like health in a cup after holiday indulgences!

I think you’re going to love adding this smoothie to your mornings because

it takes 5 minutes to make
you can make it the night before and it holds up really well in the refrigerator
it’s an easy way to get in a few servings of vegetables and fruit
ingredients like hemp hearts and chia seeds increase the protein and healthy fats to help you feel full until lunch

Ingredients

Almond milk – lower in calories than many other dairy-free alternatives, but still adds some creaminess to the smoothie
Fresh baby spinach – I like it because it tends to require less prep time than kale, but you could try kale, too!
An orange – I used a medium-large sized navel orange, but any variety should work!
Frozen pineapple chunks – I suggest using frozen over fresh to give the smoothie a frosty texture without adding ice.
Fresh ginger – a 1.5- to 2-inch piece or about 10g; gives a warming aftertaste to the smoothie and contains compounds that may promote digestion and reduce inflammation in the body.

Optional add ins

I definitely recommend including at least one of hemp hearts, chia seeds or flax seeds, or the smoothie won’t be as filling. If you only have one of the ingredients, you could double or triple it to replace the other options (just be careful with chia…adding a lot might make the smoothie too thick if you leave it overnight…or just use a spoon to eat it ????).

Hemp hearts – for added protein and healthy fats
Chia seeds – for fibre, omega-3 fats, calcium and iron. Chia can hold ten times its weight in water, so it gives the smoothie a thicker texture, particularly if you’re leaving the smoothie in the refrigerator overnight.
Ground flax seed – for healthy fats and fibre
Stevia extract – if you prefer a sweeter smoothie. Honey would also be great if you’re not following a vegan diet.

How to make it

Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. This will take at least a minute, especially if you put in the piece of ginger whole. Enjoy immediately or store in two mason jars with lids. Consume within a day.

Pineapple, orange, spinach, fresh ginger, hemp hearts and chia seeds in a blender viewed from overhead

Are oranges good in smoothies?

Yes! By using the whole orange, you’re getting all the amazing fibre that you wouldn’t get by just adding juice! I find oranges work best when you have a strong, powerful blender (I have a Vitamix). If your blender struggles to break down orange to a smooth texture, you could remove some of the pith by supreming the orange. This will remove some of the fibre, too, but that may be worth it to improve the texture of your smoothie!

Tips for Success

1. Use frozen pineapple rather than fresh. Ice would water down the flavour of the smoothie and this smoothie definitely tastes best when it’s cold!

2. Grate or mince the ginger if you don’t have high-powered blender. Ginger is tough to break down and can leave stringy bits behind (yuck). I suggest mincing or grating the ginger for best texture results.

Green Orange and Ginger Smoothie in two tall glasses with metal straws surrounded by orange slices, spinach leaves and hemp hearts

More smoothies you may enjoy

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