Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Prep Your Ingredients
- First things first, gather and prepare your ingredients. Give your fresh baby spinach a good rinse under cold water. If your banana isn't already peeled and frozen, go ahead and peel it now. If you're using a fresh banana, remember to have a few extra ice cubes on hand.
Load Your Blender
- For the smoothest blend, the order in which you add ingredients to your blender matters! Pour your milk (or dairy substitute) and Greek yogurt into the blender. Next, add the softest ingredient, which is your fresh baby spinach. Then, add your frozen banana chunks and finally, any optional ice cubes. This layering helps the blades catch everything efficiently and prevents your blender from getting stuck.
Blend to Perfection
- Secure the lid on your blender and start blending on a low speed, gradually increasing to high. Watch it transform into a vibrant green, velvety mixture. Blend until it's completely smooth and creamy, with no visible chunks of spinach or banana. If needed, pause your blender and use a spatula to scrape down the sides, ensuring everything gets incorporated. If your smoothie is too thick, add a splash more milk; if it's too thin, a few more ice cubes or frozen banana chunks can help thicken it up.
Serve Immediately
- For optimal taste, texture, and nutrient retention, your Spinach Banana Smoothie is always best enjoyed right after blending. Pour it into your favorite glass and get ready to savor every delicious sip!
Notes
Adjust your smoothie's consistency by varying the amount of milk; use less for a thicker, spoonable texture, or more for a thinner, drinkable consistency. For added thickness, consider including avocado, rolled oats, or extra frozen fruit. The natural sweetness comes from very ripe bananas; if more is desired, blend in a pitted date, maple syrup, honey, or a few drops of vanilla extract.
For best results, always use a frozen ripe banana for ultimate creaminess and chill. Load your blender by adding liquids first, then soft greens like spinach, followed by frozen fruit, and finally any ice cubes. To boost satiety, incorporate chia, flax, or hemp seeds, or a dollop of nut butter. Avoid making smoothies ahead of time, as they are best enjoyed immediately to preserve flavor, texture, and nutrients. Store any rare leftovers in an airtight container, filled to the brim, in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, though some separation and color change may occur.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.