If you haven’t gotten on the healthy green smoothie bandwagon, I suggest you grab a ticket and hop on board because this Green Protein Smoothie will blow your mind. This smoothie is so delicious. It has lots of spinach and protein and no added sugar!

For more healthy recipes be sure to make my celery smoothie, broccoli smoothie, pineapple spinach smoothie, and banana peach smoothie recipes!

Two tall glasses full of Green Protein Smoothie against a white background.

Why This Recipe Works

  • Easily customizable. By following this recipe, you’ll learn how easy it is to make a healthy green protein smoothie and customize it to your liking!
  • Super tasty green protein smoothie recipe. I used to think green smoothies had to be these vegetable blends with no flavor at all. I’m sure smoothies like that exist, but this is not one of them! This smoothie is packed with healthy, nutrient-rich spinach but the flavor also packs a punch. Not only is this green protein smoothie good for your body, it is so delicious! 
  • Zero added sugar. One of my favorite things about this smoothie recipe is that my kids think they are getting a shake, yet I know I’m feeding them a low-calorie green smoothie with zero added sugar. Did you get that? Zero added sugar

Ingredient Notes

Green Protein Smoothie ingredients on a gray background.
  • Spinach: I like to pack in the spinach to get a delicious spinach protein smoothie! However, if you’d prefer kale green smoothies, you can use kale instead.
  • Almond Milk: I like to use unsweetened almond milk, but if you want the regular, go for it! Also feel free to substitute a different milk if you’d prefer. Using a type of milk will give you more of a creamy texture than water.
  • Almond Butter: This gives us extra healthy protein and really adds a nice almond flavor.
  • Frozen Banana: I love frozen bananas in smoothies! It adds a great subtle flavor and creates an ice cream-like texture to your smoothies.
  • Protein Powder: Any brand of protein powder will work. But, if you are vegan, gluten or lactose intolerant, be sure to grab a protein powder that works for you! Oh, and I haven’t tried this recipe with chocolate protein powder, so no promises there ha 🙂  
  • Ground Cinnamon: You might think this is a weird add to a smoothie, but the touch of cinnamon in the smoothie adds a flavor complexity that is amazing!
  • Ice Cubes: Add ice cubes to get your desired consistency. Fun fact, ice cubes will actually reduce the amount of frothiness from the protein powder. 
Overhead photo of a blender loaded with spinach, bananas, and ground cinnamon.

Step-by-Step Instructions

There’s a fairly basic structure to follow in creating a delicious green smoothie. I’ll break down the basics here. By following these basic elements, you can create your own green smoothie recipe, too!

  1. Pick a green vegetable base for your smoothie. We are using spinach, but you can adapt this recipe to add your own spin. If you love kale, add some kale in — or you can swap out the spinach for kale.
  2. Once you have your green base, add a frozen fruit. (You can use fresh fruit, but then you’ll want to add ice to create a frozen smoothie texture instead of a juice.) I like to add frozen bananas.
A blender full of bananas, spinach, protein powder, and ice.
  1. Pick your liquid. You can choose water, milk, plant-based milk products, and more! I use almond milk.
  2. Add any other desired ingredients: Options include honey, cinnamon, protein powder, flax seeds, oats, etc. I always add cinnamon because I love the subtle flavor it adds.
  3. Add some ice cubes before blending. The ice cubes help reduce the amount of frothiness from the protein powder.
  4. Place all of the ingredients in a high-power blender and blend until smooth.
A pureed healthy green smoothie in a blender.

Recipe Tips

Plus, if you use a soy protein, this recipe is also a great vegan green smoothie. If you are vegan, just make sure you select a vegan protein powder option. Whey protein isn’t vegan-friendly, so be sure to double check.

If using or adding kale, be sure to remove the bulky stems prior to adding to the blender. As a note, wash all vegetables and fruits prior to blending.

Add some Greek yogurt for added probiotics and protein. You can also substitute the almond butter with a different nut butter if desired.

For best results, eat right after blending.

Make Ahead, Storing, and Freezing

If you want to make this high protein green smoothie ahead of time, I would recommend storing it in the freezer an then blending it again prior to eating. This is also a good method for if you have any leftover smoothie. Store it in the freezer and then add it back to the blender with enough almond milk to blend it to smoothie consistency.

FAQs

  • Can I use kale instead of spinach in my green smoothie?
  • Yes! Of course! You can add kale to the spinach or you can swap the spinach out for kale. As long as you have the leafy green base, you are good.

    What if I don’t have almond milk?

    If you don’t have almond milk, you can use the same measurement of water and add some whole almonds to the smoothie. 

    Can I use a different plant-based milk for the green smoothie?

    Definitely! You can use soy milk, oat milk, cashew milk, etc. Just remember, whatever other plant-based milk you choose, the smoothie will take on a bit of that flavor. With the almond butter in the smoothie, you’ll want to pick a milk option that will pair well with that. I, personally, probably wouldn’t use cashew milk. 

    Can green smoothies make you sick?

    Just like anything in life, it’s important to find balance. If you aren’t used to eating a lot of fiber-rich foods, then I probably wouldn’t suggest cutting everything out and only having green smoothies — I’d never recommend that anyway, there are too many good foods to enjoy! Since green smoothies are high in fiber, if you have too many in a short amount of time, you may have an upset stomach and diarrhea.

    Are green smoothies good for weight loss?

    Green smoothies should only be one part of the solution to a healthy lifestyle. If you only eat green smoothies, your body won’t be getting the variety and diversity of foods to get the nutrition it needs. As with everything, balance is key.

    A green smoothie in a cup with spinach leaves in the foreground.

    More Healthy Recipes

    Did you make this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Click here to leave a rating and review, or scroll below the recipe card and do so there. 

    Stay up-to-date by following us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.

    Two glasses full of a green protein smoothie on a wooden cutting board with a bowl of spinach in the background.
    Print Save Review
    5 from 1 vote

    Green Protein Smoothie

    A green protein smoothie loaded healthy ingredients. This drink fills you up and keeps you full!
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 2 servings

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 cup baby spinach - packed
    • 1 cup almond milk
    • 2 tablespoons almond butter
    • 1 banana - frozen
    • 1/3 cup protein powder - vanilla flavored
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 cup ice cubes

    Instructions
     

    • Place all of the ingredients in a high-power blender and blend until smooth.
    • Serve immediately.

    Notes

    Can use kale (remove the bulky stems) in place of the spinach.
    Add half of an avocado for extra healthy fats.
    If you don’t have almond butter you can omit it. 
    Add a few tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt for added probiotics and protein, if desired.
    If you don’t have almond milk you can sub water. And/or you can sub water and add a handful of raw almonds. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 245kcal (12%)Carbohydrates: 20g (7%)Protein: 20g (40%)Fat: 12g (18%)Saturated Fat: 1g (5%)Cholesterol: 30mg (10%)Sodium: 209mg (9%)Potassium: 469mg (13%)Fiber: 4g (16%)Sugar: 9g (10%)Vitamin A: 1492IU (30%)Vitamin C: 9mg (11%)Calcium: 279mg (28%)Iron: 2mg (11%)
    Course: Breakfast, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Did you make this recipe?Please leave a star rating and review on the blog post letting me know how you liked this recipe! Take a picture and tag @saltandbaker on Tik Tok, Instagram, and Facebook so I can see what you’re making!

    This recipe was originally published on Sept. 1, 2020. It was republished on Jan. 5, 2022, to include additional information and photos.