Pineapple Spinach Smoothie

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This simple and satisfying pineapple spinach smoothie is a great choice for green smoothie novices and experts alike. It's easy to make and easy to love.

a pineapple spinach smoothie in a glass with a straw

Why we love this recipe

If you're looking for a super-delicious, simple yet flavorful green smoothie that's popular with both kids and adults, this pineapple spinach smoothie has your back. It's got:

The perfect smooth, creamy, satisfying texture
A mild, fruity, balanced flavor profile
Whole foods only
Lots of flexibility — add your favorite proteins, superfoods, and more

I first published a version of this recipe here and on Serious Eats back in 2013. I've since updated the post for clarity and simplified the recipe itself.

What you'll need

Here's a glance at the ingredients you'll need to make this recipe.

Frozen banana helps give this smoothie its dreamy consistency. Whenever you have bananas that get too ripe, peel them and pop them into a zip-top freezer bag. They keep well in the freezer for at least a year and slice easily even when frozen.
I like to use frozen pineapple, too, though it's not strictly necessary that it's frozen. You can buy it frozen or dice it yourself, line a sheet pan with parchment, place it in a single layer, and freeze until solid. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to a year.
When paired with flavorful frozen fruit, it's amazing how much baby spinach you can pack into a smoothie with no major change in the flavor profile or creamy texture. It's mild-tasting and delicate enough to blend up beautifully.
As noted in the recipe card below, you may need to adjust the proportion of water if you're not using a high-speed blender.

Smoothie resources

Want to level up your smoothie game? Here's my epic post with everything you need to know get started and to take your smoothies to the next level.
Prefer to have a little help? I recommend SmoothieBox. Read my review or buy now.
And here are my recommended products: Vitamix 5200, cacao nibs, ground flax seed, chia seed, and maca powder.

A note on nutrition

I've noticed over the years that people searching for smoothie recipes tend to have strong feelings about nutrition, and sometimes to assume that their personal preferences are more universal than they are.

The smoothies on Umami Girl are delicious, generally pretty good for ya, and always presented with nutritional data. They're also very flexible — so if your nutritional needs are different, feel free to tweak the recipes. Some easy changes include:

Swapping in different liquids
Adding your favorite protein powder
Removing higher-sugar ingredients like dates or jam

How to make it

Here's an overview of what you'll do to make a great pineapple spinach smoothie. You can see the steps in action in the video that accompanies this post, and get all the details in the recipe card below.

Add the pineapple, spinach, and banana to the blender.
Pour in the water.
Position the lid and blend on high speed until perfectly smooth and creamy.
Pour into a glass and serve right away.

Expert tips and FAQs

Do I need a fancy blender to make this pineapple spinach smoothie?

A high-speed blender like a Vitamix or Blendtec makes so many kitchen tasks easier and better, but you absolutely don't need one to make a basic smoothie like this one.

If you're using a regular blender, be sure to cut all the ingredients relatively small, and continue blending until the spinach is truly incorporated. You may also need a bit of additional water.

Can I make this recipe in advance? What about leftovers?

Smoothies are at their best shortly after blending. But if you need to make yours in advance, you've got a couple of options. Store it in a regular cup in the freezer for up to an hour or in an insulated, lidded cup in the fridge overnight.

More favorite green smoothie recipes

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Yield: Serves 1