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Here’s how to make the very best kale smoothie, bright green with the most irresistible fruity flavor! It’s the tastiest way to eat your greens.

Kale smoothie

Here’s a smoothie so good, you’ll want to make it every day. Meet the very best kale smoothie! Yes, we know. “Kale smoothie” sounds like it would be intensely bitter. This one is anything but! It’s full of fruity flavor from green apple, pineapple and banana. It tastes heavenly, yet at the same time you’re getting a big dose of nutrients from leafy greens. True story: this is the only way we get our 3 year old to eat greens. And he BEGS us for more kale smoothie. Here’s how to make it!

Why it’s the best kale smoothie

Really, this one’s the best kale smoothie…which is saying something, because we’ve made lots of kale smoothies that are too bitter, too thick, or too icy. This one has all the right ingredients to make an irresistibly tasty green puree. Why make this smoothie?

  • It’s got pure, sweet tart flavor. Really, you won’t be able to stop drinking it! No bitterness here.
  • It’s got a silky smooth, frosty texture. Just the right thickness for sipping!
  • It’s full of healthy ingredients. No sugary juices to make it taste good.
  • It’s plant-based. There’s no need to use milk or yogurt: it’s all fruit and leafy greens!

Love plant based smoothies? Try these Top Vegan Smoothie Recipes!

Best kale smoothie

Baby kale vs Tuscan kale vs curly kale

There are several types of kale that you can use in this smoothie. Here’s a breakdown of each type:

  • Baby kale: Baby kale works well in a smoothie because it has a sweeter, mild flavor. It’s a young version of kale, harvested before it matures. You can find it sold in boxes at the grocery or bags at your local farmers market.
  • Tuscan kale: Tuscan kale is the next best option: it’s got a mild flavor and flat, dark green leaves. It’s also labeled as dinosaur kale or Lacinato kale.
  • Curly kale: Curly kale works too, but it has a pretty spicy flavor that’s more bitter than the other two. If you use this variety, you may want to start with less and add it to taste.
Kale smoothie

Ingredients for this kale smoothie

This short ingredient list of a kale smoothie is all you need to make this beautiful, bright green puree! Here’s what you need:

  • Kale: Use either baby kale or standard. We prefer baby kale since the flavor is sweeter and milder. You can use standard kale too: just roughly chop it and measure it loosely packed.
  • Green apple: The key to a great kale smoothie! It brings a great sweet tart flavor.
  • Banana: This brings the best texture and flavor.
  • Frozen pineapple or mango: This is the key to the icy texture and beautiful fruity flavor.
  • Lemon juice: Rounds out the flavors.
  • Water and ice: Ice helps add texture and body, and a little water is all you need to get it to blend.

The trick to blending

Here’s a trick to blending this kale smoothie: first, blend the softer room temperature fruits and liquid. In this case, it’s the banana, apple, kale and water. Then add in the frozen ingredients: the frozen pineapple and ice. This helps it to blend easier: so you won’t need to endlessly stop, scrape, and start again!

Kale smoothie

Add-ins & variations

This kale smoothie is pretty perfect as is: but you can always mix it up with tasty additions! Here are a few options:

  • Ginger: Add ½ teaspoon grated ginger to the mix.
  • Mint or basil. Add a few fresh mint or basil leaves for an herbaceous spin.
  • Coconut. A handful of shredded coconut adds a tropical flair.

Smoothie storage

Smoothies are best eaten immediately. But this kale smoothie actually lasts 1 to 2 days refrigerated, stored in a sealed container or a mason jar with the lid on. It may separate, which is perfectly natural. Just shake it up and you’re good to go!

This kale smoothie recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

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Kale smoothie

Best Kale Smoothie


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 2 smoothies 1x

Description

Here’s how to make the very best kale smoothie, bright green with the most irresistible fruity flavor! It’s the tastiest way to eat your greens.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large green apple
  • 1 banana
  • 2 cups baby kale leaves, loosely packed (or Tuscan or curly kale, roughly chopped)
  • ½ cup water
  • 10 ice cubes
  • 2 cups frozen pineapple or mango
  • 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Chop the apple, leaving the skin on. Break the banana into pieces and place them both in the blender. Add the water and baby kale leaves. Blend until smooth.
  2. Add the ice, frozen pineapple or mango, and lemon juice. Blend again until smooth.
  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Blended
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan

Keywords: Kale smoothie, Best kale smoothie

More smoothie recipes

Here are a few of our favorite smoothie recipes:

Another healthy drink? Try our homemade kombucha!

About the authors

Sonja & Alex

Meet Sonja and Alex Overhiser: Husband and wife. Expert home cooks. Authors of recipes you’ll want to make again and again.

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5 Comments

  1. I love this recipe but the water is seriously off. I have to add about 2 cups, and i even have a vitamix!