Green smoothies are notoriously not fun to drink, but what if we told you that doesn't have to always be the case? Sneak leafy greens into your meal the exciting way with this pineapple spinach smoothie recipe. With nothing more than a few basic ingredients, you'll have a vibrant, summery drink to leisurely sip on and reap the health benefits—all at once!
Benefits of Pineapple Spinach Smoothie
This smoothie is delicious, fruity, and made with only fresh ingredients to ensure that our beverage is packed with vitamins, minerals, and anti-inflammatories.
- Pineapple
Pineapple is high in antioxidants, including vitamin C, which helps fight wrinkles and promote collagen formation for firmer skin. Additionally, it contains bromelain enzyme, which aids the body in breaking down proteins and reducing intestinal inflammation.
Manganese and vitamin C are abundant in pineapple. Additionally, it contains fiber, folate, copper, and vitamins B1 and B6. It acts as a natural anti-inflammatory, beneficial for swelling, bruising, and arthritis.
- Spinach
Spinach is a good source of iron. This leafy green is considered a superfood because it is low in calories but high in nutrients. It also provides a substantial amount of bone-building vitamin K. Vitamin K is involved in a variety of beneficial processes in the body but is best known for its role in blood clotting.
Spinach is also high in vitamins A and C, which promote immunity and have antioxidant properties. A serving of spinach contains more than 160% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin A and approximately 40% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C, promoting immune function and healthy skin.
Ingredients You Will Need
- Pineapple
The pineapple imparts a vibrant, tropical tartness that complements the earthy flavor of the spinach. This recipe works well with either fresh or frozen pineapple. If frozen pineapple is used, the smoothie will likely be thicker, whereas fresh pineapple will likely result in a smoother mix. No need to be concerned — both outcomes are equally satisfying.
If you're using fresh fruits, add ice cubes to the blender to achieve a chunkier texture.
- Spinach
It is best to thoroughly rinse fresh spinach before adding it to the blender. Other leafy greens that you can also use in conjunction with spinach are kale and collard greens. Try combining them with this Kale Spinach Smoothie Recipe for another gorgeous take on green smoothies.
- Orange juice
A splash of orange juice may seem like nothing much, but it does wonders at brightening the overall flavor profile. If you get the juice freshly squeezed from a sweet variety of oranges, you may not even need to use sweeteners at all.
Freshly-squeezed orange juice will keep for up to two hours at room temperature and three days in the refrigerator. Refrigerating helps to slow the loss of nutrients.
- Sugar
We added 3 tablespoons of sugar to the blender as we like our smoothies slightly sweeter. If yours is too sweet for your liking, simply reduce the amount of sugar.
- Ice
Ice cubes give the smoothie its signature frosty, thick texture. If you use frozen fruits, you can omit the ice from the smoothie.
- Mint leaves:
Finally, mint leaves are added to the mixture to impart extra aroma and freshness to our smoothie.
Storage and Freezing
Spinach, like all other leafy greens, is highly perishable and serves as a natural bacteria reservoir. It begins to lose its vibrant color upon exposure to room temperature. As a result, to help preserve its color, enjoy this smoothie right after it is blended.
This pineapple spinach smoothie will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, provided that any leftover juice is refrigerated immediately rather than left at room temperature for an extended time.
To preserve the smoothie's flavor and color, store it in an airtight container such as a mason jar or Ziploc bag to avoid air exposure. Do not be alarmed if the smoothie splits or slightly darkens after storage — it's still edible.
Store this beverage in the freezer for up to 3 months for long-term storage. Allow the smoothie to defrost completely at room temperature before serving.
Pineapple Spinach Smoothie Recipe
Get your daily dose of green in the form of a delicious, enjoyable frosty drink with this pineapple spinach smoothie recipe. 10 minutes with a blender and a few simple ingredients and you're all set!
- prep TIME 10 mins
- total TIME 10 mins
- COURSE Beverage
- CUISINE Global
- SERVINGS servings
- CALORIES 108 kcal
INGREDIENTS
- 12 oz pineapples (sliced)
- 2 oz spinach (chopped)
- 3 cups ice cubes
- 1 cup orange juice
- 3 tbsp sugar (optional)
- 8 leaves mint
INSTRUCTIONS
Place all the ingredients in the blender: 3 cups ice cubes, 1 cup orange juice, sugar (to your taste but no more than 3 tbsp), 12 oz pineapples, and 2 oz spinach.
Blend until smooth.
Pour the pineapple spinach smoothie into serving glasses.
Decor with some mint leaves and pineapple slices. Enjoy.
NUTRITION
Luna Regina
Writer, Author