✔ Updated · ingredient list, step photos and a copycat-style version
This green machine smoothie is my favorite way to get fruit and greens in before 9 a.m.: tart apple, kale, lime and a little ginger, blended until silky. It tastes fresh and zingy, and I promise you won't taste the kale.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Liquids in first, frozen banana last. The blender catches the greens faster, and the cold banana makes it thick instead of watery.
Why You'll Love This Smoothie
- Bright and zingy, from lime, ginger and green apple.
- Thick without yogurt, thanks to a frozen banana.
- Flexible, swap kale for spinach or cilantro for mint.
Green Machine Ingredients
- Green apple: tart, crisp and very green. Leave the skin on.
- Kale or spinach: the greens. Spinach is milder.
- Frozen banana: natural sweetness and a thick, creamy body.
- Orange and lime juice: brightness, and they help it blend.
- Cilantro and ginger: a fresh, zingy finish. Mint works instead of cilantro.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- My ginger trick. I keep a knob of fresh ginger in the freezer and grate it straight in, skin and all. Frozen ginger grates into a fine snow and disappears into the smoothie.
- Blend longer than you think. Kale needs a full minute or more. Nobody wants a stringy chunk halfway down the glass.
- Spinach is milder. If kale is new to you, start with baby spinach. It blends smoother and tastes almost invisible.
- Any apple works. Granny Smith keeps it tart and very green; Gala or Honeycrisp makes it sweeter and a little browner.
- Stir if it settles. It separates if it sits. A good stir with a long spoon brings it right back.
Green Machine Smoothie
1
large smoothie5
minutes0
minutes210
kcal5
minutesA homemade green machine smoothie: Granny Smith apple, kale, frozen banana, lime, orange juice, cilantro and fresh ginger blended with a splash of water until silky. Makes 1 large or 2 small smoothies.
Ingredients
1 Granny Smith apple, cored and chopped (skin on)
2 cups, loosely packed kale leaves, stems removed (or baby spinach)
1/2 frozen banana, sliced
1/3 cup fresh orange juice
1 lime, juiced
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro or mint leaves
1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
1/2 cup, plus more as needed cold water
1 teaspoon honey (optional)
Directions
- Wash the kale and strip the leaves off the tough stems. Core and chop the apple; no need to peel it.
- Add the water, orange juice, lime juice, kale, apple, cilantro and ginger to the blender, liquids first.
- Add the frozen banana last and blend on high for 60 to 90 seconds, until completely smooth with no flecks of kale. Add a splash more water if it’s too thick.
- Taste, add honey if you want it sweeter, then pour into a tall glass and drink right away.
Notes
- This recipe is entirely scalable. The quantities provided will make one large smoothie, but if you want to double the quantity, just double the ingredients.
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Copycat-Style Fruity Version
If you love the bottled green machine juice, it's much fruitier than this kale smoothie. Blend 1 cup apple juice, 1/2 cup frozen mango, 1/2 cup pineapple, half a banana, 1 kiwi, a handful of spinach and 1/2 teaspoon spirulina until smooth. Same green color, sweeter taste.
More Smoothies
For more blender breakfasts, try my peanut butter banana smoothie, avocado smoothie or a copycat Smoothie King Angel Food. For something creamy and nostalgic, my copycat Orange Julius takes five minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the ingredients in a green machine smoothie?
My homemade version uses green apple, kale, frozen banana, orange juice, lime, cilantro and fresh ginger. Bottled green machine juices from the store are mostly fruit, like apple juice, mango, pineapple, banana and kiwi, with a small amount of greens and spirulina, so check the label for the current list.
How do you make a copycat-style green machine juice?
Blend 1 cup apple juice, 1/2 cup frozen mango, 1/2 cup pineapple, 1/2 banana, 1 kiwi, a handful of spinach and 1/2 teaspoon spirulina until smooth. It's sweeter and fruitier than the kale smoothie above.
Can I make it the night before?
It's best fresh, but you can blend it, pour it into a jar filled to the top, seal and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Shake well before drinking; the color may darken slightly.
Can I use spinach instead of kale?
Yes. Baby spinach tastes milder and blends smoother than kale, so it's a great place to start. Use the same 2 loosely packed cups.
How can I make it sweeter?
Use a sweeter apple like Gala, add the whole banana, or stir in a teaspoon of honey or a couple of pitted dates. A few chunks of frozen pineapple or mango also sweeten it nicely.
