This blueberry kale smoothie takes minutes to make and is absolutely loaded with good-for-you ingredients! It’s super flavourful and makes for a great start to your day or afternoon snack.
So today is the official first day of summer!! Woot woot! Bring on the nice weather! Did you know that it’s also the longest day of the year and it’s National Vanilla Milkshake day?
I read recently that milkshakes weren’t initially suitable for kids because they contained alcohol. Just imagine! I would never have guessed that since it’s such an iconic fun kid friendly beverage, especially now.
It’s been, like, forever since I’ve had a milkshake. I’m more inclined to have a smoothie than a milkshake. How about you? What would be your favourite flavour? My favourite ice cream flavour is mint chocolate chip hands down and then second would be strawberry.
I’m so happy that summer has officially begun. Hubby and I have been spending a lot more time in our yard and furry child has been doing lots of running around. Our little herb garden is coming in nicely and I think that our rhubarb is finally ready to cut.
Blueberry Kale Smoothie
I’ve been on a real blueberry kick lately. Blueberries everywhere! And I love kale. Perhaps next to cauliflower, it’s my favourite vegetable.
I wanted to try a green smoothie, meaning using some veg in there. I had this lovely bunch of kale that I had recently picked up. Wondering what to pair with it, blueberries came to mind. I was thinking that their colour (and sweetness) would go nicely with the kale.
This yummy smoothie has only five simple ingredients. Aside from the blueberries and kale, the liquid base is coconut water (so refreshing). To sweeten things, I added maple syrup. Then to finish and to add extra nutrition and heft, I added chia seeds.
Hubby loves all kinds of vegetables, like myself. He was mowing the lawn while I was making the smoothie. I poked my head outside, called out to him and handed him the drink, not saying exactly what was in it. I figured I wasn’t going to tell him it was a smoothie was kale (not that he would mind anyway), but I wanted to get his opinion and see if he noticed it in there. Guess what? He loved it!
This blueberry kale smoothie has lots of blueberry flavour, but once you know there is some kale in there you can get a slight hint of it and it’s awesome!
Can I Use Spinach Instead of Kale?
Most definitely! Baby spinach is a great substitute for kale in this smoothie.
More Delicious Smoothie Recipes
Next time you are thirsty and looking for something different, give this smoothie a try and you won’t be disappointed.
If you make this blueberry kale smoothie recipe, be sure to leave a comment below!
Blueberry Kale Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups frozen blueberries
- 1.5 cups coconut water
- 2 cups chopped kale (bite-sized pieces, leaves only, no stems), loosely packed
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- fresh blueberries, garnish to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Place frozen blueberries, coconut water, kale and maple syrup into a blender and blend until smooth, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add chia seeds to blender and blend another 30 seconds to a minute.
- Divide smoothie equally among two glasses and garnish with fresh berries (optional). Serve and enjoy!
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
GiGi Eats
HUGE HEALTH BOMB RIGHT HERE! Looks amazing!!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you, GiGi!
Adina
Sounds great, my favorite kind of smoothie. First day of summer… hmmm… we had about 17 degrees Celsius today, pretty depressing… we are still waiting for the summer, on the radio they said it would come on Thursday 🙂 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Thanks so much, Adina! I know what you mean about the weather. It just warmed up here the past few days. It was only a week or so ago and we were having temps of about 10 degrees celsius. Funny how the weather affects peoples mood. Bring on the nice weather, right?
karrie @ Tasty Ever After
I love summer and alcohol in my milkshakes. BTW, can I put vodka in this smoothie? 😉
Girl Heart Food
Seriously, Karrie, when I first read the first sentence of your comment – ‘ I love summer and alcohol in my milkshakes’ I was thinking this could be a line for the next hot Summer hit, lol 😀 Don’t ya think? And, YES, you can totally put vodka in this smoothie. C’mon over, I’ll make a pitcher 😉
Yum In Your Tum | Amanda
This smoothie looks really delicious! I am always looking for ways to get kale into my diet, and this looks like the perfect recipe. Plus, its vegan, gluten free, and low fat…even though I am not a vegan, I love how healthy this sounds. 🙂 I didn’t even know they had national vanilla milkshake day!!! I know this might make me sound boring, but my favorite flavor is vanilla! I like vanilla so I could mess with it, and add all sorts or crazy candy, nuts, and chocolate. Can’t wait to try this smoothie! Enjoy your week. 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Thank-you!! It’s definitely an easy way to sneak some kale in, that’s for sure! I’m not a vegan, either, but love to mix it up every now and then with my snacks and meals. And I’ve been loving vegetarian meals lately. I remember a long time ago, trying to have a vegetarian diet and not realizing how many options there really are out there and it’s not just pasta and beans. Vanilla is definitely not boring; it’s a classic for good reason, right? Enjoy your week too!
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry
Yes! I’m always looking for new smoothie recipes and this one sounds amazing!
[email protected]
Mmmmm – now this is a smoothie I could get behind! Loving the flavor and the color is really speaking to me! Gorgeous! On this gorgeous first day of summer! Wootwoot!
Girl Heart Food
Woo hoo! Happy to hear you like it, Annie! And a big yay for Summer officially starting!!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
I tried my first kale smoothie a few months ago Dawn and I’m hooked! Awesome way to get in the green veggies. And I love anything blueberry, so this will be concocted in my kitchen soon! Thanks for sharing! Have an awesome week!
Girl Heart Food
I just can’t believe how delicious kale smoothies are! And it definitely is a great way to sneak some extra veggies in the diet. Happy you like the recipe and get to try soon over the Summer. Have a great week too, Mary Ann. Thanks a bunch for the comment 🙂
Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom
This post is so well timed! I too have been on a blueberry kick (SO good) and I just bought a giant bag of kale for juicing! Problem is, when I make smoothies I do all fruit. I bought the kale with the intention of working it into my fruit smoothies for extra nutrients but I wanted a recipe as a guide – so this is perfect! Can’t wait to try!
Girl Heart Food
I’m so happy to hear that, Kathleen!! Love to hear how you like it 🙂 And, I know what you mean…first thought to mind when making a smoothie is never kale; I’m so happy I tried it out and now it’s a regular for hubby and I. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Mir
Boozy milkshakes are awesome, but so are the ones without! Either way, I’m game. And this looks amazing!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks so much, Mir, for the comment and for stopping by 🙂
Tracy | Baking Mischief
Mmmm. I love green smoothies and blueberries are *so* good in them. I like the idea of using coconut water instead of plain water to kick them up a notch! Pinning! I have totally made kale and strawberry smoothies and you are right, the color is a little stomach turning (but they are so good!). 😉
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Tracy! This one will be in my regular smoothie rotation, that’s for sure. I’ll have to try strawberries next time, especially where they are so in season now and super sweet. Appreciate the Pin, girl 🙂 Have a great week!
Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table
I’ve been all about the blueberries too – can’t get enough! And I love the sound of this easy blueberry-kale smoothie! (I’ll take it over a milkshake any day.) What a nutrition powerhouse – perfect way to start the day or for an afternoon pick-me-up 🙂 Pinned!
Girl Heart Food
I could have smoothies every single day. Don’t tire of them! Thank you so much, Kathryn! So happy you like the smoothie and appreciate the Pin 🙂 Have a lovely week!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
I did not know today was national vanilla milkshake day and I had NO clue milkshakes use to include booze! Sounds like milkshakes back in the day were perfect. hahahahaah! I kid. Kinda. 😉 Anyways, not sure I can choose between a smoothie and a milkshake… it definitely depends on my mood and the time of day. Love this smoothie, girlfriend! Super healthy AND super delicious = WINNING! Wish I had one of these beauties for breakfast today! Cheers, sweetie!
Girl Heart Food
I’m just throwing all these factoids around today like confetti, Cheyanne….making it rain, lol 😀 Clearly, I’ve had too much coffee!! Maybe you don’t have to choose between the smoothie and milkshake. Perhaps have the smoothie for brekkie and a boozed up milkshake in the evening 🙂 Now, that’s a good day 😉 Thanks for the kind words, girl. Have a great week!!
Demeter | Beaming Baker
Okay, I’m just gonna go ahead and assume that you made this delicious, blueberry-awesome smoothie just for me. Ahem. Allow my me sweet delusions, okay, D?? 😉 I love everything about this smoothie! Gorgeous, healthy, v+gf… fun facts about milkshakes! What more could a gal ask for? Meanwhile, who knew that milkshakes weren’t intended for kids initially? Well, let’s go ahead and add the booze back for us adults. Lol. Loving the blueberry kick and hoping we get to see more of it. Hope you have an awesome week dear! Throw an extra treat to your furry child for me, would ya? 😉 Pinning! xoxo
Girl Heart Food
Hahaha…you can assume that, Demeter 😉 What are we without our sweet delusions and imaginations, right? Great idea for adding the booze back into milkshakes…we are just trying to keep a classic, a classic, right? So funny! I’ll definitely pass along a nice little treat for the furry child from you. Thanks for the sweet comment and Pin, girl! Appreciate it, as always. Have an awesome week too! xoxo
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
Happy first day of summer, Dawn! And I had no idea that it was national vanilla milkshake day…guess that means I will be eating some ice cream later! 🙂 I’ve been spending a lot of time outside too…I just love this weather, even though it’s been HOT! This smoothie sounds like the perfect way to cool off, though. I love this combination. Blueberries are my favorite to add into smoothies, and kale is such a great option, too. Just what I need for this Monday morning!
Girl Heart Food
Happy first day of Summer right back at ya, Gayle! You definitely need to eat icecream later and me too…as if we need an excuse, right? Thanks so much. Hope you have a great week, girl 🙂
David @ Spiced
I’ve never thought about using kale in a smoothie…what a fun idea, and a great way to add some (more) powerfoods into a smoothie. Love it! Also, here’s to summer…finally! It was pretty darned hot here over the weekend, but that made it perfect for relaxing in the shade on Father’s Day. Also, National Vanilla Milkshake Day? Where do they come up with these things!?! I’ll take a National Blueberry Smoothie Day!
Girl Heart Food
I couldn’t believe how good it turned out with the kale in it! I would totally make again. Easy way to get an added bit of nutrients. I don’t know where in the world they come up with all these days. One day it’s hummus day, the next it’s milkshake day. So funny. Glad your weather was good this past weekend. Ours is starting to warm a little now. Thankfully 🙂 Thanks David!