Loaded with lots of feel good ingredients, this green ginger smoothie makes for a delicious way to start any day! It’s a great green smoothie for beginners. Plus, it’s plant based, dairy free and naturally sweetened. What’s not to love?
I have a confession to make.
I am a food blogger.
You’re thinking, ‘duh, Dawn, I know; that’s no secret confession or anything.’
Ok, here it goes …
As food obsessed as I am, sometimes I forget to eat!
Crazy, right?!
Well, it’s mostly during weekends when I’m busy doing all the things.
Then, boom, it strikes me like a ton of bricks.
Dawn is hangry! Nobody like hangry Dawn, not even me. I get so cantankerous. Like, don’t even look at me. You too?
That’s where a hearty smoothie does the trick. It takes minutes to whip up, it’s filled with all kinds of goodness and keeps hangry Dawn at bay.
If I were wearing fancy pants right now I’d call it a ‘feel good, happy times, sunshine smoothie’ or something clever like that. But, I’m not, so ginger smoothie it is!
Thinking a veggie smoothie recipe isn’t for you? Try this one out and you’ll be a green smoothie believer, my friends. I wouldn’t steer you wrong!
How To Make A Smoothie
I don’t need to tell you that making a smoothie is easy!
You simply throw the prepared ingredients in the blender jug and whiz away. Pour and enjoy!
For any smoothie, you need to have your liquid base (i.e. some sort of milk), add-ins like spinach or berries and a sweetener (optional).
To make this green smoothie, I use:
- Almond milk (the ‘base’)
- Banana (preferably frozen), to thicken
- Freshly grated ginger
- Freshly grated turmeric
- Lemon Juice
- Baby Spinach
- Pineapple (to naturally sweeten)
What is Ginger? What Can You Use Ginger For?
Ginger is actually a flowering plant originating from China. It has a fragrant, almost ‘spicy’ or ‘hot’ taste. It really packs a punch in the flavour department and way more so than the dried or powdered variety.
Besides this ginger smoothie, fresh ginger is great for:
- Adding a thin slice to hot tea with lemon (so good)
- Infusing water
- Using in curries and stir fries
- Adding to baked goods in lieu of dried ginger for a really pungent hit of flavour
How To Peel Ginger & How to Mince Ginger
Some people use a spoon to scrape the outer layers from fresh ginger (especially younger ginger). Me? I prefer to use a potato peeler.
After peeled, I typically cut into small strips and then mince with a knife until fine. Don’t want to use a knife? Grate it with a microplane.
Tips for Making this Ginger Smoothie
Ensure that the banana is frozen because this will give a creamy consistency to your smoothie.
Want this ginger smoothie even creamier? Use frozen pineapple chunks as well.
I recommend using fresh turmeric here. You could use powdered turmeric, but it will change the colour of your smoothie and it won’t be green. Want to omit? That’s okay too.
Speaking of turmeric, that stuff stains! You will be going around with orange hands all day once you handle. Not the end of the world, but if you want to avoid, just wear some gloves while mincing.
Need things a little sweeter? Add some maple syrup, about 1 tablespoon at a time, until you’ve reach your desired sweetness level.
Want to add a little more oomph to the mix? Add in your favourite protein powder (opt for a vegan variety, if you want this smoothie to be vegan).
More Yummy Smoothie Recipes
Hope you love this ginger smoothie as much as we do!
If you make this ginger smoothie, be sure to leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed!
Ginger Smoothie (with spinach, turmeric and lemon)
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- ½ stalk freshly grated turmeric (about 3 to 4 grams, optional)
- 2 frozen bananas , cut into chunks
- ½ cup chopped fresh pineapple (peeled)
- 2 generous handfuls baby spinach (about 2 loosely packed cups)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (from about ½ of a lemon)
- ½ cup crushed ice (optional)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Divide the smoothie between two glasses. Enjoy!
Nutrition (ESTIMATE ONLY)
Nutrition estimate (if provided) is based on 1 Serving.
Nutrition information (if provided) is provided as a courtesy and should be considered an estimate only. Ingredients can vary and Girl Heart Food makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are guidelines only.
Melissa
This sounds like the perfect smoothie! I love adding ginger to smoothies. I need to start keeping ginger in the freezer. I buy it and forget it in the vegetable drawer in the fridge.
Girl Heart Food
Me too! Adds such a lovely punch of flavour, doesn’t it?
Kim
I freeze my ginger too! I find it way easier to grate that way – and I can sometimes lose track of things in the fridge so it really is the best option for me. I think I need to get on the smoothie train; I can forget to eat too, and HANGRY is no fun!
Girl Heart Food
Yes! Thanks so much, Kim!
Julia
Haha, I also often forget to eat when I am busy doing all the recipe testing and photographing. The photo of all the ingredients is soooo beautiful! I love that you used pineapple to add a bit of sweetness and acidity to this delicious smoothie!
Girl Heart Food
Right?! Thank you so much for the kind comment, Julia 🙂
Valentina
I knida wish I could say I’ve forgotten to eat — but, what I’m going to eat next is often on my mind. Sometimes I’m too busy to eat (that’s not good!), but I’m thinking about what I’m going to eat, when I can eat. Ha!
The flavors in this smoothie sound tasty and SO healthy. I’m sure this is a great way to start the day!
Girl Heart Food
Lol…most times for me too, but on occasion I do forget! Thank you Valentina…it sure is 😉
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
Oh me too! Not so much on the weekends, but when I’m at work on the weekdays! That’s not good at all! This smoothie would be perfect to start the day or to make in the morning and pack into my lunch for the moment when hunger hits!
Girl Heart Food
Indeed it isn’t! It definitely hits the spot! Thanks Kathy 🙂
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
I need all the goodness and vitamins from this smoothie right now Dawn, because I’m as sick as a dog! Ugh! I haven’t been sick in years and I’m down and out. Need all the fluids and this smoothie would be perfect! Sending my husband out for the ingredients! Maybe I’ll even get hime to make it for me too!
Girl Heart Food
Oh no! Hope you feel better soon!! XO
Kelly | Foodtasia
Dawn, I usually forget to eat lunch. Then I can’t wait until dinner, so I have something to eat and I’m not hungry for dinner. This smoothie would be just the thing to keep me going until dinner. It looks so refreshing and energizing! Love the pineapple in it!
Girl Heart Food
Haha…oh the cycle! Thank you Kelly! It is quite refreshing for sure 🙂
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
I always forget to eat when I’m busy! Sometimes time just gets away from me, you know? I love the idea of whipping up a smoothie on those days, especially one as healthy as this! I usually throw fresh ginger into my smoothies but rarely fresh turmeric–luckily, I know the grocery store down the street stocks it fresh so I’ll pick some up next time and I can try this. YUM!
Girl Heart Food
Right? Hope you love it, Kelsie! It’s a yummy one 🙂 Have a great weekend!
David @ Spiced
Oh man, this sounds like it’s a great detox recipe to shake of the cold that’s been going around lately. I definitely had it last week…no fun. I had to laugh about your comment re: fancy pants. I don’t wear fancy pants anymore. It’s jeans or pj pants. That’s what you get from me. Haha! I still have the fancy pants (I just hung ’em up in the new closet), but I haven’t pulled them out since a wedding last Fall. Eh, I digress. This smoothie sounds tasty, and I’d be willing to give the veggie thing a try here. Love the flavor combo you’ve got going on!
Girl Heart Food
Totally!! Haha…jeans or pj pants – I can roll with that 😉 Thank you so much, David!
Haylie Abele
I never forget to eat! In fact, when I’m eating a meal, I’m usually already pondering what meal I will have next…LOL! I love how this smoothie is packed with such delicious superfoods! I bet the ginger and turmeric really spice it up! You won’t get the flu drinking this baby everyday! 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Usually I forget to eat while I’m actually focusing on cooking, lol!! Too funny! This is a good one! Thank you Haylie 🙂
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
I’ve never added ginger to a smoothie before, but I like the way it sounds! And this colour is just perfect for the upcoming Paddy’s Day weekend. I’ll enjoy this in the morning before I dive head first into other beverages and snacks! 😉 Hope you’re having a great week Dawn!
Girl Heart Food
It’s so yummy!! Hope you get a chance to try soon 🙂 Have a great weekend!