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Ginger Smoothie {with spinach, turmeric and lemon}

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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, gluten free and naturally sweetened. What’s not to love?

A glass of a green ginger smoothie alongside lemon, ginger and spinach.

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 goes….

As food obsessed as I am per my last confession, sometimes I forget to eat!!!!

Crazy, right?!

Well, it’s mostly during weekends when I’m busy doing alllll 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 stare you wrong!

How Do You Make A Smoothie?

I don’t need to tell you that making a smoothie is capital ‘E’ – 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 used –

  • Almond milk – your ‘base’
  • Banana (preferably frozen) – to thicken
  • Freshly grated ginger
  • Freshly grated turmeric
  • Lemon Juice
  • Baby Spinach
  • Pineapple (to naturally sweeten)

Ingredients for a green detox smoothie on a wooden board.

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/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

An overhead shot of a glass of pineapple ginger smoothie with two paper straws.

How Do You 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 straight up 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.

How to Store Ginger? Can you Freeze Ginger?

Of course, you’re only going to need a little ginger for this green smoothie and you definitely don’t want to waste it!  It will last in the fridge in your veggie drawer for a couple of weeks (place in a bag) or store in a freezer for up to 6 months. I typically store whole (and actually find it easier to grate when frozen). However, you can pre-grate the ginger and freeze for when ready to use.  Check out this little tip from The Kitchn.

A green smoothie alongside pineapple, ginger and spinach.

Tips for Making this Ginger Smoothie

  • Opt for ‘unsweetened’ almond milk to keep the sugar content down.
  • 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 a-ok 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 tbsp 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.

Someone holding a glass of turmeric ginger smoothie.

Other Smoothie Recipes You May Enjoy

Hope you love this ginger smoothie as much as we do!

Until next time, take care and chit chat again soon 🙂

~Dawn

Two glasses of a veggie smoothie recipe next to ingredients.
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5 from 10 votes

Ginger Smoothie {with spinach, turmeric & lemon}

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, gluten free and naturally sweetened. What's not to love?
Course Breakfast, Drinks, Snack
Cuisine American, Canadian
Keyword green smoothie, pineapple ginger smoothie, spinach smoothie recipe, veggie smoothie
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 2 smoothies
Calories 163kcal
Author Dawn Coombs

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
  • 1/2 stalk freshly grated turmeric -about 3-4 grams
  • 2 frozen bananas -cut into chunks
  • 1/2 cup fresh pineapple -cut into chunks
  • 2 generous handfuls baby spinach
  • 1/2 lemon -juiced
  • 1/2 cup crushed ice -optional

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.  Pour into glasses.  Enjoy!

Notes

  • Opt for 'unsweetened' almond milk to keep the sugar content down.
  • 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 a-ok 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 tbsp 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.
Tried this recipe? That's awesome!Mention @dawn.girlheartfood or tag #girlheartfood!

Nutrition

Calories: 163kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 250mg | Potassium: 504mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 3.4% | Vitamin C: 53.7% | Calcium: 24.3% | Iron: 3.3%

A photo collage of a green ginger smoothie with turmeric with text title.

© Girl Heart Food.  All images and content are COPYRIGHT PROTECTED. Please do not use any images without prior permission.  Please do not republish this recipe.  If you want to reference this recipe, link directly back to this post. Thank you.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Melissa

    March 19, 2019 at 9:00 am

    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.

    Reply

  2. Kim

    March 18, 2019 at 4:37 pm


    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!

    Reply

  3. Julia

    March 18, 2019 at 3:03 pm


    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!

    Reply

  4. Valentina

    March 17, 2019 at 8:04 pm


    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!

    Reply

  6. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen

    March 14, 2019 at 8:34 am


    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!

    Reply

  7. Kelly | Foodtasia

    March 13, 2019 at 10:55 am


    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!

    Reply

  8. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen

    March 13, 2019 at 10:47 am


    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!

    Reply

  9. David @ Spiced

    March 13, 2019 at 9:55 am


    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!

    Reply

  10. Haylie Abele

    March 12, 2019 at 4:09 pm


    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! 🙂

    Reply

  11. Leanne | Crumb Top Baking

    March 12, 2019 at 11:54 am


    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!

    Reply

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