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?
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)
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
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.
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.
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
Ginger Smoothie {with spinach, turmeric & lemon}
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.
Nutrition
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.
Me too! Adds such a lovely punch of flavour, doesn’t it?
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!
Yes! Thanks so much, Kim!
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!
Right?! Thank you so much for the kind comment, Julia 🙂
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!
Lol…most times for me too, but on occasion I do forget! Thank you Valentina…it sure is 😉
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!
Indeed it isn’t! It definitely hits the spot! Thanks Kathy 🙂
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!
Oh no! Hope you feel better soon!! XO
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!
Haha…oh the cycle! Thank you Kelly! It is quite refreshing for sure 🙂
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!
Right? Hope you love it, Kelsie! It’s a yummy one 🙂 Have a great weekend!
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!
Totally!! Haha…jeans or pj pants – I can roll with that 😉 Thank you so much, David!
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! 🙂
Usually I forget to eat while I’m actually focusing on cooking, lol!! Too funny! This is a good one! Thank you Haylie 🙂
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!
It’s so yummy!! Hope you get a chance to try soon 🙂 Have a great weekend!