Spinach Smoothie

Name: Spinach Smoothie
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: approx. 1.2 l, 4 servings
Cuisine: international
Ingredients: 480.0 ml Water; 160.0 g Baby spinach; 2.0 Frozen Banana; 2.0 Green Apple; 150.0 g Frozen Mango Chunks; 2.0 EL Fresh lemon juice

Green smoothie with fresh baby spinach, banana, and mango — smooth and fiber-free.

5 minEasySmoothieVeganVegetarianGluten-FreeLactose-Free

Spinach is the classic entry point into green smoothies: mild in flavor, smooth in texture, and fully broken down thanks to Vitamix — no pulp, no noticeable fibers. What remains is an evenly smooth, deep green smoothie that tastes of banana and mango, with a light, fresh green undertone.

The key is the machine: a high-performance blender fully breaks down the cell walls of the spinach, so no fibrous texture develops — this is the technical difference from weaker blenders that tear the fibers apart without dissolving them. The Vitamix achieves the texture that many associate with green smoothies, without the aftertaste of fibrous leaf pieces.

If you drink green smoothies every day, you should rotate the greens regularly: spinach contains oxalic acid, which in large amounts and as the only daily source of greens can interfere with nutrient absorption. Alternating spinach with lamb's lettuce, kale, or cucumber is the simple solution.

Instructions

1
Place the baby spinach in a bowl of cold water, swirl briefly, and drain well. Peel the banana. Cut the apple roughly into pieces (remove the core to taste). Peel the mango and separate the flesh from the pit.
2
Add the water to the Vitamix container first. Then add the spinach, followed by the banana, apple pieces, and mango. Close the lid firmly, start on the lowest setting, and increase quickly to the highest setting. Blend for 45 to 60 seconds, until the smoothie is completely smooth and deep green. Use the tamper if needed — spinach leaves can pile up at first.
3
Pour the smoothie straight into glasses. Optionally add a splash of lemon juice — it brightens the color and rounds out the flavor. Serve right away; the texture is at its smoothest when freshly blended.

Chef's Note

Baby spinach works best: the leaves are more tender than mature spinach and bring less bitterness. Frozen spinach (thawed and well drained) also works — it even gives the smoothie a cooler consistency. The stems of baby spinach can go into the blender too; they are mild enough.

The sweetness adjusts well: a ripe, soft banana is essential — an unripe banana brings less sweetness and a slightly starchy note. Mango balances the grassy-fresh note of the spinach especially well; if you do not have mango, you can use a ripe pear. Lemon juice is optional, but it brightens the color and rounds out the flavor.

Mind the order in the container: water first, then spinach, then fruit on top. This order protects the blades and starts the vortex cleanly. For small amounts, use the tamper — spinach leaves can pile up at first.

If you blend green smoothies often, you should rotate the greens: spinach every day as the only source of greens is less advisable because of its oxalic acid content — alternating with lamb's lettuce, kale, or cucumber is the simple addition.

Nutrition per 100 ml

Energy	37 kcal155 kJ
Fat	0.2 g
Carbohydrates	8.5 g
of which sugars	6.3 g
Protein	0.7 g

Values per EU FIC Regulation (1169/2011). Values are averages and may vary depending on ingredients and preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you taste the spinach in the smoothie?

With balanced amounts (approx. 80 g spinach for 2 servings), you can barely taste the spinach — the smoothie tastes of banana and mango, with a fresh, lightly green undertone. Baby spinach is milder than mature spinach or older spinach. If you have not had a spinach smoothie before: to start, simply reduce the amount of spinach slightly (50–60 g) and increase it gradually.

Do I need to wash baby spinach before blending it?

If the baby spinach comes ready to eat as organic packaged produce, it has usually already been washed — but a brief rinse under cold water does no harm. Always wash freshly harvested or loose spinach thoroughly. The stems can go into the blender; with baby spinach they are mild enough.

Can I use frozen spinach?

Yes, frozen spinach (fully thawed and well squeezed out) works well. The result is a slightly cooler smoothie that can be a little more watery — liquid is released as it thaws. So squeeze the thawed spinach out well and use slightly less water if needed. Alternatively: use the spinach straight from frozen and extend the blending time to 60–90 seconds.

Do I need to remove the apple and its core?

That is a matter of taste, not a safety question. Apple seeds contain amygdalin, which can release traces of hydrocyanic acid when broken down — but the amount from the core of a single piece of fruit is harmless to health. The Vitamix breaks the seeds down completely, so no hard pieces remain. In terms of flavor, the seeds bring a slightly bitter, almond-like note. If you want a mild, fruity-sweet smoothie, remove the core; if you prefer the whole-fruit approach, you can blend it in.

Should I use spinach as my daily source of greens?

Spinach contains oxalic acid — for occasional enjoyment in normal smoothie amounts, this is not a problem for healthy adults. If you drink green smoothies every day, however, you should rotate the greens: alternate spinach with lamb's lettuce, cucumber, kale, or wild herbs. This keeps the range of bitter compounds and oxalic acid in balance. If you are prone to kidney stones (oxalate stones) or have gout, you should seek medical advice for regular consumption.

Why won't my spinach smoothie turn out smooth?

The most common reason: too little liquid or too much spinach at once. Add the water first, then the spinach — this creates the vortex that pulls the leaves down. If the blender stalls or the spinach is not drawn in, use the tamper and add 30–50 ml more water if needed. The second common reason: an unripe banana. A ripe, soft banana provides the smoothness; an unripe banana brings starch instead of texture.

Which Vitamix container is suitable for this spinach smoothie?

For 2 servings the 1.4 L container is ideal — it fits the Explorian E310, E510, and all Ascent models (A2300i, A2500i, A3500i). The narrow shape keeps the ingredients close to the blades, which breaks down spinach leaves especially cleanly. For 4 servings we recommend the 2.0 L Low-Profile container, used with the E520 and the Pro 750 — the Smoothies program runs fully automatically there.

Can I make the spinach smoothie ahead?

The texture is best when freshly blended. In a sealed glass in the refrigerator, the smoothie keeps for 12–24 hours — it may separate slightly and turn greener (through oxidation) or a little foamier. Shake briefly before drinking or blend again briefly. Frozen in portions (ice cube tray), it can be stored for up to 3 months and then added to the blender straight from the freezer.