Broccoli Smoothie (Vegan and GF)

Name: Broccoli Smoothie
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk; 1/2 cup dairy-free plain yogurt; 1 cup raw broccoli (stems removed); 1 cup fresh leaf spinach; 1 frozen banana (chopped); 1/2 cup frozen mango

This simple broccoli smoothie is not only a great way to pack veggies into your diet, it’s also super delicious and filling. It’s a healthy nutrient rich snack or breakfast that you’ll want to make again and again!

green smoothie in stemless wine glass topped with broccoli floret, and spinach leaves

Ok, I here you! A broccoli smoothie doesn’t exactly sound like the most delicious recipe! But I promise you, once you give this a try, it will become your new favorite green smoothie recipe!

Making smoothies is one of my favorite ways to get some added veggies into my daily diet. My spinach apple smoothie is a favorite! In the fall I love to make my vegan pumpkin smoothie! When spring and summer rolls around I’m all bout this strawberry blackberry smoothie!

Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable. In its raw form it is loaded with vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin C, calcium, iron, phosphorous, potassium, zinc and more!

Broccoli is also one of the most high protein vegetables around! One cup of raw broccoli has 2 grams of protein.

So, while you may be thinking, this lady is crazy! Broccoli in a smoothie, can’t possibly work!

Not only are the health benefits abundant, but the added banana, mango, and creamy dairy-free yogurt make this smoothie a real treat!

If you have kiddos that resist eating their veggies, have them try this recipe! My kids absolutely love it, and sometimes try to steal my morning smoothie away from me!

green smoothie topped with broccoli floret and spinach leaf

Why you’ll love this Broccoli Smoothie…

Quick and easy
Healthy snack, or breakfast
Loaded with vitamins and minerals
Vegan and Dairy-Free
Creamy and smooth
Naturally sweetened
No added sugar
Kid friendly

Recipe Ingredients and Notes

spinach, broccoli florets, frozen banana, frozen mango, dairy-free yogurt, and almond milk in glass bowls

Unsweetened Almond Milk: Be sure to get unflavored unsweetened almond milk to reduce added sugar.

Dairy-Free Plain Yogurt: Include dairy-free plain yogurt for added creaminess, and reduce added sugar.

Broccoli: Use raw broccoli florets. If you cook your broccoli prior to adding it to your smoothie you’ll lose some of the health benefits, but also the broccoli will absorb water and will create a watery consistency.

Spinach: I like to use fresh organic leaf spinach. Feel free to add a bit more spinach if you choose. Opt for organic spinach if you can because spinach is on the EWG’s dirty dozen list.

Frozen Banana: Prior to making your smoothie, place a ripe banana in the freezer the night before. When you take the banana out of the freezer chop it into chunks, or chop it before adding it to the freezer. When my bananas begin to brown, I peel them, and throw them into a freezer safe bag, and place them in the freezer. That way I have frozen bananas ready for my smoothies.

Frozen Mango: I buy already frozen mango from the freezer section. I find it to be the most affordable, and available year round.

Tools and Equipment

High speed blender

How to Make a Creamy and Delicious Broccoli Smoothie

Making a smoothie is a super simple process, but I do have a few tips! Start with the liquid first. Followed by the yogurt, and then the leafy greens, followed by the harder vegetables (broccoli) and lastly the frozen fruit.

pre blended smoothie ingredients: milk on the bottom, followed by broccoli and spinach, topped with frozen mango and frozen banana.

This allows the liquid ingredients to easily incorporate with the vegetables and frozen fruit without the frozen fruit getting stuck on the bottom of the blender.

Pro Smoothie Tips

Use the broccoli florets. They are less tough than the stem.
Be sure to thoroughly wash your broccoli before adding it to your smoothie.
Keep frozen bananas in the freezer for making smoothies. They add natural sweetness and creaminess!
Be sure to add the liquid first!
Use a tamper as needed, to help incorporate the broccoli and frozen fruit.

broccoli smoothie topped with broccoli floret and spinach leaves

Recipe FAQS

Can broccoli go into smoothies?

Broccoli CAN go into a smoothie. You can add any vegetable you like to a smoothie, but you will get different results. Since broccoli is quite fibrous, I suggest pairing it with creamy dairy-free milks, and fruits. Bananas and mangos are naturally creamy and sweet and help to disguise the broccoli flavor in a smoothie.

Are broccoli smoothies good for you?

Yes, they are full of vitamins and minerals like fiber, protein, calcium, and vitamin C. One cup of broccoli contains only 30 calories, but packs numerous nutrients! It’s also beneficial for those who have diabetes as it lowers blood sugar levels. Plus sulforaphane, a compound found in broccoli may stop cancer cells from developing in your body.

Do you taste the broccoli in smoothies?

This smoothie has a slight undertone of broccoli flavor. I resist adding too many natural sugars to completely disguise the flavor. For example, you could add orange juice, or pineapple juice (both high in sugar) to help disguise the flavor further. But I find the banana and mango to be enough to compliment the flavors!

How do I make this smoothie sweeter?

If you want to make it sweeter you can add frozen berries such as blueberries or strawberries, or add freshly squeezed orange juice.

Do I need to cook my vegetables before adding them to a smoothie?

You do not need to cook your vegetables prior to adding them to your smoothies. In fact, I recommend refraining from cooking your vegetables and using them in their raw form. Raw or frozen vegetables retain their vitamins and nutrients, while cooking them releases some of those nutrients. If you cook your vegetables, you can also add too much water to your smoothie, and the vegetables will absorb the water you cook them in. This will create a less creamy and thick texture.

top of green smoothie in stemless wine glass

Looking for more smoothie recipes? Give these a try!

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