Here’s how to make the very best kale smoothie, bright green with the most irresistible fruity flavor! It’s the tastiest way to eat your greens.

Here’s a smoothie so good, you’ll want to make it every day. Meet the very best kale smoothie! Yes, we know. “Kale smoothie” sounds like it would be intensely bitter. This one is anything but! It’s full of fruity flavor from green apple, pineapple and banana. It tastes heavenly, yet at the same time you’re getting a big dose of nutrients from leafy greens. True story: this is the only way we get our 3 year old to eat greens. And he BEGS us for more kale smoothie. Here’s how to make it!

Why it’s the best kale smoothie

Really, this one’s the best kale smoothie…which is saying something, because we’ve made lots of kale smoothies that are too bitter, too thick, or too icy. This one has all the right ingredients to make an irresistibly tasty green puree. Why make this smoothie?

It’s got pure, sweet tart flavor. Really, you won’t be able to stop drinking it! No bitterness here.
It’s got a silky smooth, frosty texture. Just the right thickness for sipping!
It’s full of healthy ingredients. No sugary juices to make it taste good.
It’s plant-based. There’s no need to use milk or yogurt: it’s all fruit and leafy greens!

Love plant based smoothies? Try these Top Vegan Smoothie Recipes!

Baby kale vs Tuscan kale vs curly kale

There are several types of kale that you can use in this smoothie. Here’s a breakdown of each type:

Baby kale: Baby kale works well in a smoothie because it has a sweeter, mild flavor. It’s a young version of kale, harvested before it matures. You can find it sold in boxes at the grocery or bags at your local farmers market.
Tuscan kale: Tuscan kale is the next best option: it’s got a mild flavor and flat, dark green leaves. It’s also labeled as dinosaur kale or Lacinato kale.
Curly kale: Curly kale works too, but it has a pretty spicy flavor that’s more bitter than the other two. If you use this variety, you may want to start with less and add it to taste.

Ingredients for this kale smoothie

This short ingredient list of a kale smoothie is all you need to make this beautiful, bright green puree! Here’s what you need:

Kale: Use either baby kale or standard. We prefer baby kale since the flavor is sweeter and milder. You can use standard kale too: just roughly chop it and measure it loosely packed.
Green apple: The key to a great kale smoothie! It brings a great sweet tart flavor.
Banana: This brings the best texture and flavor.
Frozen pineapple or mango: This is the key to the icy texture and beautiful fruity flavor.
Lemon juice: Rounds out the flavors.
Water and ice: Ice helps add texture and body, and a little water is all you need to get it to blend.

The trick to blending

Here’s a trick to blending this kale smoothie: first, blend the softer room temperature fruits and liquid. In this case, it’s the banana, apple, kale and water. Then add in the frozen ingredients: the frozen pineapple and ice. This helps it to blend easier: so you won’t need to endlessly stop, scrape, and start again!

Add-ins & variations

This kale smoothie is pretty perfect as is: but you can always mix it up with tasty additions! Here are a few options:

Ginger: Add ½ teaspoon grated ginger to the mix.
Mint or basil. Add a few fresh mint or basil leaves for an herbaceous spin.
Coconut. A handful of shredded coconut adds a tropical flair.

Smoothie storage

Smoothies are best eaten immediately. But this kale smoothie actually lasts 1 to 2 days refrigerated, stored in a sealed container or a mason jar with the lid on. It may separate, which is perfectly natural. Just shake it up and you’re good to go!

This kale smoothie recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.