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Smoothies, such as this green arugula smoothie with ginger and pineapple, are a quick and easy way to up the amount of vegetables in your diet. Get this delicious and healthy recipe here!
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🥬 Can Arugula Be Used in Smoothies?
You might wonder what place a peppery green has in a smoothie, but it does indeed work. Other ingredients such as fruit and spices, lend a nice touch of sweetness to balance out the sharp flavor notes of the arugula.
❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Super quick and easy to make.
- Refreshing and flavorful, with tropical notes.
- Packed with vitamins and nutrients.
- Vibrant and healthy.
- Fun and unique.
- Naturally vegan, dairy-free, nut-free, soy-free, gluten-free and refined sugar-free.
🗒️ Ingredient Notes
Arugula: Fresh arugula, baby or regular, will work well in this recipe. The health benefits of arugula are many! This underrated superfood is rich in calcium, potassium, vitamin K, vitamin C, folate, antioxidants, protein and iron. If you do not have enough arugula for the recipe, you can replace about half of it with fresh cilantro, for a similar tasting smoothie.
Banana: The addition of a frozen banana lends to both the creamy texture and hint of sweetness. Omit if you are not a fan. Use a ripe banana for maximum sweetness.
Pineapple: The sweet and tangy notes of pineapple help balance the sharp peppery notes of arugula and also lend a subtle delicious tropical undertone and a nice consistency throughout.
Ginger: Ginger pairs well with both arugula and pineapple and helps round out the flavors. It adds a subtle spicy kick, but not overpowering. Still, if you are sensitive to ginger or spicy food, feel free to omit.
Hemp seeds: Hemp seeds are nutrition powerhouses rich in healthy fatty acids, protein, dietary fiber, potassium, iron and vitamin A. If you do not have any on hand, you can substitute with chia seeds or flax seeds, or omit altogether.
Liquid sweetener: A touch of maple syrup helps balance the strong fresh green flavor you find in green smoothies, especially the peppery taste of arugula. You can also use raw honey, agave syrup, date syrup, a sugar-free syrup or omit if need be.
Cinnamon: A hint of ground cinnamon adds a touch of sweet flavor and that nice warming effect.
Vanilla: Vanilla is one of my favorite additions to any smoothie recipe. The mellow warmth and natural sweetness that vanilla lends, smooths over any rough edges in the other ingredients.
Milk: I like to use oat milk, but any plant-based milk like coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk will work, as well as conventional dairy milk. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even use a favorite juice instead.
🔪 How-to Make
Step 1: Combine all of the ingredients in a blender of food processor.
Step 2: Blend until smooth.
Step 3: Enjoy!
💭 Top Tip
If you are a protein powder fan, you can certainly add one scoop of your favorite protein powder to this recipe for that extra boost!
❓ FAQ
While it tastes best blended up fresh, you can make then freeze the smoothie in an ice cube tray, then blend the cubes when you are ready to serve and enjoy.
🥤 More Delicious Smoothie Recipes
📖 Recipe
Green Arugula Smoothie with Ginger and Pineapple
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh arugula leaves loosely packed, baby or regular
- 1 frozen banana
- ⅔ cup frozen pineapple
- ½-inch knob fresh ginger root peeled
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or raw honey
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
- ½ teaspoon vanilla bean powder or vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup milk of choice I like to use oat milk
Instructions
- In a blender or food processor, combine all of the above ingredients.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Equipment
Marie valerus says
Very good and thank you.
Any smoothie to help with constipation thanks.
Ieva says
Wow! I was rather sceptical to start with, but this is amazing! Ginger and pineapple work so well with arugula (or rocket as we call it in the UK)! Thanks so much for the recipe!
Kristen Wood says
I'm so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Toni says
Such a perfect smoothie! I love the combination of these healthy flavors!
Gina says
Look at that color! Love the vibrance of arugula and it pairs so well with the ginger and pineapple in this recipe. Great smoothie!
Kristen Wood says
Thank you!
Danielle says
This sounds like such a yummy smoothie!! I can't wait to try it!
Kristen Wood says
Thank you so much!
Claudia Lamascolo says
Very delicious using all the healthy ingredients we were pleasantly surprised on the taste so good!