Tropical Kale Smoothie
This Tropical Kale Smoothie is a creamy, healthy vegan smoothie with no refined sugar. It’s packed with kale and is bursting with tropical flavors!
I first published this Kale Smoothie on January 5, 2015, before I’d fully embraced green smoothies. It took me forever to come around, because despite loving greens, I just couldn’t wrap my head around adding them to smoothies.
The original recipe for this smoothie was rather non-committal — my “green” smoothie was more yellow green, and I claimed that I would probably make this kale banana smoothie even greener down the road.
You think?
Now this is a green smoothie, and it completely reflects the way I love my smoothies now. The best part is that my kids love them as much as I do.
I’m a big lover of kale, and have a lot growing in my garden. This kale fruit smoothie is a great place to use it up because it includes a whopping 2 cups of kale.
TWO CUPS!
I can barely contain my excitement when I see my kids guzzling their smoothies down — they’re getting a whole serving of greens!
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- I know a lot of people don’t like kale because they find it bitter, but with the ripe banana, mango and pineapple, the bitterness is camouflaged with sweet tropical flavor.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.
- You can make this smoothie with all frozen fruit, so you don’t have to worry about using anything up before it goes bad on your counter.
Recipe ingredients
No single flavor stands out in this kale banana smoothie. It just tastes like the perfect blend of tropical fruit!
Ingredient notes
- Coconut milk. I used refrigerated coconut milk that’s sold in a carton. Make sure yours is unsweetened.
- Banana. I prefer to slice my banana in advance and freeze it overnight. Frozen banana makes the kale smoothie ultra creamy.
- Lime juice. Adds a nice pop of citrus and brightens the flavors right up, and balances everything out perfectly.
How to make a kale smoothie
I kept this banana, mango and kale pineapple smoothie as simple as possible. You just add everything to a blender and let it work its magic.
- Place all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
FAQs
If you’re really in a rush most mornings, you can measure out the frozen fruit in advance and seal it in a zip-top freezer bag. Then, all you have to do is add the pre-portioned fruit, coconut milk, lime juice and fresh kale to the blender.
Yes! I used fresh kale to make this kale banana smoothie, but frozen may be substituted.
To freeze kale for smoothies, rinse it well and pat dry. Remove the leaves from the woody stems, then lay flat on a baking sheet.
Freeze the leaves on the baking sheet to prevent them from getting squished (if that matters to you). Once frozen, seal inside a freezer bag.
Personally, I think this is the best kale smoothie as written and highly recommend giving it a try even if you think you don’t like kale.
However, spinach or a similar leafy green made by substituted, if desired.
Recipe notes
- I used lacinto kale in this recipe, but you can also use baby kale, which has a more mild flavor.
- I used refrigerated coconut milk because it’s lower in fat, but you can certainly used canned for an even creamier smoothie.
- If you’d rather use fresh fruit instead of frozen, simply add a cup or so of ice for a frostier smoothie.
More easy smoothie recipes:
- Banana smoothie
- Blueberry banana smoothie
- Pear smoothie
- Power green smoothie
- Strawberry banana smoothie by Gimme Some Oven
- Tropical smoothie
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
Tropical Kale Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 large banana frozen, and cut into chunks
- 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks
- 1 cup frozen mango chunks
- 2 cup loosely packed baby kale leaves
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- I used refrigerated low fat coconut milk, but you may also use canned.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
62 Comments on “Tropical Kale Smoothie”
Sure thing — thanks Donna!
Thanks Anna!
So I recently tried kale in a smoothie and actually really liked it! I’ll have to give this a try next time and your new photos look so beautiful, Marcie!
I was so surprised when I tried my first green smoothie — all that fruit really covers up the flavor! Thanks, Danielle!
Thank you Amanda!
Yum Marcie! Pinned!
I love that you updated this recipe! The photos are gorgeous, Marcie! And now I’m totally craving a green smoothie and going to make yours now 🙂 Have a great weekend!!
Thanks so much Kelly and enjoy your weekend!
I’m not going to lie, I am not a kale smoothie girl but this has me itching to give it a try! I love all the tropical goodness happening here! Thanks for sharing!
I hope you do Pamela…you just may change your mind! 🙂