Tropical Kale Smoothie
This Tropical Kale Smoothie is a creamy and refreshing 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
- Nutritious kale is combined with tropical fruits for a creamy, refreshing smoothie.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan, with no added sugar.
- 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
- Milk. Use unsweetened almond milk or your favorite dairy or non-dairy milk.
- 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.
- Pineapple and mango. Use fresh for maximum flavor, or frozen in a pinch. You can use all pineapple or all mango instead of a combination if you desire.
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, almond 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
- Pro tip: Frozen pineapple and mango are great options, just keep in mind that you will need to add up to 1/4-1/2 cup additional liquid to thin out your smoothie and to keep your blender from getting stuck!
- Use your favorite combination of tropical fruit in place of the pineapple or mango. Papaya is a great option or a frozen tropical blend works great as well.
- Smoothie is best served immediately or freeze them into popsicle molds and enjoy as a frozen treat!
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
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk sub with your favorite milk or liquid
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 large banana frozen, and cut into chunks
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
- 1 cup fresh mango chunks
- 2 cups loosely packed baby kale leaves
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. If the blender gets stuck at any time, add another 1/4 – 1/2 cup liquid or until your smoothie reaches the desired consistency.1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 1 large banana, 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks, 1 cup fresh mango chunks, 2 cups loosely packed baby kale leaves
- Pour the smoothie into glasses and serve. Enjoy!
Notes
- Pro tip: Frozen pineapple and mango are great options, just keep in mind that you will need to add up to 1/4-1/2 cup additional liquid to thin out your smoothie and to keep your blender from getting stuck!
- Use your favorite combination of tropical fruit in place of the pineapple or mango. Papaya is a great option or a frozen tropical blend works great as well.
- Smoothie is best served immediately or freeze them into popsicle molds and enjoy as a frozen treat!
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”
I need this smoothie in my life! Looks amazing Marcie! Pinning to try later!
Thank you, Manali! 🙂
Great flavors and bright pictures, this smoothie does take my taste buds on a tropical vacation! Great and light option for a healthy breakfast (snack).
Happy New Year Marcie! All the best in 2015!
Thank you so much, Mira, and happy new year to you as well! 🙂
I love the sound of this smoothie. Tropical flavors and kale are the perfect combination. I have so much kale to pick from my garden so this is perfect!
It looks delicious! I want to drink this and imagine that I’m in a tropical warm place! 🙂
Thanks, Liz, and me, too! This is the closest I’m getting to a tropical vacay! 🙂
I was late too to the green smoothie bandwagon but now I am obsessed. Love the tropical nature of this smoothie (how surprising right?). Can’t wait to try! Happy New Year Marcie!
I’m obsessed too, and can’t wait to go even greener! Thanks, Z! 🙂
Yay for green smoothies 🙂 I have been making more green smoothies after the holidays too and I absolutely love this version with all the kale and tropical fruit. This looks so refreshing and delicious and the name is so so cool! 🙂 Can’t wait to try this out!
Thank you, Kelly, and I need to try your super green goddess smoothie! 🙂
I seriously cannot wait to try this smoothie. It is right up my alley and so creamy like I love my smoothies to be!
It doesn’t get better than tropical flavors in a creamy smoothie, does it? I’m glad you’re with me, Jocelyn! 🙂
Thank you, Stacie, and I intend to make my smoothies even greener in the future. Gotta start somewhere! I love the richness and flavor of coconut milk — it just can’t be beat. Thank you for the pin! 🙂
Hi Marcie, love smoothies and this looks like a really good one, looks delicious!
Congrats on making your first green smoothie! I love that you’ve given it tropical flavours.
Are you going to be shocked if I tell you that I’ve actually NEVER made a smoothie. As in, no smoothie at all, not just a green one.
Anyway, you’ve encouraged me to think about making one, too. Perfect timing for January belt-tightening, too!
These smoothies are absolutely gorgeous! I love the color and I’m dying over how cute the name is! Pinning and definitely gonna have to give it a go! 🙂
Thank you, Sarah! I was trying to be witty and clever here. haha I loved the nutrition boost and I’m now a green smoothie believer! 🙂
This smoothie looks incredible, Marcie! I just made my first green smoothie last week, so I’m definitely late to jump on the bandwagon, too. And I’m so sad that I waited so long to try it out! I love the pineapple and mango flavors in here, sounds so light and refreshing. Pinned!
We’re late on the bandwagon together then, Gayle. At least we’re on it! Can’t wait to see your smoothie soon! We can make up for lost time….and thanks for the pin! 🙂
What a cute name! I love mango smoothies 🙂
Thanks, Medha! I have fun with my titles sometimes. 🙂
haha I was the exact same way until I actually tried a green smoothie – and then was like oh, this does taste good! This version looks awesome! I always put spinach in mine – I need to try the kale!
And thanks for including my chi-chi-chi chia smoothie lol 🙂
I’ve been eyeballing your pretty green smoothies for a while, among others thinking “really? they must be good!” I’m glad I finally got around to it. I’m a believer now! 🙂
This looks delicious Marcie! I’ve never had a green smoothie before, but now you have me craving one big time! I love the color of it! Pinning for later so that I can make this, this week! xoxo
I never thought I’d like green smoothies…EVER! The tropical flavors control that “green” flavor so the kale is barely there. I intend to add more kale next time…baby steps! 🙂