Some people hear “kale smoothies” and instantly go green from nausea. The good news is those aren’t the kind of kale smoothies were serving up. Sure, the leafy green gets a bad wrap for its bitter taste, but as a superfood, packed with fiber, vitamins, nutrients, and a whole lot of other good-for-you stuff, it’s one health food you should get more of in your daily food intake.
The problem is, if you’re simply not a fan of this food, trying the endless online ideas of baking kale into chips, wilting it into soup, and tossing it with your salad isn’t going to make one bit of difference. If you truly want to benefit from all it has to offer (and, trust us, you do!), but don’t feel like force feeding yourself, the only answer left is the smoothie.
The Green Monster: Kale Smoothies
If you’re gagging just thinking about drinking down a slurry of kale, put on your big girl pants and relax. When you mix in kale–or other leafy greens, such as spinach–the only way you know it’s present is because of the color. (And if you’re color blind, you’ll never know!) Why? Because the kale flavor gets overpowered by the other tasty produce and whole food eats you’ve blended up in your cup.
Don’t believe it, mix up your favorite smoothies, and toss in a handful of cut kale ribbons and take the taste test.
Kale Smoothie Recipes
Wait, you don’t have a favorite smoothie recipe? No problem! We’ve got five for you to try, all that work in kale with your mouth being none the wiser. Just blend together the ingredients listed for a pre- or post-workout drink, a morning snack, or something healthy to grab and drink on the go.
Green Tea Twister
- 8 oz iced green tea
- 1 cup kale, chopped
- 2 kiwis, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 medium green apple, chopped
- 1 medium banana
Cool and Refreshing Greenie
- 1 cup vanilla almond milk, unsweetened
- 1 cup ice, crushed
- 1 cup kale, chopped
- ½ cup, cucumber, sliced
- 1 cup pineapple, cut into chunks
Berry Sweet
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup kale, chopped
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
- ½ cup frozen strawberries
- ½ cup frozen raspberries
- ½ cup Greek yogurt, plain or vanilla
Island Dream
- 8 oz coconut milk
- 1 cup ice, crushed
- 1 cup kale, chopped
- ½ cup mangoes, chopped
- ½ cup pineapple, cut into chunks
- ½ cup oranges, peeled
- 1 medium banana
Nothing but Green
- 1 cup coconut water
- 1 cup kale, chopped
- 1 medium green apple, chopped
- 1/2 cup green grapes
- 1 medium pear, chopped
- ½ cup of celery, chopped
- 1 avocado (don’t worry, you won’t taste this either)
Create Your Own Kale Recipe
From the recipes above, it’s easy to see a bit of a pattern. You start with a liquid base, such as water, juice or a type of milk. Next you add in your leafy green, which in this case is kale. Then you pick a few fruits or veggies to add in. Go with flavors that are appealing to you for a recipe that will have the best success with your palate. To thicken your smoothie, try Greek yogurt, banana, or avocado. You can also add in healthy fats, such as nut butters, chia seeds, flax oil, or nuts. Once you blend it up, give it a taste and see if anything else is needed. To make it a little sweeter, try honey or dates. Want a little more bite? Add in ginger, lime, or lemon. The options are endless, so play chef with your smoothie and see what amazing flavors you can create.
And when you land on a really good one, don’t forget to share it with others in the comments!
Carrie Anton is a freelance writer focusing on health, fitness, and sports. She's been published in Self, Women's Health, Oxygen, and Maximum Fitness.
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