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    Home » Blog » Vegetable Prep Hacks

    11 Best Vegetables for Smoothies

    Published: Jun 11, 2021 / Modified: Jun 11, 2021 by Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN / This post may contain affiliate links / 23 Comments

    1850 shares
    vegetables for smoothies in bowls on a counter under text boxes with post name and website

    This post highlights the best vegetables for smoothies and recipes that use them! You’ll learn about the best greens for smoothies and the best veggies to blend. Use my tips to get your daily vegetables in a smoothie that actually tastes good.

    vegetables for smoothies in bowls on a counter under text boxes with post name and website

    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see my affiliate disclosure.

    When my readers ask about easy ways to increase their veggie intake, I almost always mention smoothies! Drinking vegetables is more palatable than eating veggies for some people. Plus, you can put a LOT of produce in a single smoothie.

    Even better, whipping up a smoothie requires minimal prep time. But making a vegetable smoothie that actually tastes good does require some thought. That’s why I put together this post on the best vegetables for smoothies. Spoiler alert: leafy greens aren’t the only veggies you can blend.

    Best Veggies to Blend in a Smoothie

    The following list includes a lot of options that may not come to mind when you’re thinking about smoothies. There’s a veggie for everyone—even the picky eaters in the family!

    1) Leafy Green Vegetables

    Veggie smoothies almost always start with a base of leafy greens. Spinach is one of the best options, since it has a mild taste. Kale, chard, and collard greens can also be used in smoothies, but they should be paired with sweet fruits and other flavor boosters that disguise their bitter taste.

    Both raw and frozen leafy greens can be added to smoothies. My favorite smoothie recipes with leafy greens include:

    • Spinach: Avocado Mango Smoothie with Spinach, Healthy Shamrock Mint Banana Smoothie, Green Pea Smoothie with Mint, Celery Smoothie, and Cucumber Smoothie
    • Kale: Green Grapefruit Smoothie
    • Chard: Tropical Swiss Chard Smoothie
    • Collard Greens: I have a great smoothie recipe using collards in my cookbook!

    2) Avocado

    I know, I know. Avocado is technically a fruit, but since it’s often grouped with veggies in the culinary world, it’s worthy of making this list. Avocados add an incredibly creamy texture to smoothies. Plus, they make them more filling and contribute healthy fats that help you absorb more of the fat-soluble nutrients in the other smoothie ingredients.

    The flesh of fresh avocados can be used in smoothies, but frozen avocado also blends well. You can sometimes find frozen avocado cubes at the grocery store. Check out my Avocado Mango Smoothie with Spinach for a delicious option using avo!

    3) Cauliflower

    Cauliflower is a wonderful addition to smoothies, providing tons of fiber and beneficial plant compounds. Thanks to its mild taste, cauliflower works well with lots of fruits and flavorings. You won’t even know it’s in there!

    You can make a smoothie with frozen or fresh cauliflower, but I prefer frozen cauliflower. Check out my Cherry Chocolate Cauliflower Smoothie!

    4) Sweet Potatoes

    Not only do sweet potatoes contribute a vibrant orange color, but they also make smoothies thick and creamy. It’s best to cook the sweet potatoes ahead of time before adding them to the blender, especially if you don’t have a high-powered blender.

    To cut back on the prep time involved in cooking them, try my hack for making microwave sweet potatoes. Then, make the Walnut and Sweet Potato Smoothie!

    5) Winter Squash

    Winter squash are comparable to sweet potatoes as a smoothie ingredient. They offer fiber, energizing carbohydrates, and nutrients like vitamins A and C.

    I recommend cooking the squash before adding it to smoothies. You can also used canned or homemade squash puree. For a smoothie recipe that uses squash, see the Butternut Squash Dessert Smoothie.

    6) Beets

    Beets are one of my favorite vegetables to eat…and drink! Using a beet in your next smoothie will guarantee a gorgeous pink color, plus earthy, slightly sweet notes and tons of nutrients.

    If you have a high-powered blender like a Vitamix, you can blend raw beets in a smoothie. Otherwise, it’s best to cook the beets beforehand or use pre-cooked, store-bought beets like Love Beets. My Strawberry Banana Beet Smoothie is a reader favorite.

    7) Peas

    Green peas are among the best frozen vegetables for smoothies. They’re not just for icing an injury, after all! With peas, you can have a green smoothie without any leafy greens (unless you want them in there).

    Frozen green peas can be added to smoothies straight from the freezer, but some people prefer to lightly steam them first to help with digestion. It’s up to you. If you’re interested in trying peas in a smoothie, my Green Pea Smoothie with Mint is the perfect recipe.

    8) Carrots

    I first discovered the magic of using carrots in smoothies accidentally, and I’m so glad I did! Frozen carrots blend very well, provide fiber, and give the final product a beautiful orange color.

    Raw carrots do not blend as well as frozen ones, so I recommend using frozen carrots. Check out my post on How to Freeze Carrots, then make the Vegan Carrot Banana Smoothie!

    9) Celery

    Celery is the ultimate supporting vegetable. It’s an irreplaceable addition to soups, but did you know that it can also add a boost to smoothies? Just make sure it’s paired with fruits and flavor boosters that complement it’s mineral-like taste.

    I prefer to use frozen over fresh celery in smoothies. If you’re interested in doing the same, my post on How to Freeze Celery will be helpful. After you master that hack, you can make the Celery Smoothie with Apple and Banana.

    10) Cucumber

    Thanks to its high water content, cucumber makes for very hydrating and refreshing smoothies. It tastes best with leafy greens and tropical fruits, especially in the summer!

    I prefer to peel cucumbers before adding them to the blender, but you can leave the skin on if you want the extra fiber. They don’t need to be frozen. I just throw in fresh, chopped cucumber in my Cucumber Smoothie with Pineapple and Banana.

    11) Zucchini

    While I don’t have a recipe for a zucchini smoothie on the blog, I did include one in my cookbook! Zucchini has such a mild taste and is virtually unrecognizable in smoothies. It’s a great choice for picky eaters and vegetable haters. Pair it with a creamy plant-based milk, nut butter, and cocoa powder for a treat.

    And that’s a wrap on my list of the best vegetables for smoothies! Which one will you try?!

    More Vegetable Prep Hacks and How-Tos

    • Blanched sweet corn cobs in a bowl of ice water under text box.
      How to Freeze Sweet Corn
    • blanched zucchini slices in a silicone bag on a counter before being frozen with text box
      How to Freeze Zucchini
    • Frozen spinach portions in a Ziplock bag that is labeled.
      How to Freeze Spinach
    • blanched broccoli in a mixing bowl of ice water on a counter under text box for post name
      Freezing Broccoli: How to Preserve for Later
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    1. Carol

      October 10, 2024 at 11:47 am

      Can I Use water in vegetable smoothies

      Reply
      • Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

        October 10, 2024 at 4:09 pm

        Absolutely!

        Reply
    2. Amy

      June 26, 2023 at 2:01 am

      Hi if I’m using frozen veg dose it need to be cooked or straight out of the packet of frozen veg I buy from the supermarket?
      Thank you

      Reply
      • Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

        June 26, 2023 at 11:08 am

        Hi Amy, it usually depends on the vegetable. Some frozen vegetables can be added without cooking, such as green peas, diced carrots, or cauliflower. Others, like beets and winter squash or other hard vegetables, may need to be steamed for a few minutes first. It depends on the strength of your blender. If you have a high-powered blender, you can usually get away without steaming frozen vegetables and just adding them straight from the package. I’d also like to note that some people like to gently steam frozen vegetables before adding them to smoothies if they have digestive issues, since raw vegetables may be harder to digest than cooked ones. So, it’s basically up to you and your preferences in addition to being reliant on the strength of your blender.

        Reply
    3. Gregg

      October 31, 2022 at 9:06 am

      Is ice to be added?

      Reply
      • Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

        October 31, 2022 at 12:13 pm

        If you are using frozen vegetables or fruits in a smoothie, you usually don’t need ice. You can add ice if you aren’t using anything frozen or to make the smoothie colder if you prefer.

        Reply
    4. Scott

      September 30, 2022 at 11:52 am

      This is really good stuff– I have never thought to use cauliflower or beets in my smoothies. thank you for the suggestions!! I also have a recipe to share:
      “Orange Julius Smoothie”
      1 orange
      1 raw carrot
      1 cup greek yogurt (I use non-fat)
      1/4 cup raw almonds
      1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
      (sweetener if desired)

      Reply
      • Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

        October 03, 2022 at 11:47 am

        Hi Scott, I’m glad you enjoyed this post! Your smoothie recipe sounds delicious!

        Reply
    5. DARLINE PHILPOTT

      August 28, 2022 at 6:22 pm

      I like your site,I wanted to add some healthy variety to my smoothies. Thanks for the prep tips on vegetables,I even add raw oatmeal to buff up my frozen treats.

      Reply
      • Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

        September 01, 2022 at 4:59 pm

        Hi Darline, thanks for your comment! I’m really glad to hear that you are enjoying my site!

        Reply
    6. Brenda

      February 20, 2022 at 11:55 am

      I am so glad that I found this site. I just started making veggie smoothies and am so grateful for the ideas you’ve provided. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!! Cheers to a healthier smoothie!!🥤

      Reply
      • Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

        February 20, 2022 at 3:42 pm

        Hi Brenda, I’m so glad that you found this post helpful and are enjoying the site! Thanks for leaving a comment!

        Reply
    7. Trina

      February 07, 2022 at 12:40 pm

      5 stars
      Yellow summer squash is great in smoothies also. I first chop it up and freeze it like I do zucchini. I also do frozen apple in my smoothies. I freeze all of my vegetables and fruits before adding to my smoothie. Zucchini and cherries with chocolate protein powder is my favorite!

      Reply
      • Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

        February 07, 2022 at 4:03 pm

        Yum! Zucchini and chocolate are a great pair!! Thanks for your comment, Trina!

        Reply
        • Chloe

          June 29, 2022 at 3:28 pm

          Hi. Great ideas! Just wondering why you prefer frozen to fresh vegetables? Do they blend better? Thank you

        • Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

          July 07, 2022 at 10:54 am

          Hi Chloe, yes exactly! I find that most of the time, frozen vegetables blend a lot better than fresh ones, especially vegetables like carrots and celery. But fresh greens, for example, blend better or just as well as frozen greens.

    8. Tina

      December 05, 2021 at 7:23 am

      5 stars
      Thank you so much ive been looking for this information

      Reply
      • Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

        December 06, 2021 at 11:12 am

        I’m glad it was helpful!

        Reply
        • Adeline

          December 13, 2021 at 5:01 am

          I’ve been making smoothies for a while and need to start make more vegetable centered ones. You are my answer!!

        • Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

          December 13, 2021 at 10:17 am

          I’m so glad that this post will be helpful! Enjoy your smoothies!

      • Johan Putter

        May 26, 2023 at 1:42 pm

        Thanks for all your wonderful resepees on wegetable smoothies and all your tips Tina
        Best regards Johan

        Reply
    9. Eryn

      December 03, 2021 at 12:42 pm

      Perfect. Thanks for the ideas.

      Reply
      • Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

        December 03, 2021 at 1:21 pm

        Glad you enjoyed the post!

        Reply

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