Support healthy, glowing skin with this grapefruit green smoothie which is packed with free-radical fighting vitamins A and C! All you need are a few simple ingredients like spinach, grapefruit, banana, soy milk, and ginger.
Sipping on a smoothie is one of my favorite ways to start off the day. Since it is my go-to breakfast, I am always trying out new fruit and veggie combinations. This grapefruit green smoothie with ginger and spinach is delicious. Since grapefruits are in season, I’ve been trying to make this smoothie as much as I can!
To round out my breakfast and make it more filling, I usually pair my smoothie with something else I can nibble on like peanut butter toast, grain free granola, vegan chocolate chip banana muffins, or a slice of leftover vegan broccoli quiche.
Why You’ll Love this Smoothie
- A great way to get out of a smoothie rut with a new flavor combo! Grapefruit is delicious in smoothies.
- Want to eat more veggies? Sipping on a green smoothie like this one is a no fuss way to get in a serving of vegetables.
- This recipe is vegan, dairy free, and gluten free. If using dairy milk and yogurt, the recipe is vegetarian.
Looking for more vegan smoothie recipes created by a plant-based dietitian? Check out my roundup of 15+ delicious vegan smoothies!
Can you taste the spinach in smoothies?
Nope! You can’t taste the spinach in this smoothie so it is a great way to get a serving of greens in first thing in the morning. I prefer baby spinach since it has less flavor and blends better. Both fresh or frozen spinach works great in smoothies. Spinach is an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C and folate as well as being a good source of magnesium, iron and vitamin B2.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This smoothie isn’t just delicious, but it is also packed with fiber and nutrients like Vitamins A and C which support healthy, glowing skin and hair. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
- Yogurt: Yogurt is a great addition to smoothies since it provides probiotics to support a healthy digestive system. I prefer to use vanilla, unsweetened yogurt for my smoothies. If vegan, feel free to use a non-dairy option – my favorite is KiteHill.
- Non-Dairy Milk: If you don’t have almond milk, feel free to substitute it with whatever milk you have on hand at home – dairy and non-dairy alternatives both work well! To boost the protein, try soy milk.
- Grapefruit: Grapefruit is one of my favorite citrus fruits and love how it tastes in this simple green smoothie.
- Baby Spinach: You won’t be able to taste the spinach in the finished smoothie.
- Ginger: Ginger and grapefruit are such a great combo. I add just a bit of peeled ginger root to my smoothie but you can also use ground ginger powder. Tip: to make your ginger root last longer, toss it in the freezer!
- Banana: Fresh or frozen banana works well in this smoothie. (A frozen banana will make a thicker smoothie.) I like adding bananas to smoothies to add some natural sweetness.
Variations
- Strawberry Grapefruit: Add 1/2 cup of fresh or frozen strawberries to this smoothie for a yummy strawberry grapefruit combo. Omit the spinach so that the lovely pink color shines through. (The spinach will make it more a brown color – but still tasty!)
- Pineapple Grapefruit: You can either replace the banana with 1 cup frozen chopped pineapple or just add it to the rest of the ingredients in the recipe below for a delicious and refreshing smoothie. The sweetness of the pineapple balances out the tartness of the grapefruit.
Step by Step
Step One: Add all of your ingredients to a blender. Add the spinach first so that it is pushed down onto the blade by the other ingredients.
Step Two: Puree until smooth. Add more liquid if needed.
Expert Tips
- Supreme your grapefruit: For the best flavor and texture, you’ll want to supreme your grapefruit so that you aren’t including any of the white membrane in your smoothie. (I find that it doesn’t puree very well and can make your smoothie taste bitter.)
- Add your greens first: Add the greens to the bottom of your blender pitcher so that the other ingredients help push them into the blade for a smoother blend. (If using a singe serving blender cup, add your greens last since it will be flipped upside down for blending.)
- Adjust the thickness: For an ultra thick smoothie, freeze your banana, spinach, and grapefruit before blending.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! I usually use fresh baby spinach in my green smoothies, but you could also use kale or even lettuce like romaine or iceberg.
You can use 1/2 avocado or 1 cup frozen cauliflower rice instead of the banana. You will also be missing some of the sweetness from the banana, so you may also want to add 1 Medjool date or 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup.
Grapefruit can interact with the effectiveness of certain medications (like those for lowering cholesterol), so it doesn’t hurt to double check with your doctor before you start eating grapefruit.
More Delicious Smoothie Recipes:
- Blood Orange Berry Smoothie (Vegan, Gluten Free)
- Blueberry Cashew Smoothie (Vegan, Gluten Free)
- Mango Cilantro Green Smoothie (Vegetarian, Gluten Free)
- Peanut Butter Mocha Smoothie (Vegetarian)
- Pear Smoothie (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Looking for more vegan smoothie recipes created by a plant-based dietitian? Check out my roundup of 15+ delicious vegan smoothies!
Did you love this recipe? Make sure to leave a ⭐️ rating and tag #dietitiandebbie on instagram!
Grapefruit Green Smoothie
Equipment
- 1 blender
Ingredients
- 1/2 grapefruit, peel and supreme to remove all the membrane
- 1/2 cup plain soy milk (any milk will work)
- 1/2 cup plain or vanilla unsweetened vegan yogurt (can also use dairy yogurt)
- 1 fresh or frozen banana
- 1 cup fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 in. peeled ginger root (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger)
Instructions
- Place all of your ingredients into a blender and puree until smooth.
Notes
- Supreme your grapefruit: For the best flavor and texture, you’ll want to supreme your grapefruit so that you aren’t including any of the white membrane in your smoothie. (I find that it doesn’t puree very well and can make your smoothie taste bitter.)
- Add your greens first: Add the greens to the bottom of your blender pitcher so that the other ingredients help push them into the blade for a smoother blend.
- Adjust the thickness: For an ultra thick smoothie, freeze your banana, spinach, and grapefruit before blending.
- Strawberry Grapefruit: Add 1/2 cup of fresh or frozen strawberries to this smoothie for a yummy strawberry grapefruit combo.
- Pineapple Grapefruit: You can either replace the banana with 1 cup frozen chopped pineapple or just add it 1 cup frozen pineapple to the rest of the ingredients in the recipe.
Nutrition
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Comments & Reviews
Really enjoyed this smoothie! Added a little lemon and a packet of protein ( collagen) and ice. Lovely and bright. Thanks
This sounds delicious. I love how healthy and easy it is to make and I’m always looking for new ways to enjoy grapefruit. And fresh grated ginger in the morning is a sure way to wake up the senses!
What a perfect quick and healthy breakfast for one! No sharing needed 🙂