Low-carb kale, cucumber, and celery combine with delicious healthy fats like avocado and peanut butter to make this easy Green Keto Smoothie a nutritional powerhouse!
Fruit smoothies are in high demand, but if you’re looking for something super healthy and refreshing, green smoothies are for you!
Why you should make this recipe
Green smoothies are made with low-sugar vegetables and fruits (like avocados), so while they’re just as tasty, they’re actually much healthier for your blood sugar.
And this green keto smoothie recipe is a fantastic way to incorporate healthy veggies and fats without blood sugar spikes!
I wouldn’t consider this smoothie “sweet” but it has a slightly sweet undertone of peanut butter and almond milk. It’s a great balance that really hits the spot on a hot summer day or after a hard workout.
What’s more, co-casting only takes a few minutes. All you have to do is throw the ingredients into the blender!
Ingredients
The creaminess of the smoothie comes from the addition of peanut butter, avocado and almond milk. They give it a dreamy texture that harmonizes perfectly with the refreshing, slightly spicy taste. It is also completely vegan!
Check out these very basic ingredients that are needed for this green smoothie recipe.
- kale leaves: you can use your favorite kale
- avocado: this will add creaminess and healthy fats, so don’t skip it.
- celery: one rib of celery
- cucumber: peeled for a smoother texture.
- unsweetened almond milk: or other milk of your choice.
- peanut butter: without added salt and sugar
- lemon juice: just squeezing fresh lemon or lemon concentrate from a jar will work too
Step by step instructions
Even on the busiest mornings, this easy smoothie recipe can be made in minutes. And it’s the perfect fuel you need to start your day!
Step 1: Prepare all ingredients. Wash and dry the kale leaves, remove the hard ribs. Cut the washed celery rib crosswise. Peel the cucumber and cut it into smaller pieces. Add these vegetables, avocado, almond milk, peanut butter, and lemon juice to a high-speed blender.
Step 2: Pulse to combine, pausing to scrape the sides if necessary.
Pour a cocktail into a glass and enjoy!
I recommend garnishing with a bit of fresh mint for an extra refreshing flavor.
Expert advice
This green keto smoothie is a simple recipe, but there are a few tips to keep in mind for the best results.
- High Speed Blender. When it comes to getting the right consistency, a high-speed blender is a must for this recipe! Blending fibrous vegetables like celery and kale can take some work. This smoothie is by far the best when blended until silky smooth.
- Cool the ingredients first. I like to keep all the ingredients in the fridge before mixing them. Chilling everything makes a smoothie super refreshing, especially on a hot day or after a hard workout!
- Freeze the avocado. Buy avocados in bulk and freeze them when they are ripe. They’ll stay good for a long time, and then you can grab them whenever you’re craving a low-carb green smoothie!
- Meal preparation: Apart from the avocado, all vegetables can be prepared in advance and stored in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
Variations
Vegetables: It’s not a green smoothie without a decent serving of greens. I love using fresh cabbage. You are probably most familiar with curly kale as it is very common in grocery stores. But dinosaur kale would work too. Just remember to remove the hard ribs. Baby cabbage is also a great option as it is conveniently cleaned and packaged for use.
If kale isn’t your thing, you can use spinach instead. Baby spinach has a milder flavor than regular spinach.
Milk: I like to make this low carb smoothie with unsweetened almond milk. It is very low in calories but adds great flavor and creaminess.
For an even creamier smoothie, you can use unsweetened coconut milk or even canned coconut cream instead. They’ll add calories, so they’re good if you’re drinking this smoothie as a meal and want to keep you full for hours. They also add more healthy fats!
If you’re not concerned about vegan ingredients, you can also use regular milk, but keep in mind that it will increase the carbs.
Sweetener: As I mentioned, this is not a sweet smoothie. It has sweet undertones of almond milk and peanut butter, but most of the ingredients are low-sugar vegetables. So if you want a sweeter smoothie, add a few drops of liquid stevia.
Protein: To increase the amount of protein, you can add a scoop of your favorite protein supplement! An unflavored or vanilla protein powder (such as collagen protein) would be best.
I wouldn’t recommend chocolate protein powder based on other flavors in this smoothie. Plus, it will turn the mix into a weird brown color, and no one wants that!
Storage
The lemon juice in this recipe will help preserve the smoothie and prevent it from browning.
The excess can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Since this recipe makes 2 servings, you can eat half right away and save the rest for later!
Nutrition
The key to a green keto smoothie is to include plenty of vegetables for flavor and color, but keep the carb count low.
This smoothie contains 8.6 grams of total carbs per serving and 3.8 grams of fiber. This equates to 4.6 grams of net carbs. With 10.8 grams of healthy fat per serving, this smoothie is great for anyone following the keto diet!
You certainly don’t have to be on a keto diet to enjoy this smoothie. Healthy fats will keep you energized for hours, and low carb means you won’t see your blood sugar spike.
It’s a delicious, refreshing way to enjoy your veggies and keep you energized for the day!
Frequently asked questions
Green smoothies generally contain less carbs than other smoothies because they are mostly made of vegetables. Other smoothies call for carbohydrate-rich fruits, but green smoothies focus on fiber-rich vegetables such as celery, spinach or other green leafy vegetables, avocados, and cucumbers.
This green smoothie is a great option for people with diabetes as it is low in sugar and contains only 4.6 grams of net carbs. The low carb count along with healthy fats will help keep your blood sugar levels stable.
Baby kale and spinach are the best green smoothie options as they both have a mild flavor. Other kale salads, such as curly kale or dinosaur kale, are also great. But Swiss chard and kale often have a bitter aftertaste, so they’re best for fruit smoothies where you can use the berries to disguise the bitterness.
Other Healthy Smoothie Recipes
I love making healthy smoothies or smoothies for a quick breakfast, a tasty snack or even a creamy dessert!
Here are some of my favorite recipes that you will surely enjoy:
You can also check out this rundown I’ve put together of the best low carb smoothies for diabetics for even more inspiration!
When you try this smoothie, don’t forget to let me know how you liked it and rate the recipe in the comments below!
recipe card
Green Keto Smoothie
Low carb veggies like kale, cucumber and celery combine with delicious healthy fats like avocado and peanut butter to make this easy Green Keto Smoothie a nutritional powerhouse!
Portions:2 portions
Instructions
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Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender.
1 ounce kale leaves, ½ avocado, 1 celery, 2 ounces cucumber, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1 tablespoon of peanut butter, 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
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Pulse to combine, pausing to scrape the sides if necessary. Blend on high speed until you get a thick and creamy consistency.
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Serve immediately garnished with fresh mint or refrigerate for later the same day.
Notes to the recipe
Tips: Remove the hard ribs from the kale and use a high speed blender to get a smoother texture. Store the ingredients in the fridge for an extra chilled, refreshing smoothie.
Variations: For a creamier, more filling smoothie, use coconut milk or cream instead of almond milk.
For a boost in protein, add a scoop of your favorite vanilla or unflavored protein powder.
This smoothie is not super sweet. To increase the sweetness, add a few drops of liquid stevia.
Storage: You can store the smoothie in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutritional information per serving
Nutrition Facts
Green Keto Smoothie
Amount per serving
Calories 141
97 calories from fat
% Daily Value*
Fat 10.8g17%
Saturated fat 1.6g8%
trans fats 0g
Polyunsaturated fats 1.8g
monounsaturated fats 5.6g
cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 112.6 mg5%
Potassium 394 mg11%
Carbohydrates 8.6g3%
Fiber 3.8g15%
Sugar 1.6g2%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 525 IU11%
Vitamin C 11.9mg14%
Calcium 320 mg32%
Iron 0.6 mg3%
Net carbs 4.8g
* Daily percentages are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
#Easy #Green #Keto #Smoothie #Strong #Diabetes
