This Blueberry Kale Smoothie recipe is a nutritional powerhouse that’ll keep you satisfied all morning and feeling fabulous all day! It’s creamy, delicious, and you don’t even taste the kale!
It’s no secret that I’m smoothie-obsessed. Often I think smoothies are the cure for all things. Have a headache? Drink a smoothie? Skin looking a little dull? How about a smoothie? Need to get the pipes moving? Smoothie! Are you feeling tired? Healthy smoothies can help with that too.
This blueberry smoothie and blueberry cherry smoothie are on constant rotation in my meal plans. I enjoy various smoothies, but ones that include blueberries are quickly climbing to the top of my favorite list. And now we can add this blueberry kale smoothie to the list.
Reasons you’ll love this recipe
- Super healthy! This blueberry kale smoothie is packed with antioxidants, nutrients, fiber, protein, calcium, and omega-3s.
- Delicious. You’ll never know kale is in this creamy sweet smoothie.
- Easy to prepare. All you need to do is throw all of the ingredients into a high-speed blender and blend. It doesn’t easier than that.
- It’s easy to meal prep ahead of time. Make some blueberry kale smoothie kits to ensure you have all the ingredients ready for your busy mornings.
Ingredients
- Blueberries. Fresh or frozen blueberries will work in this smoothie recipe. If you use fresh, blend in a cup of ice cubes to get a cold slushy consistency. Also, you can freeze blueberries if you acquire a large amount when they’re in season.
- Banana. A ripe banana gives this smoothie the perfect amount of sweetness and provides a creamy texture. Did you know that you can freeze bananas too? Yep, check out my tutorial on how to freeze bananas.
- Kale. To make it easy, you can purchase kale that’s already been cleaned and chopped. I often buy large bags at Wegmans, Whole Foods, or BJ’s WHolesale. Of course, you can purchase kale leaves, remove the stems, and chop it. Regardless, you can freeze kale if there are leftovers.
- Chia seeds. If you’ve made any of my healthy smoothie recipes, then it’s not a surprise to see chia seeds in the ingredient list. It’s my favorite superfood giving smoothies a boost of fiber, protein, and omega 3’s
- Vanilla Greek yogurt. It’s not often that I use greek yogurt in smoothies – I like to keep them dairy-free. But when I want to add extra protein to smoothies, then Greek yogurt is my ingredient of choice. Vanilla Greek yogurt also helps to mask the kale in this smoothie and makes it extra creamy.
- Unsweetened coconut milk. you can also use almond milk or any non-dairy milk.
FAQs
Yes, absolutely. There’s no need to cook the kale first. If you purchase whole kale leaves, I recommend removing the stem before adding it to the blender. The stems are very rough and fibrous, making them difficult to blend into a smoothie.
Yes, blueberries and kale are powerful superfoods and have many health benefits. Blueberries are high in fiber, antioxidants, potassium, and vitamins. Kale is high in folate, calcium, vitamin c and k, and antioxidants. Both help to prevent heart disease, diabetes, and cancer
The best way to prevent chunks and pieces of kale is to use a high-speed blender. I have a Vitamix that works great, but I like Ninjas too. For more blender recommendations, check out this best blender for smoothies post.
Another tip is to blend the kale with some liquid first before adding in the other ingredients. This helps get a smooth consistency.
Last, don’t blend in the stems. Stems are very fibrous and do not blend well into smoothies.
Common Curly Kale is the best kind to use for smoothies and the variety found in most grocery stores. I also like using baby kale because of its mild flavor. You can purchase kale in bulk or bags already cleaned and chopped.
Cooking Tips
- Swap in other greens. If you don’t like kale or have other greens available, you can use those instead. I also like purchasing containers of super greens, which include a mix of kale, spinach, and chard.
- Use your favorite superfood. Smoothies are perfect for adding in all kinds of superfoods. Chia seeds are my favorite, but you can use flaxseeds, hemp hearts, coconut oil, matcha, or any superfood.
- Make it a high-protein smoothie. You can blend in peanut butter or any nut butter for a protein boost. A scoop of protein powder is another way to slip in extra protein.
- Make it dairy-free. You can substitute dairy-free yogurt to keep this smoothie dairy-free.
- Adjust the liquid to your preference. If you’d like a thicker consistency, use less liquid; this is good for smoothie bowls. For a thinner smoothie, use more liquid.
- Make it sweeter. The banana in this smoothie does give the perfect amount of sweetness but if you’d like it a touch sweeter, then blend in a teaspoon of pure maple syrup or honey.
Supplies
- High-speed blender – I’ve owned this Vitamix for close to 10 years, and it’s still going strong. If you plan to make smoothies regularly, I recommend investing in a high-quality blender. If a Vitamix is too pricey, then check out my recommendation for the best blenders for smoothies.
- Glass tumbler – I often use a 32-ounce mason jar for drinking smoothies. I also have this 18-ounce Ello glass tumbler.
- Reusable straws – These Ello reusable straws work fantastic for smoothies.
- Straw cleaner – Definitely grab a straw cleaner to keep those straws clean.
- 20-ounce Yeti tumbler – I love using my Yeti tumbler to keep smoothies cold on the go.
- Reusable silicone bags – These bags come in handy when putting together freezer smoothie kits.
How to Make a Blueberry Kale Smoothie
Place all of the ingredients into a high-speed blender and blend. Add more coconut milk or water until you get the desired consistency. If you don’t have a powerful blender, I recommend blending the kale with some liquid first to prevent chunks.
Check out my ultimate tutorial on making a green smoothie for more tips, recipes, and ideas.
Storage Tips
Leftover blueberry kale smoothies can be stored in a mason jar and refrigerated for up to two days. The consistency will be thin, and the smoothie will separate a bit. But the flavor will still be good. Just give it a few shakes and enjoy.
Or make a freezer smoothie kit – place all of the ingredients, minus the liquid, into a freezer bag and freeze.
Blueberry Kale Smoothie
Equipment
- High-speed Blender
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen blueberries
- 1/2 ripe banana
- 1 cup chopped kale or more if you like
- 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
- water, if needed for consistency
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Add water, if needed, to get the consistency you like.
Notes
Nutrition
More Healthy Smoothie Recipes
Did you make this recipe?
Have you tried this Blueberry Kale Smoothie? If so, I’d love for you to rate this recipe and leave a comment below. We all learn from each other’s experiences. Also, it would be awesome if you could share a picture on Instagram and tag it #organizeyourselfskinny. I can’t wait to see it!
Kathy Hart says
Hi!!
I’m about to make your Blueberry and Kale smoothie. I know it’ll be yummy!!
Also, you asked about making smoothies with avocado. OMG they are delicious! I make several of them, but LOVE this one!
2 cups Kale or Spinach
2 cups Coconut or Almond milk
1 medium peeled avocado
1-2 Frozen bananas
2 Tbsp Flaxseed
1 Tbsp Chia Seed
1 tsp cinnamon
1 scoop of protein powder,
2 cups of frozen Organic Mango chunks
I hope you try it and like it as much as I do!!
DB Elle says
I like the recipe and all the pointers 🙂
Mindy says
Made this, except I used fresh blueberries and added about a cup of ice so it would be cold. Unfortunately, it turned out very gelatinous, so I ended up having to eat it with a spoon. Not sure why, but this is what happened.
Theresa says
I’ve used this recipe…
1 cup blueberries (frozen)
1 banana
1-2 handfuls kale
1 cup almond milk or water
Always add more water if its too thick. I have never added yogurt to a smoothie. Doesn’t appeal to me.
DB Elle says
My smoothie with fresh blueberries came out gelatinous too….
I came across your post trying to search for an explanation. I was thinking perhaps it might be the fiber content in the blueberry- it’s mostly insoluble fiber,… And I’m thinking it would be the soluble fiber , such as in oatmeal or chia seeds that would thicken it.
Any luck on explaining the gelatinous effect?
My concoction included dairy, frozen bananas, blueberries fresh from the garden, almond butter and a bit of choc syrup.
Zoe says
Just wanted to say that this smoothie was AMAZING. This was my first smoothie trying kale in it and I am in love. I will definitely be making this again 🙂
Micah says
Are the nutrition details for all of it or for one serving?
Erin says
Do you mean coconut milk in the tetra pack that you would drink or coconut milk from a can that is usually used in recipes?
Tammy Kresge says
In the carton.
Karen says
Hello, this may be a silly question, but should the kale be raw or cooked?
Tammy Kresge says
The kale should be raw.
Melissa says
Just a tip, don’t freeze Kale, it’s flavor becomes stronger in the freezer. I learned the hard way and had to throw away large amounts of kale and premade smoothies with Kale in them. If you refrigerate for a day they will still be fine, but keep in mind the nutrition breaks down the longer you let it sit.
Tammy Kresge says
I have never had that issue with Kale. I freeze kale all the time. That is interesting. Thanks for your tips.
Patti says
I was wondering if you could freeze kale. I have a big bag and haven’t used it all. Does it have to be cooked before it is frozen?
Amy says
Ok I have a confession. I’ve purchased kale twice now with the intention of making these and never got around to it (I have no idea why) and have had to use the kale in making stock or thrown it away because I let it go too long. So the question is, can I just swap out spinach for the kale since I seem to have that most of the time for other things????
Tammy Kresge says
Yes you can more certainly use spinach.
Leah says
Tammy: Love your blog!!! Love this smoothie! I just started putting kale into my smoothies and I think it’s a fantastic addition. This morning I tried the coconut oil for the first time as well. I only added one tablespoon as the calories are shocking. Is it really okay to be consuming all those calories and fat in a smoothie? Also what are thoughts on cooking with coconut oil. Currently I am a dedicated butter or olive oil gal so switching is a bit scary. Any thought? Keep up the great work, love it!
Dana says
Have you ever tried putting tofu in it. You might try silken consistency. It would make the smoothy creamy and would only take on the taste of the other items in the smoothy since tofu really has no real taste of its own.
Julie says
Tammy, how do you do your smoothies to go? I see the pic on Instagram… I guess just a mason jar with a twist on lid? Thanks!
I read an article on avocados the other day…. buy a bunch of ripe avocados, cut them up, flash freeze them and store. Pull out and add to smoothies whenever you want! We LOVE avocados here, but I never thought of adding them to my smoothie. My 6 month old just started purees, and avocado was her first fruit. She was eating her fix while we were eating our guacamole! 🙂
Kerri says
Can you save the second serving for the following day? How foes that work?
Jessica says
This looks delish! I’ve been all about the blueberries too recently, must be some vitamin my body needs in them haha. Here’s one of my fave green drink recipes: http://www.ivlproducts.com/all-day-energy-greens-drink/health-and-wellness/Healthy-Green-Drink-Recipes-for-Glowing-Skin.aspx – it has raspberries in it so you really can’t go wrong!
chris says
I want to try smoothies for my daughter but seems like a lot of work first thing in am…Didn’t see this question answered but am also wondering if this can be frozen or saved in fridge for a couple mornings so only have to make it once?
Thank you!
Audrey says
I put all my frozen smoothie ingredients in a zipper bag, my fruit I freeze my yogurt in ice cube trays , alls I have to add is my liquid. Big time saver for me in the morning
melody Burgess says
Using maple syrup would not be a healthy choice when you have all the other ingredients to be healthy..you can still get all the sweetness by using Stevia raw without anything else in the stevia, and or another one to use which is great is xyiltol. You can have the sweetness without the guilt.
Kara says
I also like to use honey greek yogurt, it gives plenty of sweetness and it’s delicious!
Sharyn says
I add one date per serving (seedless, obviously). They are super sweet and low in calories (relatively).
Tim says
Oh, please. 2 tsp. pure maple syrup in 8 cups of smoothie unhealthy? Since when, and says who?
Guilt, that’s unhealthy, but certainly not something I get from this recipe, maple syrup and all.
MrsPABK says
I am with you, Tim. Not liking what I read about Stevia and the chemicals they add to it. I’d go with pure maple syrup or honey first.
Bob says
I would much rather use the Pure maple syrup than any chemical sweeteners.
Darla Bennett says
Real and raw maple is much better than artifical sweeteners!
Cheryl says
My favourite smoothie has avocado in it!! It’s delicious and my 5 yr old loves it too!!
1/2 avo
1/2 green apple
1/2 banana
1 small carrot
1 small celery stick
2 cups spinach
Chia seeds
Approx 250ml coconut water
Sommer says
This might be a silly question but I don’t have much experience with smoothies…how long will this keep in the fridge? I am thinking this would make two quick breakfasts for myself if it will keep that long but maybe its better to make and freeze? Id love any input on this. Sure would be a time saver to make ahead.
Veronica M says
I love avocados in smoothies. They really add no flavor but ver very creamy….I use a half of avacodo per serving of smoothie!
Tammy says
That is my next venture – avocado in my smoothie. I have wanting to try that.
Jennifer W says
You can also use raw milk kefir instead of yogurt. Just a thought. My girls love it in any smoothie.
me says
i love kefir but it has too much sugar for my tastes