A light and refreshing way to start your day, or as a quick mid-afternoon pick-me-up! Our Apple Cucumber Smoothie sports a whole apple, a cup and a half of greens, and a quarter cup of cucumber per serving, along with a host of other delicious and nutritious ingredients.
This post may contain affiliate links. See our Disclaimer for more information
Sometimes we just need something light and quick for breakfast. Here comes this Apple Cucumber Smoothie to save the morning! Lightning fast to prepare, and a deliciously light way to get your apple a day!
Smoothies are a great way to get a ton of nutrition in a small package. Try some of my other favorite smoothies, like this High Potassium Smoothie, Orange Mango Smoothie, or Berry Smoothie with Peanut Butter.
Jump to:
Heart Health Benefits of Apple Cucumber Smoothie
Smoothies are so well known for being healthy that even the ones that are basically milkshakes have achieved a health halo.
This green apple smoothie, however, actually deserves that distinction!
We start with green apples and spinach. We know that people who eat more fruits and vegetables, apples and green leafy vegetables specifically (in addition to pears, citrus, cruciferous vegetables and salads), have a lower risk of heart disease than people who eat less (1). Sometimes it can be a challenge to eat right though, so we packed those into a delicious smoothie!
We add a cucumber for freshness! They are very low in calories because of their high water content, making them a perfect addition to smoothies. Cucumbers are also high in vitamin K (along with spinach!), an important nutrient for proper blood clotting. As always, if you are on a blood thinner, talk to your doctor about how much vitamin K you should consume.
Ginger has been used traditionally for centuries, and is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. More recently, it has been studied for its specific effects on heart health, and has shown it can potentially lower blood pressure and cholesterol (2). And it's a fabulous compliment to the apples and cucumbers in this recipe.
Our whole apple and cucumber smoothie ends up being low in calories, fat, and sodium, high in vitamin K and calcium, and a good source of fiber, potassium, vitamin A and C, and magnesium! That's one heart healthy smoothie!
Ingredients
Make sure your ingredients are washed and ready to go. Peeling the ginger is optional, but makes for a smoother product if you do.
- Spinach
- Green apples
- Seedless cucumber
- Dates
- Ginger root
- Almond milk
- Ice
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
We love smoothies for how simple they are to make, and this green apple spinach smoothie is no exception.
Add all the ingredients, except ice, to a high speed blender.
Blend on high until the mixture is very smooth.
Add the ice to the blender.
Blend again until smooth. Serve!
Hint: use a spoon to peel the skin off the ginger. If you have a lot extra, put it in a plastic zipper bag and put it in the freezer. It will keep that way for months, and you can use it frozen by grating it with a micro-plane.
Substitutions
Smoothies can be made to fit a wide range of tastes, simply by adding or omitting ingredients. Consider some of these substitutions:
- Spinach - instead of spinach, try kale (remove the large stems first!)
- Cucumber - simply leave it out, or add a banana instead for some extra sweetness and potassium
- Almond milk - try cashew milk, coconut milk, or hemp milk instead
Equipment
The only thing you'll need for this recipe, besides a knife and cutting board...and maybe some measuring cups...is a high speed blender. I love my Vitamix (affiliate link), but any brand will do.
If you only have a regular blender, you can still make this, but you might want to do a little more prep. First, soak the dates in the almond milk for at least 30 minutes. Longer if you have the time. You will also want to sort through your spinach and remove any large stems. A high speed blender will take care of those no problem, but a regular blender may struggle, and your smoothie may end up stringy.
Storage
You can store this smoothie in an airtight container, refrigerated, for up to 2 days.
Pro tip
Make sure all your ingredients are blended very smooth before adding the ice. The dates and the ginger root both take some time to blend smooth.
FAQ
Absolutely! This smoothie has no added sugar, and each serving dishes out a whole apple, one and a half cups of spinach, and a handful of cucumber! This particular recipe is lower in protein, so just keep that in mind for the rest of your day.
You can store smoothies in an airtight container, refrigerated, for up to 2 days.
Related
Looking for more heart healthy smoothie recipes? Try these:
📖 Recipe
Apple Cucumber Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups Spinach
- 2 small Green Apples cored and sliced - about 1 ½ cup sliced
- ½ cup Seedless Cucumber slices
- 4 Dates pitted
- 1 inch piece of Ginger
- ¾ cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
- 1 cup Ice
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients except the ice to a high speed blender and blend on high until smooth.
- Add the ice, and blend again until smooth.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is an estimate, and will change based on the brand and individual ingredients and amounts you use. This is provided for your convenience only.
Food safety
Safety is our top priority in the kitchen! Always keep these tips in mind for this smoothie recipe.
- Wash all produce, and your hands before beginning
- Make sure your cutting board and knife are both clean
- Be mindful of your hand and finger placement when chopping
- Keep your knives sharp - dull knives increase the risk of cuts
- If you have any leftovers, refrigerate them in an airtight container right away
Leave a Reply