I swear to you that this chocolate spinach smoothie tastes like a chocolate shake. No dairy or added sweeteners needed!
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It's a rich, creamy, chocolatey, omnivore-approved glass of goodness. And there are totally greens in that glass!
This chocolate spinach smoothie recipe is adapted from the second edition of my cookbook, 40 Days of Green Smoothies.
I use spinach as the greens in this smoothie, but you can use other leafy greens, like kale, collard greens, or even lettuce! If you're using greens with a tough stem, remove the stem before adding to the blender.
Ingredients and substitutions
- avocado - Avocado adds some healthy fats and creaminess to this smoothie.
- banana - Not only does the banana add more creaminess, but it sweetens the smoothie without the need for added sugars. The cocoa powder almost completely covers the banana taste.
- cocoa powder - Unsweetened cocoa powder gives this chocolate spinach smoothie its chocolatey flavor.
- flax meal - This adds thickness, protein, and fiber. You can omit or use chia or hemp seeds instead, if you like.
- spinach - Feel free to use other leafy greens, if you prefer. Start with the low amount of spinach, then add more after tasting.
- plant-based milk - I like soy, oat, or almond milk. Just make sure you choose a creamy vegan milk.
- ice - The ice thickens this smoothie even more and makes it refreshingly cool! The amount of ice you need depends on how thick you want your smoothie to be.
How to make a chocolate spinach smoothie
Add all of the ingredients to your blender, starting with the ¼ cup of spinach. Blend, taste, and add more spinach, if you want!
If you want your smoothie thicker, add more ice cubes at this time, too, and blend again.
Helpful tips
- Make sure you blend until you have a totally smooth mixture. It may take longer in a regular blender than in a high speed blender, and it helps to stop and scrape down the sides of the blender canister occasionally, to make sure everything gets broken down by the blades.
- If you replace the spinach with kale or collard greens, remove the stems before adding to the blender.
Frequently asked questions
Absolutely. Kale, collards, lettuce, etc all work well in this recipe. For greens with a tough stem, like kale, remove the stems before adding.
You shouldn't taste the greens at all! That's why we start with a smaller amount and add more, to taste. The cocoa powder and sweet banana mask the flavor of the greens beautifully.
More green smoothies
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Spinach Smoothie
Ingredients
- ¼ to ½ Haas avocado - peeled and pitted, use ½ if the avocado is very small
- 1 banana
- 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons cocoa powder - to taste
- 1 tablespoon flax meal
- ¼ to ½ cup spinach - or kale or other leafy greens of your choice, packed
- 1 cup soy, oat, or almond milk - or other creamy vegan milk
- 5 ice cubes - or more, for a thicker smoothie
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to your blender, starting with the ¼ cup of spinach. Blend, taste, and add more spinach, if you want! If you want it thicker, add more ice cubes at this time, too, and blend again. Serve topped with some chocolate chips!
Hauke Fox
My kind of smoothie, seriously! Healthy, filling, tasty, no fuss! I have similar ones for breakfast as well. Until I get tired of them. Then I'm back on oats. Until I get tired of them. Then I'm back on green smoothies ;-)
Becky Striepe
Haha yeah, it's a cycle for me, too.
Anjali @ Vegetarian Gastronomy
Yummy! Love delicous power smoothies like this one! Especially when it's chocolate flavor!
Becky Striepe
Thank you!
Manju | Cooking Curries
I love adding avocado to smoothies, love that extra creaminess it gives. Great recipe!
Becky Striepe
Thank you!
Mel | avirtualvegan.com
It has chocolate and it's healthy. i'm sold! :O)
Becky Striepe
Hurrah! :D
The vegan 8
Awesome! And it looks so creamy!
Becky Striepe
Thank you!
Kelly @ TastingPage
I love a chocolate shake that you can drink for breakfast! So many great ingredients in here!
Becky Striepe
Me toooooo!
Michelle Blackwood
I love green smoothie, this recipe is filling!
Becky Striepe
Thank you, Michelle!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Fantastic! And what a delicious recipe to start with!
Becky Striepe
Thank you, Rebecca!
Brandie
That looks good and refreshing!
Becky Striepe
Thank you!
Jenn
I love smoothies, so 40 days of them sounds great to me! A big project for sure, but I'm sure it will be wonderfully received.
Becky Striepe
Thank you, Jenn!
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche
Ooh, now if this really tastes like a chocolate milkshake then this is the kind of green smoothie I need to be drinking! Sounds yummy.
Becky Striepe
You'll love it!!