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    Home » Simple Vegan Recipes » Drinks » Smoothies

    Chocolate Shake Green Smoothie

    Published: Jun 16, 2023 · Modified: Jun 29, 2023 by Becky Striepe · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Recipe Video Print
    chocolate spinach smoothie on a white table surrounded by the ingredients, text overlay

    I swear to you that this chocolate spinach smoothie tastes like a chocolate shake. No dairy or added sweeteners needed!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients and substitutions
    • How to make a chocolate spinach smoothie
    • Helpful tips
    • Frequently asked questions
    • More green smoothies
    • 📖 Recipe

    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.

    spinach, cocoa powder, flax meal, avocado, vegan milk, banana, and ice in bowls and cups on a white table

    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.
    blender canister with smoothie ingredients, before blending

    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.
    chocolate green smoothie in the blender after blending

    Frequently asked questions

    Can I use other greens instead of spinach?

    Absolutely. Kale, collards, lettuce, etc all work well in this recipe. For greens with a tough stem, like kale, remove the stems before adding.

    Will I taste the spinach in this smoothie?

    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

    • a raspberry green smoothie in a pint glass with a yellow bicycle printed on it next to frozen berries and a banana
      Banana Berry Fresh Green Smoothie
    • Sweet-and-spicy ginger blueberry green smoothie is a refreshing start to the day! If you've never added spice to a smoothie, this is a great place to start.
      Ginger Blueberry Smoothie with Sneaky Greens
    • two glasses of avocado matcha smoothie on a wooden table next to a scoop of matcha
      Creamy Avocado Matcha Smoothie
    • green apple smoothie in a glass with apples and spinach on the table around it
      Green Apple Smoothie

    📖 Recipe

    Chocolate Spinach Smoothie

    I swear to you that this chocolate spinach smoothie tastes like a chocolate shake. No dairy or added sweeteners needed!
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    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast, Snack
    Cuisine: Vegan
    Keyword: chocolate green smoothie, chocolate spinach smoothie
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 348kcal
    Author: Becky Striepe

    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
    US Customary - Metric

    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!

    Video

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Chocolate Spinach Smoothie
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    348
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    16
    g
    25
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    15
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    6
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    7
    g
    Sodium
     
    133
    mg
    6
    %
    Potassium
     
    1212
    mg
    35
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    46
    g
    15
    %
    Fiber
     
    12
    g
    48
    %
    Sugar
     
    21
    g
    23
    %
    Protein
     
    12
    g
    24
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    1780
    IU
    36
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    34
    mg
    41
    %
    Calcium
     
    377
    mg
    38
    %
    Iron
     
    3
    mg
    17
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe? Share your photo!Mention @GlueAndGlitter on Instagram or Twitter!

    About Becky Striepe

    Headshot of Becky Striepe in front of a teal wall

    Hi there! I'm Becky Striepe (rhymes with sleepy), and I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here.

    Learn more about me >>>

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Hauke Fox

      August 29, 2016 at 12:51 pm

      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 ;-)

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        August 29, 2016 at 1:36 pm

        Haha yeah, it's a cycle for me, too.

        Reply
    2. Anjali @ Vegetarian Gastronomy

      August 27, 2016 at 9:40 pm

      Yummy! Love delicous power smoothies like this one! Especially when it's chocolate flavor!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        August 27, 2016 at 9:41 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    3. Manju | Cooking Curries

      August 27, 2016 at 7:32 pm

      I love adding avocado to smoothies, love that extra creaminess it gives. Great recipe!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        August 27, 2016 at 7:55 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    4. Mel | avirtualvegan.com

      August 26, 2016 at 11:46 am

      It has chocolate and it's healthy. i'm sold! :O)

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        August 26, 2016 at 11:56 am

        Hurrah! :D

        Reply
    5. The vegan 8

      August 26, 2016 at 12:16 am

      Awesome! And it looks so creamy!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        August 26, 2016 at 7:45 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
    6. Kelly @ TastingPage

      August 25, 2016 at 12:32 pm

      I love a chocolate shake that you can drink for breakfast! So many great ingredients in here!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        August 25, 2016 at 12:35 pm

        Me toooooo!

        Reply
    7. Michelle Blackwood

      August 25, 2016 at 10:10 am

      I love green smoothie, this recipe is filling!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        August 25, 2016 at 10:17 am

        Thank you, Michelle!

        Reply
    8. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      August 25, 2016 at 6:05 am

      Fantastic! And what a delicious recipe to start with!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        August 25, 2016 at 7:31 am

        Thank you, Rebecca!

        Reply
    9. Brandie

      August 24, 2016 at 9:07 pm

      That looks good and refreshing!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        August 24, 2016 at 9:09 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    10. Jenn

      August 24, 2016 at 11:22 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        August 24, 2016 at 11:25 am

        Thank you, Jenn!

        Reply
    11. Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche

      August 24, 2016 at 11:11 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        August 24, 2016 at 11:11 am

        You'll love it!!

        Reply

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    About Me

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    Hi! My name is Becky Striepe (rhymes with “sleepy”). I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here. → READ MORE

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