This avocado kale smoothie is inspired by the green smoothie from Los Angeles’ Gjusta Bakery.
I’m back from my short but super sweet weekend at Disney World. I was there this past weekend to participate in the Disney Princess Half Marathon. It was a 13.1 mile run from Epcot to the Magic Kingdom and back to Epcot. After a long run like that, my body craves smoothies and juices.
This avocado kale smoothie was inspired by this green smoothie I tried from Gjusta Bakery. While it tasted amazing, it was also pretty pricey.
I was a bit shocked to pay $7 for an 8oz smoothie. Although I really enjoyed it, my wallet did cry a little when I paid.
Avocado Banana Kale Smoothie
After three trials and errors I found the perfect combination of avocado, kale and banana that resembles Gjusta’s version.
And the best part, for about the same price, you can easily make a week’s worth of avocado kale smoothies at home!
I’m a big fan of green smoothies. (See: tropical green smoothie, miss green smoothie, and happy green monster.) It’s an excellent way to incorporate extra greens into your diet without much effort.
Avocado
Avocados can do no wrong. They add the perfect creamy, buttery texture to this smooth.
There are hundreds of varieties of avocado. Most of the avocados commercially available are the Hass variety (from California)
Coconut Water
All my green smoothies start with coconut water. Coconut water is the perfect base because it’s super hydrating and it has a very clean and subtle taste.
Frozen Bananas
To thicken the smoothie without the use of ice (which is really hard to crush in a blender and eventually waters down the flavors of the smoothie), I used frozen bananas.
Frozen bananas are magical… you’ve heard of the one ingredient banana ice cream, right?
Baby Kale
While raw kale isn’t very pleasant on its own, once you blend it with rich creamy avocado and sweet ripe bananas, it tastes really good!
Like the same suggests, baby kale are the leaves of young kale. Baby kale has the texture of spinach, meaning you don’t have to remove the center stems.
Baby kale is becoming quite popular. You can find it in many boxed green mixes at the market.
Lime Juice
I also added a little fresh squeezed lime juice to brighten up the flavors.
Don’t omit the lime juice. This smoothie needs that pop of brightness.
Technically this recipe serves 2, but I can easily finish the entire batch to myself. It’s that refreshing and delicious!
Avocado Kale Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup coconut water
- 2 cups baby kale leaves
- ½ cup ripe avocado
- 1 banana, frozen
- 2 teaspoon fresh squeezed lime juice
Instructions
- Pour coconut water into blender. Add kale, avocado, frozen banana and lime juice. Cover with lid and blend until smooth. Pour into two glasses and serve immediately.
I have never put avocado in my smoothies before but this looks so creamy and delicious, I must try this!
Thanks Jocelyn! Avocados add the perfect amount of creaminess to smoothies!
YUM love the looks of this green smoothie! I have one with kale/spinach every morning, but I’ve never thought to add avocado…adding that to my list of things to try ASAP.
I love it! It goes really well with kale/spinach. :)
Congrats on finishing the half marathon.. that is such a fantastic achievement & I love that you celebrated with a glass of champagne at the end! I often make green smoothies and am always looking for new recipes to try, so I definitely will be making this one Maryanne.
Thanks Thalia! Can’t wait for you to try it out! :)
Congratulations on your half marathon – it’s my favourite distance too! I would love to do a Disney Run one day, but it takes a little more planning to fly over from Australia for one. But what a perfect excuse for a Californian holiday ;)
This smoothie would certainly be the best thing for re-hydrating too! On my list for breakfast next week, after a run of course!
Thanks Amy! Definitely a perfect excuse to come over! :)
Sounds like such a fun race! And this smoothie is a great way to re-charge. I agree – buying a smoothie is so overrated. They are expensive! It’s crazy. Making them at home is the way to go!
It was very fun! I’ve become very weary of purchasing smoothies…especially because I wonder if they’re adding additional sweeteners and sugars to make it taste better.
What a beauty! That smoothie looks delicious. Yeah, $7 is an arm and a leg for a smoothie. Way to figure it out! And way to go on your 1/2 marathon!
Thanks so much! I’m hoping to one day complete a full marathon, but for now I’m really loving the 1/2s! :)
I made this for my St. Patrick’s Day smoothie today, was tasty!
Thanks for all the smoothie recipes. Can’t wait to try them on my husband! He’s all into juicing lately.
You’re welcome! Hope you and your husband enjoy them :)
I made this with kiwi and it was great! thank you so much, my first green juice turned out awesome :)
That’s wonderful to hear! Hope this is the first of many green juices!
Maryanne,
I’m a little different than others posting below or pertaining to other recipes here on THE LITTLE EPICUREAN e.g., retired military – male 54 living in Alaska. After finding the avocado, coconut, chocolate popsicles on your site – I fell in love!
My goal is to follow you during 2018 and spend more time in the kitchen than in front of the TV.
Thanks again,
Justin
Thanks so much for sharing this homemade, friendly and tasty smoothie.
I am a Lover of Smoothie. I haven’t tested this Smoothie before. I will surely try it out this weekend.
The steps are quite easy to follow and the nutritional benefits are amazing!
I must say you are a Genius.
Thanks once again.
Can I replace the coconut water with normal water?
You can, but it won’t taste as good. I suggest you replace the coconut water with milk, soy milk, almond milk, or oat milk.
Tried this with vanilla almond milk….YUM!
I drink a green smoothie every morning, and wondering if anyone added seaweed to a green smoothie?
Yes, there are several smoothie shops in the Los Angeles area that include wakame seaweed into their green smoothies.