A lot of folks may look at you sideways if you offer to make them a kale smoothie. Be ready to get a “thanks, but no thanks” shake of the head. But this is one of those drinks you really need to try before you decide it’s too… green.

It’s the combination of flavors that really makes this kale smoothie a winner. The kale provides a rich foundation of vitamins and minerals, but that’s just the beginning. When you add ginger and turmeric, plus oranges, you have more than a vitamin-packed drink; you have a tall glass of delicious!

If you’ve decided to start planting kale, or you’ve been growing kale for years, choose a variety with deep green leaves; I like to use lacinato, or dinosaur kale. The leaves are dark, rich, and full of flavor. Ideally, you want to pick the leaves fresh in the morning. Even if you don’t have baby kale leaves, the fresher the leaves are, the better.

With the lacinato kale, I like to trim the leaves to remove the stem and the main rib, but I don’t throw it out, or even compost it. I save the ribs in a freezer bag for my next batch of soup. That’s one of the great things about kale—there are so many ways to prepare it, nothing ever goes to waste!

Try to use fresh ginger and turmeric root when you make this kale smoothie. The fresh root really adds a pop of flavor (and antioxidants, by the way). If you don’t have fresh, powdered will do in a pinch. If you’re not growing your own ginger yet, you might want to consider it.

Super Greens Kale Smoothie

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A kale smoothie is a great way to start the day or add a boost of energy in the afternoon. You can make your smoothie in a blender or food processor—just take a few minutes to pull the pith off the oranges.

• Author: Norann Oleson
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: Serves 1
• Category: Beverages

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups baby kale leaves
• 1/2-inch piece of ginger, peeled
• 1/2-inch piece of turmeric root, peeled
• 2 large navel oranges, peeled and pith removed
• 1/2 cup water or orange juice
• Optional: ice cubes, frozen berries, frozen banana slices

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Instructions

1. Add the kale leaves, ginger, turmeric, oranges and water/juice to your blender or food processor.
2. Process until smooth.
3. Add some ice cubes or frozen fruit and blend to desired thickness and level of sweetness.

Notes

• If you don’t have turmeric root, you can add a sprinkling of turmeric powder at the end. Adding the ice or frozen fruit at the end allows you to control the consistency and sweetness of the smoothie.

The Magic Behind Each Ingredient

• Baby Kale Leaves are our nutrient powerhouse! They’re milder and more tender than mature kale leaves, making them perfect for smoothies. Plus, they’re absolutely packed with vitamins A, K, and C – basically your entire day’s worth of greens in one glass.
  • Substitutions: Regular kale works fine (just remove those tough stems), or try spinach, Swiss chard, or even romaine for a milder flavor. If you’re new to green smoothies, start with a mix of spinach and kale until you get used to the taste.
• Fresh Ginger  brings that zippy kick that wakes up all the other flavors. It’s like your smoothie’s personal cheerleader, plus it’s great for digestion and fighting inflammation.
  • Substitutions: Ground ginger works (start with 1/4 teaspoon), or try fresh turmeric for extra anti-inflammatory benefits. Sometimes I’ll use candied ginger when I want a sweeter kick.
• Fresh Turmeric Root is our golden ticket to wellness! It adds this gorgeous earthy note and turns everything a beautiful sunshine yellow (pro tip: watch out for your countertops – and your clothes!).
  • Substitutions: Ground turmeric works fine (about 1/4 teaspoon), or you can skip it entirely. Just remember that fresh turmeric is about 3 times more potent than dried.
• Navel Oranges are our sweet-tart flavor balancers. They bring enough natural sugar to make the greens palatable without turning this into a fruit punch. Plus, the vitamin C helps your body absorb all that iron from the kale.
  • Substitutions: Any citrus works great – try mandarin oranges for extra sweetness or grapefruit for a tart kick. Pineapple is another great option that adds natural sweetness and digestive enzymes.
• Water/Orange Juice is our liquid base that helps everything blend smoothly. Using orange juice adds extra sweetness and citrus punch, while water keeps things lighter.
  • Substitutions: Coconut water adds electrolytes, or try green tea (cooled) for an antioxidant boost. For extra creaminess, coconut milk or almond milk work beautifully.

Pro Tips:

• If your blender isn’t super powerful, try chopping the kale into smaller pieces first.
• If you’re new to green smoothies, add a frozen banana or a few frozen mango chunks – they’ll make everything smoother and sweeter.
• Fresh turmeric and ginger keep beautifully in the freezer! Just peel them first, wrap well, and grate them frozen when needed.

Power-Up Options:

• Add a scoop of collagen or unflavored protein powder for staying power
• Toss in some hemp seeds or chia seeds for omega-3s
• A tablespoon of coconut oil makes everything creamier and helps with nutrient absorption
• Fresh mint or basil can add an interesting dimension
• A squeeze of lime juice brightens all the flavors

Remember, this isn’t just any green smoothie – it’s your daily dose of wellness in a glass! And if anyone gives you the side-eye for drinking something this green, just smile knowingly and remind them that this is how you maintain your superhero powers (or at least your energy to keep up with a busy day!).

If you make this smoothie recipe, let me know what you think! And don’t worry if your first few attempts are a bit… adventurous. We all start somewhere on our green smoothie journey!

Have you tried this kale smoothie? It’s a quick way to get a nutritious and refreshing drink—please tell us how it turned out for you.