I am in love with my smoothies. And now that I have figured out how to make ahead green smoothies (and every other smoothie for that matter) I am in smoothie heaven. I can literally take a bag out of my freezer, toss the ingredients in my blender and have a smoothie ready to go in a minute. Strawberry banana, orange dream, peach, Pina Colada smoothie…I love them all.
My ultimate favorite though is green smoothies because they are packed full of good stuff that my body wants and I can’t taste the spinach. It’s true. It’s like a neutral flavor. It took a lot to convince me to even first try a green smoothie for the first time as I am one of the pickiest people on the planet. I was terrified to try it. It was my daughter that was shoving the green smoothie sample in my face and I was fighting it big time. Then gave in. But after I did..I was like “hmmm…not bad. Not bad at all!” Which then later turned into “Oooh…green smoothies are yummy!” And then into “Gotta have my green smoothie today!”
In fact, I loved my green smoothies so much that I decided to grow spinach for the first time this summer – yes, just for the smoothie. Too bad the spinach harvest only lasted a week or so for me – I wanted it all summer long. So the rest of the year I buy bags of spinach at the grocery store. I often have the problem with the fresh spinach going bad in the fridge before I can use it all up since sometimes the bags are fairly large. And oh that smell of rotten spinach…yuck! It’s a real nasty smell. Gags me. Bleh.
The good news is that once I figured out that how to make ahead my green smoothies I haven’t had another bag of spinach go bad. Yahoo! Saving money rocks.
How to Make Ahead Green Smoothies
Here are the ingredients you need for 13 quart sized green smoothie bags (about 26 servings)
- One large 40 oz. (2 1/2 lb) package of Spinach
- 6-7 Bananas
- 4 lb. bag Frozen Pineapple chunks
- One Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate Can
- Optional: Pinch of fresh Parsley, pinch of fresh Cilantro
Grab a Huge Handful of Spinach and toss it into the bottom of a quart-sized bag.
Add in 1/2 ripe banana peeled, 1 tablespoon orange juice concentrate and 1 cup frozen pineapple.
Add in your optional parsley and cilantro or any other add-ins you like. Some folks like flax or chia seeds, aloe vera or even protein powders.
Squeeze as much air as possible out of bags and seal. Label and freeze – I like to layer them on a cookie sheet so they stay flat as they freeze.
To later make your make-ahead green smoothie just take out one of your pre-frozen bags. Then pour ingredients into the blender – I will squeeze the bags on both sides and all the ingredients slip out nicely. Add in about 1 – 2 cups of cold water and blend away. Start with less water and get it to the consistency you like your smoothie.
Serving size? It makes about a quart sized mason jar full. So if you drink that much it serves one. Or if you just want a nice 8 oz. glass you can get a little over 2 cups full. So this works for me and my husbands’ breakfast in the morning.
How to Make Ahead Green Smoothies
Ingredients
- 40 oz package of spinach
- 6-7 Bananas
- 4 lb. bag Frozen Pineapple chunks
- 1 can Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate
- Optional: Pinch of fresh Parsley pinch of fresh Cilantro
Instructions
- Grab a Huge Handful of Spinach and toss it into the bottom of a quart-sized bag.
- Add in 1/2 ripe banana peeled, 1 tablespoon orange juice concentrate and 1 cup frozen pineapple.
- Add in your optional parsley and cilantro or any other add-ins you like. Some folks like flax or chia seeds, aloe vera or even protein powders.
- Squeeze as much air as possible out of bags and seal. Label and freeze - I like to layer them on a cookie sheet so they stay flat as they freeze. You should be able to make 13 bags.
- To later make your make-ahead green smoothie just take out one of your pre-frozen bags. Then pour ingredients into the blender - I will squeeze the bags on both sides and all the ingredients slip out nicely. Add in about 1 - 2 cups of cold water and blend away. Start with less water and get it to the consistency you like your smoothie.
- Serving size? It makes about a quart sized mason jar full. So if you drink that much it serves one. Or if you just want a nice 8 oz. glass you can get a little over 2 cups full. So this works for me and my husbands' breakfast in the morning.
Nutrition
Loved this recipe?
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You can also make ahead smoothies of all types. Just add your frozen or fresh fruit, bananas, frozen yogurt and even ice cubes.
If your recipe has yogurt in it there are 2 ways you can do this. First, you can buy a big tub of yogurt, scoop it into ice cube trays and freeze. Then take out the cubes and add them to your make-ahead smoothie bags. If you don’t think your blender is strong enough to break down a big square ice cube of yogurt then you can also just drop your yogurt by the teaspoon onto a parchment or waxed paper lined cookie sheet and flash freeze. Then remove and add to your smoothie bags.
And that is it! See how easy it is to make ahead smoothies? What are some of your favorite smoothie recipes? Do you make green smoothies too or am I the only weirdo out there that loves these things?
About Karrie
Food is my love language. But so is saving money. So I like to combine the two a lot and make thrifty make ahead and freeze meals to save time. Because life is busy, and freezer meals can come to the rescue for all of us. And yes, they actually CAN taste good. Read more...
Comments & Reviews
Stacey Pledger says
I love your ideas! I like to add a splash of coconut water instead of plain water and a little honey when I put it into the nutribullet.
Rhonda Morin says
I am interested to know what other recipes you have tried in the freezer. I am afraid I would get sick of the same thing every day. I am interested in the “Strawberry banana, orange dream, peach, Pina Colada smoothie” part of your article. Love this so much!!!!
Happy.MoneySaver says
I mix it up quite often with what fruit I have available. Adding in one fruit makes a big taste difference if it is a vibrant fruit!
Lana says
Watercress is supposed to be the most nutrient-dense green. I throw a handful in stems and all. I love the idea of making bags ahead and freezing, since watercress is not cheap and does not stay fresh long.
Karen says
What a great idea! Do you need the oj concentrate for the sweetness? I am trying to cut back on the sugars in my life, but dont want to mess with the flavor balance.
Happy.MoneySaver says
Since it’s only 1 TBSP of the orange juice concentrate for 2 servings it isn’t too powerful. Try to leave it out on one batch and see if you like it!
Karen says
You are right you know, ( as I sit here eating a chocolate peanut cluster) a little oj would be a much better choice 🙂
VANE says
how about apples does anyone know if they do well frozen ???
Karrie says
Yep – apples freeze well.
Mark Clulow says
Very excited to have just created 10 make-ahead smoothies using your recipe, thank you!
I added some flax seed, a mix of different local herbs (here in South China) and some frozen berries.
Just tried one of them (just to make sure I like it hah!) and it was delicious. What a wonderful way to pack a lot of healthy goodness in to me!
Thanks again – newbie and already a big fan! 🙂
Happy.MoneySaver says
Glad you like them!
kara says
Such a great idea! I am also interested in the whole list of smoothies you had mentioned! They sound wonderful… but what would you recommend for someone who abhors bananas?? This throws me for a loop when it comes to smoothies. And its not a child…its me. 🙁
Happy.MoneySaver says
Leave out the bananas and replace it with any other fruit that they like. The best part about these smoothies is you can make them the way you like them!
katie weaver says
I am one of many that has a very busy schedule, this idea sounds perfect for me! How do the fresh fruits/veggies hold up being frozen? I use mainly fresh ingredients so if I were to be making ahead of time it would be a bag of fresh spinach, banana, pineapple, mango (for example), the fresh produce will be just fine being frozen for a few days? I have read that certain items cannot freeze well and/or they have to be prepared a certain way in order to freeze or they just cannot be frozen period. I would really like to find a way to store all my recipes for a few days for easy access, refrigerating instead of freezing doesnt seem to be working 🙁 my fruit begins to brown and get mushy. And I really dont have time to make them individually every morning. Any help would be awesome! Cheers!
Happy.MoneySaver says
Hi, Katie! The fruit and spinach hold up very well for up to 3 months. I would suggest making a duplicate to your smoothie you make everyday and then freezing it, making it and deciding if you like the way it tastes before making a whole bunch of them. I think you will like how much time it saves in the morning!
Josie R. says
I’m going to do this as a gift for my mom’s birthday. Instead of water I use Almond Milk – which I buy the shelf stable kind – although in a less quantity.
Great idea!
sarah says
What a great idea! Just got done making my second batch. My one year old and I have enjoyed sharing a smoothie after her nap everyday.
Suzanne says
I drink a green smoothie every day, doctor’s orders. I use a variety of ingredients, depending on my mood and what I have on hand from a local organic farm. Swiss chard, collards, kale, lettuces, spinach, beet greens, seeds, Greek yogurt, protein powder, olive oil, various fruits (frozen and fresh). I use a Nutribullet, and make several smoothies, freeze them in Bell freezer jars. I take one from the freezer the day ahead so it can thaw. Works great!
Karrie says
Awesome Suzanne – green smoothies are AMAZING!!
Becky says
I want to say THANK YOU. I would have never thought of freezing the greens. What a smart idea. Love it.
Carole says
I was curious to know what you set for the rest of the day?
Carole
Happy.MoneySaver says
Half the battle of eating well is just being prepared with a menu! That stops a lot of the fast food trips around 5:00pm! 🙂 I like to use a lot of freezer meals and it helps me stay on track and organized for mealtimes!
Louise says
Oh. I forgot to include, always add a banana to the smoothie before blending. It takes away the “green” taste.
Louise says
I have a favorite recipe that makes a little over a quart of smoothie. I make it in a Vitamix blender which blends it in about two minutes. I put these ingredients in the blender in this order:
1c grapes; 1c any frozen fruit; 2 carrots; 2 stalks celery; 1 scoop vegan protein powder; 2Tbsp bran, flax meal or pre-soaked chia seeds; 2 handfuls of spinach; 2 small apples; 1 orange; enough almond milk to bring smoothie to desired consistency.
If you’re really ambitious you can make your own almond milk. It’s easy. Just soak 1c of almonds in water overnight. In the morning, drain and rinse the almonds. Place in a blender with 4 pitted dates and 4c water. Blend well until smooth. Add 1tsp vanilla and a tiny pinch of cinnamon. Blend slowly until thoroughly mixed. Strain through cheesecloth. Done! Store in sealed glass container and shake well before using. This will keep 5-7 days in the refrigerator. I think this is much better than store bought almond milk.
Leslee says
Thank you for both the smoothie and almond milk recipe!! Sounds like your eating habits are very similar to mine.
Judy says
I wonder if you could use kale instead of spinach, I grow it in my garden. I think I will try it & see couldn’t hurt. Thanks!!
Louise says
I substitute kale and various other types of greens (try beet greens) often. It’s actually good to mix it up to vary your nutrients.
Bonnie says
My family is now totally in LOVE with green smoothies! I saw your post and the idea of feeding my body something super healthy was so tempting we gave it a go… Every morning my husband and I split a blender of green smoothie (different flavors every time, I just clear out the fridge!) I am so excited about freezing them ahead of time (I think your freezer meals actually saved my life!)
Thanks so much, Love your site!
Denise says
I grow spinach and chard in my garden too, and have a hard time using it all up during the growing season. I have bags of greens, bananas (which I buy by the case) and peaches in my freezer but I love the idea of doing them combined in individual smoothie bags! Thanks!
Katie says
Yummy & efficiant! You mentioned a number of smoothie flavors; would you post the recipes please so that I can try them out? Thanks!
Holly says
Made these last night, they are delish! The kids loved them too! I can never get them to eat green veggies but they will eat green smoothies!
Emily says
I have a bag of spinach in my fridge right now just begging to be frozen for smoothies. I’ve always blended it and made ice cubes to throw into my smoothies, but I like this method way better. Thanks for sharing! I think I’ll put bananas, pineapple, and strawberries in with my spinach and a spoonful of chia seeds…maybe even some pomegranate since I have some in the fridge. Yum!
Karrie says
Oooh…Pomegranate would be soooo good in that. I have gotta try that. 🙂
cindy langford says
do you use the pomegranate seeds and all? It seems very time consuming to de-seed it.
Vivian says
Cindy,—
After you cut a pomegranate In Half, Place it cut Side down, In your Hand Over a Large Bowl, And Tap it with A Large wooden spoon, all the seeds fall right out Easily, Two Minutes!—
Karrie says
Up to 3 months.
Julie says
Sounds good, but how many carbs and calories are involved with these smoothies?
DonnaTN says
Don’t worry about it. IIt’s VERY healthy, & chocked FULL of good vitamins!!
If you want something that’s nutritious, it must contain calories. Do not worry about just carbs, there are two different types of carbs, simple, and complex. Complex is better.
Do you want food with no nutritional value at all or something that’s full of something good? (You can’t have something that’s good for you that has nothing in it. Except for water!! That’s it’s very definition.)
Don’t become the food police! Just eat healthy.