This avocado cucumber smoothie is nutritious with coconut water, spinach, yogurt, apple, hemp hearts and a squirt of lemon juice and still absolutely delicious and creamy. This recipe is a an easy way to get your vegetables in for breakfast for a healthy start to the day!
Whether you’re into smoothies or not, you can’t deny that smoothies are a great way to get veggies in on the first meal of the day. This recipe has a smooth consistency almost like a milkshake, hence the milkshake cups in the pictures.
It’s a great combo with an easily drinkable texture and a fun color. The fresh spinach, buttery avocado and crisp cucumber paired with other white ingredients like yogurt and apple create a vibrant bright green smoothie. If you’re a long time smoothie maker, you’ve probably drank your fair share of brown smoothies from mixing reds and greens but not with this recipe! It’s truly the perfect green smoothie.
This delicious liquid breakfast is LOADED with good stuff with just enough sweetness and a bit of acid to make your tastebuds happy. As written, the recipe has two servings with 8 grams of protein in each too! You can add protein powder or up the hemp hearts if you want more protein or just choose not to share that other serving. I won’t tell anyone.
Some days there’s time to cook eggs, sauté spinach, or even cook a full on chorizo hash but most mornings aren’t like that. In fact, most mornings 5 minute breakfasts is all any of us have time for.
Ingredients
The eight ingredients for this avocado cucumber smoothie are simple and easy to source. They’re also flexible so you can swap ingredients out to create your own dream combo.
- cucumber – this veggie adds fiber, vitamins and a whole array of health benefit without an overly strong vegetable flavor.
- apple – any apple will do but I normally choose a sweet one for the extra flavor it gives. A tart apple like a granny smith works here too though!
- avocado – use half of a ripe, small one or it will overpower the other flavors. Avocado is loaded with healthy fats and adds a creaminess that can’t be beat!
- plain Greek yogurt – or dairy free coconut yogurt works great (my favorite vegan option is Cocojune). You can use flavored or sweetened yogurt too if you prefer that instead and want to make the smoothie sweeter.
- coconut water – liquid is needed in all smoothies so in this one, coconut water adds extra vitamins and sweetness. I linked to the Harmless Harvest one since it is our absolute favorite and available for a fraction of the price at Costco. You can substitute nut milk, plain water or ice cubes though if you’d like.
- hemp hearts – if you’re new to hemp hearts, my article on the benefits of hemp hearts will help sell you on them. Just a small serving adds so many nutrients and packs a punch of plant based hemp protein! You can sprinkle the hemp hearts on top as a garnish or just blend them in.
- greens – I normally use baby spinach or a super greens mix with baby chard, spinach, beet greens, etc.
- lemon juice – you can swap for another citrus fruit like lime juice if needed I highly recommend adding something tangy to brighten up the flavor profile and balance out the creaminess.
You can easily swap out the liquid and substitute the yogurt for dairy free but if you substitute other fresh fruits or veggies I can’t guarantee the results. It isn’t that it won’t still taste good, it will just be a whole new concoction. That’s part of the fun of smoothies though, no two are ever identical!
How to Make a Cucumber Avocado Smoothie
This green smoothie is so simple it comes together in just a few minutes in two easy steps. Here’s what you need to do:
- Add all ingredients to the blender.
- Blend until smooth and creamy and then pour that avocado smoothie into a cup and drink it up!
Tips for Making an Avocado Cucumber Smoothie
This cucumber avocado smoothie is so simple to make that it’s hard to go wrong. That being said, there are some general guidelines to follow to make sure it turns out perfectly every time, regardless of the variations and substitutions you try.
Recipe Notes:
- Make sure to use a ripe avocado.
- Add liquid a little at a time until you get the right consistency.
- Use COLD ingredients – warm smoothies are not appetizing.
- If you like your smoothies icy cold, replace some of the coconut water with ice cubes.
- If you don’t have a high-speed blender, peel the apple and cucumber or it won’t break down all the way.
- Unlike fruit smoothies, this one is mildly sweet but you can make it sweeter by adding more fruit, a pitted date, or a drizzle of honey or agave syrup if you’re desperate for more sweetness.
- It makes two servings and is best if you drink it fresh but still drinkable the next day. If saving for later, add a little more lemon, refrigerate in a lidded glass container like a mason jar and drink within 24 hours. Shake or stir well before drinking if the smoothie has been sitting for more than an hour.
- A high-power blender will produce better, smoother results than a stick blender, food processor or regular blender. All options will work, just expect a few chunks.
Substitutions and Variations
The number of delicious smoothie combos possible with just a handful of basic ingredients is astounding. Especially considering that the amount of each can affect the end result so much. Here are a few ideas for add-ins, swaps, substitutions and variations to get your wheels turning:
- As said before, the coconut water can be substituted for nut milk, cold water, ice cubes, or even fruit juice.
- The apple can be substituted for frozen mango, pineapple, or another light colored sweet fruit. This won’t alter the flavor or color too much.
- You can add in banana but that makes it have an ultra creamy texture so you may want to leave out the avocado if you do.
- Hemp hearts add nutrition but you can leave them out or substitute with a pinch of chia seeds or ground flax seed.
- Add a pinch of salt to help balance out the flavors (I love doing this!).
- If you want more protein, add a few tablespoons of protein powder, collagen, oats, more hemp hearts and/or more yogurt.
- Turn it into a smoothie bowl and top with berries, chia seeds, shredded coconut or whatever toppings you like best.
- Turn it savory by leaving out the apple, adding a pinch of slat, pepper, and herbs (cilantro, parsley, dill, etc.).
- Add more lemon and small chunk of ginger to create a spicy morning power smoothie
Smoothie with Avocado and Cucumber
Equipment
- 1 blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup cucumber*
- 1 apple* cored and quartered
- ½ small avocado
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt or dairy free coconut yogurt works great
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup coconut water
- 1 teaspoon hemp hearts
- 1 cup baby spinach or super greens mix, about 1 handful
- juice from half a lemon about 1 Tablespoon
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to the blender, only using 1/4 cup of coconut water.
- Pulse until well blended. If the smoothie is too thick, add more coconut water and pulse.The amount of liquid needed will depend on the type of yogurt used and how juicy your cucumber is.
- Pour smoothie into a cup and drink.
Notes
- Make sure to use a ripe avocado.
- Add liquid a little at a time until you get the right consistency.
- Use COLD ingredients.
- To make it icy cold, replace some of the coconut water with ice cubes.
- Make it sweeter by adding more fruit, a pitted date, or a drizzle of honey or agave syrup if you’re desperate for more sweetness.
- It makes two servings and is best fresh but still drinkable the next day. If saving half for later, add more lemon juice, store in the refrigerator in a glass container with a lid like a mason jar, and make sure to drink within 24 hours. Shake or stir well before drinking if the smoothie sits for more than an hour.
Nutrition
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