Basil season is here! This Mango Basil Green Smoothie is perfect for those hot summer days where the garden is abundant and you want to kick back with a cool refreshing and sweet treat. Fresh basil and spinach add a healthy dose of antioxidants to the sweet flavors of mango and banana. Perfect for a summer breakfast or an afternoon treat after working up a sweat. This green smoothie will become a new go-to!
Why You’ll love this Mango Basil Green Smoothie
-Rich in nutrition & antioxidants
-Cool & refreshing
-Naturally Gluten free
-Only 6 ingredients!
-Great for hydration
How healthy is this Green Smoothie?
Pretty dang healthy! In addition to being completely plant based and low in fat, this smoothie is chalk full of nutrients, minerals and antioxidants.
Spinach
You may not think of spinach as a typical smoothie ingredients, but it is a perfect addition to many smoothie creations. It easily disintegrates with the help of the blender, and its mild flavor make it almost undetectable when it comes to flavor and texture. It’s also a great way to help your kids (and us adults as well, let’s be honest) get in those extra greens. Spinach is extremely high in Vitamin A, and rich in minerals such as Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, and Folate.
Basil
In addition to being my favorite herb to grow in the summer, Basil is a great source of Vitamin K and has it’s own anti-inflammatory antioxidants. Because it is so plentiful during the warm months, I love to find ways to use it up. In addition to using it for the typical pestos, pastas and pizzas, it’s a perfect addition to smoothies and also a great way to punch up your salads.
Mango
Only 3/4 cup of mango can get you to half of your daily requirement for Vitamin C. It’s perfectly sweet, and low in calories, and has zero fat or cholesterol. It’s also a wonderful source of Folate and other important vitamins and minerals.
Do I need a high speed blender for this smoothie?
I used a Vitamix to create this recipe, but it’s not necessary to have a high speed blender like a Vitamix or a Blendtec. When using a high speed blender, you will always get a creamier and smoother consistency, than with a standard blender, but they are not a requirement.
If you are using a standard blender, I would recommend adding the water, spinach, and basil first and blending on high until the the greens are blended fully into the liquid. Then add your remaining ingredients and blend according to how you know your blender operates best. This should give you a smoother consistency overall.
If you happen to be in the market for a new blender, I can’t recommend Vitamix enough. They have a great warranty, and their products are built to last. I had my last Vitamix for over 10 years. If you also happen to be a Costco member, they are running a great package deal now on the Vitamix E320.
Can I use fresh mango instead of frozen?
Yes, absolutely! If you have the luxury of using fresh mango, go for it! I’ve created the recipe using frozen, because I know it is more widely available and it works well in smoothies.
If you do use fresh mango, you will probably need to add a bit more ice than the recipe calls for. I would start by blending using the suggested amount, and then gradually add 1/4 cup at a time until you get to your desired consistency and temperature.
Happy Blending!
Looking for other breakfast recipes? Try our Vegan Baked Oats or our Easy Veggie Tofu Scramble!
Mango Basil Green Smoothie
Equipment
- Blender (High speed blender preferable)
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 banana
- 1 handful of fresh basil leaves
- 4 inches of a cucumber chopped into large chunks
- 2 cups of fresh spinach
- 1 cup frozen mango subsititue fresh if desired, but you may need to add more ice to the smoothie
- 1/2 - 1 tbsp maple syrup (depending on the sweetness of your fruit) may subsitute 1-2 dates or leave out completely
- 1 cup of ice
Instructions
- Place ingredients in a high spped blender in the order listed, saving the ice to add later
- Blend until all ingredients are well incorporated
- Add ice and continue to blend until it reaches a smooth consitency
