Fresh Green Goddess Protein Smoothie
A quick and nourishing green smoothie blending fresh spinach, avocado, cottage cheese, and plant-based protein for a creamy, energizing boost.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 7 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves, loosely packed
- ½ medium ripe avocado
- ½ cup small-curd cottage cheese, preferably low-fat
- 1 medium frozen banana, sliced
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt, full-fat or low-fat
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 scoop plant-based protein powder (unflavored or vanilla, optional but recommended)
- 1 cup filtered water or unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley or mint)
- 1 teaspoon raw honey or maple syrup (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse 2 cups of fresh spinach leaves thoroughly to remove any grit. Slice half a ripe avocado and scoop out the flesh. Peel and slice 1 medium frozen banana.
- Scoop ½ cup of small-curd cottage cheese and ½ cup of plain Greek yogurt. Have 1 scoop of protein powder ready if using.
- Juice a fresh lemon to extract 2 tablespoons of juice and zest about 1 teaspoon of its outer peel.
- Add 1 tablespoon of chia seeds and 2 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley or mint.
- Pour in 1 cup of filtered water or unsweetened almond milk to help blend smoothly.
- Secure the blender lid and pulse a few times to break down large chunks. Then blend on high for 1 to 2 minutes until smooth and creamy.
- Taste and adjust: add a teaspoon of raw honey or maple syrup if too tart, or add more liquid if too thick and blend again.
- Serve immediately in a glass or jar, garnished with lemon zest or a fresh herb leaf.
Notes
Use ripe but firm avocados for best texture. Blend liquids and greens first to avoid leafy clumps. Adjust lemon juice gradually to prevent sourness. Frozen banana can be thawed 5 minutes before blending if blender struggles. For dairy-free, swap cottage cheese and Greek yogurt with silken tofu or coconut yogurt. Seasonal swaps include frozen mango or pineapple instead of banana.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 smoothie (about 12
- Calories: 325
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 220
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 8
- Protein: 20
Keywords: green smoothie, protein smoothie, healthy breakfast, plant-based protein, avocado smoothie, spinach smoothie, quick smoothie, nourishing drink