These easy and healthy Make Ahead Green Smoothie Packs will simplify your morning–and they’re packaged in reusable bags for less waste.
I’d seen these make ahead smoothie packs all over Pinterest. When I finally made them, I realized they solved two of my pressing smoothie problems:
- Pre-washed spinach that goes bad before I can use it all. The small bags are too small, the big boxes are too big.
- Morning laziness. Throwing some fruit and spinach into the blender doesn’t seem like much effort. But, well, you know how it goes.
What do you put in green smoothie packs?
Green smoothie freezer packs are totally customizable. Spinach is my favorite leafy green to use because it’s mild tasting. You could also use kale, but start with a smaller amount since it has a stronger (and sometimes bitter) flavor.
Banana lends creaminess and sweetness.
Beyond that, it’s up to you. You can use fresh or frozen fruit in whatever combination you like. Some ideas:
- Mixed Berry: strawberry, blueberry, raspberry
- Tropical: pineapple and mango
- Fresh or frozen cherries
- Oranges
- Peaches
What kind of bags work best for smoothie packs?
You could certainly use regular quart-size freezer bags. To reduce plastic waste, wash and reuse them.
I use food-grade silicone bags. They’re washable, reusable, and durable. I’ve tried several brands, and the bags from SIPU and Stasher are my current favorites because they’re easy to open and close.
I’ve also seen these smoothie kits packed in mason jars. But I find that the contents can be hard to get out when it’s all frozen together (especially if you’re using narrow-mouth jars).
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What liquid do I use in my green smoothie?
One cup of cold water works just fine.
You can also use one cup of milk, either dairy or non-dairy (I’m a fan of blending these with unsweetened vanilla almond milk for some extra flavor). If your smoothie isn’t sweet enough for your liking, add a splash of pineapple or orange juice to the blender.
What kind of blender do I need?
Frozen smoothie packs work best using a high-speed blender so the spinach is fully pulverized (nobody likes bits of floating spinach in their drink). I’ve tried many blenders over the years and outline the pros and cons in this post: Which Blender Is Best For You? which includes blenders in multiple price-points.
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What texture are these green smoothies?
If your packets go straight from freezer to blender, you’ll get a slushy consistency. If you’d prefer a more juice-like texture, defrost them in the fridge overnight.
How long do smoothie packets last in the freezer?
Frozen food stays edible for a long time! But to avoid freezer burn, use these smoothie packets with a few weeks.
Make Ahead Green Smoothie Packs For the Freezer
These easy and healthy Make Ahead Green Smoothie Packets will simplify your morning–and they’re packaged in reusable bags for less waste.
Materials
- 4 very ripe bananas
- 4 handfuls pre-washed baby spinach
- 2-4 cups fruit of your choice (such as strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, cherries)
- Ground flaxseed (optional)
- 4 cups water or milk (dairy or non-dairy)
Tools
- Reusable freezer bags
- High-speed blender
Instructions
- In each bag, place 1 banana (cut in half), 1/2-1 cup fruit, and 1 large handful baby spinach. Optional: Add 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed.
- Seal bag and place in freezer.
- When ready to use, empty contents of bag into high-speed blender along with 1 cup water or milk. Blend.
- Serve immediately.
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Alexis @ Hummusapien says
Love this idea! I’ve been on a huge smoothie kick lately, but I would definitely save tons of time if I organized them ahead of time. Thanks for the inspiration!
Jessica says
Unpeeled banana?
Sally says
Sorry! Yes, remove the peel before freezing it. I meant PEELED banana. Just fixed that typo. Yikes!
Sarah L says
Wait, please tell me that was a typo and you don’t put unpeeled bananna in your smoothie?! Otherwise, this looks like a fantastic idea. Thank you for sharing.
Sally says
Oops, yes a typo! That’s peeled. Will fix right now. THANKS!
Katie says
Clever lady!!!!! Pinning this immediately so I don’t forget!
Cathy says
Could I grind the flaxseed before I put it in the freezer?
Sally says
Yes, use ground flaxseed.
Martha says
Im allergic to bananas. Any suggestions for alternatives?
Sally says
You don’t have to use bananas but they lend a nice sweetness and smoothness. You could simply use different kinds of fruit.
jaya says
Hi, you could try pears as they still make it nice and creamy and add a nice sweetness. 🙂
Sally says
That’s a great idea, don’t think I’ve ever tried pears.
Sarah L says
Some yogurt is a nice alternative if you want the sweetness and creaminess w/o a banana.
Sally says
Great idea Sarah–thanks!
Hanna Saltzman says
This is a great idea Sally! I also have the problem of the small spinach bag running out too quickly, while the jumbo spinach bag goes bad….this is a great solution!
Sally says
Thanks Hanna!
Allison C. says
Do you wash the spinach before freezing? Thanks!
Sally says
I buy the pre-washed kind–and no, I don’t wash it again. I need that timesaver! 🙂
Carolyn in NC says
My smoothie recipe includes all the same things you do plus 1/2 of an avacado and some chia seed and sometimes I use swiss chard or kale rather than spinach.