What Goes in a Green Smoothie? A Simple Beginner Guide
Greens, fruit and liquid: the simple formula behind a green smoothie, how to make one without banana, and exactly what goes in our dairy-free Pineapple Mango Green.
By Tiffins ToGo. Updated October 17, 2026.
What goes in a green smoothie? Three parts: leafy greens, fruit and a liquid. Spinach is the mildest green for beginners, sweet fruit like mango and pineapple balances it, and milk, almond milk or water blends it smooth. Frozen fruit makes it cold and thick without ice. Our Pineapple Mango Green at Tiffins ToGo in Las Colinas is spinach, mango, pineapple, almond milk and almond butter, with no banana, sweetened with a little honey or syrup like all our smoothies. It is dairy-free, contains almond, and costs $5.99 for 16 oz or $7.99 for 24 oz in store.
This guide covers the basics, how to make one without banana, and the mistakes that make a smoothie taste grassy or turn brown.
Order now, open until 10 PM: Order on DoorDash or Order on Uber Eats. Pickup is at Suite 106, 387 E Las Colinas Blvd.
What goes in a green smoothie: the three basic parts
Most beginner recipes from test kitchens and blender makers share one structure. A green smoothie has three parts:
- A leafy green, such as spinach.
- Fruit, which supplies most of the sweetness and flavor.
- A liquid, which helps everything blend.
That is the whole idea. Everything else is a variation or an optional extra, such as a nut butter for creaminess.
Some guides give ratios. Blendtec's beginner recipe uses equal parts greens, fruit and liquid. 100 Days of Real Food uses a larger share of fruit, with 3 cups of fruit to 2 cups each of spinach and water. The ratios differ, which is a good sign that there is no single correct one. Start where it tastes good to you.
Which greens are best for beginners?
Spinach is the usual answer. Vitamix describes spinach as having a mild, versatile flavor and tender leaves, and recommends it for people who are new to green smoothies. EatingWell's Test Kitchen green smoothie also uses baby spinach.
Other greens work but are stronger. Kale has tougher leaves and a more pronounced flavor. Romaine and butter lettuce are mild options in Vitamix's guide. If you are easing in, start with spinach and a sweet fruit.
Worried you will taste the spinach? In a fruit-forward smoothie, the mango and pineapple lead. Your own taste buds are the final judge.
Which fruits go with greens?
Sweet, tropical fruits are common in beginner recipes because they balance the flavor of the greens. The recipes we checked, including those from EatingWell and 100 Days of Real Food, use combinations such as spinach with banana, mango and pineapple.
A few simple pairings:
- Mango and pineapple for a sweet, tropical taste and a bright color.
- Banana for a creamy texture and extra sweetness.
- Strawberries if you do not mind a color change. Red fruit will tint a green drink.
One note on color. Vitamix warns that adding blue or purple berries to a green smoothie can quickly turn it brown. If you want a bright green drink, stick with yellow and orange fruits like mango and pineapple.
How to make a green smoothie without banana
Plenty of people search for a green smoothie without banana. Some do not like the taste, and some just want the fruit flavor to come through.
Banana does two jobs in most recipes: sweetness and creaminess. To replace it:
- For sweetness, use more mango or pineapple. Both are sweet on their own.
- For creaminess, add a spoon of nut butter, such as almond butter, or use a creamier liquid like almond milk.
- For thickness, use frozen mango or pineapple instead of ice.
That is exactly how our Pineapple Mango Green is built: no banana, with almond milk and almond butter doing the creamy part.
What liquid goes in a green smoothie?
The liquid helps the blades pull everything down. Common choices include water, coconut water, almond milk, dairy milk and juice. Blendtec lists water, milk of your choice, juice and coconut water as options.
Juice adds sweetness, and it also adds sugar. Almond milk adds body without dairy. Water keeps it light.
Frozen fruit or ice?
Several sources prefer frozen fruit to ice. EatingWell notes that frozen mango and pineapple keep a green smoothie chilled without ice. 100 Days of Real Food says to skip the ice and freeze some of the fruit instead.
The idea is simple. Ice melts and waters down the flavor, while frozen fruit chills the drink and thickens it.
How to layer a green smoothie in the blender
Order matters because it affects how well the blender catches everything. Two well-known sources give the same basic order:
- Pour in the liquid first.
- Add the leafy greens next.
- Add fruit after the greens.
- Put frozen ingredients on top.
Vitamix recommends this order, with frozen ingredients last. The EatingWell Test Kitchen also adds liquid first so it helps pull other ingredients downward.
Not every source agrees, and some test kitchens prefer a different order. If your blender struggles, change the order or add liquid a little at a time. Vitamix suggests blending on high for 45 to 60 seconds in its blenders; your blender and fruit will change that.
Five common green smoothie mistakes
Too many greens too soon. Start with a handful of spinach and add more once you like the taste.
Not enough liquid. A thick smoothie can stall the blades. Add liquid a splash at a time.
Using purple or blue berries. They can turn a bright green drink brown, according to Vitamix.
Skipping the sweetness. If a smoothie tastes bitter, more mango or pineapple often helps.
Letting it sit. Smoothies taste best fresh. Drink it soon after it is blended.
What is in the Tiffins ToGo Pineapple Mango Green?
Our Pineapple Mango Green contains spinach, mango, pineapple, almond milk and almond butter. It has no banana, it is dairy-free, and it contains almond. It comes in 16 oz for $5.99 or 24 oz for $7.99.
Those are the ingredients on our menu; like all our smoothies, it is also sweetened with a little honey or syrup. Our real fruit smoothie guide shows what goes in every cup. We also blend two creamy fruit smoothies:
| Smoothie | What is in it | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Pineapple Mango Green | Spinach, mango, pineapple, almond milk and almond butter (dairy-free, contains almond) | $5.99 (16 oz) / $7.99 (24 oz) |
| Golden Mango Velvet | Mango, Greek yogurt, banana and whole milk | $5.99 (16 oz) / $7.99 (24 oz) |
| Strawberry Banana Velvet | Strawberries, banana, Greek yogurt and whole milk | $5.99 (16 oz) / $7.99 (24 oz) |
We have not published calories, sugar or other nutrition numbers, and we make no health claims about any smoothie. If you track sugar or have a medical condition, check with a doctor or registered dietitian. If you have a food allergy, ask at the counter before you order. We cannot guarantee any item is free of a given allergen.
Pairing a green smoothie with lunch
A smoothie pairs with any sandwich or the Hummus Wrap. Any sandwich with a 16 oz smoothie is $14.95, and the Hummus Wrap with a 16 oz smoothie is $13.95. See our sandwich and smoothie combo guide for the math.
If you prefer a creamy smoothie, read our guide to a strawberry banana smoothie with Greek yogurt. If you are choosing lunch more carefully, see healthy lunch ideas for Las Colinas office workers.
We are at 387 E Las Colinas Blvd, Suite 106, a short walk from Las Colinas Urban Center Station on the DART Orange Line, and open 9 AM to 10 PM every day.
Green smoothie takeaways
- Remember the formula: greens, fruit and liquid.
- Start with spinach, the mildest common green.
- Use mango and pineapple for sweetness and a bright color.
- Skip the banana by adding nut butter or a creamy milk.
- Add liquid first and frozen ingredients last in the blender.
Order by item: order a Pineapple Mango Green smoothie, order online now, Hummus Wrap or lunch delivery in Las Colinas.
Frequently asked questions
What goes in a green smoothie?
A basic green smoothie has a leafy green, fruit and a liquid. Spinach, mango and pineapple are common choices, and the liquid can be water, almond milk, dairy milk, juice or coconut water.
Can you make a green smoothie without banana?
Yes. Use extra mango or pineapple for sweetness, and add almond butter or almond milk for creaminess. Our Pineapple Mango Green has no banana.
Does a green smoothie taste like vegetables?
It depends on the recipe. Mild greens like spinach and plenty of sweet fruit make the drink taste mostly of fruit.
Why did my green smoothie turn brown?
One common cause is adding blue or purple berries, which Vitamix says can turn the mixture brown. Letting a smoothie sit can also change its color.
What is in the Pineapple Mango Green?
Spinach, mango, pineapple, almond milk and almond butter, sweetened with a little honey or syrup. It is dairy-free and contains almond. It is $5.99 for 16 oz or $7.99 for 24 oz.
Do you publish nutrition information?
Not at this time. We have not published calories or sugar, and we do not make health claims about any item.
Where can I get a dairy free smoothie near me in Las Colinas?
The Pineapple Mango Green at Tiffins ToGo, 387 E Las Colinas Blvd, Suite 106, is made with almond milk and almond butter instead of dairy. It contains almond, and our blenders are shared, so ask at the counter if you have an allergy.
Do you add ice to the green smoothie?
No. Frozen fruit keeps it cold and thick, so we add no ice.
Try one in Las Colinas
Check the menu, plan your visit with hours and location, read the FAQ, or order on DoorDash (our order page goes to the same place). Ordering smoothies for an office? Use our group orders page. You can also follow us on Facebook.
Order online
Two ways to order from wherever you are. Tap a link, or point your phone camera at the code under it.
