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Blueberry Kale Smoothie (Healthy Recipe)

This high-fiber and antioxidant-packed Blueberry Kale Smoothie is the best way to sneak in a serving of dark leafy greens into your diet.

Milk and chia seeds make it thick and creamy, while blueberries and cinnamon hide any trace of kale, so it’s naturally sweet and fruity with a touch of warming flavor.

Close up shot of the blueberry kale smoothie in a glass.

If you struggle with getting in your daily greens, this blueberry kale smoothie recipe is here to help.

At the core of this vibrant purple smoothie is kale, but you’d never know it! The natural sweetness of rich blueberries and earthy cinnamon disguise the kale perfectly.

As for the rest of the smoothie, you can use any creamy milk variety with or without dairy.

Chia seeds soak up excess moisture from the milk, so the smoothie thickens like pudding! No banana is needed.

The simplicity of this blueberry and kale smoothie lets you mix and match ingredients. You can use any leafy green, berry, and warming spices.

Be sure to scroll down to “Variations” for ways to modify this smoothie and make it your own.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here are six reasons why this recipe is a keeper:

  • This refreshing smoothie is thickened with chia seeds instead of bananas, so it’s super satisfying without all the extra sugar.
  • It’s made with frozen fruits and veggies, which are always in season!
  • The natural ingredients and mix-ins are very versatile. You can customize the smoothie from top to bottom.
  • It’s vegan (made with dairy-free milk), and there are no added sugars or sweeteners.
  • This smoothie makes a perfect addition to a healthy breakfast.
  • It also tastes great as a refreshing snack during warmer months of the year.

Overhead shot of two glasses with the blueberry kale smoothing. Fresh blueberries are scattered arond the glasses.

Ingredient Notes

Here are all the ingredients you’ll need to make this smoothie:

Overhead shot of the smoothy ingredients. The ingredients are labled with text overlay as follows: milk, kale, blueberries, cinnamon, chia seeds.

Here is a brief overview of the ingredients:

  • Milk – Your choice! You can use cow’s milk or a dairy-free alternative. Almond, cashew, coconut, and macadamia nut milk are good options.
  • Frozen kale – Frozen leafy greens are a convenient source of nutrients. This smoothie is a great way to take in the benefits without actually eating kale.
  • Frozen blueberries – Blueberries are also a prominent source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. They sweeten the smoothie with a burst of juicy, berry flavor, so you don’t need extra sweetener.
  • Ground cinnamon – For a touch of warming flavor and another element of antioxidants.
  • Chia seeds – Chia seeds are high in fiber, which aids in satiety. Once you mix them in, the seeds begin to absorb liquid and thicken the smoothie.

How To Make a Blueberry and Kale Smoothie

  1. Blend the ingredients: Add the milk, frozen kale, frozen blueberries, and ground cinnamon to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth and well incorporated.
  2. Thicken the smoothie: Add the chia seeds to the smoothie mixture and stir, then let the smoothie sit for 10 to 15 minutes, allowing the chia seeds to absorb moisture and swell. Stir once more time, and enjoy!

Recipe Tips

Frozen kale and frozen blueberries are the keys to a smooth consistency.

Technically, you can use fresh kale leaves and fresh berries, but frozen ingredients blend much better. Using frozen fruits and veggies makes smoothie-making much easier.

Instead of soaking the chia seeds directly in the smoothie, you can soak the seeds in a bowl of water overnight and then add the mixture to the smoothie in the morning. In this case, you don’t have to wait for the smoothie to thicken before you can enjoy it.

Take your time fully processing the ingredients. If you see any kale or berry pulp bits, continue blending until smooth.

Close up shot of the blueberry kale smoothie in a glass. There is another glass with the smoothie in the background.

Variations

Mix and match the ingredients with the customization ideas listed below:

  • Frozen greens – In addition to kale, you can make this smoothie with frozen spinach or chard.
  • Frozen berries – Add a medley of frozen berries. In addition to blueberries, you can make this with frozen strawberries, raspberries, cherries, or blackberries.
  • Frozen fruit – You can add frozen pineapple, mango, kiwi, papaya, apple, banana, etc. Use whatever you already have in your freezer.
  • Chocolate – To add a chocolatey element to this frozen blueberry kale smoothie, add a scoop of cacao, cocoa powder, or your favorite chocolate protein powder.

Storing & Freezing

Storing: This smoothie is best enjoyed freshly blended.

If you have extra, pour it into a container with a tight-fitting lid and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. If separation occurs, stir with a spoon or pour the smoothie back into the blender and pulse until combined.

Freezing: This kale and blueberry smoothie recipe is perfect for prepping in advance, freezing, and enjoying whenever you’re ready. After blending, pour the smoothie mixture into a freezer-safe airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.

Two glasses with smoothie standing beside each other.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sweeten the smoothie?

You can sweeten the smoothie with a natural sweetener such as honey or maple syrup.

However, for maximum health benefits, I recommend keeping the amount of sugar in this smoothie as low as possible. So, it’s best to skip additional sweeteners.

Can you make a blueberry smoothie without a banana?

Yes! For this kale blueberry smoothie recipe, we’re using chia seeds to add density and thickness instead of a banana.

You can thicken your smoothie with avocado, Greek yogurt, oats, flax seed, or protein powder as an alternative to chia seeds. You can also add your favorite nut butter to improve the texture (almond, peanut, cashew, etc.)

Why is my blueberry smoothie watery?

There are a few factors that may contribute to a watery smoothie.

For this recipe, it’s essential that the greens and berries are frozen and that the smoothie sits long enough to thicken. If it’s still not as thick as you prefer, blend in more blueberries or add more chia.

More Healthy Berry Recipes

Here are a few other recipes with berries you might like:

Close up shot of the blueberry kale smoothie in a glass.

Blueberry Kale Smoothie

Yield: 1 serving
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes

This kale berry smoothie can be made with cow's or non-dairy milk. It's a great breakfast option, makes a delicious afternoon snack, and you can also use it as a base for smoothie bowls.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup any milk of your choice
  • 1 1/2 cup frozen kale, loosely packed
  • 3/4 cup frozen blueberries
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 Tbsp chia seeds

Instructions

  1. Add the milk, frozen kale, frozen blueberries, and cinnamon to a blender and process until smooth.
  2. Add the chia seeds to the blueberry mixture and mix.
  3. Let the smoothie sit for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the chia seeds to swell. Then mix again and enjoy. Alternatively, you can soak the chia seeds in water overnight and then add them to the smoothie when they are already rehydrated. In this case, you don't need to have the smoothie sit before drinking.

Notes

The nutrition information was calculated for the blueberry kale smoothie made with almond milk.

Nutrition Information
Yield 1 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 220Total Fat 7gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 0mgSodium 40mgCarbohydrates 36gFiber 12gSugar 18gProtein 9g

Nutrition facts provided on this website are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a qualified health care provider for personalized diet advice and make sure that each of the ingredients is allowed in your diet.

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