Keto Green Smoothie

Need a detox? Start the day right with this keto green smoothie and give yourself a super-sized antioxidant boost!

I created this green keto smoothie recipe in the first week of January 2019. I had completely over-indulged over Christmas and the New Year. My jeans were too tight, I felt exhausted and depleted.

I needed a detox. A keto detox. To give me back my energy, the spring in my step and fuel myself with vitamins and minerals.

Well, this recipe certainly did the trick. It is zingy, fragrant, refreshing and packed with healthy fats.

In fact, since that day, this ketogenic smoothie recipe has been one of my staple breakfasts. It is not only delicious, it also makes me feel great. Plus, it is filling enough to be a stand-alone meal.

Reader review by Kit: "Hi, I’ve been drinking these for a few weeks now. I make a batch of 5 at a time and drink one a day. They are great!!!"

Want a one-stop-shop solution? Take a look at my Low Carb Detox Meal Plan!

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
Detox Smoothie Variations
Keto Smoothie FAQs
Serving Suggestion
Storage
More Low Carb Smoothie Recipes
Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Uber-healthy. This recipe contains vegetables galore. First, I wanted to call this a "keto kale smoothie", then I considered "avocado smoothie". But with so many healthful green veggies in one drink, it became clear that "green smoothie" described it best!

Exciting. This smoothie is not sweet! It's an exciting, invigorating departure from all those berry-centric keto breakfast smoothies you see everywhere. It is citrusy, minty, creamy and it has mellow semi-sweet undertones thanks to the almond butter and almond milk.

Versatile. Not a fan of one of the ingredients? No problem! Tweak this drink with one of my many variation suggestions.

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients I used:

Curly kale
Fresh mint leaves - make the smoothie taste fragrant
Avocado - the secret to a creamy low carb smoothie
Fennel
Cucumber
Unflavored protein powder - for an extra protein boost. Also thickens the smoothie
Almond milk - make sure it is unsweetened
Almond butter - adds healthy fats
Lemon juice - Vitamin C!

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Instructions

It is so simple to make a green keto breakfast smoothie.

STEP 1: Scoop out the avocado flesh. Place all ingredients into a high speed blender.

STEP 2: Blend until smooth.

STEP 3: Adjust thickness by adding more almond milk if desired.

Chef Katrin's Tip

#1 A high speed blender such as a Vitamix is essential for this recipe. It is virtually impossible to blend fibrous vegetables such as celery or kale into a smooth drink with a regular blender. This is not a recipe where crunchy bits are adding to the end result!

#2 If you like your smoothie liquid rather than thick, thin it out with more almond milk.

Detox Smoothie Variations

Here are a few ideas how you can change up this low carb smoothie:

Fresh herbs. The mint leaves could be swapped out with parsley, which goes well with cucumber. I also enjoy smoothies with coriander or cilantro leaves. This herb works especially well with celery.

Vegetables. Celery sticks, broccoli, lettuce, rocket salad and even zucchini are tasty additions to green smoothies.

Healthy fats. Instead of almond butter, use peanut butter or any seed butter of your choice. Or add coconut butter, coconut oil or even a spoonful of mct oil.

Liquid. It is possible to make this drink with water instead of almond milk. Or, swap it out with any nut or seed milk you prefer.

Keto Smoothie FAQs

Are all smoothies keto?

No. Most of the ingredients in regular smoothies are high in carbs and sugar. Apart from plenty of fruit, smoothies often contain oats or dairy milk. They are sweetened with banana, honey, dates and sometimes even sugar.

Which fruit are best for keto smoothies?

Raspberries, strawberries and blueberries are great choices for a low carb smoothie as they are low in carbs. I recommend trying my keto blueberry smoothie or this keto strawberry smoothie.

Can I add berries to this smoothie?

Yes, but no more than ½ cup. If you add a larger amount of strawberries, raspberries or blueberries to a green smoothie, it will take on a brown colour.

Can I use frozen avocado?

Yes. Using frozen avocado makes the smoothie even thicker.

Serving Suggestion

This recipe makes one very large green smoothie - a generous 1 pint. This is a full breakfast that will keep you satisfied until lunch.

If you prefer a smaller portion, the recipe makes 2 cups. One cup could be enjoyed alongside your regular breakfast, such as

To keep things simple, I calculated the nutrition per cup (= assuming 2 servings). You're looking at 3 g net carbs per cup.

Storage

Keto smoothies are always best enjoyed straight away, because of oxidation, and this keto green smoothie is no exception.

However, it will stay fresh for 1-2 days in the fridge if you can seal it in an airtight container.

Over time, the smoothie separates a little. Simply stir it before drinking.

If you want to prepare larger batches, freeze the smoothie straight away in single containers and defrost in the fridge one at a time. Freeze for up to 3 months.