This cucumber smoothie is light, creamy, and refreshing any time of day! Made with spinach, cucumber, frozen pineapple or banana, and plant-based protein powder, it's as delicious as it is nutritious! Add silken tofu or non-dairy yogurt for even more creaminess! This easy veggie smoothie is dairy-free and vegan.
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Why You'll Love It
Lately I just can't get enough of cucumbers! And blending them into a hydrating, healthy smoothie is one of my favorite ways to use them.
Cucumber in a smoothie might sound strange at first. But if you've ever had cucumber water, you know how lovely and refreshing the green veggie is in a drink!
Like most smoothies, this recipe is versatile and easy to prepare. Switch up the ingredients to accommodate your nutritional needs. Add flavor and sweetness with different frozen fruits like pineapple, banana, and mango.
Fresh mint is also a great addition!
This cucumber smoothie is:
- dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free
- light and refreshing but also satisfying!
- rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and plant-based protein
- ready in 5 minutes
- a great way to rehydrate in the morning!
Related :
If you're a fan of seasonal smoothies, be sure to try this sweet potato smoothie!
Cucumber Smoothie Ingredients
- non-dairy milk - use any type of milk you enjoy, such as almond, oat, coconut, or soy milk.
- cucumber - I really love English/hot house cucumbers for their thin skin and lack of seeds. You'll usually find them wrapped in plastic to preserve their moisture and freshness. Regular cucumbers are great, too, but you'll want to peel the waxy skin and scoop out the seeds.
- raw greens - spinach is an easy choice for smoothies since it has a milder flavor than the more bitter greens like kale. I had some mixed greens in the fridge, so that's what I used today.
- tofu or yogurt - silken tofu adds creaminess, additional protein, and phytonutrients; or use your favorite non-dairy yogurt. Try my tofu yogurt, cashew yogurt, and almond milk yogurt for homemade options.
- nuts or seeds - when it comes to foods highest in antioxidants, pecans and walnuts are near the top of the list. If you have an allergy to tree nuts, hemp seeds and pumpkin seeds are equally as nutritious.
- frozen pineapple or banana - if you're a fan of less-sweet smoothies, feel free to omit the fruit. Pineapple is lovely during summer and gives the smoothie a tropical vibe. Banana is also nice because it makes it extra creamy!
- protein powder - I use vanilla Orgain. This adds sweetness and flavor to the smoothie.
See recipe card below for quantities and full instructions.
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Tips for Blending
- Start on low speed and gradually increase the blender to high speed.
- Since this smoothie isn't made with a lot of frozen fruit, you'll want to add ice to cool it down. Ice also makes it nice and frothy!
- If you're trying to lose weight or simply prefer smoothies with less sweetness, feel free to omit the fruit. The low-carb, no-sugar-added protein powder makes the smoothie fairly sweet.
How to Store Smoothies
For the best flavor and nutrition, smoothies are best enjoyed immediately after blending. But this cucumber smoothie does hold up well for the day.
Store it in an airtight jar in the refrigerator. The water content from the cucumber may separate. Just give the jar a good shake to make it smooth again.
You can also freeze the smoothie. This is a great option if you're looking for ways to use up loads of cucumbers during summer!
Pour the smoothie into a freezer-safe, airtight container, and freeze for up to one month. To thaw, transfer to the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. Shake or blend briefly to make it creamy again.
Cucumber Smoothie FAQs
This depends on the type of cucumber. I like English cucumbers, also called hot house, because their thin skin has a very mild flavor and doesn't need to be peeled. If using a regular cucumber, one with a tough and waxy skin, peeling it will remove bitterness and also make blending easier.
A Vitamix or similar high-speed blender will create the creamiest smoothie, and it does it quickly! For this cucumber smoothie recipe, a standard blender may not be able to fully break down the cucumber and other solid ingredients like nuts and frozen fruit.
If you have a lot of cucumbers to use up, check out these recipes next:
If you try this refreshing cucumber smoothie, be sure to comment below and let us know!
Recipe
Creamy Cucumber Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups unsweetened non-dairy milk - such as oat, almond, or coconut
- half large English cucumber - or regular cucumber, peeled, seeds removed
- ½ cup silken tofu or plain non-dairy yogurt
- 1 large handful baby spinach - or mixed super greens
- 1 serving vanilla plant-based protein powder
- ½ cup frozen pineapple tidbits or half of a frozen banana
- 2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice
- 1-2 tablespoons your favorite nut or seed - I like walnuts and hemp seeds
- ice cubes
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except ice in a high-speed blender.
- Start on low and gradually increase to high speed. Blend until completely smooth. Add as much ice as you like, and blend again.
- Enjoy now or store the cucumber smoothie in an airtight jar to enjoy later the same day. Keep refrigerated.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition (per serving)
Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the exact amounts and specific products and ingredients used.
Alison says
Delicious, filling, and refreshing! I used an English cucumber and did not remove the seeds and I added fresh mint. So good!
Pam says
Very yummy and refreshing!
Melissa says
Mmmmm! This is my first time making a tofu smoothie and we loved it!!! I added some mint since I just bought some from the market and we loved the extra green. The cucumber gives this drink a nice cool and crisp “undertone”. I made a batch and stored in the fridge for a quick smoothie breakfast for my husband and two girls. Tasty, not too sweet, just thick enough, and protein packed! Thanks for sharing!