Yogurt Smoothie Recipe – Two Ways, with Spinach or Banana

Written by Loredana Arion in Drinks, Healthy & Fit

Two glasses of smoothie on a pink cloth, a green one in front and a cream-colored one behind

This is my first time making smoothies, and I’m already looking forward to trying more combinations—I liked them that much! Since *le husband and I have different tastes, I made two versions: mine with spinach, his with banana. 🙂

Both versions have the same fruit and yogurt base, but they taste quite different. I added spinach, basil and flaxseeds to mine, while his had banana and mint. A shared starting point doesn’t mean we have to agree on everything that goes into the glass.

You’ll find both versions in the single recipe card below, with separate ingredient groups and instructions. Make just one or try both, depending on who you’re making them for. Each version makes one generous serving, so the full recipe gives you two different smoothies rather than two identical glasses.

Why Try This Recipe?

You don’t have to choose one combination for everyone. The two versions offer different flavors without requiring completely separate preparations. That’s useful when one person wants banana in their smoothie and the other would rather leave it out altogether.

There’s no cooking involved, and the blender does most of the work. Most of the preparation is simply getting the fruit ready. You don’t need to cook anything first or wait for a mixture to cool before you can use it.

I also like using fresh herbs alongside fruit. The basil and mint aren’t just there for decoration: each changes the flavor of the smoothie it goes into. They give the two versions their own character without the need for a long list of extra ingredients.

Which Yogurt Smoothie Should You Choose?

Choose the spinach version if you don’t like banana. The apple and orange give it its fruity flavor, while the basil adds a distinctive note. Use tender baby spinach leaves, which are easier to break down in the blender.

In the banana version, the fruit adds both sweetness and body. Ripeness makes a difference: a ripe banana won’t taste the same as one that’s still green. Two smoothies made with the same quantities can therefore taste a little different simply because of the fruit.

Yogurt brings both combinations together, but it affects the texture too. A runny yogurt and a very thick one won’t produce exactly the same result. If you want a similar consistency each time, use the same type of yogurt and fruit of roughly the same size.

Helpful Tips for Flavor and Texture

Choose fruit in good condition and fresh herbs. Wash the produce under running water before preparing it, including fruit you’re going to peel. For packaged spinach, check the label: if it says prewashed and ready to eat, it doesn’t need washing again.

You can leave the apple skin on if it’s in good condition and well washed. Depending on your blender, small flecks of skin may remain in the finished drink. The smoothie will be thicker than juice, but it shouldn’t contain large pieces of fruit or whole leaves.

Remove the orange seeds and any tough membranes so they don’t leave fibrous pieces in the smoothie. Use the basil and mint leaves, discarding the thicker stems. A little care here helps give you a smoother drink without unnecessarily extending the blending time.

Flaxseeds can leave a slightly grainier texture, particularly in a less powerful blender. Check the consistency before serving and follow your appliance’s guidance on how long it can run. Always switch it off before reaching into the jug or scraping down the sides.

If you’re making both versions, rinse the blender jug between them so the basil doesn’t carry over into the mint smoothie. For cold smoothies, use chilled ingredients. That way, you won’t need ice, which would dilute the drinks as it melts.

More Drink Recipes to Try

For a change from yogurt smoothies, try a combination that lets the fruit take center stage. And if you’d prefer something lighter to drink, there’s a citrus and mint lemonade too.

Blueberry Peach Smoothie with Mint and Flaxseed – A fruity smoothie without yogurt, with a deep purple color. It keeps the combination of flaxseed and fresh herbs while taking the flavor in a different direction.

Grapefruit Smoothie with Avocado and Kiwi – Avocado adds body, while grapefruit gives this smoothie its citrusy, slightly bitter flavor. Try it if you enjoy tart drinks and want a dairy-free option.

Mint Lemonade with Orange and Lime – This recipe keeps the citrus and mint but changes the texture completely. It’s made without a blender and is a good choice when you’d rather have a pitcher of cold lemonade than a thick smoothie.

Yogurt Smoothie Recipe – Two Ways, with Spinach or Banana

Recipe by Loredana Arion

Servings

different servings

Prep time

minutes

Two fruity yogurt smoothies for different tastes: one with fresh basil, the other with mint.

Ingredients

Variation 1 — Spinach and Basil
½ apple
½ orange
2 teaspoons flaxseeds
1 handful baby spinach leaves
1 sprig fresh basil
140 g yogurt
Variation 2 — Banana and Mint
½ apple
½ orange
1 banana
140 g yogurt
A few fresh mint leaves, for flavor and garnish

Directions

Prepare the ingredients. Wash the apple, orange and herbs. For spinach labeled prewashed and ready to eat, follow the package instructions. Core the apple and remove its seeds. Peel the orange and remove any seeds and tough membranes. Cut the fruit into pieces suitable for your blender, then divide it between the two variations as listed above.
Make the spinach smoothie. Place half the apple, half the orange, the flaxseeds, spinach, basil leaves and 140 g yogurt in the blender. Discard the tough basil stem. Blend until smooth, then pour into a glass.
Prepare for the second variation. Rinse the blender jug before making the banana smoothie.
Make the banana smoothie. Peel the banana and place it in the blender with the remaining half apple, half orange, 140 g yogurt and some of the mint leaves. Blend until smooth.
Serve. Pour the banana smoothie into a second glass and garnish with the reserved mint leaves. Serve the two variations separately.

Note

Estimated calories per smoothie: 200 kcal for spinach and basil; 270 kcal for banana and mint. Nutritional values are estimates and may vary depending on the ingredients used and serving sizes.