Pineapple Cucumber Smoothie

Not only does this pineapple cucumber smoothie taste amazing, but it is refreshing and super healthy for you too!

We all know we need to drink more water - but plain water is sometimes quite dull. I like to mix things up and drink healthy smoothies instead.

Smoothies have the added benefits of being a natural way to get more energy too! With all this natural sugar, you can't go wrong. Plus, they are packed with fiber - which helps you digest it all and retain more nutrients.

This particular pineapple smoothie is incredibly hydrating. It tastes like a tropical drink that you might order on an island vacation - the kind with the fancy umbrella floating in it. If you add some kiwi to it, it will taste even sweeter!

Perhaps the best thing of all is how easy it is to make smoothies. You just add all the ingredients to a blender, and then a few minutes later, you are ready to enjoy your drink!

Key Ingredients and Swaps

You might already have all of these ingredients in your refrigerator - especially if you enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables. If not, they are easy to find. Here's a bit more about what I used (and any substitutions you can make).

• Cucumber: Always use English cucumber in your smoothies. They are also called seedless cucumbers. If you use regular cucumbers, they will have seeds in them - which isn't bad; it alters the texture.
• Pineapple: If you use frozen pineapple, you don't have to add ice to your smoothie. It also saves you time cutting up a fresh pineapple. If you use canned pineapple chunks, make sure it is completely drained, and then you'll have to add ice.
• Banana: Always use very ripe bananas in smoothies. If it is very mature, it will mix in with the other ingredients easier.
• Coconut water or milk: Coconut water makes this smoothie extra hydrating and packed with antioxidants. Alternatively, you could also use unsweetened coconut milk.
• Limes: Make sure to use fresh limes! If you don't have fresh limes, add some jarred lime juice.
• Spinach: Only use fresh spinach in the smoothie. Frozen or canned spinach does not mix very well.
• Kiwi: The kiwi is optional. If you use it, it will add more sugar and calories to your smoothie - but it also makes it taste amazing, so add some!

What To Serve With Smoothies

This smoothie is so sweet that I suggest eating something savory or salty with it. In fact, my sweet potato toast with almond butter and bananas is the perfect balance of salty and sweet. It also has the familiar banana flavor on it too.

If you are enjoying the smoothie for breakfast, make a tomato avocado toast with a fried egg. All the protein and healthy fats from the toast will keep you full until lunchtime.

You can also just pair this with something simple like hard-boiled eggs, some whole-grain toast, or a small bowl of oatmeal.

Recipe Tips And Ideas For Pineapple Smoothies

Follow these tips to ensure that this pineapple cucumber smoothie turns out sweet and smooth every single time!

• Instead of almond milk, use some unsweetened greek yogurt. This will make the smoothie extra creamy and thick and give it a protein boost. This works great to turn this into a smoothie bowl.
• Use coconut milk instead of coconut water. The coconut milk will make it taste just like a pina colada.
• Add a scoop of flaxseeds as this will add even more fiber and make the smoothie more filling. Hemp seeds and chia seeds are also great additions.
• You can omit the spinach if you like. I think the spinach adds a ton of nutrition, and you can't even taste it after it blends together. If you want to leave it out, you can. This will make the pineapple smoothie taste even sweeter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions I frequently get asked about by some readers…

Can I add sweetener to this pineapple smoothie?

Yes, you can add some sweeteners to it! Just know that when you sweeten it, you are also adding more calories to your drink too. The best way to sweeten this smoothie is with some honey or maple syrup.

What other types of frozen fruit can I add?

It's fun to mix things up and use different types of fruit together. Add some frozen mango, peaches, kiwi, or even papaya to the smoothie.

Can I use kale instead of spinach?

You can certainly use kale instead of spinach in this tropical smoothie. I suggest using half the amount of kale since it has a much stronger flavor.

Will adding protein powder to the pineapple smoothie change the texture?

Adding a scoop of vanilla protein powder is an excellent way to increase how much protein it has. Yes, the powder will affect the texture of the smoothie - it will make it thicker. If you are going to add protein powder, I suggest adding a little more almond milk to balance it.

More Delicious Smoothie Recipes You’ll Love:

• Apple Banana Smoothie
• Chocolate Avocado Smoothie
• Orange Creamsicle Smoothie
• Blueberry Banana Smoothie
• Mango Spinach Smoothie