This refreshing 5 minute pineapple and cucumber smoothie is a tasty and tangy green smoothie makes for a quick light breakfast or snack. It's filled with tart pineapple, cucumber, spinach, ripe banana, yogurt, milk and tangy lime.
[This pineapple and cucumber smoothie recipe was originally posted in March 2023. It has been updated with cooking instructions, storage tips and substitutions, FAQ, related recipes and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]
Table of contents
Smoothies make great light breakfasts and snacks. They just take a few minutes to throw together, and can be enjoyed while on the go or working.
They can also be a great vehicle for produce that you might not want to eat fresh anymore.
This pineapple and cucumber smoothie has a ripe frozen banana, cucumber, spinach, and lime in it.
I wouldn't use any rotten produce, but if your cucumber or spinach are getting a bit soft, throw it into a smoothie! And a lime with hard skin is good too.
Adjust ingredients in your pineapple and cucumber smoothie based on your preferences and what you have on hand.
Ingredients
Scroll down to the pineapple and cucumber smoothie recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient, but here's a quick visual + description of what's in this recipe.
- Frozen Pineapple: Frozen fruits add great creaminess, texture, and flavor to a smoothie. Frozen is preferable to fresh, but fresh will work too.
- Frozen Ripe Banana: Adds sweetness and creaminess to this pineapple and cucumber smoothie.
- English Cucumber: Adds water, neutral flavor to blend the other flavors together.
- Spinach: Contributes to the nice green color, also blends the flavors together well
- Coconut Milk: Thick coconut milk tastes great with the pineapple and lime in this smoothie. You can use any kind of milk, though.
- Plain Yogurt: Adds creaminess and protein, maybe fat to help you feel more satisfied with this smoothie.
- Lime Juice: Lots of tart flavor! Adjust to your preference.
Instructions
Scroll down to the pineapple and cucumber smoothie recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here's a quick overview + photos to see how to make this recipe in general.
1. To make your pineapple and cucumber smoothie, add frozen pineapple, frozen ripe banana, English cucumber, spinach, coconut (or other) milk, plain yogurt, and lime juice to blender jar.
2. Blend in high powered blender until smooth. Pour into glass, enjoy your refreshing pineapple and cucumber smoothie immediately.
Storage Tips
Most smoothies don't store that well, they separate and melt in the fridge, or are hard as a rock after freezing. If you don't mind a separated, thinner smoothie, feel free to store it in the fridge and finish it later.
You can also freeze smoothies, like this pineapple and cucumber smoothie in an ice tray and add more liquid to it to make into another smoothie.
Substitutions/Tips
- Fresh pineapple can be substituted for frozen in this pineapple and cucumber smoothie. The frozen pineapple just adds creaminess and 'ice' to the smoothie texture.
- Substitute the fresh spinach for about 1-2 Tablespoons frozen spinach
- Grate some lime zest into your smoothie, if desired.
- Other great add-ins: flaxseed, chia seed, lime zest, ginger, unflavored protein powder, etc.
FAQ
No. Our bodies, when functioning properly, do the cleansing and detoxing (liver and kidneys). Our colons and GI systems don't need detoxing, especially at home.
Pineapple and cucumber are delicious, and are full of vitamins and minerals but don't detox.
Yes definitely. Pineapple has a sweet, tart flavor and cucumber has a mild flavor, slightly sweet. They go well in this pineapple and cucumber smoothie and lots of other recipes.
Any time! This refreshing drink is great any time of the day. It's probably not filling enough for a full meal, like breakfast, so serve it with eggs or something else. It's a refreshing drink after being outside or as a snack.
What to do with leftover ingredients
When you're cooking for one, you often have leftover produce, cans of whatever ingredient, etc. Here are a couple ideas on how to use up the leftover ingredients. It'll help you save money by wasting fewer ingredients.
- Frozen Pineapple: Apple Banana Smoothie
- Frozen Ripe Banana: Apple Banana Smoothie, Sour Apple Smoothie
- Spinach: Thai Inspired Beef and Spinach Bowl, Spinach and Strawberry Salad.
- Cucumber: Apple Cucumber Salad, Carrot Cucumber Salad, Cucumber Tomato Salad.
- Coconut Milk: Lentil Coconut Curry
- Plain Yogurt: Chicken Pecan Salad with Apples, Cinnamon Overnight Oats with Apples, other smoothies.
- Lime Juice: Raspberry Mocktail with Lime and Mint, Pomegranate Mocktail with Lime, Refried Bean Tacos.
- Flaxseed: add it to smoothies and muffins.
Did you make this pineapple and cucumber smoothie? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!
Pineapple and Cucumber Smoothie
Equipment
- High powered blender
- Measuring cups, spoons
- knife
- cutting board
Ingredients
- ¾ cups frozen pineapple chunks
- ½ whole frozen ripe banana
- handful spinach leaves
- 3 inches english cucumber cut into 3-4 pieces
- ⅓ cup coconut milk or other milk
- 2 Tablespoons plain yogurt
- 1-2 Tablespoons lime juice zest, optional
- 1 Tablespoon flaxseed optional
Instructions
- Add ¾ cup frozen pineapple chunks, ½ whole frozen ripe banana, handful of spinach leaves, approximately 3 inches English cucumber (chopped), ⅓ cup milk (coconut, etc), 2 Tablespoons plain yogurt, and 1-2 Tablespoons lime juice to blender jar.
- Blend until smooth.
- Enjoy immediately. Top with a drizzle of coconut milk if desired.
Notes
- You can use fresh pineapple, but frozen pineapple adds to a creamy, cold smoothie.
- Substitute fresh spinach for 1-2 Tablespoons frozen.
- You can use regular cucumber, but the skin can be bitter, I would peel it.
- Coconut milk is great in this smoothie, but you can use your favorite milk instead, to use what is open/what you have already.
- You can add lime zest too for extra tart smoothie
- Other add-ins: Flaxseed, chia seeds, ginger, etc.
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Irena says
This was perfect yesterday! We had over 100 F (39 C) in Sydney and was too hot to make a proper meal. This smoothie hit the spot and was nice and cooling.
Rebecca says
ohh that's hot! what a great way to cool down
TAYLER ROSS says
I made one of these smoothies for breakfast this morning and oh my goodness was it delicious! The perfect way to start my day!
Rebecca says
great to hear! it's tasty
Beth says
I love this combination of flavors. I think I'm going to add a scoop of protein powder. Instant breakfast!
Rebecca says
great idea!
Nathan says
I've never made a smoothie with cucumber before, but I'm such a fan of pineapple so I'm definitely going to have to try this. Can't wait to see how it turns out!
Rebecca says
definitely try it! it's delicious
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
Perfect drink for summer. Thank you so much for sharing this delicious recipe.
Rebecca says
absolutely!