Green Pear Smoothie

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 05/16/21
Tested by
Diana Andrews
Diana Andrews
Tested by Diana Andrews
Diana has served as head recipe developer and editor for the Emmy-nominated PBS series Moveable Feast, food editor and test kitchen manager at Fine Cooking Magazine, and recipe developer and product tester at Food Network. 
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Green Pear Smoothie

The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 10 mins
Serving: 1 to 2 servings
Yield: 1 to 2 smoothies

Enjoy the vibrant fresh taste of a homemade pear smoothie. Our quick and easy recipe is filled with delicious flavors that complement both the sweet and tart pear and the earthy kale. It's a great introduction to green smoothies, as creamy bananas and ginger along with ground cinnamon balance out the fruit and vegetable flavors of the beverage. Get ready for a lovely, luscious drink that's filling and packed with healthy nutrition.

Smoothies are a great way to start your day, especially if you don't have much time in the mornings and don't want to skimp on a proper breakfast. A classic on-the-go choice, smoothies are a great alternative for everyone in the family and fun way of introducing small kids to new flavors. Our smoothie is a dairy-free alternative because the liquid base is almond milk, but you can alter the type of milk to suit your taste and what you have at hand.

We recommend using D'Anjou pears because they're sweet and juicy. Either green or red pears will do, and the smoothie will remain green no matter what you choose, as the kale ensures its greenness regardless of the rest of the ingredients. If you can't find D'Anjou, use ripe pears that are in season. Any leftovers should be kept in the refrigerator and consumed within a day; alternatively, use them to make green ice pops.

"Whoever thought a green pear smoothie could taste so good? Banana, pear, ginger, kale, and flavorings combine to make a refreshingly new type of smoothie that you'll make again and again." —Diana Andrews

Green Pear Smoothie
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 medium ripe banana, sliced

  • 1 medium pear, seeded and diced

  • 2/3 cup almond milk

  • 2 to 4 slices fresh peeled ginger, or to taste

  • 2 tablespoons honey

  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, or to taste

  • 1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped kale

  • 1 cup ice

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for a green pear smoothie

    The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn

  2. In a blender, add the banana, pear, almond milk, ginger, honey, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon. Add the kale and then the ice on top to weigh it all down.

    kale, ice, banana, pear, almond milk, ginger, honey, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon in a blender

    The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn

  3. Blend until perfectly smooth. Depending on your blender, 2 to 3 minutes might be enough. You may need to stop the blender halfway and push the ingredients down with a spoon to ensure they all get well combined.

    Green Pear Smoothie in a blender

    The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn

  4. Serve immediately and enjoy.

    Green Pear Smoothie in a glass

    The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn

Which Kale Is Best for Smoothies?

Although all kales have immense nutritional value and are packed with vitamins and antioxidants, many people can't stand the bitter taste of the greens and think that it'd be a difficult ingredient to add into a sweet smoothie. However, not all kales are made alike. Curly kale and dinosaur kale have very sturdy leaves, and they do have an earthy bitter taste, better suited to be cooked rather than eaten raw. However, red kale, or Russian kale, has softer leaves and a sweeter taste, and is amazing in salads and when added to smoothies. If you can, find red kale for our recipe, wash well, remove the stems, and pat dry to avoid it from wilting. Store what you're not using loosely wrapped in paper towels in the refrigerator for up to four days. For longer storage, blanch and then freeze the kale—it will be perfectly preserved for smoothies.

Recipe Variations

There are many ways to adapt this recipe to your needs, and to what you have in your fridge:

  • Use 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger if you can't find it fresh.
  • Use another type of green suited for smoothies, such as spinach, collard greens, or Swiss chard.
  • Use agave or maple syrup instead of honey.
  • Use dairy milk or other plant-based beverages rather than almond milk. Coconut water is also a good alternative; although for a creamier taste, you could use canned coconut milk.
  • Use 1/2 cup of plain yogurt, Greek yogurt, or plant-based yogurt instead of the milk.
  • Add other fruits like berries, mangoes, and peaches.
  • Add 1/2 tablespoon of chia seeds or flaxseeds to add body to the smoothie and a healthy dose of fatty acids and fiber.
  • Use 1/2 of an avocado instead of the banana.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of rosemary and a few tablespoons of fresh-squeezed orange juice for a warm-weather twist but skip the cinnamon and ginger.
  • Use frozen bananas for a creamier version.
  • Top your smoothie with sliced almonds or chopped nuts, or a tablespoon or two of granola.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
296 Calories
2g Fat
70g Carbs
5g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1 to 2
Amount per serving
Calories 296
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 2g 3%
Saturated Fat 0g 2%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 45mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 70g 26%
Dietary Fiber 9g 31%
Total Sugars 39g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 54mg 270%
Calcium 112mg 9%
Iron 2mg 11%
Potassium 971mg 21%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)