High-Protein Green Detox Smoothie — 28g Protein, Under $3
Green smoothies have a reputation problem, and most of them deserve it. This one does not. Spinach and frozen mango with Greek yogurt, banana, and a squeeze of lemon makes a smoothie that is vibrant, naturally sweet, and tastes nothing like the grass-coloured punishment drinks that give the category a bad name. The mango and banana do the flavour work while the spinach disappears into the background entirely — the colour is the only evidence it is there. At 28 grams of protein from the Greek yogurt and no powder required, this is the green smoothie for people who have written off green smoothies. Under three dollars, five minutes, and a genuinely good reason to own a blender.
Ingredients
Method
- Add the frozen mango and banana to the blender first.
- Add the Greek yogurt, baby spinach, and lemon juice.
- Pour in the water or coconut water.
- Add ice cubes and fresh ginger if using.
- Blend on high for 30–45 seconds until completely smooth and vibrant green.
- Check the consistency — add more water one tablespoon at a time if too thick to pour.
- Taste and adjust — a small extra squeeze of lemon brightens it if needed.
- Pour into a tall glass and serve immediately.
Notes
Frozen mango is the key to making this smoothie both cheap and thick — it costs a fraction of fresh and eliminates the need for extra ice that dilutes the flavour. Buying spinach in a large bag rather than a small pouch brings the per-serving cost down significantly and keeps for a week in the fridge. Greek yogurt in a large tub is the most economical protein source in this recipe — the per-serving cost is minimal when the tub is used across multiple breakfast and smoothie recipes throughout the week.
