Apple Ginger Smoothie

Ginger is one of those flavors that people either love or hate—personally, I can’t get enough of it! I love the spicy kick it adds to smoothies, plus the anti-inflammatory benefits are just too good to pass up. Adding ginger to your diet is a simple way to support digestion, boost immunity, and give your body a little extra love.

One of my favorite things about drinking a daily green smoothie is how easy it is to pack in a variety of superfoods, fruits, and veggies—ingredients I know I’d struggle to eat enough of throughout the day. And this Apple Ginger Smoothie is the perfect example. It’s refreshing, nutrient-dense, and a great way to sneak in those greens without even thinking about it!

If ginger isn’t your thing, no worries! You can still enjoy all the benefits of a healthy smoothie. I’ve got plenty of delicious options on the blog, like my Detox Smoothie, Blueberry Smoothie, Super Green Smoothie, Strawberry Banana Smoothie, and my tropical-inspired Tropical Smoothie—all packed with nutrients and flavor. Be sure to check them out! Or check out all of my healthy smoothie recipes.

Ingredients (Tips & Substitutions)

I want to take a minute to go over some of the ingredients in this Apple Ginger Smoothie because there are a few swaps you can make to adjust the flavor or fit your preferences.

Apples. I love using green apples in my smoothies—I honestly put them in almost every one I make! They have just the right balance of tartness and sweetness without being overpowering. However, if you prefer a sweeter smoothie, feel free to swap in a Red Delicious, Gala, Fuji, or any other red apple. They’ll naturally add more sweetness without needing extra sugar. But if you’re a green apple fan like me, definitely stick with them!

Ginger. If you’re new to adding ginger to smoothies, I recommend starting small—about a ½-inch piece of fresh ginger—and adjusting from there. Ginger has a bold, spicy kick, and if you add too much, it will be the dominant flavor. But if you love ginger (like I do), feel free to go all in!

Some recipes suggest grating the ginger first, but if you’re using a high-speed blender (like a Vitamix), you don’t need to—that’s just extra work! Just peel it, toss it in, and let the blender do its job. A pro tip: place the ginger near the blades so it blends smoothly into the drink.

Protein Boost. For extra protein, I like using plain Greek yogurt—specifically, Aldi’s whole milk Greek yogurt because it’s thick, creamy, and blends beautifully. You can also use low-fat Greek yogurt if you prefer.

If you’re looking for a other high-protein option, here are a few swaps:

• Cottage cheese – Yes, really! It makes smoothies super creamy and adds protein.
• Protein powder – Garden of Life Unsweetened Protein Powder works great.
• Collagen powder – This is another great way to add protein and a superfood boost (though it’s not vegan). You can also check out my post that compares collagen vs. protein powder and explains which one is best for smoothies

Check out this post, for more high-protein smoothie options.

Cinnamon. I originally added cinnamon to this recipe to give it a bit of an apple pie vibe, and it was great! Plus, cinnamon has anti-inflammatory benefits, so it’s a win-win. If you’re not a cinnamon fan, you can definitely leave it out, but I recommend trying just a small amount first—you might be surprised how much you love it!

Greens. To give this smoothie a nutrient boost, I always use baby spinach in my green smoothies. It has a super mild flavor, so it blends in perfectly without overpowering the smoothie. If you prefer kale, you can use that too—just keep in mind that baby kale has a milder taste than regular kale, which can be a bit strong in smoothies.

Liquid. I personally love using unsweetened almond milk in my smoothies, but unsweetened coconut milk is another great option if you want a slightly different flavor.

I typically avoid liquids like coconut water because they add extra sugar and make the smoothie sweeter than I like. If you don’t want to use a milk alternative, filtered water is a great neutral option that keeps things light and refreshing.

Shopping tips

One of my favorite ways to stock up on smoothie essentials is Thrive Market. They offer high-quality organic ingredients—like almond milk, coconut milk, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and protein powders—at great prices, all delivered straight to your door. If you don’t have easy access to superfoods like chia seeds, protein powder, or collagen or just want to save time and money, Thrive Market is a great option. Check out my tips for buying super foods at Thrive Market.

More Apple Ginger Smoothie Tips

• For a colder, creamier smoothie, freeze your apple slices ahead of time. The more frozen fruit you use, the less ice you’ll need—this helps keep the smoothie thick and flavorful without watering it down. If you don’t have frozen apples, you can use fresh ones and add ice, but just keep in mind that ice can slightly dilute the flavor.
• Make a smoothie prep kit! If you want to save time, pre-portion all the ingredients (except the liquid and yogurt) into a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to make your smoothie, just dump everything into the blender, add your liquid and yogurt, and blend—easy and convenient!
• Adjust the sweetness to your taste. The natural sweetness in this smoothie comes from the apples, but since the Greek yogurt is unsweetened, the overall flavor will have a slight tang. If you want to balance it out, here are a few ways to add sweetness without refined sugar: A splash of vanilla extract for extra flavor; ½ to 1 teaspoon of pure maple syrup or honey; ½ or 1 whole banana for natural sweetness and added creaminess.
• Boost the nutrition! Want to take this smoothie to the next level? Here are a few easy add-ins: Chia seeds or flaxseeds, Hemp seeds, Collagen or protein powder, A scoop of nut butter.
• Use a high-speed blender if possible. This will ensure that the ginger and spinach blend smoothly into the drink without any chunks. If your blender isn’t super powerful, try blending the liquid and spinach first before adding the rest of the ingredients. I’ve used my vitamix for over 10 years and it’s still going strong.
• Experiment with spices! Cinnamon is a great complement to the apple-ginger combo, but you can also try a dash of nutmeg or cardamom for a warm, cozy flavor twist.
• Make it a smoothie bowl! If you prefer to eat your smoothie with a spoon, reduce the liquid slightly and pour it into a bowl. Then top with granola, sliced apples, coconut flakes, or chopped nuts for added texture and crunch.

More Healthy Smoothie Recipes

• Cherry Chocolate Smoothie
• Blueberry Cherry Smoothie
• Mango Smoothie
• Strawberry Pineapple Smoothie