This healthy Orange Julius smoothie is frothy, creamy, and bursting with orange flavor. A handful of spinach gives it a vibrant green color and adds nutrients—perfect for a busy morning.
I’m the youngest of five, and every other year our family gathers for Christmas under one roof—about 25 people, give or take. Each evening a different sibling cooks, and on my night I made a double batch of Beef Barley Soup since winter colds were inevitable in a house that full.
One evening my brother Nathan decided to make green smoothies. The adults loved them—after a week of cookies and lounging in the snow, something green and refreshing was a welcome change. The kids were split: some treated smoothies like dessert, while others still wanted a “real” dinner after finishing theirs.
Do we ever have smoothies for dinner? Sometimes—it’s an easy, light option. I often add scrambled eggs on the side so there’s something to chew, but a smoothie with spinach, oranges, and banana can be quite filling on its own.
Nathan’s Green Orange Julius was the standout. He experimented with various combinations that night, even adding celery to several blends. Have you tried celery in a smoothie? I did a few trials at home: six inches of celery was too strong; three inches was still noticeable. For this recipe I left the celery out, though you can add a small amount if you like that flavor.
All the extra celery trials ended up in one pitcher—we still drank it after adding a touch of sweetener. The recipe below, however, doesn’t require any added sugar. It’s bright and naturally sweet if you use a ripe banana and a bit of orange concentrate.
Did you set any healthy goals for January? If not, this smoothie is an easy, tasty way to add more greens to your day—no complicated prep required.
Green Orange Julius Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup milk, any kind (I used whole milk)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate
- 1 medium orange, peel removed
- 1/2 banana, a frozen banana works well
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 6-8 ice cubes, or to taste
Instructions
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Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Start with 1 tablespoon of orange concentrate and add more to taste. This yields about 14–16 ounces, approximately one serving.
Notes
Nutrition
More smoothies to love!
Orange Watermelon Sunshine Smoothie: a bright, refreshing blend with an unexpected twist of tomato and carrots.
Raspberry Peanut Butter Smoothie: a creamy, fruity combination that packs protein and flavor.
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie (4 Ingredients!): simple, satisfying, and quick to make.
Strawberry Mango Protein Smoothie: fruity and filling, ideal for a post-workout boost.
More smoothies from blogger friends
Banana Split Vegan Smoothie Bowl from Food Faith Fitness
Roasted Banana Smoothie from Lemons for Lulu
Coconut Strawberry Protein Smoothie from The Creative Bite