This revitalizing Giada green basil smoothie is one of my favorites when I want something quick, easy, and totally delicious. It takes just a few ingredients, including basil leaves and almonds, and comes together in 1 1/2 minutes.
I love how the flavors pop—especially with the freshness of cucumber and the sweetness of apples. To make it extra special, I like to serve it in tall glasses. It’s simple, fun, and always makes me feel like I’m treating myself.

Recipe Ingredients
- 2 cups (packed) baby spinach
- 1 cup peeled and chopped English cucumber
- 1/2 avocado, peeled and pitted
- 1 Fuji apple, cored and diced
- 1/2 cup whole raw almonds
- 1/2 cup (packed) fresh basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, from 1/2 lemon
- 1 cup ice cubes
- Pinch of kosher salt
How To Make Giada green basil smoothie
- Blend It All: Throw all the ingredients into a blender, close the lid tight (or not, if you’re feeling adventurous), and blend on high speed for 1 1/2 minutes, or until the mix is silky smooth and frosty. Taste and adjust if needed.
- Pour and Serve: Divide the smoothie between two tall glasses, and serve immediately. Enjoy the energy and vitality kickstart!

Recipe Tips
- Maximize Basil Flavor: To release the full flavor and aroma of the green basil leaves in Giada’s green basil smoothie, simply bruise them gently with a muddler or spoon before blending.
- Tweak the Sweetness Level: Adjust the honey or agave nectar amount to your taste in this green basil smoothie, adding more for a sweeter drink or reducing it for a refreshing, less sugary option.
- Get Creative with Add-Ins: Enhance the nutritional value and flavor of Giada’s green basil smoothie by adding in ingredients like spinach, protein powder, avocado, or banana to create a thicker, creamier texture.
- Perfect Ice Level: For the ideal consistency in this green basil smoothie, use a combination of ice cubes and frozen pineapple, blending until smooth and refreshing, with a slightly thick, velvety texture.
- Prepare Basil Leaves Ahead: To speed up the preparation of Giada’s green basil smoothie, prepare the basil leaves in advance by washing, drying, and chopping them, then storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Recipe FAQs and Variations
What if I don’t like avocado?
No problem. Replace it with another 1/2 cup of apple and a handful of spinach.
Can I use regular spinach?
Yes, you can substitute regular spinach for baby spinach with no effect on taste or texture.
How long does the smoothie keep?
Best when enjoyed immediately. If stored, keep in the fridge for up to one day.
What if I don’t have an ice cube tray?
Use crushed ice or your blender’s built-in ice-crushing function instead for a frosty treat.
Check out More Giada Recipes:
- Giada Rigatoni With Squash And Prawns
- Giada Cherry Almond Thumbprint Cookies
- Giada Spaghetti With Clams
Giada green basil smoothie
Course: BeverageCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy2
servings5
minutes345
kcalThis revitalizing Giada green basil smoothie is one of my favorites when I want something quick, easy, and totally delicious. It takes just a few ingredients, including basil leaves and almonds, and comes together in 1 1/2 minutes.
Ingredients
2 cups (packed) baby spinach
1 cup peeled and chopped English cucumber
1/2 avocado, peeled and pitted
1 Fuji apple, cored and diced
1/2 cup whole raw almonds
1/2 cup (packed) fresh basil leaves
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, from 1/2 lemon
1 cup ice cubes
Pinch of kosher salt
Directions
- Blend It All: Throw all the ingredients into a blender, close the lid tight (or not, if you’re feeling adventurous), and blend on high speed for 1 1/2 minutes, or until the mix is silky smooth and frosty. Taste and adjust if needed.
- Pour and Serve: Divide the smoothie between two tall glasses, and serve immediately. Enjoy the energy and vitality kickstart!
Nutrition Facts
2 servings per container
- Amount Per ServingCalories0
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat
0g
0%
- Saturated Fat 0g 0%
- Cholesterol 0mg 0%
- Sodium 0mg 0%
- Total Carbohydrate
0g
0%
- Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
- Sugars 0g
- Protein 0g 0%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
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