Avocado Collard Green Smoothie

Ingredients

• 1orange
• 1avocado
• 2collard leaves (or any greens of your choice)
• 4walnuts
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml)chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml)honey
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml)salt
• 480 ml (2 cups)milk (or dairy-free milk or yoghurt)
• 2ice cubes (optional)
• to tastelime wedges (optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the orange

   Peel the orange, separate it into segments and put them in the blender.

2. 2

   Add the avocado

   Halve the avocado and remove the stone. Scoop the flesh into the blender.

3. 3

   Trim the collards

   Remove and discard the central cores from the collard leaves, then add the leaves to the blender.

4. 4

   Add remaining ingredients

   Add the walnuts, chia seeds, honey, salt, 480 ml (2 cups) of milk and a couple of ice cubes.

5. 5

   Blend until smooth

   Blend the mixture until it is smooth and creamy.

6. 6

   Finish and serve

   Drizzle a few chia seeds over the smoothie, squeeze over lime juice and serve.

What is an avocado collard green smoothie?

It is a blended drink combining fruit, leafy greens and milk, with avocado giving it a rich, creamy body. Collards are familiar in Southern US cooking, while this smoothie is a modern way to blend the leaves with sweeter ingredients.

Here, orange brings brightness and honey rounds out the greens. Walnuts and chia add texture and richness without making the method more involved.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 196 calories, 6g protein, 19g carbs, 14g fat.

The orange and honey contribute much of the carbohydrate, while avocado, walnuts, chia and milk provide most of the fat; the milk, nuts and seeds also contribute protein. To balance the plate, serve a glass with a savoury protein-rich food such as eggs rather than treating the smoothie as the whole meal.

Choosing the ingredients

Collard leaves: Choose fresh leaves and remove their firm central cores as directed. If you prefer, use another mild leafy green instead.

Avocado: A ripe avocado is easier to scoop and blends smoothly. Its soft texture is what helps make the drink creamy.

Milk: Dairy or dairy-free milk both work; yoghurt is another suggested substitute. The thickness and flavour will vary with your choice.

Getting a smooth blend

Add the ingredients to the blender in the order given, then blend until no noticeable pieces of greens remain. If the mixture is not yet smooth, continue blending rather than serving it with leafy flecks.

The recipe does not specify a blender setting or extra liquid, so rely on the texture cue: the finished drink should look creamy and pour smoothly.

Balancing the flavour

Orange: Its segments add fruity sweetness and a fresh citrus note alongside the greens.

Honey: This provides extra sweetness; the amount can be adjusted to suit your taste, though changing it will alter the listed ingredient quantity.

Lime: A squeeze at the end adds a sharp finish. Add it just before serving so its flavour stays bright.

Texture and finishing touches

Avocado and milk make the base feel smooth, while walnuts and chia contribute a little texture. Blending thoroughly is key to distributing the leaves throughout the drink.

The ice is optional and can make the smoothie colder. A small drizzle of chia seeds on top gives the finished glasses a simple garnish.

Timing and serving

The stated total time is five minutes, so prepare the fruit and greens and blend just before serving. The recipe makes four servings.

Serve it alongside toast, eggs or a simple savoury breakfast if you want a more substantial meal. Pour promptly for the smoothest texture.

Recipe notes & tips

• Remove the collard cores before blending, as the recipe directs.
• Use a ripe avocado so it scoops easily and blends into the milk.
• Peel the orange and separate it into segments before adding it to the blender.
• Blend until the leaves are fully incorporated and the texture is creamy.
• Add the optional ice cubes if you would like the smoothie colder.
• Add the lime juice and chia garnish just before serving.

Variations

• Swap the greens: Use another leafy green in place of the collard leaves, as the recipe suggests.
• Choose dairy-free milk: Substitute your preferred dairy-free milk for the dairy milk.
• Use yoghurt: Replace the milk with yoghurt for a different thickness and flavour.
• Adjust the sweetness: Use less honey for a less sweet smoothie.
• Add the lime: Squeeze in more lime juice for a sharper citrus finish.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Leaving the cores in: Remove the firm central cores from the collard leaves before blending.
• Using an unripe avocado: Choose one that is ripe enough to scoop easily for a smoother blend.
• Stopping too soon: Keep blending until the drink is smooth and creamy, with no obvious pieces of greens.
• Forgetting to peel the orange: Remove the peel and add only the segments, as the method specifies.
• Adding the garnish too early: Save the chia drizzle and lime squeeze for the end.

How to store

This smoothie is best served straight after blending. If necessary, refrigerate it in a covered container and stir or shake well before drinking; the texture and colour may change as it stands.

Frequently asked questions