Kid-Approved Tropical Broccoli Smoothie Recipe

When I saw my husband adding broccoli to his smoothie one day, I thought it was super strange. Who makes a broccoli smoothie? Gross.

After taking a sip though, I thought it was pretty good! The broccoli added a unique yet mild and refreshing flavor.

I wasn’t a huge fan of the unappetizing brown color that the mixed berries and broccoli made in my husband’s smoothie though, so I decided to try and make a bright green tropical broccoli smoothie version instead.

The recipe I share here creates a mildly sweet and mellow tropical-flavored smoothie. My kids love it! I always enjoy a glass with them too.

Tropical Broccoli Smoothie Ingredients

I experimented with a few different ingredients for this plant-based smoothie and landed on the following;

• Broccoli
• Pineapple
• Mango
• Banana
• Unsweetened coconut milk (carton not canned)
• Flaxseed meal
• Coconut chips

The flaxseed meal and coconut chips are optional, but add more nutritional value and some great texture to the smoothie.

Broccoli Health Benefits

Medical News Today notes that broccoli has many health benefits. Among these benefits, broccoli supports healthy digestion, healthy bones, a strong immune system, and healthy skin. Broccoli can also help reduce inflammation.

The American Red Cross also lists broccoli as an iron-rich food. Iron is an important nutrient for growing kids, and pairing plant-based sources of iron with foods high in vitamin C (like pineapple and mango) helps nutrient absorption.

Related: 35 Iron Rich Foods for Growing Babies and Toddlers

Where to Buy Trocipal Broccoli Smoothie Ingredients?

The ingredients for this broccoli smoothie can be found at most grocery stores, but I usually buy them at Trader Joe’s. Their prices are decent and they have a lot of organic frozen bagged fruits and veggies. They also have ground flax seed, unsweetened coconut milk, and coconut chips as well.

I keep frozen pineapple, mango, and broccoli in one big ziplock bag in our freezer so that I do not have to fish around for all three bags. Any small thing that can make things more convenient and more efficient when you have young kids running around is a big plus!

I also like that Trader Joe’s carries small cartons of unsweetened coconut milk. We do not regularly drink coconut milk, so having a small carton is better for us.

One of the reasons we do not regularly load up on coconut milk is because of the high saturated fat content. The USDA explains that 5% or less of the daily value of saturated fat on nutrition labels is a low saturated fat source, while 20% or more is high. Trader Joe’s carton of unsweetened coconut milk has a daily value of 25% saturated fat.

Unsweetened coconut milk does have some important nutrients though, so all things in moderation. I like to rotate this broccoli smoothie in with our white bean smoothie recipe and our spinach with fruit smoothie.

A Tasty Snack or Side Beverage For Kids

I serve my kids this broccoli smoothie as a snack or as a side with a main meal. My kids like to help add ingredients as well, so when it’s broccoli smoothie time, it becomes a whole activity to do together.

This smoothie recipe makes enough to fill two small cups and one larger cup. I like that I get a glass of this smoothie as well when I make it for my kids. Parents are constantly making food for their kids, but often forget about themselves!

I also encourage my kids to help make this smoothie. They pour all the ingredients into the blender and manage the blender switches. By helping make a healthy smoothie, I love that they are getting acquainted in a fun way with a vegetable like broccoli, which they normally turn their little noses up at.

Being involved in food prep is also a great skill to instill early on in kids.