If you’re trying to improve your health, you’re probably already aware of the benefits of juicing. It’s usually correlated with weight loss, cleansing, or detoxing.
I personally think everyone could benefit from juicing, as it’s a great way to get vitamins, nutrients, and enzymes that are usually locked away in the fiber of vegetables into your body quickly. The liquid is easy to digest, and easy to consume.
When you are on the go, sometimes it’s easier to drink something healthy rather than eating it.
If you do a little research, you will see that most of the benefits come from extracting the liquids from leafy greens. Green vegetables are low in sugar, and full of essential nutrients your body needs.
Green vegetables won’t spike your blood sugar or insulin the way fruit and sweet vegetables will, so it’s important to ensure you’re getting a good amount of greens into every drink.
Some green juice recipes are listed below. I chose these in particular since it’s easy to find a super sweet and fruity juice recipe, but a little trickier to find greener and more healthy recipes that actually taste good. I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as I do.
#1 Kicking Kiwi
Like the taste of kiwi fruit but don’t like texture of all of the small seeds in the center? Peeling them can also be a pain. Make it simple and throw them into the juicer to liquefy all of that goodness.
Ingredients:
- 3 kiwis
- 4 leaves of chard
- 1 green apple
- 1 cucumber
- 1/2 a lemon
- 1 inch fresh ginger
Instructions:
Wash and chop all ingredients. Pass ingredients one at a time through your electric juicer. Makes 2 small servings.
#2 The Vitamin C Booster Juicer
Throw away those manufactured vitamin C pills and go natural.
Ingredients:
- 1 medium fennel bulb
- 1 ruby red grapefruit (peeled)
- 1 ½ Granny Smith apples
- 1 lemon (peeled or unpeeled)
- 4 celery stalks
- 2 leaves of chard
Instructions:
Wash and chop all ingredients. Pass ingredients one at a time through your electric juicer. Makes 2 small servings.
#3 Just Greens
Fresh meets exotic with this blend. The ginger and turmeric suggest an Asian influence, while the dandelion greens are pure summer.
Ingredients:
- 1 small handful dandelion greens
- 9 leaves of kale
- 1 large cucumber
- 5 celery stalks
- 1 lemon
- 4 sprigs of mint with stems
- 1 inch fresh ginger
- 1 inch fresh turmeric
Instructions:
Wash and chop all ingredients. Pass ingredients one at a time through your electric juicer. Makes 2 small servings.
#4 Carrots ‘N Greens
A simple recipe that would make even Bugs Bunny jealous.
Ingredients:
- 1 head romaine lettuce
- 15 carrots
Instructions:
Wash and chop all ingredients. Pass ingredients one at a time through your electric juicer. Makes 2 small servings.
In love with carrots and greens? Here’s another green carrot juice version with a switch-up in different green ingredients.
#5 Tropical Green Drink
Need a little pick me up? A little more zest? The ginger in this concoction will put a little zing in your step, and it’s also great for clearing up the congestion of head colds. The kale? Well, it doesn’t get any more super-food than that.
Ingredients:
- 1 cucumber
- 1 cup fresh pineapple
- 8 leaves of kale
- 1 inch fresh ginger
- 1 lemon (peeled or unpeeled)
Instructions:
Wash and chop all ingredients. Pass ingredients one at a time through your electric juicer. Makes 2 small servings.
Looking for even more juice recipes? You’ll love this post and our ode to V8 tomato juice, as well as our spinach and apple or apple beet carrot juice.
What do you like to put in your homemade fruit and veggie beverages? Let us know in the comments!
Photos by Sarah Hagstrom, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details.
About Sarah Hagstrom
Sarah is a health food advocate and loves to spend her time whipping up something healthy and delicious in the kitchen and then sharing either on Foodal or on her own blog "The Seasonal Diet" (www.theseasonaldiet.com). She lives in Sunny San Diego with her husband, where they enjoy running on the beach and weekend adventures.
I do not like leafy greens but I think I can try them as a smoothie. Only if there is fruit added. Although I always end up adding sugar which I know defeats the purpose of being healthy. I just can not help it because it does not taste as good without it. I guess I just need to choose a better selection next time to make sure it has more natural sugars.
Looks so yummy!
One green I swear by is watercress. Watercress along with kale are two of the most nutrient dense greens you can find.
I’m really looking forward to trying the kicking kiwi. You are right in saying it’s a pain to peel them. Most people don’t know that the skin is edible and has a texture much like a peach. Plus the skin of the kiwi is where a lot of the good stuff hides!
Well I know now that I need to add some more watercress into mine. I have always liked it as an ingredient and I like the taste that it adds, but I really did not know that it was considered one of the healthiest, or the most nutrient-dense ingredients out there. Interesting stuff, so thank you.
Don’t you loose all the fiber when you juice your fruits and vegetables? I eat many of those ingredients listed across all those recipes, like kale, romaine, etc. On a regular basis. They are a major source of my daily fiber.
I’ve never tried juicing, but some of your recipes have me rethinking that. On the first recipe, do you peel the kiwi before adding it? The vitamin C booster sounds delicious. I love anything with fennel, and the combination of ingredients sounds like a winner in my book. I only have a citrus juicer, so it looks as if I’m going to have to invest in a full juicer to take advantage of these recipes, and the health benefits they offer.
I have wanted for some time now to include green drinks in my diet. You are so right about the taste being the deterance! So, I look forward to checking out these combinations and getting that boost of nutrients. I am happy to see ginger in some recipes, since I love it in other drinks. Also, the tumeric, because I eat some daily for the health benefits. Thanks for the inspiration!
Awesome recipes! I love green smoothies & juices. It took me some time to convince my children to get into them (& my grown adult guy at home as well) but once they tasted them they couldn’t say no. It’s a quick & easy way to get everyone in the house filled with the daily fruits/veggies they should have.
I must admit that I find green juices pretty distateful. Although I love making my own smoothies and juices, I’ve never found a green one which I enjoyed. It’s a shame really, as these juices are such an easy way to make sure you’re getting all your nutrients. I am, however, going to brave the Vitamin C booster recipe as it looks like a more palatable combination. Hopefully, it will spur me on to give the green juices another chance.
Greens in juice has worked well with my toddlers. They always want something to drink in warm weather and it is a good boost of vitamins and fiber. As far as the whole detox thing, I think it is a bill of goods and I’m not buying it. I’m going to try out a few of these recipes to be sure though. I have nothing against juice or veggies just for health’s sake.
A long time ago I was told of the easiest way I know to peel a kiwi. Treat it like a dippy egg. Cut the top off with a knife, insert a teaspoon as close as possible to the skin and then run the teaspoon around the insides, exactly the same as you would for a dippy egg with soldiers or a hardboiled egg. It works every time and is really easy to do.
The Kicking Kiwi recipe does sounds really good, but I don’t have a juicer. However, I am thinking that it might work out rather well in my Omniblend blender (cheaper version of a Nutriblend) and making it into a smoothie instead.
This is a sure method of ensuring that you get all those green vegies into your diet. I know that ‘greens’ are really healthy and the more we eat the better. This recipes look interesting and really healthy. All that’s left to do now, is to try them out! My family are going to love these, especially chilled.
These recipes all sound good, and certain members of my families like making juices of various “colors”. I have to say that I’m not as big of a fan, and I’d prefer to eat my fruits and veggies in their traditional food form. I think we have a combination of five or six juicers, blenders, and mixers in our household right now.
I’ve been traumatized by that one time I tried a green juice from a popular brand and it tasted really awful. They claimed that you wouldn’t even taste the greens when I actually tasted ALL of the greens and none of the wonderful fruits they said they added. But I immediately wanted to give this a try the moment I saw Kicking Kiwi because I love Kiwi. And making these at home will be so much better because I can alter the drink to my taste. Hmm, I should try this when I get the chance. Maybe I’d start to love the green recipe mixes when I do try this.
I’ve been a fan of juicing for over ten years. I particularly enjoy using greens (Romaine is my favorite.) I also like to add a cucumber, an onion, a couple of cloves of garlic, a bit of ginger and an apple. That one will wake you up in the morning for sure!
I go through phases where I will use the machine for a while and then stop for long stretches at a time. I was recently re-inspired by a documentary I watched called “Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead.” If you haven’t seen it, I urge to do so. You can find it on YouTube. Any other folks out there getting ready to commit for the first time, or recommit to this?
I am obsessed with smoothies. Ever since I had a Sweet Green version, I wanted more. I’m gonna try all these recipes and I love how fast and easy they are to make. Plus, it’s easy to take on the go and drink it along the way. I probably would add spinach to any of these because it doesn’t add flavor and it is a very good source of nutrients.
This is a great article. I’m really into green smoothies, but I’ve never done juicing before. I’m curious about the recipe that’s just a head of romaine and carrots. I love the taste of carrot, and of course romaine lettuce is something that’s enjoyable to just about everyone.
Most of the time my green smoothies contain spinach or arugula. I haven’t made one with kale, yet. It’ll be good to try this.
These green drinks look real interesting. The ingredients are so healthy one can’t help wanting to try them. I am sure they are filled with energy giving vitamins. I am sure I could incorporate at least one of these in my lifestyle. I will certainly test them on my family members and see which are the best.
My father looooooooooves healthy juices. Well, most of the time he just buys one from some store since he’s busy, but sometimes he makes them, too. However, sometimes, they taste weird (and icky) -although they do taste good too, sometimes. I’ll share this link/post to my father so he’ll have some new ideas for making juices -and hopefully, it won’t taste weird, ehehe.
I have to say I’m pretty intimidated by green juices, I just cannot imagine them tasting nice! Saying that, I’ve never tried kale or spinach in a homemade juice. I’ve tried the Naked brand’s ‘Green Machine’ and have to admit that I absolutely love it, but doubt I can recreate it myself. That one also has a load more fruit in it than any of these recipes. Despite being a bit negative towards green juices the craze about them has to come from somewhere so maybe it’s about time to give it a go. Does juicing have any health benefits over using a blender to create a smoothie? I don’t have a juicer but recently invested in a good blender so will there still be the same health benefits? I think I’ll give the tropical one a try!
I have to keep my juice recipes simple otherwise I won’t make it as often. If something have more then 4 or 5 ingredients I’m less inclined to stick to making it everyday. One of my favorite simple recipes is Spanish (or kale, but spinach tastes better in my opinion), pineapple and a little lemon juice. The pineapple sweetens the drink but you are still getting a lot of greens by adding the spinach. I drink this when I need a boost of energy or when I feel myself starting to get sick.
I really loved this article from the moment i read the topic sentence. Just as it suggested, the steps here are super simple and anyone can create any type of green juice. I however advice my fellows to try the kicking kiwi. According to me, it is the simplest to create.
Amazing! I drink a recipe of avocado and milk daily. It has a lot of vitamins and tastes delicious. The way it looks is not so good but when you add some cubes of ice and strawberrys you get a mouth-watering smoothie that everyone has to try.
Tried it and it really worked for me. Their benefits are also enormous. Forum members should give it a try.
That kicking kiwi drink sounds just heavenly! Definitely one that I’ll be willing to try! I might even try it tonight if I get the chance to xD The other drinks also sound great, but since kiwi is one of my favourite fruits I might as well give that juice blend a try ^^
Thanks for all of the different recipes! I love how much of a variety you include on a lot of your posts! Especially since each targets different nutrients. I definitely love to drink healthy juice drinks such as these, but a lot of times I have to buy the pricier versions because the tastes of cheap veggie drinks pale in comparison! I’ll definitely be making some of these recipes, and bottling them myself from now on to save money!
I love all these recipes especially any that include kale. Most of my juices involve kale and apples. The combination is delicious something I can really drink daily. I have never juiced my own, I mostly buy from the store or go to my parents house and use their juicer. I have been telling my grandmother she and granddaddy need a juicer, it is really healthy.
I think numbers 4 & 5 are definitely ones I would try. I’m not all for the green but I love carrot and cucumber juice so adding a little extra won’t be so bad.
I started making smoothies regularly over the last year or so as a way to sneak in extra fruits and veggies I would not normally eat. However, as you pointed out, the palatable tastes are typically heavier on the sugar for that lovely sweetness. Since I will not eat most leafy greens though, at least it has been a way to get them into my diet.
Recently, a friend of mine (who is an even pickier eater than I) shocked me with the information that she started juicing. Juicing? I had heard of it periodically and noticed that it has started trending in various ways…but had not really taken it seriously. However, my friend shared some juice with me on a visit and compared it to the smoothies I was already making. I have already started looking into purchasing a juicer, but in the meantime I have started to compile recipes for when I am able to make the purchase. This list will definitely be put to use first thing!
The tropical green drink with the ginger and pineapple sounds oh so yummy! I know from smoothie making, pineapple will mask many an unappetizing flavor so I know it must be delicious. Living in the humid Southern U.S. region, tropical anything is always welcome and refreshing. I think this will be my first homemade blends when I purchase my juicer. Speaking of which, do you have any recommendations for a budget friendly but reliable model?
The kiwi one sounds really yummy! I’m interested in trying the green one as well, I’ve never tried eating dandelion greens before but I’m a big fan of ginger and mint so this will be a good way to try them out 🙂 My parents gave me their juicer (only used it once!) so I’ve been looking for some good recipes. Lately I’ve been practicing intermittent fasting so it’s important to pack as many fruits and veggies as possible into my meals, and this looks like a great way to contribute to that!
Wow, these juices really look delicious! I particularly like the look of the Kiwi Kicker! I am so sorry that I cracked my Vitamix carafe and I will be replacing it soon– I generally use it to make juices and then strain them through a juice bag. I did have a wonderful juicer but my son, a veggie farmer and the juice guy at their Co-op Farm weekly market, “borrowed” my juicer. Ah well, I do find that whirling the juice up in the blender and just sieving it gives me much the same product. Thanks for these great recipes!
I use to own a juicer but having to use so many fruits and vegetables to get so little out of it was frustrating. Now I use those same recipes but I put everything in my Magic Bullet blender, add ice and water and drink it as a smoothie. All the fiber and other nutrients stay in the drink!
I really like juices and smoothies because they are easy going, healthy and really simple. My favourite one is with bananas and spinach, To tell the truth you really can’t go any bad with the greens.
It never occurred to me that I can use greens in my electric juicer. I mainly add them in smoothies. I will give it a try though! I’m really curious how it will turn out. I will also have to figure out what to do with the “waste” that comes from the electric juicer. For example, I make carrot cookies from the “waste” from carrots. It might sound a bit too much, but I hate throwing food away.
One of my best memories of my early teenage years is my mom making green juice to us just before school started, it was great because they always tasted extremely good and also, I knew that they were super healthy and I would have the energy that I needed in order to go through the day. I think that one of my favorite things to add to this juice is pineapple, it gives it a really unique kind of taste, just delicious! 🙂
Careful with the ginger, girls and boys. Too much and it will be way too hot, and you prolly wont like it. My recommendation is to try the recipe with half of what is described and increase it on the second go around. Just speaking from experience.
Great point, Doug. A little bit of ginger can go a long way!