Banana Apple & Chard Smoothie

Green smoothies don’t get easier, or sneakier, than this. Leafy Swiss chard brings the nutrients, while ripe banana and sweet apple do the heavy work of making it taste like a fruit smoothie, not a salad in a glass.

Banana is the MVP here. Its natural creaminess gives the smoothie body and a smooth, milkshake-like texture, while its sweetness, along with the apple, balances any earthy edge from the chard. A riper banana means a sweeter, creamier result.

The blending order matters for a smooth drink. Blend the fruit, chard, and milk together first to break down the leafy greens completely, then add ice and blend hard for a full minute and a half. That long final blast pulverizes the chard’s fibrous stems and the ice into a frosty, lump-free smoothie.

Kitchen Tips

• Blend the greens and milk before adding ice so the chard breaks down fully and stays smooth.
• Use a very ripe banana for the creamiest texture and natural sweetness.
• Serve it right away. Green smoothies separate and lose their froth as they sit.

Variations

• Use spinach or kale if you don’t have chard on hand.
• Add a spoon of nut butter, chia, or protein powder to make it more filling.
• Toss in a handful of berries or a splash of orange juice for extra brightness.