Mango Cucumber Smoothie

This healthy and dairy-free smoothie is ready in less than 10 minutes using simple ingredients.  The frozen mango creates a creamy smoothie without needing a banana and the lime juice adds a bright citrus flavor.  Then, add fresh spinach and cucumbers for a nutrient-rich dairy-free smoothie.   

Enjoy the beverage for a light breakfast or an afternoon snack.  For more smoothies with cucumbers, try an apple cucumber smoothie or a pineapple cucumber smoothie.  For more beverages with cucumbers, try lemon mint cucumber water or ginger cucumber lemon water.

Recipe features

• Easy, dairy-free, plant-based!
• Packed with veggies!
• The recipe uses simple ingredients!
• No banana and no yogurt!
• Uses frozen mango to create a creamy smoothie!

Ingredient notes and substitutions

The cucumber mango smoothie recipe uses simple ingredients, but please see the recipe card below for a full list and the exact measurements.

Cucumber - I prefer the flavor of English cucumbers, but a garden cucumber can also be used.  Garden cucumbers are common in stores throughout North America.  They are usually shorter than an English cucumber and have smoother, thicker skins.

Their skins can be bitter and usually need to be peeled, but I didn’t taste a difference in the smoothie when I used an unpeeled garden cucumber.  If it’s waxed, then you’ll want to peel it.

Frozen mango - I opt for frozen mango because it’s easy and the prep work is already done.  Frozen mango is already ripe and makes the smoothie chilled.  You can always substitute with fresh ripe mango that has been peeled, the pit removed, and diced.  If you substitute with fresh mango, you may want to add ice cubes to the blender to chill the smoothie. Freeze cubed fresh mango to eliminate the need for ice cubes. 

For more beverages with frozen mango, try mango water, an island green smoothie, a mango and cherry smoothie, or a strawberry banana mango smoothie.

Fresh spinach - Kale can also be used instead of fresh spinach.  Remove the stem and tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces.

Lime juice - The fresh lime juice adds a punch of flavor, giving the cucumber mango smoothie a bright and tangy flavor.  I enjoy adding some type of citrus for a pop of brightness to smoothies.  The lime juice can be substituted with a peeled kiwi.  

Adjust the amount of lime juice to suit your personal preference.  For another smoothie with lime juice, try a spinach pineapple banana smoothie or try it in a raw vegan fruit salad.  

Tips

• Peel the cucumber if you want to.  I didn’t notice a difference in the taste so I chose not to.
• If you're new to green smoothies the spinach can be reduced, and as you get used to it increase the amount.
• Chop the cucumber before adding it to the blender; large pieces sometimes get stuck and don’t move down to the blades to puree.

Variations

• Use coconut water instead of water.
• Use half frozen mango and half frozen pineapple.
• Add chia seeds or hemp seeds before blending, they’ll blend into the smoothie.  Adjust the water if it becomes too thick.
• Add a peeled kiwi instead of lime juice.
• Use kale instead of spinach.  Remove the stem and tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces before adding them to the blender.
• To make the smoothie sweeter, add pitted dates.

How to make a mango and cucumber smoothie

Add the chopped cucumber, diced frozen mango, spinach, water, and lime juice to a blender.

Blend until smooth.  Stop the blender if there are any air pockets.  Then continue blending.  If the smoothie is too thick, add more water.

Serving suggestions

Smoothies tend to be delicious but not very filling.  I use them as an afternoon snack and not as a main meal.  To enjoy this smoothie as a meal try pairing it with vegan avocado toast, vegan toast, overnight oats, or plant-based granola.

Storage

The cucumber smoothie is best if served immediately, but store the leftover smoothie in an airtight container with a lid in the refrigerator and consume it within 24 hours.  If there is any liquid separation, stir it back in. Leftovers can be frozen in ice cube trays and used later to add flavor to another smoothie.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe features

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I hope you enjoy the mango cucumber smoothie recipe. If you did, feel free to rate and leave a comment.