This Anti-Cancer Green Smoothie recipe is full of health-promoting ingredients, including leafy greens and broccoli florets. This vegan and dairy-free blended drink can be served as a meal replacement or as a snack. It’s easy to make and tastes delicious.

Cocoa green smoothie in a glass with two green straws.

This anti-cancer smoothie recipe is similar to my Collard Green Smoothie recipe, but with the addition of frozen broccoli florets. Broccoli contains sulforaphane, the compound in broccoli that has been studied for its cancer-fighting properties.

Here’s a list from the MD Anderson Cancer Center of more cancer-fighting foods and here’s my list of the best greens for smoothies.

Contents hide
1 Why You Need This Recipe
2 How Broccoli Fights Cancer
3 Key Ingredients
4 Recipe Steps
5 Recipe Tips & Substitutions
6 Recipe FAQs
7 More Superfood Smoothie Recipes You Might Like
8 More Healthy Resources You Might Find Helpful
9 Anti-Cancer Green Smoothie Recipe

Why You Need This Recipe

  • In this recipe, you actually can’t taste the frozen broccoli once it’s blended with all of the other great ingredients in this recipe. The carrot juice, fruit, citrus, cocoa powder, mint leaves all work together to magically cover up the “green” flavor of the veggies.
  • Even if you don’t necessarily love the taste of green vegetables, I think that you will enjoy the flavor of this very healthy anti-cancer smoothie.
  • Whether you’re recovering from a cancer diagnosis or you are just trying to prevent cancer in the first place, this smoothie is full of scientifically-backed ingredients. It’s also vegan and dairy-free so it can be enjoyed by almost everyone. See all of my Cancer Fighting Smoothies.

Disclaimer: although this recipe is titled “anti-cancer,” it is not intended as a replacement for medical treatment as advised by your healthcare professional. This recipe is intended to help with cancer prevention.

How Broccoli Fights Cancer

Studies show that there are compounds in cruciferous vegetables known as isothiocyanates that fight cancer. However, as far as we know, these compounds are only present in raw or very gently cooked cruciferous vegetables. So, that’s why this recipe uses gently blanched and frozen broccoli florets.

It’s also easier to hide the flavor of frozen broccoli as opposed to fresh broccoli. And, the frozen florets even help to thicken the smoothie.

If you’re a fan of broccoli, you might also like this easy step-by-step guide for how to sprout broccoli seeds on your countertop without dirt. Sprouting broccoli and eating a tablespoon or two a day is another way to help prevent and fight cancer.

Key Ingredients

Ingredients to make a cancer fighting green smoothie on a white surface.

Carrot juice is the base of this healthy green smoothie. It adds natural sweetness with no added sugar. You can use bottled carrot juice or homemade carrot juice.

Frozen broccoli adds cancer-fighting compounds and adds thickness to the smoothie. See how to freeze broccoli for smoothies.

Frozen banana and frozen strawberries add thickness and more natural sweetness. See my guide on how to freeze bananas for smoothies.

Cocoa powder and fresh mint leaves help add flavor and cover any “green” flavor from the veggies. If you don’t have cocoa powder, see my list of the best substitutes for cocoa powder.

Let me show you exactly how to make it!

Recipe Steps

Step One

Start by adding the carrot juice to the base of your blender, along with the water and hemp seeds.

This recipe is forgiving, so don’t worry if you don’t have every single one of the ingredients. For instance, if you don’t have carrot juice, you can use water (see my carrot juice recipe). If you don’t have fresh mint, you can just leave it out.

See the recipe card below for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Process collage to make a cancer fighting green smoothie.

Step Two

Add the frozen fruit.

Also, be sure to check out my tutorial on the best way to freeze bananas!

Step Three

Add the rest of the ingredients and blend on high for just about 45 seconds, or until the smoothie is thick and creamy.

Step Four

Divide the smoothie between two glasses and serve immediately. You can store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Cocoa green smoothie in a glass with two green straws.

Recipe Tips & Substitutions

  • You can store any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. 
  • If you don’t have carrot juice, you can just use water.
  • You can substitute frozen cauliflower florets for the frozen broccoli, if you prefer. See how to freeze cauliflower for smoothies.
  • You could also add a handful of broccoli microgreens or broccoli sprouts to add even more cancer-fighting sulphoraphane.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use frozen broccoli florets that I buy at the store?

Most frozen vegetables you buy at the store are meant to be cooked before being consumed. So, it’s better to buy fresh broccoli, blanch it, and then freeze it yourself. See how to freeze broccoli.

Can I leave out the banana in this recipe?

Yes, but the smoothie will not be as creamy. If you don’t want to use banana or you don’t have it on hand, I would recommend substituting frozen mango for the banana.

Cancer-fighting cocoa green smoothie in a glass with two green straws.

More Superfood Smoothie Recipes You Might Like

Also, if you are a cancer patient or you know someone who is, you might want to read my full article on ways to deal with a cancer diagnosis. In this article, I also share my own story of cancer diagnosis and recovery.

Don’t miss my round-up of the best Cancer Fighting Smoothies.

More Healthy Resources You Might Find Helpful

10 Foods to Eat to Be Healthy

How to Find a Functional Medicine Doctor

7 Holistic Lifestyle Tips for Beginners

Clean Eating Shopping List & Pantry Guide

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

And, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!

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Cocoa green smoothie in a glass with two green straws.

Anti-Cancer Green Smoothie Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews
Print Recipe

This Anti-Cancer Green Smoothie recipe is full of health-promoting ingredients, including leafy greens and broccoli florets. This vegan and dairy-free blended drink can be served as a meal replacement or as a snack. Easy to make and delicious, too.

  • Total Time: 12 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1/4 cup hemp seeds
  • 2 cups carrot juice
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 ripe banana, frozen
  • 1 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1 cup frozen broccoli florets
  • 2 cups fresh or lightly steamed baby kale or baby spinach
  • 5 fresh mint leaves
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1/2 lime or lemon, juiced

Instructions

  1. Combine the hemp seeds, carrot juice, and water in the base of a high-speed blender like a Vitamix or Blendtec.
  2. Next, add the frozen banana, frozen strawberries, frozen broccoli florets, greens, mint, cocoa powder, and lemon or lime juice.
  3. Place the lid on the blender and blend until smooth, about 45 seconds.
  4. Serve immediately.

Equipment

Notes

  1. You can store any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. 
  2. If you don’t have carrot juice, you can just use water.

Keywords: cancer fighting smoothie using frozen broccoli, smoothie for cancer patient, anti-cancer recipe

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Note: this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for recommendations related to your individual situation.