Anti-Cancer Green Smoothie 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. It’s easy to make and tastes delicious.
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.
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
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!
Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
More Superfood Smoothie Recipes You Might Like
- Broccoli Sprout Smoothie
- Constipation Smoothie
- Creamy Detox Smoothie
- Broccoli Smoothie
- Moringa Smoothie
- Peanut Butter Cauliflower Smoothie
- Kale Chocolate Weight Loss Green Smoothie
Don’t miss my round-up of the best Cancer Fighting Smoothies.
More Healthy Resources You Might Find Helpful
Anti-Cancer Green Smoothie 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
- 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
- Combine the hemp seeds, carrot juice, and water in the base of a high-speed blender like a Vitamix or Blendtec.
- Next, add the frozen banana, frozen strawberries, frozen broccoli florets, greens, mint, cocoa powder, and lemon or lime juice.
- Place the lid on the blender and blend until smooth, about 45 seconds.
- Serve immediately.
Equipment
Notes
- 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.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Category: Smoothie
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: Healthy
- Diet: Vegan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 10 ounces
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 21.9 g
- Sodium: 185.3 mg
- Fat: 11.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 51.5 g
- Fiber: 9.2 g
- Protein: 12.7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.
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.
Fresh ginger is my favorite addition to a green smoothie! I don’t even bother to peel or grate it, just cut a few slices off and the vitamix does the rest! Sometimes I’ll add ground cinnamon too…
Hi Lisa! Brilliant!!! I LOVE the idea of using ginger in a smoothie, I am already imaging the amazing combos I could make: pineapple, ginger and strawberries is coming to mind. Thank you!
Wow, I’ll definitely be having this one for breakfast tomorrow! The frozen broccoli is raw, right? I’ve got broccolini in my fridge that I need to use up, hopefully it works just as well… What do you think would go with asparagus? x
Cool, let me know how you like it Olivia! Yes, the broccoli is raw although I think some manufacturers blanch it before freezing, so I’m not 100% sure. I really like the taste of asparagus so I haven’t used it in a smoothie, I usually eat it as part of a salad with lunch or dinner.
Just made this smoothie this morning. Though we start every day with a green smoothie, this was the first time we incorporated broccoli to it. Though I did taste the broccoli, I didn’t mind that, and I think the fact that it was frozen added nicely to the smooth texture. We had some greens from the CSA, which I later realized were mustard greens, so that was a bit odd. But all in all, we loved it anyway. We also didn’t have any bananas, so added a bit more mango. But it was extremely filling and really good!!
Our usual morning green smoothies are something like: frozen spinach, frozen berries, to smooth the texture we throw in some frozen peaches or mango, spirulina, Vega powder, and water. There are, of course, a zillion variations, including chia seeds, flax seeds, ginger, adding fresh-squeezed juice (like apple/ginger/kale juice), etc. We try not to use too many bananas, but the Vitamix still keeps it a lovely texture.
This was a great recipe. I’m really happy to have discovered it. Thank you, as always, for the creative suggestions, Carrie!!
Hi again! I have used mustard greens in my smoothies and have to say that I cannot STAND the taste of them. Naaaasty! I’m glad you liked the smoothie overall, I really like using the hemp seeds because I don’t eat enough of them otherwise. I like your suggestion about adding veggie or fruit juices to the smoothies as well, I am going to have to try that.
Chia seeds! I love how they thicken it up! I also love to toss in whole, peeled oranges. I prefer bananas for sweetening.
Great suggestions! I love chia seeds but for some reason have never added them to smoothies. And, I will definitely try adding oranges when they come in season. Thx!
I’m still a bit freaked out by green smoothies, but I’m soon going to try one, probably this one!
This looks wonderful! I’ve never put frozen broccoli in my smoothies before. I have put cooked broccoli in it which was not my favorite but I think this way would work better. I too love almond butter in my smoothies, or any nut butter really. I have found that I don’t like apples in my smoothies but I love berries and frozen watermelon. 🙂
Frozen watermelon sounds like a GREAT idea!
I am just now getting brave enough to try spinach in a smoothie LOL
Hi Robyn, that’s how I started, I was so nervous about ruining the flavor. Then, I got braver and added more and more. I still can’t believe I’m eating veggies for breakfast! 🙂
I don’t taste the raw spinach in my smoothies and mine are pretty basic with no sugar but the 1/4 to 1/2 of a ripe banana.
I’m definitely going to try this smoothie recipe! I love the idea of using frozen broccoli in it.
This looks utterly fantastic – seriously. I actually LOVE broccoli, but have never thought to put it in a smoothie before! I’m so excited about this idea…
Re: your question – I like adding flax seeds (which grind down into meal) or flax oil, and the occasional handful of spinach or kale to my smoothies, but it appears as though you already do that! Oh, a spoonful of almond butter can be delicious, too!
PS Hope you don’t mind that I plan on linking to this for my Monday’s Vegan MoFo Round-Up post 🙂
Thanks JD! Let me know how you like the broccoli in the smoothie. I honestly can’t even taste it. I love your idea of adding a spoonful of almond butter to smoothies, I haven’t tried that and I bet it’s delicious. Yes, do please link my post to your blog, that would be really great.
I didn’t know that about broccoli, and I haven’t ever tried it in a smoothie. I usually stick to spinach and kale. I have everything to make this though, so I’m going to try this for breakfast tomorrow. Thanks a bunch!
Hi Isobelle, let me know when you try adding the broccoli and if you like it. I can’t even taste it but I love knowing I’m getting the health benefits of the broccoli.