Broccoli Sprout Smoothie
This Broccoli Sprout Smoothie is a superfood breakfast full of phytonutrients and cancer-fighting compounds. It’s a nourishing dairy-free and vegan recipe that only takes a few minutes to make. Made with frozen fruit, this healthy drink actually tastes great too!
Awhile back, I wrote about growing broccoli sprouts at home (see my guide to how to sprout broccoli). I see them at the farmers’ markets and the natural foods store for almost $5 for a quarter pound, so making them at home is definitely the budget-friendly way to go.
You don’t need dirt or anything, so it’s really an easy way to practice indoor gardening right on your kitchen countertop.
Once you grow your own sprouts or you have store-bought sprouts, it can be a challenge to find ways to use them up. I really like this delicious green smoothie recipe that combines fresh sprouts with frozen fruit. It is sure to delight your taste buds while also benefiting your health at the same time!
Why You Need This Recipe
- You’ve probably heard about the potential cancer-fighting benefits of broccoli sprouts. As a cancer survivor of over 10 years, I like to include as many foods in this category as possible.
- Most people put brocolli sprouts on a sandwich or a salad, but I’ve been putting them in a green smoothie (see more ways to eat sprouts). The fruit in the smoothie covers most of the spicy flavor of the sprouts. Also, since it’s advised to rinse sprouts thoroughly before eating them, this smoothie recipe means you just rinse them and put them into the blender.
- Once you get the hang of growing broccoli sprout at home, it’s pretty easy! It does take about 5 days from start to finish, though, so don’t waste anymore time getting started. If you don’t have fresh broccoli sprouts on hand, you can even use broccoli sprout powder instead. I would avoid using ingredients like mature broccoli, brussels sprouts, or mustard seed powder as they are too bitter.
Key Ingredients
I realize that the name of this smoothie isn’t the most appetizing or enticing, but I promise that it tastes like a milkshake. Well, maybe a healthy milkshake. If you want it to be sweeter, you can throw in 1-2 pitted dates.
- Hemp seeds add plant-based protein and nutrition to this recipe, plus creaminess once they get fully blended.
- Frozen berries and frozen banana add natural sweetness and thickness.
- Cocoa powder adds a bit of a chocolate flavor and helps to cover any bitterness from the broccoli sprouts.
- Broccoli sprouts are the key to this smoothie! I use homegrown sprouts, but you can also find them in most natural food grocery stores. The sprouts are grown from broccoli seeds and are very high in vitamin C and antioxidants which can fight free radicals. Look for sprout-able broccoli seeds in the spice section of most grocery stores.
- Baby spinach adds a little more nutrition and helps give the smoothie its distinctive green color.
Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.
Recipe Steps
Step One
Combine your water, hemp seeds, frozen fruit, broccoli sprouts, and cocoa powder in the base of your high speed blender. I recommend a Vitamix.
You can also use coconut water or juice instead of water if you wish. Or, try using carrot juice.
Step Two
Turn the blender up to high and let it run for 30-45 seconds, or until everything is fully combined and creamy.
Step Three
Pour and serve!
I hope broccoli sprout milkshake. It’s a great way to use up a half a cup broccoli sprouts to get the highest dietary source of sulforaphane.
Recipe Tips
- You can double this recipe if you want more servings.
- Store any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours.
- If you are sensitive to bitter flavors, you can use half the amount of broccoli sprouts. You can also add 1-2 dates to the smoothie to make it sweeter. Or, try adding a squeeze of lemon juice to help cover the flavor of raw cruciferous vegetables.
- Grow your own broccoli sprouts using my guide to growing broccoli sprouts.
- If you want to add more protein to this recipe, use one of the powders listed on my best clean protein powders.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! I do recommend using a frozen banana because it adds so much thickness. But, you could also use frozen sweet cherries or frozen raspberries instead of the frozen strawberries.
Despite all of the nutrition in this smoothie, it is surprisingly creamy, thick, and delicious.
They are mild in flavor and less bitter than regular broccoli. They can have a bit of a spicy flavor, though. So, if you are sensitive to bitter or spicy flavors, it’s best to combine the broccoli sprouts with other foods to help mask the flavors you don’t like.
More Healthy Smoothie & Juice Recipes You Might Like
- Anti-Cancer Breakfast Smoothie
- Broccoli Smoothie
- Cauliflower Smoothie
- Celery Juice
- Beet Juice
- Carrot Juice
- Celery Cucumber Juice
See my entire list of healthy dairy-free smoothies. And, don’t miss my round-up of the best Cancer Fighting Smoothies or the best Weight Gain Smoothies.
You might also like my article about the Health Benefits of Green Smoothies.
More Resources for Sprouts and Microgreens
I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.
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Broccoli Sprout Smoothie
This Broccoli Sprout Smoothie is a superfood breakfast full of phytonutrients and cancer-fighting compounds. It’s a nourishing dairy-free and vegan recipe that only takes a few minutes to make.
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups filtered water
- 1/4 cup hemp seeds
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1/2 cup broccoli sprouts, rinsed well
- 1 banana, frozen
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 1/4 cup frozen pineapple chunks
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
Instructions
- Combine the water, hemp seeds, spinach, broccoli sprouts, banana, strawberries, pineapple chunks, and cocoa powder into the base of a high-speed blender.
- Process on the “smoothie” mode or for at least 45 seconds on high until completely blended.
- The texture should be smooth and creamy. Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can double this recipe if you want more servings.
- Store any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours.
- If you are sensitive to bitter flavors, you can use half the amount of broccoli sprouts.
- Grow your own broccoli sprouts using my guide to growing broccoli sprouts.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 mins
- Category: Smoothie
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: Healthy
- Diet: Vegan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 of recipe
- Calories: 243
- Sugar: 18.3 g
- Sodium: 51.9 mg
- Fat: 10.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 34.4 g
- Fiber: 6.8 g
- Protein: 10 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 and is studying to be a holistic nutritionist. 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 her 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.
Hi, I like to eat my broccoli sprouts mixed with home made sauerkraut . Or i put a bunch on our plates and we call them finger salad. Or I grab a bunch out of the finished sprout jar from frig if I am tired during the day or evening they give me a pickup. But for finicky eaters the smoothie is the easiest.
Great, I’m so glad you like the smoothie recipe, Sally! I agree, it’s the easiest way to eat sprouts. 🙂
I’m a big fan of broccoli sprout fan too and they go into smoothies too.
Glad to hear I’m not the only one to do this, Vanessa!!! 🙂
I NEED to get on this wagon. But is there a way to do it without a sprouter? I don’t want more stuff in my tiny apartment…
Yes, you can use a mason jar, Rachel! You’ll need a way to vent the top, maybe a cheesecloth or nut milk bag?
Such a cool spin on a smoothie! I love sprouts and it’s a great way to get your greens in!
Thanks, Kendra!!! XO.
What a great way to get even more nutrition into a green smoothie! Sprouts are really expensive here too, and I really need to get into the swing of growing my own – so thanks for the inspiration!
You’re so welcome, Kari! I think sprouts are expensive everywhere, but they are actually REALLY easy to grow at home! XO!
Wow – once again tasty and interesting spin on a smoothie. So many variations for those who want more nutrient dense smoothies!
Thanks, Darryl! My smoothies tend to be a hodgepodge of everything I want to get into my system but don’t want to chew, ha ha. 🙂
Gosh! So much goodness in this smoothie! I recently tried broccoli sprouts, we all liked them. Will definitely try.
Cool, Jo! Glad you like broccoli sprouts, I do too!
Yum yum yum!!! Broccoli sprouts are so good for balancing hormones! Totally making this! Thank you!
You’re right, Cristina!!! I just realized broccoli sprouts are probably rich in the compounds to help remove harmful estrogen metabolites from the body. You so smart. 🙂 XO.
This green smoothie looks and sounds so refreshing and delicious !
I do now love sprouts so I think this smoothie would be the perfect way to eat them. 🙂 It looks so delicious!