This Citrusy Green Smoothie is creamy, tart, and tastes just key lime pie! Packed with protein and nutrient-rich for healthy digestion, it’s a nourishing breakfast, snack, or yummy dessert. Low-carb, keto, and dairy-free with a vegan option!
A Gut-Healthy Green Smoothie
My friend Mel, a brilliant doctor and gut health Registered Dietitian, shared this keto avocado smoothie recipe with me a few years ago. Consider this an energy boosting smoothie, with a little digestive reboot, AND a delicious taste! We make this smoothie a lot when we get back from traveling or to help recover from, stress, sickness, over-training, or general fatigue!
It’s great for nourishing the digestive system and gut lining. The first recipe version was adapted from the Inside Tract Gut Health Book, another great read for those interested in digestive health.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the complete details!
- Avocado – A healthy source of monounsaturated fat, plus did you know that avocados contain an enzyme that aid in gut healing?
- Spinach or Kale – Great source of Vitamin K and plant-based iron.
- Frozen Banana – Potassium and starch to help feed good gut bacteria. Low-carb option swap in recipe card!
- Key Lime Juice – Rich in Vitamin C, citrus fruit rich can help with iron absorption when combined with plant-based non-heme iron sources like spinach.
Tip: Adding spinach to your smoothie is optional, but I recommend it because it packs a punch of iron, which many women lack in our diets.
- Cinnamon – Has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Maple Syrup (Optional) – This natural sweetener is better for blood sugar. If you’re looking for sugar-free option than feel free to use a monk fruit syrup or omit all together.
- Sea Salt – Just a dash!
Nutrition + Recipe Tips
Steaming Greens For Smoothies
I like to steam my leafy greens before adding to smoothies! Just lightly steam/wilt the spinach or kale (or whatever green your using) before adding it to the smoothie. It doesn’t take long to do on the stove top, but if you’re in a rush, you can even microwave it.
Steaming or cooking deactivates the oxalic acid content in these types of leafy greens, which makes them more nutritious. Oxalic acid binds with the calcium in our food making it unavailable for digestion.
Vegan Option
With the ingredients shown below, this is a dairy free smoothie recipe. To be sure that it’s also vegan, you should double check the ingredients on your protein powder of choice.
Low-Carb/Low-Sugar Option
Although there is just one half of a banana in the entire batch (2 servings), some people on a keto diet prefer not to eat bananas at all.
If this is the case for you, just omit the frozen banana and add a little extra ice instead or ¼ c chilled canned coconut cream/milk. As a result, it will be creamy and thick without the extra carbs.
Also, as a substitute for the maple syrup, you can use sugar-free syrup or an artificial sweetener of your choice.
More of Our Favorite
Healthy Drink Recipes
Dairy-Free Key Lime Pie Smoothie
- Total Time: 10 min
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Description
This keto green smoothie is creamy, with the citrus flavor of key lime pie! Make this dairy free smoothie recipe for dessert, snack, or a breakfast shake. Packed with nutrients for good gut health!
Ingredients
- 14 ounces unsweetened dairy free milk (coconut milk or almond milk work best)
- ½ to 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 small ripe avocado (around 125 g)
- ½ frozen small banana (see notes for Keto option)
- 2 Tablespoons of juice from key limes (sliced lime for topping)
- maple syrup, to taste
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 serving vanilla protein powder (use plant-based protein powder for vegan or collagen protein powder for non-vegan option)
- Mint leaves
- optional extra GREENS – ¼ cup steamed spinach
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients in blender or with hand blender until creamy. Pour into 2 glasses or keep for later.
- Serve with fresh mint and lime on top.
Notes
NUTRITION TIPS
- If you are adding spinach, I recommend steaming it slightly for easier digestion. Spinach is optional but boosts iron intake.
- To reduce sugar and carbs, omit maple syrup and banana. Or replace with sugar substitute of choice and ¼ c chilled canned coconut cream/milk.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Category: drink
- Method: blender
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 oz. with banana
- Calories: 229
- Sugar: 3.5 g
- Sodium: 205.1 mg
- Fat: 11.9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 13.8 g
- Fiber: 5.3 g
- Protein: 19.2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Maple syrup and banana not keto! This is not tasty without that and the avocado gives it an very earthy taste…blech! Not pie
Hi! Making a smoothie for my Dad who is recovering from cancer surgery and was just wondering if the coconut milk you mentioned is canned or a carton? Thanks!
I would use the drinking milk. Canned works too but it might be too much fat to digest at once. The canned coconut milk. But feel free to use a little etc. DOes that make sense?
Can I use regular limes, which I have in the refrig. Do I have to use protein powder, because I don’t have and don’t plan to buying i?? This recipe looks amazing and would love to make it soon!!
Sure thing! Regular LIme juice will work. No protein powder is needed, it’s just a nutritional booster and thickener.
I’m totally allergic to coconut anything, plus allergic to banana. Avoiding banana is easy, but so many recipes call for coconut oil, milk or cream. Let’s not forget about the dreaded coconut flour!
I unfortunately suffer from a Dysautonomia syndrome called Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension along with sodomotor and distal neuropathy. I’ve been Dx with several co-morbities, Migraines, severe blood pooling (enough to make sure that I have to use a ♿️ when I leave the house.), gastroparesis, fibromyaglia, chronic fatigue syndrome, EDS lll, and MCAD (Mast cell activation disorder). Separately, I deal with Bi-lateral Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, even after 1st rib removal, along with muscle spasms. In other words, there’s a whole lotta inflammation.
What can I use that would be low inflammatory, but non coconut products?
Hi Thea! I totally understand. I would check out my cashew cream sauce and cashew milk. You can use shredded almond flakes instead of shredded coconut. And Macadamia milk is a great alternative! CHeck out this post. https://paleoflourish.com/allergic-to-coconut-substitutions-in-paleo
https://www.cottercrunch.com/how-to-make-vegan-cashew-cream-sauce/
oh and check out fody foods for low fodmap coconut free! I talk more about it here https://www.cottercrunch.com/gut-healthy-foods-healthy-meal-plan/
The use of an avocado in this is brilliant. It adds protein but also that creamy texture!
The key lime flavor is so good in this smoothie! Love how simple it is to throw together!
Yes, super simple! Thanks, Suzy!
I love key lime pie! I can’t wait to try this!
Let me know what you think! Thanks, Beth!
This smoothie is fabulous! Adding the lime really does kick it up a notch. I appreciate all the great info too, I wouldn’t have thought to steam the spinach.
So glad you love it! You’re welcome!
I feel like you made this just for me! I LOVE key lime everything and never thought to make a smoothie! I am in heaven.
You know I did Lauren! 😉 I’m so glad you love it!
Banana + Avocado in a smoothie… SO CREAMY! love it
Key Lime Pie is my favorite dessert, so I was skeptical how it would taste. It was incredible! Wife and kids loved it!
Yay!!so glad Daniel! Thanks for letting me know and enjoy
hi there, a bit confused by this line in your ingredients:
2 tbsp of juice from key limes.zest and juice of 2 limes
how many limes do I get here?
Thanks, can’t wait to try this smoothie, it will be my first since changing my diet significantly to Paleo +
Oh I am sorry about that. Just use 2 tbsp lime juice. The zest is for topping. Keep me posted karen!
Tried this today and it was delicious! This is going on my favorites list.
yay! so glad!
This is awesome. I have two little boys who LOVE the smoothies, and this would be a great treat for a summer day, thanks for sharing!
it’s totally my go to for healthy digestion! Let me know if your boys like it!
Looks creamy and delicious! Love adding coconut oil to smoothies! Pinned!
My mom is both a smoothie & key lime fanatic. I bet she’d drool over this smoothie. Sending her a screen shot of the recipe now. Thanks for sharing, darling! Hope you’re doing well. I miss you. Can we have a catch up soon? 🙂
I have been on the road for work for the past few days. And I am off to NYC as we speak. Travel always does a number on my tummy, so this sounds like PERFECTION!!
yummmm!! i had key lime pie for the first time yesterday and I was happily surprised with how delicious it is. Your smoothie is probably a lot healthier though haha
Haha maybe a tad healthier. But I bet the pie was definitely delicious
Wow!! This looks stunning and SO good for you too! I love how you list out why these ingredients are awesome and what they are doing in our bodies. 🙂 I’m going to add these ingredients to my grocery list so I can make next week!
Food really is medicine and fuel, yes?! Xxoo
I’ve been predicting “Key Lime Pie” to be the new “It Girl” after smores. (Really).
If I’m correct — look at you being all “before it was cool”
Excellent call on that cinnamon add! I’d never have thought of it but it would probably remind me of graham crackers.
Yes!! My thoughts exactly on the cinnamon. We are so in sync. Ps how are you?
Paleo + Key Lime Pie + Smoothie + Energizing = I’m in!
Do you deliver by any chance? 😉
i do, but only if we trade? You must have your Caffe’ shakerato ready for me when i arrive
Gorgeous smoothie recipe Lindsay. I love this!
Unfortunately Lynne has been on at me for ages now to make the actual decadent key lime pie dessert. So when I offered her this, although she too agreed it looks and sounds fabulous, I’m still going to have to make that pie sometime for her. Ha ha! 😉
well while you’re making her a pie, will you make me one too? haha please?
Great recipe. The husband and I had been drinking this a lot lately and he loves it.
This is exactly what I need ! Too many fireworks, my little dog was in constant panic. Mama needs to energize !!
Poor pump, your mama! I feel ya!
I love key lime. And avocado. This sound luscious (great word, isn’t it?).
haha luscious, i love that!
Super delicious 🙂 I love lime– and have been drinking smoothies like mad lately. I have never steamed my spinach/kale before using it in smoothies– why does it make it easier to digest?
all steamed vegetable are easier to digest because it breaks down the “raw” for enzyme. Which is great if you have a healthy gut. But if you are still needing a little TLC with your gut, it’s best to keep veggies, especially greens, slightly cooked. In my opinion
How do you think it would be without the banana? I’m not a fan of bananas :/
It won’t be as creamy or sweet. I’d add in vanilla yogurt instead. Can you eat that?
Love smoothies with a little ginger kick! Always energizes me in the AM. This looks SO good. Such a great combo of flavors and ingredients. Have a wonderful weekend Lindsay
Me too!! We need a smoothie swap soon, ok? Or just send me some of that crumble
“You had me AT Key Lime Pie!” Those darn Monday typos! 🙂
haha i feel ya!
You had me a Key Lime Pie! I also love that you put avocado and spinach (or kale) in this. Super healthy and just YUM. Love your photos too – the green is just so pretty!! Thanks for sharing!
I love the emphasis on the therapeutic ingredients. Thanks, Lindsay!
Always needed, right?
Ohhhh… I haven’t made my key lime protein shake for Vegas yet! I used avocado in mine too. I rarely make a smoothie with out that or sweet potato to add to the cream factor.
I love all the knowledge you share with your posts Lindsay!!!!!
i love key lime – especially in the summer!
Key lime and all the greens = super goodness!
Totally tart too! Win win
Yep, I’d love some extra energy right about now. Our dog (and baby) are not fond of fireworks either. Fun times, right?! These smoothies look delicious, though! 🙂
I feel like we should have doggie ear plugs. Haha
My poor little puggle didn’t do well with the fireworks until 2 AM either. Makes for a rough night of sleep! I love all the gut-healing goodness in this smoothie, definitely something needed after a weekend of indulging.
For real! Poor dogs, poor us!
Love key lime everything. So summery!
Mmm love the citrusy flavors in this smoothie! Ray’s favorite pie is key lime…I bet he’d like this 🙂
Yay! Ray and my husband would get along then haha
Oh this looks divine! I love Key Lime anything, especially in the warm summer months. Can’t wait to try this one!
Oh this looks so good! The girls have been loving avocado smoothies and I have 6 to use! Guess I need to find some key limes when I’m out today!
Key Lime Pie or smoothie sounds DELISH right now! I want to go back to bed for a few more hours after this weekend…LOL…Dogs and fireworks and thunder…Poor Kala was so scared of them too!
I turned my alarm off and slept another hour. Bliss
I need to make a pinterest Board called “Perfection” I want this right now- haha! It looks amazing. I love anything tangy like Lime, but also love my Horchata Smoothie- it tastes like a dessert.
Haha yes! Oh and I need your horchata smoothie stat!! Loooove
Totally need this after a little indulging this weekend with family and friends! Might have to be breakfast for tomorrow… I don’t typically have limes in the house, but we have some leftover from the beer my husband was drinking 😉
I so wish we lived closer so we could share food! This sounds perfect.
YUM! This looks amazing! Key lime is one of my favorites and I never thought to use it in a smoothie! We definitely stayed up too late this weekend!
You had me at key lime pie! Plus a little digestive help wouldn’t hurt. 😉
i know, right? happy tummy needed today!
We are also feeling tired today because of the pup! Love/hate. This smoothie looks like the perrrrrfect way to energize today 😀
i think we should have a smoothie swap today, yes? and a doggie play date while mama’s nap. LOL!
Many of the 4th July Celebrations I saw online where pretty exciting and long too. I guess that an energy kick may be a wise choice 🙂
yes, and extra caffeine. LOL!
I love and adore key lime. And anything that gets me closer to enjoying my old favorite key lime pie dessert is much appreciated. That you are posting this today is almost ironic, as I am on a modified diet yesterday and today where I am supposed to be as close to just liquids as possible. Now, excuse me, I must go and find some key limes!
That is a rockstar smoothie Lindsay! Wow! Full of goodies both taste and nutrition wise! That is a good thing to keep in mind about your dog, we are thinking about getting one, but hadn’t considered how that would affect us!
This look so bloody refreshing Lindsay. I love how you write all the amazing powers of the ingredients – the nutrition nerd in me just loves it.
I love adding lime to smoothies too, adds such a different element! And favourite dessert smoothie… a good banana, cacao, nut butter number does the trick 😉
OH I had missed you ever talking about the KEY LIME JUICE too…and food pairings and…where have I been?! 🙂
This is a great smoothie! Very refreshing. I’m wondering something though. Would I be able to put coconut oil in the smoothie to raise the fat intake for keto? If so, how much eoukd you recommend?
I’ve added coconut oil before, yes. How much?
Key lime pie is one of my all time favorites! I actually remember my first time trying the pie and being blown away. Definitely making this, thanks for another awesome recipe 🙂