This cucumber avocado smoothie is about to become you new favorite green smoothie. Made with buttery avocado, crisp cucumber, cilantro, and lime this is one of the few green smoothies I’ve tried without spinach or kale. Whether you are looking for a light breakfast to start your day or a refreshing mid-day pick up, this versatile green smoothie is sure to satisfy your taste buds and your stomach.
Originally appearing on the blog in March 2016, the recipe was last updated in July 2020 to reflect the changes I make when using a Vitamix instead of an immersion blender.
When I think of smoothies I think sweet, like this berry avocado smoothie or perhaps this kiwi mango smoothie. Both delicious, both healthy, and both naturally sweet. Today we are trying something a little different and a lot less sweet: a cucumber avocado smoothie.
One of my favorite things about homemade smoothies is that most of them have a very short ingredient list. Besides the cucumber and avocado in its name, we add cilantro, lime, water, and a dash of pink himalayan sea salt.
My second favorite thing about homemade smoothies is that they are SO versatile. Don’t like cilantro? Swap it for basil. Don’t have lime on hand? Try lemon or even clementine. No pink salt? Skip it or swap it for the salt of your choice. As long as you’ve got the avocado and cucumber, you’ll still end up with a pretty tasty cucumber avocado smoothie.
Smoothie Basics
Like most smoothies, this one requires some sort of electric blender to process the fruit and veggies into a smooth puree. When I first started making this smoothie I used my immersion blender or my mini food chopper. Since then I have added a high power Vitamix to my kitchen. The extra power of the Vitamix has allowed me to change how I make this smoothie, but still get amazingly smooth results.
Using a Vitamix or similar blender
If you have a high power or professional level blender, making this cucumber avocado smoothie at home is so easy. You simply toss in the avocado flesh, cucumber with skins and seeds, cilantro, lime juice, water, and salt, then let the blender do the work. The power of the blender will give you smooth results with minimal work in no time.
Clean up is even easier. Give it a thorough rinse. Fill halfway with water, add a squirt of your favorite dishwashing liquid, then blend on high for about a minute. Rinse and let dry. Your blender is now ready for your next foodie adventure.
Using an Immersion Blender or Basic Blender
If you don’t own a high power blender, it’s okay! There are a few things you can do to increase the smooth factor of your smoothie. To be specific: use super ripe fruit, remove the seeds and skins from the cucumber, let the blender process a little bit longer than you would expect.
It takes a little more effort to peel and seed your cucumber, but for the smoothest results without a high powered blender, it’s worth it. To make it easier peel the cucumber first, then slice it in half and use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds. An espresso spoon, iced tea spoon, or even a baby spoon makes for very quick work of removing the seeds.
If super smooth results aren’t high on your priority list, it’s totally okay to skip peeling and seeding the cucumber. As pointed out in the comments, the skins and seeds are nutritious and for many people that added boost is worth it for a not so smooth smoothie. Like all homemade eats, chef’s choice always wins.
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Cucumber Avocado Smoothie
This cucumber avocado smoothie is a refreshingly delicious take on the green smoothie. It’s a great way to start your day or even drive some energy back into the middle of your afternoon. Lots of fruit, a bit of herbs, and no guilt.
Looking for more tasty smoothie recipes? Try this strawberry peach smoothie, kiwi pear green smoothie, or check out this list of Nine Simple Green Smoothies. For more tasty ways to start your day, see all of my breakfast and brunch recipes.
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Cucumber Avocado Smoothie
This cucumber avocado smoothie is ready to become your next favorite green smoothie. With buttery avocado, crisp cucumber, cilantro and lime, it's creamy, crisp, and refreshing all in one.
Ingredients
- 1 small avocado
- 1/2 cucumber
- 1/2 cup cilantro
- juice of 1 lime
- 1/2 cup water
- pinch of pink himalayan salt
Instructions
- Place avocado flesh, cucumber, cilantro, lime juice, water, and salt into the blender.
- Puree until smooth and creamy.
Notes
The original recipe for this smoothie was created using a low powered blender. In order to get the smoothest results without an expensive blender, remove the skins and seed from the cucumber before blending.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 14 ozAmount Per Serving: Calories: 250Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 122mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 14gSugar: 4gProtein: 5g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Nutritionix and is for general information purposes only. For the most accurate information, calculate using your select brands and exact measurements.
Samara
Why do you remove the skin and seeds from the cucumber? They’re nutritious!
Renee N Gardner
You are absolutely right! They are nutritious. I’m going to guess it’s because the blender I was using at the time would not process them enough to make them smooth. If I were making this smoothie today with my Vitamix, I’d leave in both the seeds and skins in and get a perfectly smooth smoothie.
Kandy
Hi, I love cucumber in an all veggie smoothie; however I wanted to get a more simple recipe and yours is it! I am not a fan of cilantro so I am wondering if anyone has tried parsley in place of it? Any other suggestion for a replacement? I bet this would be great as a savory popsicle too!
Renee Gardner
Hi Kandy! I often use basil and cilantro a substitutes for each other, and know that for this smoothie basil works really well. I haven’t yet tried it with parsley, but I think it would add a great flavor as well. Please let me know if you try it with parsley!
Marilyn Cummings
How many ounces are the 14 servings?
Renee Gardner
Marilyn – Thanks for the question! It actually makes a single smoothie that is about 14 ounces, not 14 servings. I have updated the recipe to correct the error.
Margaret
Can I substitute lemon instead lime? Margaret
Renee Sitavich
Margaret, you can absolutely substitute lemon for the lime. I like the flavor better with lime, but with a lemon tree growing in my backyard it’s easier to make a substitution than take a trip to the store. Try it both ways and see which one you like best!
Jeremy Jackson
Ingredients look delicious but tried this recipe and its a bit to be desired. Could really use some acidity to balance it out. Not a fan but those are just mine and my wife’s tastes.
Renee Sitavich
Jeremy, Thank you for taking the time to come back and comment after trying the recipe! It sounds like your’s may have used a bit more lime juice. Sometime half of a lime does it and, like I mentioned in the post, other times it needs a bit more. To satisfy your tastes, try upping the lime and maybe the salt too. Cheers!
Marsha | Marsha's Baking Addiction
What a delicious, healthy smoothie to start the day with! Looks so good!
Renee Sitavich
Thank you!
April @ Girl Gone Gourmet
I love the idea of using cucumber in a smoothie – I like cucumber water, so totally makes sense. Looks like a healthy way to start the day 🙂
Renee Sitavich
That was exactly my thought! Love cucumber water, why not cucumber smoothie?!
Sarah
I love the idea of using cucumber. Going to try it in my new blender!
Renee Sitavich
Lucky you!! I need a new blender.
Elizabeth
MMm this looks beautiful! Such an interesting combination of ingredients – I need to try this!
Tania @ The Cook's Pyjamas
I am a huge fan of cucumber in juices and smoothies. I agree with you that it is so refreshing. This sounds like the perfect mid-afternoon pick-me-up.
Renee Sitavich
Yes! Much better than a caffeine jolt and crash in the afternoon.
Catherine
What a wonderful start to the day or midday pick up! I love this creamy, refreshing drink….definitely must try this!
Renee Sitavich
Let me know what you think!
Ilona @ Ilona's Passion
This is actually the smoothie that I want to try. I wonder how cucumber tastes in smoothies. Looks so delicious! Pinning:)
Renee Sitavich
Cucumber in a smoothie is so refreshing! Think cucumber water in a concentrated form. Mine had little pulpy bits of cucumber, but if you have a high end blender I’m sure they would be obliterated.