Pineapple Cucumber Smoothie

Sweet yet tangy, refreshing, and hydrating, this pineapple cucumber smoothie checks all the boxes! Ready in under ten minutes, this recipe will be your go-to on hot summer days or after a long day of fasting! Plus, it’s naturally dairy-free!

Why you’ll love this pineapple and cucumber smoothie

This smoothie came about during my Healthy Ramadan Prep Workshop days when I needed to create recipes that were hydrating and nutrient-dense.

• It is incredibly nutrient-dense. Chock full of minerals and vitamins like Bromelain, which has anti-inflammatory benefits.
• Hydrating. With two fruits that contain more than 90% water, you can’t get a more hydrating smoothie!
• It is ready in under 10 minutes. Perfect for when time is of the essence!
• No added sugar is needed to sweeten the beverage. Because of the sweetness pineapple lends to this recipe, there is no need for any form of added sugar. However, do a taste test if your pineapple is fresh, as these tend to vary in sweetness/ripeness. The riper, the better.
• Easily customizable. You can play with the ingredients and make this smoothie your own!

Key Ingredients

Cucumber: Any type will do. Garden, available at most U.S grocery stores. I would recommend peeling these because they have waxy skin, but if you use English or Persian cucumbers, that will not be necessary.

Pineapple: Just 1 cup of pineapple chunks has 88% Daily value of Vitamin C and 109% DV of Manganese.

Coconut water: Coconut water is highly hydrating, with 94% water content. It is rich in vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium and potassium, which are electrolytes. This makes it perfect for athletes and anyone looking to hydrate and restore fluid balance after a long day of fasting.  

Stevia drops/maple syrup (optional). Stevia drops or maple syrup are better options than cane sugar.

How to make a pineapple cucumber smoothie

• Peel and chop up the fruit. There is no need to peel English or Persian cucumbers. The fiber from the peel helps regulate blood sugar and helps with digestion. Just make sure it is organic. If not, or if you have a regular cucumber on hand, peel it before adding it to your blender,
• Add all the ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend till fully incorporated. Skip the ice if using frozen fruit and adjust as needed.
• Serve immediately. The liquid tends to settle at the bottom of the glass, so serve immediately and stir before drinking.

Helpful tips to get the best smoothie

Want a creamy smoothie? Use at least one frozen fruit, such as the pineapple or the cucumber.

Use a powerful blender for the best results. Although this smoothie is pretty easy to blend, if you use frozen fruit, a powerful blender will help the process move faster, and the result will be smoother.

Variations

• Make it creamier by adding coconut milk instead of water. The water content will decrease, but the fat content will increase, resulting in a more satiating beverage.
• Amp up the protein by adding a tablespoon of chia seeds, flax meal, or your choice of protein powder.
• Make it greener by adding a handful of spinach.
• Make it sweeter and creamier by adding 1/2 a frozen banana. Adjust sweetness as needed.
• Make it anti-inflammatory by adding ginger.
• Strain it to get the juice version!

Some common questions

More refreshing drinks to try

Mint Lassi

Watermelon Juice

Mint Lemonade

If you try this recipe, I’d appreciate it so much if you would rate! And let me know in the comments how it worked out for you. I love hearing feedback and the recipe rating helps others find this recipe!