Pineapples are super easy to include in your smoothies, especially during summertime, but the story is different when we talk about cucumbers; they are so underrated... but their bland flavor, watery texture, and low-calorie count make them perfect for this delicious and refreshing pineapple and cucumber smoothie.
Having this super easy-to-make drink is the perfect way to help accelerate your weight loss goals. Packed with nutrients, blending cucumber and pineapple results in this refreshing smoothie is ideal for satisfying your sweet tooth while helping you stay on track!
This is one of our favorite vegan Summer recipes, not only because it is fresh but because it is our ally when we want to have a fresh Monday start after an overindulging weekend.
Inspired by our green pineapple banana spinach smoothie and the pineapple cucumber ginger lemon weight loss juice recipe, we took the best from both and made it into a creamy smoothie using our homemade almond milk, and ripe pear, plus all the fruits and veggies' pulp to keep us fuller for longer.
Jump to:
💚 Why you will love it
- Refreshing Taste
- Nutrient-Packed
- Weight Loss Friendly
- Hydration Boost
- Easy to Make
🧾 Ingredients
This pineapple weight loss smoothie is perfectly made with simple staple ingredients.
- Frozen Pineapple: Adds natural sweetness and a tropical flair, while its bromelain enzyme aids digestion and reduces inflammation.
- Cucumber: Low in calories but high in hydration, it helps you feel full longer and flushes out toxins.
- Pear: Packed with fiber to keep you satiated, it offers subtle sweetness without spiking your blood sugar.
- Lemon Juice: Acts as a natural detoxifier and gives the smoothie a zesty kick; when combined with plant milk, it creates a vegan buttermilk effect.
- Fresh Ginger: Spices things up and boosts metabolism while offering anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Almond Milk Provides creaminess without the saturated fats found in dairy, and it's rich in vitamin E.
- Water: Keeps the smoothie light and aids in hydration, making it easier for your body to burn calories.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions
- Pear - You can use ripe frozen banana or peach instead of ripe pear.
- Lemon juice - use lime juice instead.
- Cucumber - the cucumber can be replaced with celery.
- Almond milk - you can use homemade oat milk, hemp, rice, light coconut milk, or soy milk instead.
- Fresh or frozen pineapple - if using fresh pineapple instead of frozen pineapple, add 2-3 ice cubes per serving. Don't forget to make the most out of your leftovers; make some delicious pineapple water with the pineapple skins.
Enjoying the pineapple here? You'll find our pineapple juice for sore throat equally delightful and soothing for those days when you need a little extra care.
🍽 Equipment
Using a high-speed blender such as a nutribullet (affiliate) is essential to make a creamy smoothie every time.
🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Place all the ingredients in a high-speed blender.
Step 2: Blend until the smoothie is creamy, and serve immediately.
Hint: top your blended pineapple and cucumber smoothie with chunks of fruits and veggies to make it extra appealing for a summer brunch.
💡Top tips
Optimal Ripeness: Use a ripe pear for natural sweetness and a creamy texture. If your pear isn't ripe enough, add a ripe banana or peach to achieve the desired sweetness and creaminess.
Consistency Adjustments: For a thicker smoothie, add more frozen fruit like banana or peach. If you prefer a thinner smoothie, increase the amount of plant milk or water. Remember, adding more liquid might dilute the sweetness, so adjust accordingly.
Flavor Balancing: If your smoothie tastes too tart, add more pineapple to enhance the sweetness. Conversely, if it's too sweet, a bit more lemon juice or ginger can provide a nice zesty balance.
Cucumber Prep: If you experience a bitter aftertaste, consider peeling the cucumber. This might reduce the fiber content slightly, but it can significantly improve the taste of some palates.
Immediate Consumption: This smoothie is best enjoyed fresh. If you do have leftovers, store them in a covered mason jar in the refrigerator, but try to consume them within a day to enjoy their optimal flavor and nutritional benefits.
If you use fresh pineapple, don't throw away the rinds! Freeze them for later and learn how to make pineapple water, a cozy pineapple tea, or a vegan version of arroz con piña, a Panamanian traditional drink, made with pineapple rinds, rice, vanilla, and milk.
Also, before whipping this delicious infused water, you can use the products to make a pineapple ginger cucumber lemon water, and then blend everything to make this smoothie!
📖 Variations
- Antioxidant boost - add one tablespoon of hemp seeds, chia seeds, or flax meal.
- Protein powder - add one scoop of plant-based protein powder or two tablespoons of gluten-free oats.
- Extra creamy - add a portion of cashew yogurt or coconut yogurt.
- Tropical flavor - replace the water with coconut water or coconut beverage for an extra refreshing taste.
- Green smoothie - simply add some green leaves, like one cup of frozen or fresh baby spinach or kale.
- Metabolism booster - add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Extra fresh - add 3-4 mint leaves.
See this post-workout smoothie and spinach smoothie with bananas for a plant-protein-powered smoothie.
❓FAQ
There are a lot of benefits to drinking pineapple and cucumber smoothies. For one, they're a great way to get your daily fruit intake. Pineapples are packed with vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C, which boosts your immune system, aiding digestion and weight loss. (source)
Cucumbers are also hydrating, full of vitamins and minerals, and have detoxifying properties.
They're refreshing zero-fat and low-calorie vegetables that can help you reach your daily recommended intake of vegetables.
The short answer is yes. If you are making this cucumber pineapple smoothie just for the flavor, replace the cups of pineapple chunks with pineapple juice or canned pineapple, but keep in mind that you're removing pineapples' fiber, which makes it less creamy, and filling. You are increasing the sugar content of the smoothie, which is not great if you aim to lose weight.
Adding whole fruit fiber makes you consume fewer calories, so using whole foods is vital.
🫙 Storage
These pineapple cucumber ginger lemon smoothie leftovers will be kept in a covered mason jar in the refrigerator for up to one day, though best when fresh.
📚 More smoothie recipes
Add more weight loss-promoting cucumber and pineapple to your diet by adding these fantastic juices to your weekly smoothies and juices weekly line-up for breakfast or pre-work-out snacks.
- carrot, cucumber, and celery juice
- red cabbage juice
- pineapple strawberry smoothie
- strawberry banana spinach smoothie
- spinach ginger smoothie
If you are crazy about pineapples, try our 3-ingredient pineapple coconut smoothie!
If you try this pineapple weight loss smoothie or other of our healthy recipes, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag us #ourplantbasedworld on Instagram. Cheers!
🎥 Video
📋 Recipe
Pineapple and Cucumber Smoothie for Weight Loss
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup cucumber sliced, skins on
- 1 ½ cup pineapple frozen, if using fresh, add 4-6 ice cubes
- 1 pear ripe, cored
- ½ cup almond milk or light coconut milk, or water
- ½ cup iced water or with 4 ice cubes
- ½ lemon medium, juiced (~1 Tablespoon (15 ml) juice per ½ lemon)
- 3 slices ginger fresh, peeled, or ½ teaspoon ginger powder
Optional
- 1 cup spinach for a green smoothie
- 2 teaspoons maca powder for enhanced energy and stamina
Directions
- Prepare ingredients and add cucumber, frozen pineapple, frozen pear, almond milk, water, and lemon juice to a blender and blend on high until smooth.
- For a thicker smoothie, add more ripe pear, frozen banana, or peach. For a thinner smoothie, add more plant milk or water (it will affect sweetness). Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more pineapple for sweetness and more plant milk or optional spinach for creaminess.
- Serve immediately. Smoothie leftovers will keep in a covered mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 day, though best when fresh.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Nutritional Disclaimer
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice. See our full Nutritional Disclosure here.
Affiliate Disclaimer
Please note that some of the links here are affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I recommend all of the products listed because they are companies I have found helpful and trustworthy.
As the lead content writer and recipe developer at Our Plant-Based World, he combines his passion for health and sustainability with a Plant-Based Nutrition Certification to create accessible, delicious vegan recipes. His expertise in plant-based cooking supports the blog's mission of fostering a healthier, environmentally conscious lifestyle through simple and seasonal dishes. His commitment to making vegan cooking enjoyable and inclusive for everyone shines in each recipe and article.
Sheila
I tried this recipe only I left all that nasty milk out of it and slightly increased the water.....PERFECT!!!!!
Gus
Hey Sheila,
Wow, thanks for giving our Pineapple and Cucumber Smoothie a spin! 🍍🥒 We're all about experimenting and making recipes your own, so kudos for nailing it without the plant milk! Sometimes, water is all you need to let those natural flavors shine, right? 😄
At the end of the day, it's all about personal preference, right? Whether you're Team Water or Team Plant Milk, we're just thrilled you're enjoying the smoothie your way. 🎉
We're stoked to hear you found your "PERFECT" blend. Keep those taste buds happy and stay tuned for more delicious, weight-loss-friendly recipes coming your way!
Cheers to health and epic smoothies,
Gus & Joaco 🌱✌️
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
I love cucumber in anything and I love the combination of using the pineapple and ginger flavour too. Such clean flavours and very cooling too.
Beth
I love this just the way it is but your suggestion of using coconut milk in place of almond milk is a fabulous idea! Delicious!
Gus
Hi Beth, thanks for your review. Yes, coconut makes the smoothie extratropical, we are glad you liked that variation!
Jessie
Ok...HOW did I never think of adding cucumber to smoothies before?! This combo is SO refreshing. Definitely my new favorite summer smoothie!
Gus
Cucumbers are so good on smoothies! we are glad you liked it!
Shadi
I had everything I needed for this smoothie. My family loved it!
Gus
Hi Shadi, we are glad you and your family enjoyed this smoothie!
Anjali
Pineapple and cucumber is the perfect combination!! Super light, refreshing and great for summer!