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 summertime 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.
Although most people know cucumbers as an ingredient for salads such as traditional Lebanese Tabbouleh, they make delicious and nutritious smoothies and juices.
This smoothie was inspired by our pineapple banana spinach smoothie and the cucumber pineapple juice recipe, just made 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.
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🧾 Ingredients
This pineapple weight loss smoothie is perfectly made with simple staple ingredients.
- Frozen pineapple
- Cucumber
- Pear
- Lemon juice
- Fresh ginger
- Almond milk
- Water
See the recipe card for quantities.
🔪 Instructions
Place all the ingredients in a high-speed blender
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.
🍶 Substitutions
If you know how to make the recipe fit a certain diet, let the reader know here. Don't fake it - only guide topics you have actual experience with.
- 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.
Did you know that pineapple is great for constipation and digestive issues? Include more of this wonderful fruit in your diet!
📖 Variations
- Antioxidant boost - add one tablespoon of hemp seeds, chia seeds, or flax meal.
- Protein powder - add one scoop of clean plant-based protein powder (affiliate link), 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.
🍽 Equipment
Using a high-speed blender (affiliate link) such as a nutribullet (affiliate link) (affiliate) is essential to make a creamy smoothie every time.
🫙 Storage
These pineapple cucumber ginger lemon smoothie leftovers will keep in a covered mason jar in the refrigerator for up to one day, though best when fresh.
💡Top tip
If you use fresh pineapple, don't throw away the rinds! Freeze them for later and make a delicious pineapple water or an arroz con piña (pineapple horchata)!
❓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, including them in your salads and smoothies or using cucumber sticks instead of the usual pita chips when having hummus.
Another benefit is that it is easy to make. You don't need any special equipment or skills to make them - all you need is a blender! This makes them perfect for busy mornings when you don't have time to cook.
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.
Add more weight loss-promoting cucumber and pineapple to your diet by adding a carrot, cucumber, and celery juice, red cabbage juice, pineapple strawberry smoothie, strawberry banana spinach smoothie, and spinach ginger smoothie to your weekly smoothies and juices weekly line-up for breakfast or pre-work-out snacks.
📚 More recipes with ginger root
Try our carrot ginger turmeric juice, carrot apple sweet potato juice, pineapple and ginger juice, and our frozen spinach with ginger.
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!
📋 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
- 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
🌡️ Food safety
We sometimes take for granted that we have years (or decades) of cooking experience that the average visitor may not. Add to or remove the list below with health and safety tips.
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw meat.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
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 says
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 says
Hi Beth, thanks for your review. Yes, coconut makes the smoothie extratropical, we are glad you liked that variation!
Jessie says
Ok...HOW did I never think of adding cucumber to smoothies before?! This combo is SO refreshing. Definitely my new favorite summer smoothie!
Gus says
Cucumbers are so good on smoothies! we are glad you liked it!
Shadi says
I had everything I needed for this smoothie. My family loved it!
Gus says
Hi Shadi, we are glad you and your family enjoyed this smoothie!
Anjali says
Pineapple and cucumber is the perfect combination!! Super light, refreshing and great for summer!