This detox cactus smoothie is creamy, with a lot of tropical zing. Healthy and very simple to make. It is highly irresistible and tastes just like the cactus smoothie from Crusssh juice bar.
Despite popular belief, I am not all chocolate, bread, and sweets. I have an intense fondness for smoothies. Detox cactus smoothies, in particular. When I stumbled upon cactus leaves at my local produce store, I knew I had to share this delicious drink with you.
I first discovered cactus smoothies in college (I've been coming up with a lot of college stories lately, haven't I?) While on a hunt for chocolate in a train station, I came across this little place called Crusssh which happened to sell these awesome vegan double chocolate brownies (whaat?!).
I also saw a sign that announced they were bringing back cactus smoothies.
Now, at that time, I never heard of using cactus for anything other than decoration, so I was intrigued and bought one. My life was changed.
How can I describe the amazingness that is the detox cactus smoothie? It is light, creamy, but tangy at the same time. Yes, tangy and sweet and kind-of tropical in the best way possible. There are only a few ingredients in this smoothie, but the complexity of the flavor is simply irresistible and even addictive.
When I discovered Crussh detox cactus smoothies, I would buy a large one to drink right away, and two or three more to drink later. I was an addict. I introduced my friend Erin to the smoothie and she drank hers so quickly that we had to turn around to get another. It was that good.
The Crussh version is sweeter than mine because they use pineapple juice as their base. I decided to use almond milk for more creaminess. Other than that, this is basically dead on.
This recipe makes a huge blenderful because, I quite frankly always end up drinking it all on my own. In the same day. And I know you will, too!
UPDATE: In the original recipe I shared, I also added aloe vera for my own twist. You can also add aloe vera if you want, but I honestly have been craving the real deal lately and took it back out.
Prepping Cactus Leaves for a Detox Cactus Smoothie
Prepping cactus leaves can seem daunting, but it is fairly easy. Wear clean gloves if you feel nervous about being pricked.
Grab a brand new dish scrubber and gently scrub the cactus in the opposite direction of the needles. The cactus leave will start to feel slimy as the needles come off. Cut off the edges around the cactus leaf.
If you want more delicious good for you smoothies, you need to try my avocado chocolate peanut butter smoothie
Don't have time to make this delish smoothie now? Pin it for later!
Recipe Card
Detox Cactus Smoothie
Ingredients
- 5 oz 1 ½ medium cactus leaves, needles removed and chopped
- ½ 12 oz approx fresh pineapple, cut in cubes and chilled
- 1 ½ 7 oz approx banana, sliced and frozen
- 5.3 oz 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 lime juiced
- 1 ½ cups 354 mL almond milk
- ⅓ cup 79 mL aloe vera water (optional)
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in the blender in the order shown above.
- Blend on low for 1 - 2 minutes, or until the cactus, pineapple, and banana are beginning to become well-blended.
- Slowly raise the speed to medium for one minute, then slowly raise to high, until you see a vortex in the middle of the smoothie.
- Once you see the vortex, blend for another minute, or until creamy.
Melyna Sanchez says
Growing up with Mexican culture we practically live off Cactus leaves or we call "nopales". I was looking for a good smoothie recipe and came across yours, I tried this smoothie mix and it is very yummy, and very healthy especially adding the aloe vera juice! Thank you for sharing!
Elizabeth says
Hello From Houston, TX!!
Hope you are well,
I am here because I browsing the net on Cactus Smoothies and how to "clean" them "take the needles off" which is my fear! I never heard of using a dish scrubber, I am so excited to doing this.
In 2001 I was told by my aunt to drink a smoothie with water, Cactus with Aloe pulp and lime (with peel). I did that for 8 months in the mornings before breakfast and dropped 80 LBS in 8 months -10lbs (NO JOKE)... i was about 19 years old don't know if that had to do something with it too...
I want to do this again but my aunt isn't around me (i did this when i was taking care of her baby at her house) she isn't around to clean the nopales, plus she can't see as too well... (age)
I TOTALLY AM LOOKING FORWARD TO CLEANING THEM YOUR WAY... if it works... I WILL CRY of JOY haha
Thank you!!
Cheers to 2 months for 20 lbs....
Amanda Powell says
That is awesome!!! Maybe I need to make this more often and start storing extra nopales in the freezer! Just make sure you use the rough scrubby side and use a CLEAN UNUSED scrubber! If you are making them often, it’d probably be worth having a dedicated scrubber just for this! I hope it works for you!!
Nikky Trevino says
Cactus leaves is a Mexican food staple and has been for a long time. We use them for breakfast with scrambled eggs and use them for vegetarian tacos too.
If you are having trouble looking for them, it's almost a for sure to find them in Latin supermarkets.
Just ask for NOPALES but fresh to make smoothies.
They also come in glass jars but I those are used for cooking. Use the fresh ones for smoothies.
Amanda says
Thank you so much for the extra info, I am sure everyone will find it handy!!!
Jabe says
I tried this recipe as written, and thought it was pretty good. I would prefer if it was less tart. Also, it was too watery, could of been thicker.
Meghan says
I prep and freeze the bananas, nopales and pineapple in advance then just plop the frozen ingredients in to blender and add protein powder, coconut water and nut milk. They turn out creamy and not watery at all.
Keith @ How's it Lookin? says
They look so healthy. Pineapple will definitely flavor it up, thanks for sharing
Kristina says
I am intrigued - the flavors sound fantastic!
Amanda says
It's seriously good! I hope you are able to make it soon!
Lizz says
I have a bag of prepared, chopped, cleaned cactus leaves so I don't know how much to use since they are no longer full leaves? I hope someone can help me with this
Amanda says
I'm making this smoothie again today, once I get my leaves prepared, I'll see how many cups it is for your
Amanda says
I just chipped some cactus leaves and two leaves equal about a cup of chopped leaves
Sonya says
Sounds yummy, I will have to look for some cactus leaves.
Clotilde/Craftybegonia says
Hi Amanda, visiting you via The SITS Girls. That looks like a super healthy smoothie, and being a vegan myself, I double appreciated it. Thanks for sharing!
Amanda says
A lot of my close friends and a few of my blogging inspirations are vegan, so I like to share as many vegan-friendly things as I can. In fact, I think all but one non-dessert recipe is vegan or can easily be made vegan. I have a vegan cookie recipe I will post at some point that will rock your socks!
Jean Lynd says
Hmmm. I'm intrigued, yet I've NEVER seen cactus for sale anywhere near me. I may have to look a little harder. Happy SITS day!
Stacy B says
I'm an Arizona girl, so it's not unusual to see cactus in the grocery store or to eat it...but I've never heard of anyone making a smoothie out of it! I'm excited to try this!
Mary says
Can't wait to try this! My mom has been in town all week and although I have loved our days of binge watching and binge eating, a little "detox" sounds like the perfect thing!
Amanda says
This smoothie is really addictive!! I hope you enjoy it!
Courtney Conover says
I know I'm just going to love this...
Despite my extreme penchant for sweets, I've never really met a green smoothie I didn't like. The only problem I foresee is buying the cactus leaves: I never see these at my local produce market here in suburban Detroit. But now I'm on the hunt for them...
Enjoy your day, Amanda! (Stopping by from SITS! 🙂
Amanda says
I never saw them at my local market either until I stumbled across it and they said they have them in stock regularly during the warm weather! I think some health food store will stick them too. Hope you find some!
Ky says
My dad is diabetic so 86 carbs is too much . Looking on here for recipes for his cactus. It's supposed to help with diabetic yet all the drinks I see mostly have oh or like yours way over on carb do you have any awesome idea about low smoothies
Amanda Powell says
Hi! Unfortunately, I am not well versed on low-carb/diabetes-friendly ingredients or swaps. I do know my avocado choco pb smoothie is very popular, but I don’t know how many carbs are in it at the top of my head. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help!!