5-Minute Jugo Verde (Authentic Mexican Green Juice)

Jugo Verde is a blended Mexican green juice loaded with an assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables. This nutritious elixir promotes better health, vibrant skin, and overall energy and is one of my favorite Mexican drink recipes.

jugo verde mexicano, Mexican green juice, green machine

WHAT IS JUGO VERDE?

Jugo verde is as vibrant as the Mexican mercados from which it hails. Translated as “green juice,” it is loaded with nutrients and made with fresh fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens that will help you power through your day. This vibrant and refreshing drink is known for its detoxifying properties and nutritional benefits, which is probably why it is so popular among market goers in Mexico.

WHY I LOVE THIS RECIPE

  • Inspired by Mexico’s mercados: I’ve tasted quite a few jugos verdes in my day. As a self-proclaimed jugo verde aficionada, I enjoy tasting the various versions different mercados have to offer throughout Oaxaca and other parts of Mexico. The green juice that my tastebuds found most memorable, and the one that inspired this, was from a small mercado in a town outside of Oaxaca, called Mitla.
  • Easy-to-find ingredients: In Mitla, the señoras blended a nutritious elixir for the mind, body, and soul that consisted of fresh orange juice, nopal (cactus paddle), pineapple, parsley, celery, and aloe vera and my recipe captures its essence. Most green juice recipes call for nopales and aloe vera. Since cactus and aloe vera may not be easily accessible for everyone, I have recreated the flavors I remember, with easy-to-find ingredients so you can make it at home.
  • Easy-to-make: Making Mexican green juice is easy to make, but you must get the proportions just right to enjoy the mercado-grade concoction that I have come to love. 
  • Nutritious: a green machine powerhouse of beverages, this healthy juice is anti-inflammatory and loaded with vitamins and minerals such as fiber and vitamin C.
  • No fancy equipment necessary: All you need to make this recipe is a blender! I use the Vitamix, which is a high-powered blender, but the señoras in Mexico never use anything fancy and the jugo comes out just fine.

INGREDIENTS

(full list of ingredients and amounts included in the recipe card below)

  • Fresh orange juice is naturally rich in vital nutrients, such as vitamin C and potassium. It is also naturally sweet, so your jugo verde requires no additional sweeteners. Oranges also contain thiamine, folate, and potassium and are believed to help with anemia prevention, heart health, and kidney stone prevention. If you don’t have time to squeeze your own juice, check if your local grocery store carries Natalie’s Orange Juice. The organic ones from Trader Joe’s.
  • Pineapples contain vitamin C and manganese and also have high amounts of antioxidants. These minerals and nutrients aid in boosting immunity and suppressing inflammation. I use the core, too.
  • Green apples are lower in sugar and carbs than other apple varieties, and contain higher amounts of fiber, protein, potassium, iron, and vitamin K.
  • Dinosaur kale is high in fiber, low in calories, and has zero fat and minimal flavor when blended. These attributes make this veggie a super easy addition to your drinks for weight loss or watching caloric intake, all while providing 75% of the recommended daily amount of vitamin C in one serving.
  • Cucumbers are packed with water, vitamin K, and antioxidants.
  • Parsley is technically an herb and it is a vitamin powerhouse! Only ½ cup of parsley contains 100% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A, 53% of vitamin C, and 547% of the daily intake recommended for vitamin K.
  • Celery stalk also aids in digestion due to its high fiber content.
Jugo Verde receta mexico

TOOLS, SUPPLIES, AND EQUIPMENT

  • Blender: Oftentimes green juices in the U.S. are made with a juicer and are light (watery) in texture. In Mexico however, they’re made in a blender and are a bit thicker. The consistency of the Mexican version of green juice is somewhere between orange juice and a watery smoothie. I do not recommend straining it, as this would remove many of its natural healing powers.
  • Glass pitcher or carafe + juice glasses for serving

RECOMMENDED FOR THIS RECIPE

Vitamix Professional-Grade Blender

Jugo Verde

HOW TO MAKE this recipe

This easy jugo verde requires a few simple steps and a total of five minutes:

Step 1

Prepare the fruits and vegetables. Wash all of the produce and chop it into large pieces.

Jugo Verde

Step 2

Add the orange juice, fruits, and vegetables to a blender.

Jugo Verde

Step 3

Blend until completely smooth.

Jugo Verde

Step 4

Serve chilled. You can pour over ice if you like it extra cold.

jugo verde receta mexican green juice

TIPS, TRICKS, AND SUBSTITUTIONS

  • If using cold orange juice and ingredients, your juice should be ready right out of the blender.
  • If you prefer your jugo ice-cold, add 3-4 ice cubes to it when blending. It is not meant to be icy or frozen, like a smoothie, but definitely colder than room temperature. Alternatively, serve your jugo over ice.
  • Reduce the sugar in this recipe by substituting coconut water (it contains natural electrolytes!) for the orange juice.
  • For extra potassium, add a banana to your jugo verde!
  • For extra fiber and vitamins C, K, and E, add 1/4 cup of chopped cactus paddle.
  • For digestive support and antioxidants, add about a tablespoon of fresh aloe vera pulp or a few fresh mint leaves.
  • For additional immunity support, add fresh lime juice before blending.

HOW TO STORE

This green smoothie is best served as soon as you make it. However, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for two to three days.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the health benefits of green juice?

The health benefits are endless! It is essentially a cocktail for better health, vibrant skin, and overall energy and contains anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties. If you’re anything like me, this is precisely what I need at this stage in my life. Bottoms up to that!

Can I drink green juice every day?

The answer is yes and no. This juice is loaded with fiber and other nutrients to help you power through each of your days. However, if you are following a low-fiber or low-sugar diet, then it’s probably best to enjoy this drink in moderation.

Can jugo verde help with weight loss?

Jugo verde is also referred to as a green detox smoothie and can be a great addition to a weight loss plan as it is low in calories and high in nutrients. It is important to note that Mexican green juice should not be used as a meal replacement and should complement a well-balanced diet. I always drink mine en route to drop the kids off at school, then enjoy a protein-packed breakfast once I get home.

What does green juice do for you ?

Green juice provides essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support overall health, boost the immune system, aid in digestion, and promote detoxification.

STORAGE TIPS

Ideally, it’s best to consume jugo verde immediately after preparation to retain its maximum nutritional value. However, I like to make enough to last 2-3 days and store it in a mason jar with a lid in the refrigerator.

LOOKING FOR MORE INSPIRATION?

jugo verde receta mexican green juice

Jugo Verde (Mexican Green Juice)

by Lola Dweck
Jugo Verde is a blended Mexican green juice loaded with an assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables. This nutritious elixir promotes better health, vibrant skin, and overall energy.
5 from 8 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 3 glasses
Calories 138 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups freshly squeezed orange juice chilled
  • 4 dinosaur kale leaves
  • 1 celery stalk
  • 1 pineapple spear
  • 1/2 green apple
  • 1/3 cucumber with skin
  • 10 parsley sprigs

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the fruits and vegetables. Wash all of the produce and chop it into large pieces.
  • Blend orange juice, fruits, and vegetables until completely smooth.
  • Serve chilled.

A Note from Lola

  • If using cold orange juice and ingredients, your juice should be ready right out of the blender.
  • If you prefer your jugo ice-cold, add 3-4 ice cubes to it when blending. It is not meant to be icy or frozen, like a smoothie, but definitely colder than room temperature. Alternatively, serve your jugo over ice.
  • Reduce the sugar in this recipe by swapping out the orange juice with coconut water, which contains natural electrolytes.
  • For extra potassium, add a banana to your Jugo Verde!
  • For extra fiber and vitamins C, K, and E, add 1/4 cup of chopped cactus paddle.
  • For digestive support and antioxidants, add about a tablespoon of fresh aloe vera pulp or a few fresh mint leaves.
  • For additional immunity support, add fresh lime juice before blending.

Nutrition

Calories: 138kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 14mgPotassium: 564mgFiber: 3gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 2167IUVitamin C: 139mgCalcium: 77mgIron: 1mg
138
LOVE THIS RECIPE?Leave a comment below or tag me on social media @lolascoina

    Originally published March 17, 2021 / Photography + Styling: Cacey McReavy (process shots by Lola)

Lola Wiarco Dweck

Lola is a Mexican-American recipe developer, writer, and cooking instructor who loves sharing her culture with the world. Growing up in California and spending summers in Mexico, Lola celebrates her family’s Mexican recipes and vibrant culture through Lola’s Cocina.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




12 Comments

  1. This recipe looks very close to what we drank over and over and over in Mexico City and Oaxaca and Guanajuato.

  2. 5 stars
    My favorite part of this smoothie is that you can’t taste the kale. I love the addition of ice cubes so that it’s nice and cold.

  3. 5 stars
    I had spare time at work (i work at a juice bar) so I whipped this bad boy up! We don’t have dinosaur kale just common curly kale but I still think it came out the same. Super delish, easy to make, and very refreshing!

  4. 5 stars
    I really love the pineapple in this jugo as it masks the bitter flavor of the kale! I personally don’t eat many greens so I kill many birds with one stone when drinking this. Yummy!

  5. 5 stars
    Good golly Miss Molly this is a well written and comprehensive recipe on all the natural goodness that comes from jugos verdes. I’ve been wanting to incorpoate a jugo verde into my weekly diet for quite some time now and this just gave me the boost I needed to make it happen. XOXO 💚

  6. 5 stars
    I used regular kale (didn’t think to look up dinosaur variety before the store) and also used squeezed juice from the store. Still turned out great- though the kale I had was quite large, I used 2 1/2 large branches instead of 4.

    1. That’s great – I’m glad you were able to adjust the recipe with regular kale and it still turned out great. I usually use dinosaur kale or spinach – whichever I have on hand. I like dinosaur kale because it lasts at least an entire week without wilting as long as I keep it in a mason jar with water.