DIY Green Powder: Make Super Greens Super Cheap
Make your own super greens powder at a fraction of the cost of commercial brands. DIY green powder is easy to make and a superfood that provides a nutritious bump to any meal.
As a fellow caregiver, I know how challenging it can be to find time for our own health while caring for others, which is why I want to share a little trick I discovered – making my own DIY green powder.
When things get busy during your caregiver day, It is a great way to sneak in a little extra nutrition along the way.
This DIY greens powder is super easy to make and costs much less than commercial brands found in the grocery store.
Plus, you control the ingredients, so you know exactly what is going into the green powder, no added fillers, artificial sweeteners, or contaminants.
Let me show you how easy it is to make this DIY green powder, homemade super greens that is super inexpensive to make and can be added to just about any meal.
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Kitchen Tools Used For This Recipe
- Dehydrator. I use and highly recommend the Excalibur Dehydrator, a top-notch brand that I love for its even heating and drying process. They come in various sizes too. That said, any brand you own is just fine.
NOTE: If you do not own a dehydrator, and are not ready to invest in this piece of kitchen equipment, I get it. You can easily “dehydrate” your greens in the oven on the lowest temperature setting with the oven door cracked open. It will take longer but it works. - High-powered blender. I use my Vitamix Professional Blender for the majority of my mixing and blending. The only time I turn to a food processor instead of my blender is if I only have a small amount to blend, then a food processor works better. That said, feel free to use whatever you have on hand. Just make sure it is a high-speed blender so that the greens will blend into a fine powder.
- Airtight Container with Lid. I prefer storage containers made with glass, like a small mason jar with a tightly sealed lid.
DIY Green Powder Ingredients
- Leafy greens. And I mean lots and lots of greens. In this recipe with pictures, I am using a family-sized bag of kale but you can use any green salad lettuce you prefer.
How To Make DIY Green Powder: Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1. Wash and dry greens.
Place your fresh greens in a large colander and rinse them under fresh cold water to remove any dirt or impurities.
Lay your greens out on clean dish towels and pat gently to dry. You can also use paper towels.
Step 2. Remove unwanted stems and break leaves into pieces.
Once the greens are dry, remove any thick unwanted stems, break the leaves into pieces, or roughly chop with a knife.
Step 3. Place greens on dehydrator trays.
Place the greens onto dehydrator trays and spread the leaves out evenly.
Step 4. Dehydrate greens until thoroughly dried.
Slide the individual trays into the dehydrator and set the temperature to 110°F for approximately 3-4 hours or until the greens are thoroughly dried and break apart easily.
Step 5. Powder dehydrated greens.
Place the dried greens into your blender or food processor and blend until the greens have turned into a fine powder.
Step 6. Store greens in an airtight container.
Pour the homemade green powder into a glass container that can be tightly sealed and stored in a dark place.
How To Store
DIY green powder is stored best in a glass tightly sealed airtight container, preferably in the fridge or a dark cool area of your pantry.
When stored properly, your super green powder will last for approximately 2-3 months.
ProTip. I like to place an oxygen absorber in the jar of my green powder. This keeps the moisture at bay and allows for longer storage. They are inexpensive and work quite well.
For even longer storage, you can also store your DIY green powder in the freezer. Just make sure you are using a freezer-safe container. Your powder will last in the freezer for approximately 3-4 months.
Tips For Success
When placing the greens on your dehydrator trays, it is okay to crowd the greens on the trays because they will shrink as they dry out. Do not, however, create more than one layer, and make sure there are no leaves stuck together.
Sometimes it is helpful to pulse the blender a time or two when making your homemade powder. This helps bring the greens down to the bottom of your blender and then you can continue blending.
If you are short on time, or just lazy like me – ha, an easy way to gather your greens is to buy a family-size bag at the grocery store. In this recipe, I am using a large pre-washed bag of kale. Easy-peasy!
DIY Green Powder Benefits
Eating a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables is important, however, most people do not eat enough regularly.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that roughly only 1 in 10 adults eat the recommended amount of fruit and veggies a day.
Green powders are not meant to replace eating fresh leafy greens and vegetables but should serve as an addition to the diet for nutritional benefits.
Adding a quality powder, like this DIY green powder to your diet can provide some health benefits.
Immune system support. Dehydrated greens and powders contain vitamins that support the immune system such as vitamins A and C, similar to leafy greens but in a more concentrated form.
Antioxidant. For overall health, some research suggests powdered greens serve as an antioxidant and help to reduce oxidative stress in the body.
Exercise recovery. Green powders can be helpful in recovery after a workout by reducing muscle soreness and dilating blood vessels to aid in increasing oxygen and nutrients to the muscle.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Green powders contain concentrated vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. Generally, this is beneficial. However, in some cases, it could be too much of a good thing.
Consuming excessive amounts of green powder could potentially conflict with some medications so, as with any supplement, it is always recommended to talk to your doctor before taking something new.
DIY Green Powder: A Caregiver’s Practical Nutrition Hack
Incorporating DIY green powder into your daily routine is a great addition, and it can be as simple as stirring a scoop of green powder into your morning smoothie or sprinkling it over a delicious salad.
It is an easy and convenient way to boost nutrition and complement a healthy diet.
As caregivers, we often juggle countless responsibilities. This DIY green powder is just a small tool in our wellness toolkit – a convenient and cost-effective way to give our bodies a little extra support.
Looking after our health is part of being an effective caregiver, and this homemade superfood green powder makes it easy to do so without straining the budget.
For a boost of goodness, truly a worthwhile addition to anyone’s daily routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What greens can I use to make DIY green powder?
You can use any greens you prefer. Common greens to dehydrate and make into powders are greens such as spinach, kale, romaine, green or red lettuce, all the spring mixes, and Swiss chard.
You can also make green powders out of herbs, wheatgrass, barley grass, alfalfa sprouts, broccoli sprouts, and more.
Think about mixing your greens too – there is nothing wrong with that!
How much powder will I get from dehydrating my greens?
The yield will depend on the type of green you use as well as the amount and size of leaves. In general, one cup of fresh leafy greens will make about one tablespoon of powdered greens.
How much green powder should I use per serving?
Most people use approximately 1-2 tablespoons per serving. This is enough to get a nutrient boost without an unpleasant taste.
NOTE: The amount of vitamins and minerals in green powders is concentrated it is important to consult your healthcare provider whenever you start a new supplement. – even DIY green powder!
Do I lose nutrients when I dehydrate my greens?
Anytime you use heat on food you will lose a bit of nutritional value, however, because we are using a low heat in the dehydrator, instead of high heat, the loss is minimal.
DIY Green Powder is not a substitute for eating fresh leafy greens. Think of it like a dietary supplement that will add a bump of nutrients to anything you put it on!
Is DIY green powder as good or better than fresh leafy greens?
Fresh is best! That said, DIY green powder should be looked at as a supplement, and should not replace eating fresh leafy greens as part of a healthy diet.
Green powders contain a concentrated amount of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. For a wonderful nutrient boost, incorporate this DIY supplemental super green powder into your diet by adding it to your meals.
What are some ways to use green powder in recipes?
It is super simple to add to green juices and protein shake smoothies, soups, sauces, salad, and salad dressing, on top of leafy green vegetables and grain bowls, pasta toppings, burritos, and so much more. Basically, you can toss it on anything you wish!
Additional DIY Recipes To Enjoy
- How To Roast Pumpkin Seeds Without Oil: Easy Fall Recipe
- How to Dry Cranberries: Sugar and Oil-Free Recipe
- Dried Food Tips: How Long Do Dehydrated Vegetables Last?
- DIY Instant Pot Non-Dairy Yogurt: Taste Test Winner
- Raw Dehydrator Granola Recipe: Vegan and Gluten Free
More Healthy Recipes and Caregiver Support
Let’s Connect
I hope you enjoyed learning how to make DIY green powder. Were you surprised at how simple it was?
Now that you know how to make super greens, think about making all kinds of other dried fruits and vegetable powders. Let your imagination be your guide.
All DIY powders can be stored similarly, and adding a tablespoon or so to your food will be a wonderful way to add a boost of nutrition to any meal.
A HELPFUL REQUEST. If you do make this recipe, let me know in the comment section below. I’d love to know how you are using your DIY green powder!
Please consider leaving a 5-star rating in the recipe card below, take a pic of your DIY green powder, and tag me on social media @upsidelane. I’d love to see it!
Printable Recipe Card To Enjoy
DIY Green Powder: Make Super Greens Super Cheap
Equipment
- Dehydrator – or the oven if you don't own a dehydrator.
- Blender – high-powered, or a strong food processor.
- Storage container with lid – like a small mason jar.
Ingredients
- 12 cups fresh lettuce greens – in this recipe, I am using organic kale.
Instructions
Wash and dry greens.
- Place your fresh greens in a large colander and rinse them under fresh cold water to remove any dirt or impurities.
- Lay your greens out on clean dish towels and pat gently to dry. You can also use paper towels.
Remove unwanted stem and break leaves into pieces.
- Once the greens are dry, remove any thick unwanted stems, break the leaves into pieces, or roughly chop with a knife.
Place greens on dehydrator trays.
- Place the greens onto dehydrator trays and spread the leaves out evenly.
Dehydrate greens until thoroughly dried.
- Slide the individual trays into the dehydrator and set the temperature to 110°F for approximately 3-4 hours or until the greens are thoroughly dried and break apart easily.
Powder dehydrated greens.
- Place the dried greens into your blender or food processor and blend until the greens have turned into a fine powder.
Store greens in an airtight container.
- Pour the homemade green powder into a glass container that can be tightly sealed and stored in a dark place.
Notes
- When placing the greens on your dehydrator trays, it is okay to crowd the greens on the trays because they will shrink as they dry out.
- Do not, however, create more than one layer, and make sure there are no leaves stuck together.
- Sometimes it is helpful to pulse the blender a time or two when making your homemade powder. This helps bring the greens down to the bottom of your blender.
- If you are short on time, buy a family-size bag of leafy greens at the grocery store.
- DIY green powder is stored best in a glass tightly sealed airtight container, preferably in the fridge or a dark cool area of your pantry.
- When stored properly, your super green powder will last for approximately 2-3 months.
- Consider using an oxygen absorber to keep the moisture at bay and allow for longer storage.
- You can also store your DIY green powder in the freezer. Just make sure you are using a freezer-safe container.
- Your powder will last in the freezer for approximately 3-4 months.
