Homemade Greens Powder (2024)

Looking for an amazing, zero-waste recipe to utilize juice pulp? There’s no easier way to do that than this homemade greens powder.

Welcome back to Scrappy Cooking! If you remember my zero-waste ginger recipe trio from a little while back, I have another great way to utilize juice pulp.

To be perfectly honest, it took me some time to figure this one out. I love nutritious green juice, and I have been desperately trying to find a way to repurpose the pulp. I tried pancakes, muffins, even fertilizer… None of it worked as I imagined.

And finally it hit me! So many people enjoy drinking their greens… What if I dehydrate the pulp and blitz it into homemade greens powder?

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Supplements aren’t cheap, even more so when they are high quality! To make sure all my nutritional needs are met, I take Complement x PlantYou Essential daily. But anything I want in addition to that quickly adds up. By making your own greens powder, you save a big chunk of change!
• Speaking of saving money. Once you made the best green juice recipe, the pulp is basically free… Which means an entire batch of this amazing homemade greens powder won’t cost you anything.
• Like with any Scrappy recipe, in addition to saving money, you are actively reducing your household food waste. I’m sure I don’t even need to tell you how important that is.
• This greens powder is more versatile than you may think! Yes, you can dissolve it with water to get your daily dose of vitamins. But you can also add it to sauces, soups and stews for extra flavor.

Benefits of Homemade Greens Powder

Just like commercial greens powders, this recipe is basically a dietary supplement that contains a mixture of various plant-based ingredients. It’s a convenient way to boost your intake of nutrients that comes with a few advantages:

• Nutrient boost. Greens powders can provide a concentrated source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients found in plants. This can be particularly beneficial if you struggle to consume enough fruits and vegetables in your regular diet.
• Convenience. For individuals with busy lifestyles or limited access to fresh produce, greens powders can offer a convenient way to supplement their nutrient intake. They can be easily mixed into smoothies, shakes, or even water.
• Alkalizing properties. Some greens powders contain ingredients that are considered alkaline, which means they may help balance the body’s pH levels. However, the impact of dietary pH on overall health is a topic of ongoing research and debate.
• Digestive health. Greens powders often contain fiber and prebiotics, which can support digestive health by promoting regular bowel movements and fostering a healthy gut microbiome.
• Antioxidant support. Many ingredients in greens powders, such as certain herbs, greens, fruits and vegetables, are rich in antioxidants. These compounds can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
• Energy and vitality. Some users report feeling increased energy and vitality after incorporating greens powders into their diets. This may be due to the presence of various nutrients that support overall well-being.

What Equipment Do I Need

If you have a dehydrator, go ahead and use it for this recipe! Arguably, processing the pulp at the lower temperature may conserve more of the nutrients.

If your dehydrator doesn’t have a temperature setting, just keep your pulp in until it is fully dry.

If you don’t have a dehydrator, no problem there! You can use an ordinary oven at the lowest setting, with the pulp spread across a baking sheet. Just make sure that you line it with parchment or a silicone sheet!

How to Make This Recipe

When you make green juice, don’t throw away the pulp! Make sure there is as little moisture as possible and spread the juice pulp on a dehydrator tray, and cure at 115F until dry. This may take about 6 hours or longer.

If you do not have a dehydrator, line a baking sheet with parchment and spread the juice pulp as evenly as you can. Set the oven to its lowest temperature, let the pulp dehydrate for 4 to 5 hours.

Once it is fully dry, transfer it a high-speed blender. Blitz until you have a fine homemade greens powder.

To drink your greens, dissolve 1 tablespoon of the powder into water and enjoy!

Hack It!

• Drinking your greens is not the only way to use this powder. You can also add it to smoothies and protein shakes, as well as pasta sauces, curries and other savory dishes for a flavor enhancer and health kick.
• Store this powder as you would a spice, in an airtight jar in a cool dry place. With optimal conditions, it stays good fro up to 3 months.
• This method works for other types of juice! A nice fruity powder is a great way to flavor your drinks and desserts.
• This recipe is very flexible! If you have more than 1 cup of pulp, you can use it all. You may need to split it into batches but the rest is the same.

Other Recipes You’ll Love

• Homemade Sun Dried Tomatoes
• How to Make Breadcrumbs
• Homemade Vegan Powders
• Vanilla Extract Recipe
• Scrappy Apple Cider Vinegar

If you’re a fan of straightforward, beginner-friendly recipes like this one, I highly recommend grabbing a copy of thePlantYou Cookbook! It boasts an impressive collection of whole-food, plant-based recipes suitable for any occasion. Personally, as a visual learner, I placed great emphasis on ensuring the book is user-friendly. Consequently, each recipe is accompanied by a helpful infographic that breaks down the ingredients. I genuinely wish I had access to such a book when I transitioned to a plant-based diet.

For those who lean towards a more dynamic cooking approach, take a look at thePlantYou Planner! This fully customizable meal planning app offers an extensive repository of uncomplicated vegan recipes. You even have the fantastic opportunity to explore the free version of the app, granting you access to 25 exceptional plant-based meals, including our signature beginner vegan meal plan. So, what’s holding you back?