How to Make a Smoothie + 27 Simple Smoothie Recipes to Try
I'm a believer that smoothies are the perfect meal or snack no matter what the weather. It is never too cold to have an awesome smoothie! Since smoothies are such a tasty way to pack in a meal on the go, I put on a big sweater and happily drink them even when the temps are frigid.
We originally published our first guide on smoothie making way back in 2015, and since then, millions of folks have visited this post and used our recipes to make the best ever smoothies! I consider these smoothies simple classics because they have great flavor, all the ingredients are easy to source (no specialty stores here!), and they pack a nutritional punch that can nourish you nicely. These are the kinds of smoothies that I think everyone should know how to make, and chances are, you'll find a favorite combo among these recipes. There really is no wrong way to make a smoothie, but I think these recipes are a great jumping-off point if the blender intimidates you.
Are smoothies healthy for you?
Before we dive into the quest of how to make a fruit smoothie, let's dive into the why. Our philosophy here at Wholefully is that smoothies can be an incredibly nourishing part of your diet. Just like with our juicing recipes, we say it's always better to eat whole fruits and veggies where possible. But it's not always possible! Smoothies do make it easy to pack in all the nutrients of your favorite produce into one drinkable cup-which is great when you're on the go or short on time.
And let's be honest, smoothies are just freaking delicious! We are big believers that you also need to nourish your soul with your food, and if drinking a perfectly tangy and sweet smoothie brings a smile to your face, then that's healthy as healthy can be.
How to Make a Fruit Smoothie
Making a fruit smoothie is as simple as tossing ingredients in a blender and letting it rip, but we want to make sure you succeed every time, so here's our exact process:
- Add liquid to your blender. I typically use unsweetened almond milk, but you could use any other kind of milk, fruit juice, or even just water.
- Add in any fibrous foods. If you are adding in spinach or other greens, this is the time to toss them in.
- Add in your frozen fruits and vegetables. I like to keep at least frozen bananas and frozen strawberries on hand for smoothie making. Any frozen fruit works!
- Add any fresh fruits or veggies you'd like to use. Here is where you'll toss in fresh strawberries or an avocado half.
- Top it off with your favorite nutrition mix-ins. Add protein powder, collagen, chia seeds, turmeric-whatever you'd like to boost the nutrition of the smoothie.
- Blend away! I like to start my blender on low and then slowly ramp up to full speed. This makes sure everything is mixed well and the blades don't get stuck. I blend until the smoothie looks silky, and then I pour and enjoy.
What's the best blender for making smoothies?
Blenders have gotten so advanced in the past few years, that it's hard to pick one that won't blend up a great smoothie! If you're blender shopping, here are the three blenders we recommend for daily smoothie-making:
- MOST AFFORDABLE: Cuisinart Immersion/Stick Blender-Don't let it's small size fool you, this tiny handheld blender is packed full of power, and will easily make a smoothie for you every day! It's perfect if you're limited on counter space.
- MEDIUM: Ninja Professional Blender-For under $100, you get an incredibly powerful blender that makes a dreamy, creamy smoothie. This was the blender we used in the Wholefully test kitchen for years, and it's a great starter-level, but still high-powered, blender.
- SPLURGE: Vitamix Professional Blender-A Vitamix is the top of the line when it comes to blenders, and it's what we use every day in the Wholefully test kitchen. It comes with a hefty price tag (think: more than your car payment), so if you're just blending a smoothie every now and again, there is no need to make the splurge. But if you do a lot of cooking or make a lot of smoothies or blended drinks, you might want to start saving your pennies for a Vitamix. It's a lifetime appliance that is a dream to use!
What's the best liquid for making smoothies?
We like to use (unsweetened) milk of choice. If you're a fan of coconut milk, use it. Like cow's milk? Go for it. A fan of almond milk? Cool. Use whatever milk you like in your smoothies-you can't go wrong. I just recommend you stick to unsweetened and unflavored versions. That gives you the most control over the smoothie.
Do you put ice in a smoothie?
We recommend using frozen fruit to both chill and thicken your smoothie. This gets you the right texture and temperature without watering it down. However, if you are fresh out of frozen fruit, you can toss in a handful or two of ice cubes into the blender to make your smoothie frosty and thick.
What do I use to sweeten a smoothie?
All of these smoothies here use frozen fruit as a base, which adds a nice baseline of sweetness that you can build on if your tastebuds would like. My recommendation is to blend up your smoothie without any added sweetener, then taste. Add in honey or maple syrup to taste. Many times, I don't need to add anything! Another great natural option for sweetening: pitted Medjool dates. Throw in one or two of those bad boys and let the blender do its thing. You'd be amazed at how sweet your smoothie will be!
Protip: Stock up on bananas!
When I go grocery shopping, I buy the biggest ripe bunch of bananas I can find. Then when I get home, I peel them, break them into chunks, and then freeze them flat on a cookie sheet. When solid, I transfer them to a ziptop freezer bag.
How can I make my smoothie healthier?
The smoothie recipes below are plain, but if you want to expand your smoothie horizons, go for it! Toss in chia seeds or protein powder or hemp seeds or flax or whatever else makes your heart happy. If you have a standard set of mix-ins you like, you can even freeze them into booster packs-great for really quick and easy smoothies!
How do I make smoothies if I don't like bananas?
Lucky for you, we have an entire post of recipes to make a smoothie without banana. Try those recipes, or tweak any of the recipes below by:
- Subbing in ½ cup additional plain Greek yogurt (to add creaminess), plus 1 tablespoon additional sweetener and a handful of ice cubes in place of the frozen banana in these recipes.
- Other options: canned pineapple, sweetened yogurt, canned pears. Adding half a ripe avocado can really help make up for the creaminess that bananas usually add, too.
How do you make vegan smoothies?
Use plant-based Greek yogurt (you can even make your own coconut milk yogurt) and stick to maple syrup and plant-based milks.
What are some great smoothie recipes?
Alright, now that you're fully versed on how to make a great smoothie, let me share with you some of our absolute favorite combos! Click on any image to jump over to that specific smoothie recipe.
Classic Simple Smoothies (perfect for beginners!)
These smoothies are a great place to start. No weird ingredients that you have to special order, just fresh, real food that you can find at any typical supermarket.
No Banana Smoothies
Allergic to bananas or just don't like them? We've got you covered. All these smoothies are banana-free and have no-added sugar.
Are you looking for even more smoothies? No worries, we've got you covered:
- Clementine Avocado Smoothie. If you've never added avocado to your smoothie before, you are missing out! The flavor is so mild, that you can't taste it, but the texture is dreamy, creamy smooth, and the healthy added fats help keep your fuller longer.
- Cold Buster Smoothie. When you're feeling under the weather and your throat is sore, this smoothie for colds is soothing and nourishing.
- Persimmon Smoothie. Packed full of autumnal flavor, this spiced smoothie is creamy and sweet!
- Spinach and Pear Smoothie. Bright green and fresh in flavor, this smoothie is a perfect light breakfast.
- Sweet Potato Smoothie. Sweet potato in a smoothie? YUP! It tastes like a delicious pie. You'll love it!
- Green Apple Smoothie. This smoothie is packed full of healthy spinach, but tastes like apple pie!
- Pumpkin Pie Smoothie. This pumpkin smoothie is perfect for the weather is still warm but your heart wants fall to show up.
- Dark Chocolate Raspberry Smoothie. This smoothie is rich and dark, and it tastes decadent enough you could sip on it for dessert!
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie. All the flavors of your favorite sandwich in a tasty smoothie! Pick your favorite jelly to add to this peanut butter smoothie.
And check out some of our favorite smoothie hacks, too:
- How to Freeze Strawberries. There are lots of ways to use frozen strawberries, but smoothies are definitely one of my favorites!
- How to Freeze Blueberries. We freeze as much fruit as we have room for every summer, for smoothies all year long.
- How to Cut a Pineapple. Don't be intimidated by that spiky skin-here's the easiest way to cut a pineapple.
- Smoothie Booster Packs. Never let spinach go bad again! Drop these frozen smoothie packs into your smoothies to boost the nutrition.
- 3 Ways to Meal Prep Smoothies. Yes, you can make ahead smoothies! And we have three ways to show you how.
What's a great smoothie formula?
While we've got tons of great smoothie recipes for you to try, we know you'll eventually want to break out on your own and make your own custom creations! When you're ready to fly the smoothie nest, follow our perfect smoothie formula for a great smoothie every time.
📖 Recipe
The Perfect Smoothie Formula
Ingredients
Base Formula
- 1 cup plain unsweetened dairy or non-dairy milk
- 1 cup loosely packed fresh baby greens spinach, kale, etc.
- 1 frozen banana see notes for no banana options
- 1 cup frozen fruit berries, peaches, pineapple, mango, etc.
Optional Add-Ins
- ½ cup Greek yogurt adds probiotics, creaminess, and healthy fats
- 2 tablespoons nut butters, nuts, or seeds (adds healthy fats)
- 1-2 tablespoons nutrition boosts protein powder, greens powders, etc.
- Sweetener to taste (honey, maple syrup, stevia)
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in the blender carafe in the order listed.
- Blend all ingredients together until smooth.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Wow! I am not a big smoothie drinker because they always seem so complicated. Even I could do this! Thanks!
Hello from Central Indiana! Maybe not the healthiest alternative, but I make smoothies with Greek yogurt and frozen concentrate orange juice. Usually 2/3 cup of yogurt and two tablespoons of oj concentrate. It's a good pick me up for blah mornings.
Orange juice concentrate is a great idea! A nice way to sweeten your smoothies without adding sugar. 🙂
I love smoothies & they are healthy. I'm trying to lose some weight, & I love having recipes, so I can make my grocery lists easier. ... thanks for posting these !!
These Are great! I have gained 30 lbs in the last two years. It is from a high performance job with little time for prep or cooking of good food. I like the idea of simple smooties i can prep or freeze the night before. Thank. You.
What if you're lactose intolerant and can't use yogurt? What do you suggest using instead?
SoDelicious makes a really great Greek style plain coconut milk yogurt (that you can get from Whole Foods). Highly recommended!
I second the use of So Delicious! They have a great unsweetened vanilla coconut yogurt that is fantastic mixed with blueberries or cherries. I am lactose intolerant as well and was delighted when my youngest recommended this brand. So worth the extra money for it.
I Love this!!! Definitely saving it for the new year!!
Any ideas on a substitute for bananas? I HATE them! Wish I didn't! Everyone tries to tell me you can't taste them in smoothies but I totally can. So many great, healthy smoothie recipes require bananas and I'm bad at figuring out a different option.
Try 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or 1/2 of a ripe avocado (for texture) plus a few tablespoons of honey or maple syrup (for sweetness). That should do the trick!
Try canned pears. Great texture & sweetness. I buy the no sugar added ones.
Me too!!! I can taste them in anything!!! And that smell!! ?
Wait until they are over-ripe. The taste is much improved!
Try Chocolate Raspberry. Frozen (or fresh if available) raspberries, a small handfull of dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips, and milk of choice.
Oh man. That sounds AMAZING!
these look awesome! love having staple recipes 🙂 also, where in the heck can i find those sweet glass cups?? in LOVE!
They are Anchor Hocking brand from Meijer—I haven't been able to find them online anywhere!
lol, of course I have very "exclusive" taste, i have doen this for some other items too and they are always hard to find 🙂 but thanks I will keep my eyes open for them!
My mother in law just bought me some glasses similar made by Martha stwert from Macy's
Hi,just discovered your smoothie recipes,looking forward to trying them.
Hi! I don't like bananas in smoothies. Can you suggest any substitutes?
Avocados area a great creamy ingredient used in green smoothies. 🙂
What else can be used? I'm allergic to both.
I second the avocado suggestion. Even though I happen to love them, at first I thought, "Ew! In a smoothie??" But I tried it and it was amazing! No avocado taste at all, but amazing creaminiess!!
You can smash up an avocado then Press them into the ice tray and freeze them then add one cube to your smoothie. Or how ever many cubes you'd like.
Great recipes...
I really your photos. Both the style and the quality is amazing. I can see your hard work to improve your photos has really paid of.
Have a wonderful 2016...
Thank you so much! 🙂
The mocha one is catching my eye today, but these all sound great, and I appreciate that they are simple, simple, simple.
Where do the glasses they are shown in come from? I want them!
They are Anchor Hocking brand from Meijer. We just got them a few months ago, but I've never been able to find them online anyhwere!
I love them too, if anyone finds a link online, please share 🙂
I think I found it! http://www.oneida.com/anchor-hocking-i-j-collins-cooler-set-of-6-18oz.html
Do your glasses have I.J Collins on them? I think it's barely visible,
They do! It's just a little embossed part. Awesome Googling work!
smoothie is my go to for most weekdays...and i have tried making smoothie packs with all the solid ingredients, which saves time in the long run. I want to try something with cold brewed tea soon. i love the idea of a mocha smoothie.
Mmmm! I bet a green tea smoothie would be amazing. With maybe frozen peaches? YUM!
Adding matcha powder makes an awesome green tea smoothie! I make mine with blueberry, banana and ginger.
Yum! Thank you for these recipes! I am new to your blog and love every single post so far! It is inspiring for my new blog. Have you ever tried PB2? Apparently (according to the label) its got 85% less fat calories that traditional peanut butter. Not sure if they are talking about, like, the skippy and JIF crap, but even still, its a lot quicker putting peanut butter into smoothies!!
I have tried and used PB2, but I actually like the fat (and calories) of regular peanut butter. It helps make smoothies feel more like a meal than just a drink!
Favorite peanut butter is Adams. Good fat no sugar.
Krema 100% peanuts is a one-ingredient peanut butter. The oil does separate, but if you keep in fridge it's fine.
Can I still download the recipes if I already get your emails? These sound fabulous!
You should have gotten an email with a download link to the eBook a few days ago if you are already a subscriber!
Cassie I too get your emails regularly so how can I get your smoothie ebook without signing up for your emails AGAIN?
Hi Debra: You should have gotten an email from me a few days ago with a link to the eBook—it went out to all my current subscribers. If you didn't get it, just shoot an email to backtoherroots@gmail.com, and I'll get you hooked up.
Yum! These sound delicious. I've been off the smoothie making train for a while, but I need to jump back on. When did you start giving Juniper smoothies? Little Kai has mastered the straw now, so I think smoothies might be a good way to pack in some nutrients...
We started right around when she got the straw down—just shy of a year. She had no interest in them until a few months ago though.
Pineapple is also great for sweetening things up. I usually just throw stuff together but that peanut butter banana one is sounding yummy right now.
Yes! Both the actually chunks and the juice are great for it. Great tip!
I would have to drain and rinse the pineapple .
Thank you!! Finally a bunch of smoothie recipes that don't have a ton of wierd ingredients that I have no patience to search for in the grocery store. Can't wait to get blending.
I think weird mix-ins should be optional! Like, if you want to add chia/hemp/flax whatever you your smoothies, go for it, but it should be a requirement. 🙂
Great timing! We got a smoothie blender thing (Nutribullet I think) from our in-laws for Christmas (my father in law now LOVES green juices, it's hilarious!) and I needed some more recipes for my repertoire. And I love that a lot of these use similar ingredients 🙂 Also, I love the peanut butter smoothies with oats in it too, makes it really filling for breakfast!
Adding oats to a smoothie is GENIUS! I don't know why I've never thought of it. (Oh wait, that's right, it's because I'm totally not a genius.)
Would anyone know how high in calories all these smoothies are?
It defeats the purpose if you use honey or maple syrup. Sugar is sugar even if it is honey and there is plenty of sugar in fruit. Dr. Weil says your body doesn't know the difference between orange juice and coke. Many people use peanut better with sugar in it so try to find one without sugar.
That's why each of the recipes says to sweeten to taste. If you like your smoothies without added sweetener, awesome! 🙂
There's a major difference between sugar and high fructose corn syrup (found in coke and many other processed drinks/foods). Your body is able to process sugar because it is more natural. High fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners are hard for your body to break down and digest. She's using maple syrup or honey as they are natural sweeteners (no sugar added to them) and a little goes a long way.
Dr. Weil...lol
Well, if Dr. Weil says it-- then we should all have to listen...right?
I prefer to think for myself.
I want More of this !!! Question do i have to use greek yogurt ? hat the sour taste is nasty yuck .! can I use truvia ?. I have been told by my Doctor That my ac hemoglobin is high but she does not want to try medication yet . She wants to see If I can get it down myself . i am 76 years
I think honey has a lot of good things about it that regular sugar doesn't.
I was diagnosed as prediabetic. I started making smoothies. My recipe is a small handful of Kale, a small handful of spimach, a small handful of walnuts, some chia and flax seeds, half an avocado, half an apple minus seeds but with skin and a bunch of fresh pineapple. I use green tea for the liquid. I sweetened anything else with honey or maple syrup. My husband, like Dr. Weil and gentle reader above says sugsr is sugsr is sugar. I read though that the body DOES know the difference and processes natural sugars differently. I found this to be accurate. There was plenty of natural sugars in my smoothie but my blood sugar levels came right down. Just sayin.....
Amen, Beverly. The body knows the difference. And guess what, it was made to need sugar sources, but better than what the commercial food world gives us. Food sources are the way to go for most of us if we are trying to heal our bodies. I stay with stevia and maple syrup, and occasionally raw honey, if I have to use any type of a sweetener beyond food sources. My sugars are good!
Thanks never tried smoothie before but I will now thanks too your recipes.
Do you have smoothie recipes without bananas? Or are they a staple ? I dislike bananas
We have some substitutes you can make for the bananas!
"Don’t like or can’t eat bananas? Sub in 1/2 cup additional plain Greek yogurt (to add creaminess) plus 1 tablespoon additional sweetener and a handful of ice cubes in place of the frozen banana in these recipes. Other options: canned pineapple, sweetened yogurt, canned pears. Adding half a ripe avocado can really help make up for the creaminess that bananas usually add, too."
Hope this helps!
What if you don’t have frozen bananas? Just throw in ice?
Yup, a handful or two of ice will work. 🙂
I loved it and smoothies are my fav breakfast