Smoothies are meant to be… well, smooth. The best way to achieve optimal results depends on the type of blender you are using. If you are fortunate enough to have a high-powered blender, such as a Vitamix or Blendtec, add your ingredients in this order: liquids, followed by soft items, with firmer ingredients like frozen fruit and ice added last.
Getting sufficiently smooth results takes a little more effort with a regular blender, but it can be done. Again, you’ll want to start by adding your liquids first.
Before adding vegetables, you’ll want to chop them as small as possible before adding them. Fresh fruits are usually softer and can be left in larger chunks. Add hard frozen fruits and ice last.
With regular blenders, add in small amounts at a time and blend thoroughly. Depending on the exact wattage of your machine and the specific ingredients you use, you may need to experiment a little to get the desired results.
Here are 15 healthy & delicious smoothie combinations for you to enjoy:
Apple Kale Smoothie
Ingredients
1 c. unsweetened apple juice
1 fresh apple, cored
2 fresh red kale leaves, washed
2 stalks celery
2 T. honey
1 t. cinnamon
crushed ice, as desired
Directions
Add ingredients to blender container in the order recommended for the type of blender you are using (see intro at the beginning of this section).
For high-powered blenders, make sure the machine is on the lowest speed setting before you begin. Then, slowly increase the speed to the highest setting. (If your machine has a pre-programmed smoothie option, use that instead).
For regular blenders, use different speeds and the pulse button to thoroughly combine the ingredients. Blend for approximately 1 minute or until the ingredients are completely smooth.
Peach Mango Smoothie
Ingredients
1 c. almond milk
2 T. Greek yogurt
2 fresh peaches, pits removed (or 1 cup frozen)
1 c. fresh mango chunks (or 1 cup frozen)
3 T. vanilla protein powder
2” piece fresh ginger, peeled
crushed ice, as desired
Directions
Add ingredients to blender container in the order recommended for the type of blender you are using (see intro above).
For high-powered blenders, make sure the machine is on the lowest speed setting before you begin. Then, slowly increase the speed to the highest setting. (If your machine has a pre-programmed smoothie option, use that instead).
For regular blenders, use different speeds and the pulse button to thoroughly combine the ingredients. Blend for 1 – 2 minutes or until the ingredients are completely smooth.
Cherry-Lime Smoothie
Ingredients
¼ fresh lime juice
¾ c. water
1 c. fresh or frozen cherries, pitted
1 whole kiwi, peeled
2 c. fresh spinach
1 sprig fresh lemon basil (can substitute regular basil)
crushed ice, as desired
Directions
Add ingredients to blender container in the order recommended for the type of blender you are using (see intro at the beginning of this section).
For high-powered blenders, make sure the machine is on the lowest speed setting before you begin. Then, slowly increase the speed to the highest setting. (If your machine has a pre-programmed smoothie option, use that instead).
For regular blenders, use different speeds and the pulse button to thoroughly combine the ingredients. Blend for approximately 1 minute or until the ingredients are completely smooth.
Berry Blueberry Smoothie
Ingredients
1 c. almond milk
1 c. fresh or frozen blueberries
1 c. fresh or frozen raspberries
2 c. Romaine lettuce
1 sprig fresh mint
crushed ice, as desired
Directions
Add ingredients to blender container in the order recommended for the type of blender you are using (see intro at the beginning of this section).
For high-powered blenders, make sure the machine is on the lowest speed setting before you begin. Then, slowly increase the speed to the highest setting. (If your machine has a pre-programmed smoothie option, use that instead).
For regular blenders, use different speeds and the pulse button to thoroughly combine the ingredients. Blend for 1 – 2 minutes or until the ingredients are completely smooth.
Pineapple Breeze Smoothie
Ingredients
1 c. coconut water
1 c. fresh or frozen pineapple
1 banana, cut into chunks and frozen
2 c. Romaine lettuce
1 sprig fresh mint
crushed ice, as desired
Directions
Add ingredients to blender container in the order recommended for the type of blender you are using (see intro at the beginning of this section).
For high-powered blenders, make sure the machine is on the lowest speed setting before you begin. Then, slowly increase the speed to the highest setting. (If your machine has a pre-programmed smoothie option, use that instead).
For regular blenders, use different speeds and the pulse button to thoroughly combine the ingredients. Blend for 1 – 2 minutes or until the ingredients are completely smooth.
Papaya Punch Smoothie
Ingredients
1 c. coconut water
½ c. papaya, peeled
1 c. mango, peeled
4 large Romaine leaves
2 sprigs fresh mint
crushed ice, as desired
Directions
Add ingredients to blender container in the order recommended for the type of blender you are using (see intro at the beginning of this section).
For high-powered blenders, make sure the machine is on the lowest speed setting before you begin. Then, slowly increase the speed to the highest setting. (If your machine has a pre-programmed smoothie option, use that instead).
For regular blenders, use a different speeds and the pulse button to thoroughly combine the ingredients. Blend for 1 – 2 minutes or until the ingredients are completely smooth.
Citrus Pear Smoothie
Ingredients
1 c. orange juice, preferably fresh
1 pear, cored
1 orange, peeled
2 leaves Swiss chard
1 t. ground cinnamon
crushed ice, as desired
Directions
Add ingredients to blender container in the order recommended for the type of blender you are using (see intro at the beginning of this section).
For high-powered blenders, make sure the machine is on the lowest speed setting before you begin. Then, slowly increase the speed to the highest setting. (If your machine has a pre-programmed smoothie option, use that instead).
For regular blenders, use different speeds and the pulse button to thoroughly combine the ingredients. Blend for 1 – 2 minutes or until the ingredients are completely smooth.
Green Grapefruit Smoothie
Ingredients
½ c. unsweetened grapefruit juice
¼ c. fresh lemon juice
¼ c. water
½ pink grapefruit, peeled
10-12 frozen green grapes
3 Swiss chard leaves
½ t. kosher salt
1 T. honey
crushed ice, as desired
Directions
Add ingredients to blender container in the order recommended for the type of blender you are using (see intro at the beginning of this section).
For high-powered blenders, make sure the machine is on the lowest speed setting before you begin. Then, slowly increase the speed to the highest setting. (If your machine has a pre-programmed smoothie option, use that instead).
For regular blenders, use different speeds and the pulse button to thoroughly combine the ingredients. Blend for 1 – 2 minutes or until the ingredients are completely smooth.
Frozen Grape Smoothie
Ingredients
1 c. water
1 c. frozen, seedless grapes
1 banana, cut into chunks and frozen
2 cups fresh spinach
1 T. flaxseed
3 T. vanilla protein powder
crushed ice, as desired
Directions
Add ingredients to blender container in the order recommended for the type of blender you are using (see intro at the beginning of this section).
For high-powered blenders, make sure the machine is on the lowest speed setting before you begin. Then, slowly increase the speed to the highest setting. (If your machine has a pre-programmed smoothie option, use that instead).
For regular blenders, use different speeds and the pulse button to thoroughly combine the ingredients. Blend for 1 – 2 minutes or until the ingredients are completely smooth.
Green Apple Smoothie
Ingredients
1 c. water
1 green apple, cored
1 kiwi, peeled
2 green kale leaves
1 small handful fresh cilantro, washed
2 stalks celery
2” piece fresh ginger, peeled
crushed ice, as desired
Directions
Add ingredients to blender container in the order recommended for the type of blender you are using (see intro at the beginning of this section).
For high-powered blenders, make sure the machine is on the lowest speed setting before you begin. Then, slowly increase the speed to the highest setting. (If your machine has a pre-programmed smoothie option, use that instead).
For regular blenders, use different speeds and the pulse button to thoroughly combine the ingredients. Blend for 1 – 2 minutes or until the ingredients are completely smooth.
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Ingredients
½ c. water
½ c. fresh orange juice
1 c. fresh or frozen strawberries
1 banana, cut into chunks and frozen
1 c. baby spinach
1 c. fresh kale, torn
2 T. honey
crushed ice, as desired
Directions
Add ingredients to blender container in the order recommended for the type of blender you are using (see intro at the beginning of this section).
For high-powered blenders, make sure the machine is on the lowest speed setting before you begin. Then, slowly increase the speed to the highest setting. (If your machine has a pre-programmed smoothie option, use that instead).
For regular blenders, use different speeds and the pulse button to thoroughly combine the ingredients.
Berry Delicious Smoothie
Ingredients
¾ c. water
3 T. Greek yogurt
2 c. fresh or frozen mixed berries (any combination of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries will work )
1 T. honey
3 T. protein powder
crushed ice, as desired
Directions
Add ingredients to blender container in the order recommended for the type of blender you are using (see intro at the beginning of this section).
For high-powered blenders, make sure the machine is on the lowest speed setting before you begin. Then, slowly increase the speed to the highest setting. (If your machine has a pre-programmed smoothie option, use that instead).
For regular blenders, use different speeds and the pulse button to thoroughly combine the ingredients. Blend for 1 – 2 minutes or until the ingredients are completely smooth.
Ginger Carrot Smoothie
Ingredients
1 c. unsweetened almond milk
3 T. Greek yogurt
3 large carrots, washed and tops removed
2” piece of ginger, peeled
1 T. honey
crushed ice, as desired
Directions
Add ingredients to blender container in the order recommended for the type of blender you are using (see intro at the beginning of this section).
For high-powered blenders, make sure the machine is on the lowest speed setting before you begin. Then, slowly increase the speed to the highest setting. (If your machine has a pre-programmed smoothie option, use that instead).
For regular blenders, use different speeds and the pulse button to thoroughly combine the ingredients. Blend for 1 – 2 minutes or until the ingredients are completely smooth.
Strawberry Watermelon Smoothie
Ingredients
¼ c. fresh lime juice
½ c. water
2 c. fresh watermelon, rinds removed
1 c. fresh or frozen strawberries
2 sprigs fresh mint
crushed ice, as desired
Directions
Add ingredients to blender container in the order recommended for the type of blender you are using (see intro at the beginning of this section).
For high-powered blenders, make sure the machine is on the lowest speed setting before you begin. Then, slowly increase the speed to the highest setting. For regular blenders, use different speeds and the pulse button to thoroughly combine the ingredients. Blend for 1 – 2 minutes or until the ingredients are completely smooth.
Beets & Berries Smoothie
Ingredients
½ c. water
½ c. Greek yogurt
¾ c. fresh or frozen strawberries
¼ c. fresh or frozen blueberries
½ c. fresh or frozen raspberries
1 medium beet, washed and sliced
2 T. honey
crushed ice, as desired
Directions
Add ingredients to blender container in the order recommended for the type of blender you are using (see intro at the beginning of this section).
For high-powered blenders, make sure the machine is on the lowest speed setting before you begin. Then, slowly increase the speed to the highest setting. For regular blenders, use different speeds and the pulse button to thoroughly combine the ingredients.
