If you are wondering how to make the best smoothie, this guide is for you. Here I have complied some of my favorite tips to build the best smoothie – focusing on incorporating wholesome nutrients, highlighting fresh flavors, and getting that delectable smooth and creamy consistency.
Read on to learn my four pillars for making any smoothie a success. Plus, I have even shared some of my favorite smoothie recipes to get you started crafting your own favorites.
What’s Trending in Smoothie Recipes?
The humble smoothie has long been a favorite from health enthusiasts looking to get a boost of nutrients in one simple glass to those watching their weight or looking for convenient meal replacement options. Smoothies can also be a great way to trick kids (or yourself) into eating nutrient dense foods you might otherwise avoid.
Several years ago, green smoothies were all the rage, with health experts cramming fistful after fistful of kale and all kinds of greens into every smoothie. Today, protein often takes center stage, with people adding protein powders to smoothies or looking for ways to mix up a protein-packed smoothie without protein powders.
While the trends in smoothies tend to change based on what is “in”, there are some key pillars I believe should make up any sound smoothie recipe. These wholesome ingredients provide the nutrients you need to fuel your mind and body through your day.
Learn more about the concept of Food as Fuel and get more recipes for eating for a healthy life.
So how do you make the best smoothie? Find my favorite tips for mixing up the best smoothie below. To complete this guide, I have included links to some of my favorite smoothie recipes as well as added some easy to follow guidelines for helping you create the best smoothies using your favorite ingredients or just what you have available.
4 Pillars to Building the Best Smoothie Recipe
Whether you are looking for meal replacement options, protein smoothies for fueling up after a workout, or wholesome smoothies to incorporate more nutritious foods into your everyday diet, these simple tips are here to help. When it comes to blending the best smoothie here are some of my favorite ingredients for crafting delicious and wholesome smoothies that fill you up and help fuel you through a busy day.
1. Protein
Protein is a key ingredient in any smoothie. High protein recipes increase satiety and help you feel fuller for longer – which is great if you are looking to curb hunger or just need a breakfast that will power you through to lunch.
I emphasize both protein and fiber with breakfast, so finding easy ways to load up the protein in my smoothies is important to me.
Some of my favorite tips for adding more protein to any smoothie include ingredients like:
- Plain Greek Yogurt (or Kefir): Greek yogurt has more protein than regular yogurt and a thicker consistency, making it perfect for smoothies. I usually just use plain, unflavored Greek yogurt, adding natural flavor and sweetness from fruit. You can also try kefir, a fermented dairy drink that is packed with gut friendly probiotics. It has a subtle tangy, sour flavor, but this is usually masked by other smoothie ingredients. If you are dairy-free, there are also lots of nondairy yogurt options available including those made from coconut, almond, soy, cashew, or oat milk. Compare the amount of protein in different plant-based yogurts to see how they stack up.
- Protein Powder: If you really want to pack as much protein as possible into your smoothie, consider using protein powder. You can find whey or plant based protein powders in a variety of flavors. I usually use vanilla, berry, or chocolate protein powder. Just be sure to keep an eye out for added sweeteners or sugars if you want to avoid these.
- Milk: One of my secrets to adding a little extra protein to any smoothie is to use Ultra-filtered milk. This has been refined to contain less sugar and more protein than traditional milk, making a great option for blending into creamy smoothies. Ultra-filtered milk is often lactose-free as well, which is great if lactose is a concern for you.
- Nut Butters: Peanut butter and almond butter both make great options to add extra protein and nutty flavor to any smoothie. I love peanut butter with bananas or chocolate and almond butter makes a great addition to cherry or berry smoothies. If you need a nut free option, you can also try sunflower butter or even tahini.
Cherry Pistachio Smoothie
This Cherry Pistachio Smoothie is a protein-packed smoothie recipe that incorporates Greek yogurt and protein powder with nuts and seeds like pistachios and hemp seeds, as well as sweet cherries for a nutty and sweet treat that will keep you full and satisfied.
2. Fruit & Berries
Fruits add natural sweetness to any smoothie, but depending on the fruits you choose, they can also add a boost of antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins. I have never met a fruit that couldn’t be blended up into a delicious smoothie, but here are some of my top smoothie-friendly fruits for wholesome goodness:
- Berries: Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries are all great smoothie options. Berries are nutritional powerhouses packed with antioxidants (especially anthocyanins), fiber, and vitamins C and K, which help fight oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, and lower the risk of chronic diseases. Recent studies have even shown that blending berries, especially those with lots of seeds, may help improve the glycemic index compared to eating fruit whole, which may make them more effective at reducing blood sugar spikes.
- Banana: Banana is a staple in most of my smoothie recipes for adding natural sweetness. I love frozen banana for extra thickness and creaminess, but fresh works too, especially if you prefer a thinner smoothie.
- Avocado: While not sweet like other fruits, avocados are technically a fruit, and they bring lots of wholesome goodness to any smoothie. Avocados are packed with fiber, healthy fats, and a variety of antioxidants and vitamins. They add a velvety richness to any smoothie, which can be great if you are looking for a dairy-free creamy smoothie. Avocados pair amazingly well with chocolate smoothies (you won’t even taste it). But they can also add depth of flavor to green smoothies, tropical smoothies, and more.
- Dates: Dates are nutrient-dense fruits providing immediate energy, high fiber, and potent antioxidants (carotenoids, phenolics) that support heart and brain health. Dates taste super sweet, so adding one or two to a smoothie brings as much sweetness as honey or maple syrup without the added sugar.
Strawberry Shortcake Smoothie
Fruits like dates and strawberries bring lots of natural sweetness to this creamy smoothie.
3. Greens (& Other Veggies)
While often overlooked as smoothie ingredients, greens and other veggies can make a great addition to any smoothie. If you are wondering how to make the best smoothie, packed with wholesome nutrient greens and veggies, here are some tips:
- Spinach: Spinach is one of the easiest greens to add to any green smoothie. Just toss in a handful of fresh or frozen spinach and blend it up. It blends in completely and with a subtle sweetness, you can’t even taste it. Adding spinach along with darker berries like blackberries or blue berries even helps hide the green color.
- Other Greens: If you are feeling adventurous, you can also experiment with other greens in your smoothie including kale, swiss chard, beet greens, or even microgreens. If you are hesitant about taste or texture, just start with small amounts, and you can always add more as your palate adjusts.
- Spirulina: Spirulina is a nutrient-dense blue-green algae, often called a “superfood”. It is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Usually found as a powder, it is easy to add a small spoonful into smoothies. If you are looking for a really green smoothie, spirulina is sure to bring the color. It has an earthy, somewhat grassy or seaweed like flavor, that is easily masked by sweet fruits.
- Cauliflower: I like to think of cauliflower as one of my smoothie secrets. You can’t even tell that it is there, but it adds lots of nutrients. I usually use frozen riced cauliflower, and add in a bit to any fruit smoothie. You can also use chopped frozen cauliflower, I just like how easily the riced cauliflower blends in seamlessly.
Vanilla Bean Pistachio Smoothie
This green smoothie recipe pairs nutty pistachios and vanilla bean flavors with fresh spinach, for a smoothie that packs a delightful green hue as well as a perfectly sweet and nutty flavor.
4. Nuts, Seeds, & Grains
The final pillar to building the best smoothie is a nonnegotiable one for me – nuts, seeds, and grains. Nuts and seeds add more protein and fiber to your smoothies, helping keep you fuller longer. They can also add a great nutty flavor and depth to all kinds of protein and fruit smoothies.
Some of my favorite types of nuts and seeds for smoothies include:
- Cashews, Pistachios, Walnuts, and Pecans: All of these add a subtle nuttiness to any smoothie, blending in seamlessly. Some particular parings I like, are cashews with tropical smoothies like coconut, pineapple, or mango, pistachios with cherries and berries, walnuts with bananas or blueberries, and pecans with dates or apples.
- Almonds: Almonds tend to be harder than other nuts, so you may need a high powered blender to ensure they blend up smoothly. You can also soak your almonds in water or milk for bit before blending to help soften them.
- Chia Seeds: Chia seeds are another nutrient-packed powerhouse. They are packed with fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids, offering significant health benefits including improved digestion, weight management, and heart health. They are rich in antioxidants and essential minerals like calcium and magnesium, which support bone health. They can also help stabilize blood sugar levels and promote a sense of fullness. Chia seeds swell when mixed with water or other liquid, so they can be used to thicken smoothies.
- Hemp Seeds: Hemp seeds, also known as hemp hearts, are another smoothie favorite of mine. They are packed with plant-based protein, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, and essential minerals. They blend easily into smoothies, and promote heart health, reduce inflammation, support skin health, and offer a complete protein source containing all nine essential amino acids.
- Oats: It might sound like a weird ingredient to add to your smoothies, but oats are another smoothie secret of mine. Oats help bulk up a smoothie, making it thicker and more satisfying, adding fiber, protein, vitamins, and essential minerals. Oats may even help with lowering cholesterol, stabilizing blood sugar, providing lasting satiety – making them a perfect addition to a hearty morning smoothie.
Apple Pie Smoothie
Loaded with oats, chia seeds, unsweetened applesauce, and apple pie spices, this smoothie is a great addition to your morning routine that is sure to keep you full and power you through your day. You can also blend in a handful of pecans to take this to the next level.
Bonus Tip: What is the Best Liquid for Smoothie Blending?
If you are trying to reduce or limit calories with your smoothie, cold water works just fine for most smoothies. If you are already adding other ingredients like fresh or frozen fruit for sweetness and flavor and yogurt for creaminess, just a little water will help thin everything out.
If you want extra creaminess or want the extra protein, milk is also a great choice. You can use dairy milk (these tend to be higher in protein than non dairy options) or your favorite nondairy milk. Just be sure to watch for added sugars and other additives in nondairy milks.
I recommend skipping the juice. Unfortunately juice just brings a lot of extra calories and sugars without adding much to a smoothie. Juicing removes the fiber from fruit, which means that even naturally occurring sugars are absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream. Without fiber to slow digestion, juice causes rapid blood sugar spikes and liver strain similar to soda, rather than the sustained, slow energy release provided by whole fruit. I find that most of the time my smoothies are sweet enough without added fruit juices, so I try to skip it.
Find Your Perfect Blend
Mastering the art of the smoothie doesn’t have to be complicated. At the end of the day, the “best” smoothie is the one that makes you feel your best. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations of these four pillars until you find your perfect blend. Whether you’re sneaking in extra greens or boosting your morning with hearty oats, every glass is a step toward fueling your body with the goodness it deserves.
Finding small, delicious ways to nourish ourselves is what healthy living is all about. I hope these tips and recipes help you simplify your routine and bring a little extra brightness to your kitchen. Happy blending!
Connect with Me
What is your tip to make the best smoothie? Is there anything I missed? Share your go-to smoothie recipes or secret ingredients by commenting below. I would love to hear from you to find out about your favorites or anything I might have missed.
If you make any of my smoothie recipes, don’t forget to comment and rate the recipes to let me know what you think! You can also share your photos and tag me @NamasteHomeCooking on Facebook or @NamasteHomeCooking on Instagram. I love to hear from you!