This beginner's guide to homemade smoothies will teach you how to make a smoothie at home–the healthy (and easy!) way. You'll also find buying tips for your blender, the not-so-secret ingredients you can use to make your smoothie thicker, and 17 healthy smoothie recipes that you can make in 5 minutes (or less).
I think you'll be hard-pressed to find a better breakfast, snack or post-gym food than a smoothie. They're so easy to grab-and-go and (depending on your recipe) can pack a serious 1-2 punch of nutrition!
But not all smoothies are created equally. Sure, you can probably buy one from your local grocer, gym or even a fast-food chain–but they're not always healthy. And it's not usually that easy to ask for the ingredient list to double-check what's inside your shake.
If you're looking to avoid particular ingredients–like dairy–pre-made smoothies open up an entirely new set of problems because so many pre-made and store-bought recipes rely on milk, yogurt or whey to provide a smooth, creamy consistency.
The good news? If you keep your kitchen stocked with healthy ingredients and the right tools, making healthy homemade smoothies couldn't be easier!
Here’s a table of contents for what you’ll find below:
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Vitamix vs Blendtec: How to Choose The Best Blender for Smoothies
Much like smoothie recipes, blenders aren't created equally. The secret for a smoother blend? A high performance blender with stainless steel blades and a powerful motor will give you the best result. This becomes particularly important if you're skipping dairy products or using ice for your frozen fruit smoothies.
Wondering which blender to choose?
Great question. I hunted for the perfect smoothie blender for a while and, after much testing, my top picks for the best powerful blender for smoothies are Vitamix (I own this one) and Blendtec (I own this one).
Yes, I own two blenders! The Vitamix blender and Blendtec blender each have specific strengths that are best suited for particular types of smoothie recipes. Here's why:
The Vitamix has a tamper that you can insert through the top to keep the ingredients moving. This makes it the best blender for green smoothies and recipes that result in thicker smoothies. With variable speed controls and a pulse feature, it's also great for making nut butters, mixing batters, and preparing no-cook hot soup.
Meanwhile, the Blendtec has button controls that make it easy to wipe clean. Better yet, those buttons aren't just for constant blade speed–they actually include built-in speed settings cycles for juicing and smoothies. Beyond use for smoothies, it also works quite well for preparing batters, soups, and can crush ice for frozen drinks.
If you're looking for a good blender, you can't go wrong with either of these models. Both will handle the toughest ingredients like ice cubes and nuts. And the best thing is you can blend warm water and a drop of dish soap for easy cleaning.
If you have a small kitchen, the Blendtec is a slightly more compact size may make it the right choice. But I think the Vitamix's sharp blades, tamper, and capacity for large batches make it a slightly more versatile blender.
How to Make a Smoothie Thicker (No Dairy Required!)
Thankfully, there are some easy ways to make a healthy smoothie without adding dairy. These tips will also help you whip up a thick and creamy smoothie bowl.
If you're looking to achieve a creamy texture with just fruit ingredients, try avocado, frozen bananas or other frozen fruit. You'll see these fruits on a lot of healthy smoothie recipe ingredient lists, so know that these ingredients alone will help deliver a smoother, creamier texture. You don't need yogurt or whey to make a creamy healthy smoothie!
My favorite healthy smoothie hack? Peel and freeze extra ripe bananas. They're the perfect smoothie thickener to keep on hand. You can have your breakfast or snack pulled together in a flash!
Handy Smoothie Ingredients To Keep In Your Kitchen
Aside from your fruits and veggies, there are a handful of staples that will make it easier for you to whip up a healthy smoothie (or shake) whenever a craving strikes.
Here are some of my favorites:
- For collagen, I’m currently loving this marine collagen and this grass-fed collagen that is certified glyphosate free (it's by far the best value I’ve found).
- Egg white protein powder–Look for unsweetened 100% egg white powder without additives.
- Coconut milk with no added gums or sweeteners. You'll be looking for an ingredient list that only just includes coconut and water (I buy mine from Amazon or Thrive Market).
- Nut milk – as with the coconut milk, you'll want to look for cashew milk or almond milk without gums or stabilizers (here's how I make cashew milk at home).
- Fresh fruit – smoothies are a great way to use whatever's in season.
- Frozen fruits – strawberries, blueberries, mango, and pineapple are staples in my freezer.
- Leafy greens – spinach is my favorite and can be used fresh or frozen.
- Flavorings, like raw cacao powder, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Local raw honey or maple syrup (if you like your smoothies a little sweeter).
- Other extras to suit your tastes, like fresh herbs, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin pie spice.
17 Easy Healthy Smoothie Recipes You Can Make At Home (Without Yogurt!)
Now that you have your kitchen tools and smoothie ingredients sorted, it's time to whip up some healthy smoothies of your own. Here are 17 delicious smoothies that are a snap to make at home. You'll find recipes for green smoothies, chocolate smoothies, protein shakes, coffee-flavored smoothies, tropical smoothies and more. All are made with healthy, whole ingredients and skip on anything dairy or gluten!
3-Ingredient Green Smoothie
This easy green smoothie is so simple to make. If you love tropical drinks but green smoothies make you nervous, start with this recipe. It's easy, naturally sweet and tastes like a pina colada!
Total Time: 5 minutes
Number of Ingredients: 3
Pumpkin Coconut Smoothie
This delicious pumpkin coconut smoothie is quick, easy and creamy, without any dairy. It really tastes like fall–the pumpkin pie spice serves up lots of warm, cozy flavors!
Total Time: 5 minutes
Number of Ingredients: 4
Healthy Shamrock Shake
Of course, this healthy shamrock shake is perfect for St. Patrick's day, but I love to serve it all year round! This recipe is minty, delicious and easy to whip up–perfect for a quick breakfast or snack!
Total Time: 5 minutes
Number of Ingredients: 5
Peach Coconut Smoothie
Whip up this peach coconut smoothie with fresh or frozen peaches. This healthy blend is sweet enough on its own, so no sweetener is required!
Total Time: 5 minutes
Number of Ingredients: 3
Strawberry Coconut Smoothie
Ah! This strawberry coconut smoothie tastes like warm spring sunshine. I like this recipe with a little collagen powder, but you can leave it out if you'd like. It tastes great either way!
Total Time: 5 minutes
Number of Ingredients: 4
Key Lime Pie Smoothie
Want a healthy recipe that tastes like dessert? This key lime pie smoothie fits the bill perfectly. Best part? It's healthy enough for a quick breakfast or snack, but decadent enough to serve as a treat.
Total Time: 5 minutes
Number of Ingredients: 4
Blueberry Pie Smoothie
This blueberry pie smoothie tastes like summer, plain and simple. The coconut milk helps make this healthy smoothie thick and creamy. Perfect for a quick and easy snack or treat!
Total Time: 5 minutes
Number of Ingredients: 4
Espresso Protein Shake
This espresso protein shake is thick, creamy and tastes like your favorite frozen coffee drink – except it's healthy! This instant breakfast recipe serves up protein, coffee and your morning smoothie, all rolled into one glass!
Total Time: 5 minutes
Number of Ingredients: 6
Chocolate Coconut Smoothie
This chocolate coconut smoothie serves up healthy fats and protein in a glass. Perfect for a quick breakfast, snack or treat–even if you need to enjoy it on the go!
Total Time: 5 minutes
Number of Ingredients: 4
Eggnog Protein Shake
This eggnog protein shake is filled with holiday flavor. This is the yummy eggnog treat you don't need to feel guilty about enjoying–it's packed with protein and healthy ingredients!
Total Time: 5 minutes
Number of Ingredients: 7
Peppermint Mocha Protein Shake
All of the creamy chocolate and coffee goodness you could ever want in a shake–no dairy required! This peppermint mocha protein shake packs a serious nutritional punch from collagen protein powder. Perfect for a post-workout snack!
Total Time: 5 minutes
Number of Ingredients: 7
Pina Colada Smoothie
Give this pina colada smoothie a whirl anytime you wish you are on vacation. This healthy breakfast or snack will have you dreaming of warm sunshine on your favorite beach.
Total Time: 5 minutes
Number of Ingredients: 2
Banana Bread Smoothie
If you love snacking on banana bread then you'll love this banana bread smoothie. This quick breakfast or snack has a creamy milkshake-like texture that's so satisfying. Try adding a little collagen powder for some extra protein.
Total Time: 5 minutes
Number of Ingredients: 4
Watermelon Berry Smoothie
Fresh summer watermelon and delicious berries (either fresh or frozen)–this healthy fruit blend is made for hot summer days. This watermelon berry smoothie is both refreshing and hydrating!
Total Time: 5 minutes
Number of Ingredients: 3
Avocado Cacao Smoothie
Chocolate for breakfast? Why not! This avocado cacao smoothie packs a hit of protein and healthy fats–it's so creamy and smooth. It's perfect as a post-workout protein-filled snack.
Total Time: 5 minutes
Number of Ingredients: 7
Mango Green Smoothie
I'm all about green smoothies that don't taste like, well, a salad. This mango green smoothie is so delicious–it tastes like a tropical creamsicle but serves up lots of vitamins, fiber, and healthy fats. Yum!
Total Time: 5 minutes
Number of Ingredients: 4
Strawberry Mojito Smoothie
This delicious strawberry mojito smoothie is the perfect way to cool off when the weather heats up. It's the perfect healthy frozen mocktail if you love sipping on mojitos!
Total Time: 5 minutes
Number of Ingredients: 4
Now You're Ready to Make Your Own
There you have it–you know have all the tips and tricks for making healthy smoothies from home. Easy peasy, right?!
Looking for more healthy smoothie recipes? Check out:
P.S. If you want to make stocking your kitchen with healthy ingredients even easier, check out Thrive Market. This online grocer saves me so much time and money!
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