When you go to make a smoothie, there are a lot of ingredients that you might mark off your list without giving it a chance. Let’s first talk about a few of the ingredients that you can add to a smoothie, and this is by no means an exhaustive list.
Ingredient Ideas for Any Smoothie
There are so many different ingredients that you can add to smoothies that we’re going to break this down into different categories.
Fruits
- Apples
- Apricots
- Bananas
- Dates
- Kiwi
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Plums
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Mango
Vegetables
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Carrots
- Celery
- Spinach
- Kale
- Tomatoes
Liquids
- Whole milk
- Coconut milk
- Almond milk
- Cranberry juice
- Kiefer
- Tea
Additives / Extras
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Yogurt
- Honey
- Maple syrup
- Spices
- Supplement powders
- Spirulina
- Oats
- Tofu
These are just a few of the many ingredients that you’ll find in smoothies. But it takes a true artisan to put that all of these ingredients together and make the perfect tasting smoothie. Let’s take a look at a few recipes to help you get started.
Creamy Date Smoothie
Dates are often overlooked when it comes to making a smoothie. But a date smoothie can be delicious and creamy. The following recipe will help you make the perfect smoothie to start your morning:
- Add ¾ cup of whole milk to a blender
- Add 1/3 cup of pitted dates (halved)
Now, place the blender into the refrigerator and allow the dates to soften. This normally takes about 15 minutes. Next, you’ll add in ½ cup of ice and start your blender until the mixture is smooth.
Spiced Pumpkin Smoothie
If you have just five minutes, you can make a delicious pumpkin smoothie that is perfect for the fall months. You’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup of ice
- 1/2 cup of whole milk
- 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree
You’ll also want to add in honey or sugar if you want a sweeter taste, and a little bit of nutmeg or cinnamon to taste. Simply add all of these ingredients to a blender, and blend until the mixture is smooth. Many people find that this recipe is a little bland without adding sweetener, such as honey or sugar, to the mixture.
Ginger Berry and Oatmeal Smoothie
This is the perfect smoothie for anyone who’s on the go in the morning. While it does take about 20 minutes to make, it will keep you satiated and provide you with a good boost of energy in the morning.
Follow these directions to make this smoothie:
- Place 1/4 cup of rolled oats into a blender
- Pour ½ cup of water into the blender
- Let sit for 15 minutes until the oats have softened
- Add the rest of the ingredients:
- ½ cup of frozen berries
- ½ cup of yogurt
- ½ cup of ice
- ¼ – ½ teaspoon of fresh ginger
- 2 tbsp of sugar
Simply blend the smoothie until it’s smooth and ready to drink.
Kale-Apple Smoothie
The final item on our list provides a good boost of antioxidants to help you start your day. You’ll need the following ingredients:
- ¾ cup of kale (stems removed)
- 1 stalk of celery (pre-chopped)
- ½ banana
- ½ cup of ice
- ½ cup of apple juice
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
Simply at all of these ingredients into a blender, and blend until it’s smooth and frothy. These are just a few of the many different smoothies that you can make using the ingredients above.