How To Make A Smoothie (+25 Healthy Recipes) (2024)

Learn how to make a smoothie in just 3 easy steps. The result is a creamy, healthy, vibrant blend of flavors you can enjoy on the go.

Making your own smoothies at home can be done in just a few easy steps. And the benefits are unlimited.

Nourishing: Smoothies are an easy way to take in a bunch of nutrients at once so that you give your body the building blocks it needs.

Delicious: no matter what fruits you choose, you can easily make a thick, creamy smoothie.

Healthy: by using my special formula below for how to make a smoothie, your smoothies will not only be tasty, but healthy and well-balanced too.

Building Blocks of Smoothies

The tutorial below walks you through 3 simple steps that result in a delicious, nourishing smoothie.

With this knowledge in your back pocket, you’ll enjoy healthy smoothies of all kinds for a long time to come!

Choose a Liquid For Your Smoothie

There are a few liquids to choose from when you’re looking to make a smoothie. All of the options below can work, much of the choice is simply preference, dietary choice and what you have on hand.

Milk: If you have no dairy sensitivities, regular cow’s milk is a great choice. It’s packed with protein so you don’t necessarily have to add that back in later.

Full-fat coconut milk: This is one of my favorite dairy-free options though make sure to use the coconut milk from the can. If you’re using it as your only liquid, stir the cream into the water to get a more milk-like consistency.

Almond milk: If you’re buying a non-dairy almond milk in the carton, go for the unsweetened original flavor. It’s much better to add your own level of sweetness from natural sweeteners to the smoothie later on. If you make your own almond milk, this is a great use for it and we have plenty of ideas for how to use almond pulp.

Other milks: Options like cashew milk, oat milk, rice milk and soy milk can all be used interchangeably. Choose whichever you have or love but always try and opt for the unsweetened versions of all these non-dairy milks.

Kefir: As a middle ground in texture between milk and yogurt, kefir is a wonderful fermented option for a smoothie base. Its natural probiotics offer great gut-health benefits and it creates an indulgently creamy smoothie as a result.

Greek yogurt: Another protein-packed liquid option that creates a thick, smooth texture.

Fruit juice: Not feeling the milk base? Go for some natural fruit juice! Orange juice is one of my favorites, but any fruit juice will do. Keep in mind these are much sweeter than the milk bases so you’ll definitely want to be mindful of your fruit and sweetener add-ins later on.

Coconut water: If you’re making a smoothie after a workout, coconut water is a great choice. As a natural electrolyte, it’s extremely hydrating. I like to use it in combination with fruit juice.

Choose the Fruit and Vegetables to Add In

The choice between fruits and vegetables is as much about flavor as it is nourishment. If you’re using milk as your base, you’ll want to add fruits in so that the smoothie comes out delicious.

If you’re using fruit juice as your base, you may not need as many fruits. Below are some fruit and vegetable options that blend well and can be used to create a healthy smoothie.

Spinach: Loaded with vitamins K, A, iron, and with virtually no calories. Baby spinach blends the best into a smoothie and you can’t even taste it.

Kale: This green has a bit more prominent flavor than spinach and unless you have a high-end blender, chances are you’re going to taste the gritty texture from it. If you’re really looking to get into green smoothies, invest in aVitamix so that texture isn’t an issue. Similar to spinach, kale is also packed with vitamins K, A and C.

Berries: Any berry makes a great addition to your smoothie. Frozen wild blueberries are a personal favorite as they’re packed with even more antioxidants than a regular blueberry. Likewise, frozen berries are a great option for winter-time smoothies when nothing is in season, and as a bonus, they add a bit of “iciness” to your smoothie without having to water it down with actual ice.

Bananas: Unless you’re adverse to them for some reason, bananas are a great smoothie staple. With a milk base, they’re the perfect natural sweetener. With a fruit base, they provide some staying power the other fruits don’t necessarily give you. They also help create an ultra-thick texture.

Smoothie Extras and Add-Ins

The extras are where you make the smoothie “yours” and get the chance to add in extra nutrients or flavors. From sweeteners to flavor enhancers to nutritional boosts, this is your chance to play around.

Protein powder: If you haven’t used a milk or yogurt base and want some protein in your smoothie, whey or pea protein powder are great options depending on your preference. I keep vanilla and chocolate Nuzest on hand as my plant-based option and Paleo Valley’s bone broth protein powder as an animal-based option, adding anywhere from 1 to 2 scoops to my smoothies. The amount should be adjusted based on your protein needs.

Nut butters: Another great way to get some protein (and healthy fat) is through nut butters. Peanut, almond, cashew and even seed-based butters like pumpkin seed butter all work wonderfully. Try to make sure that you use nut butters without any added sweeteners.

Chia seeds: These little guys are filled with omega-3s and a decent amount of protein per serving. A tablespoon is a great little boost to any smoothie. With a high-quality blender, you don’t even need to worry about them getting stuck in your teeth!

Ground flax seed: Another omega-3 packed option, flax seeds are also a good source of fiber. Make sure you choose the ground or milled kind because our bodies can’t absorb the nutrients from the whole seeds themselves.

Hemp seeds: I often use the combination of hemp, chia and flax seeds in all my smoothies. They offer similar benefits of healthy fats, protein and fiber and a tablespoon of each is a great nutritious boost.

Oats: Want some staying power to that smoothie? Adding oats makes your drink more of a meal and will thicken things up a bit. They make this cinnamon chestnut smoothie thick and creamy.

Medjool dates: Dates are really nature’s candy. If you need some sweetness, these are your healthy go-to. One or two pitted dates will do the trick, just make sure to blend really well to fully incorporate them.

Maple syrup and honey: If you don’t have dates and want a sweetener option in addition to fruit, a small amount of maple syrup or honey can be used. Always start with a small amount and adjust to taste.

Extracts: Vanilla, almond or any other pure extract is a great way to get some flavor into a smoothie without calories or bulk. You can’t go wrong with 1/2 a teaspoon or so of one of your favorites. Almond extract really makes the flavor pop in this cherry vanilla almond smoothie – a healthy dupe to Ben & Jerry’s cherry Garcia ice cream flavor.

How To Make A Smoothie

As a healthy snack or breakfast, smoothies come together in under 5 minutes which makes them an easy choice for busy days.

Add the ingredients: Place all the ingredients into a high-powered blender like the Vitamix. Try to add the liquids in first to make it easier on the machine.

Blend: Blend until all the ingredients are combined and the texture is smooth. Depending on the items used in your smoothie, you may need to stop and scrape down the sides or use the tamper to push them down as it blends.

Enjoy: Portion into a glass and top with anything you wish. Granola is one of my personal favorites.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Make a Smoothie

25 Simple and Nutritious Smoothie Recipes