How to Make a Smoothie

on Jul 19, 2019, Updated Mar 08, 2024

Have you tried making a smoothie at home and it just what you hoped for?

This guide will help you learn how to make a smoothie that is not only delicious, but just as good or better than those smoothies that you love from your favorite smoothie place or health food store.

Learn how to make different kinds of smoothies, what you should put in them, and some delicious recipes to start you out!

blueberry pie smoothie in a glass with a glass straw

What should I put in my smoothie?

There are so many options when it comes to what you can put in a smoothie.

To avoid running to the store, start with what you have on hand and start learning which fruits and vegetables pair well together.

smoothie combinations

kale, spinach, and other greens pair well frozen banana, pineapple, peaches, and citrus fruits (basically anything except berries)
Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries all pair well with yogurt and milk
Frozen cauliflower can’t be tasted in a smoothie and goes well with most fruit based smoothies
Frozen steamed sweet potato pairs wonderfully with nut butters, or cocoa powder to make a dessert smoothie
Nut butters pair well with milk, banana, and apples (chocolate also works well with this combo!)
Carrots pair well with citrus fruits, or with milk and yogurt
Cucumbers pair well with citrus fruit, and are a great vegetable to add more liquid to the smoothie in place of water or milk

Perfect Green Smoothie Recipe

How much fruit should I put in a smoothie?

That depends on how thick you want your smoothie as well as how much smoothie you want to make.

For a thicker smoothie, I suggest using primarily frozen fruit, around 1 – 2 cups for a large drink.

If you are using fresh fruit, stick with the same 1 – 2 cups, but find a way to make the smoothie thicker.

Healthy Peach Smoothie

How do you blend smoothies?

It is suggested to get a high speed blender if you love super thick and creamy smoothies.

My blendtec changed my life and I use it almost daily.

If you are using a regular blender, smoothies using frozen vegetables or fresh whole fruit may be harder to get totally smooth.

Are breakfast smoothies good for you?

Smoothies are an excellent way to get a nutritious breakfast!

Take for example this peanut butter banana smoothie recipe: a well balanced protein packed drink with bananas, milk, ice, yogurt, and just a touch of honey.

Frozen bananas are a wonderful addition to any breakfast smoothie.

Just be sure to add a protein source such as greek yogurt, protein powder, or nut butter to the smoothie to keep you full all morning.

What liquid should I put in my smoothie?

water
whole or 2% milk
non dairy milks such as soy, almond, or coconut

I usually gravitate towards unsweetened vanilla almond milk, vanilla soy milk, or whole milk for my smoothies.

However, if you want to use water in a smoothie it is totally possible!

If you do not like milk based drinks, read here for How to Make a Smoothie Without Milk.

This Ginger Peach Detox Smoothie is a delicious drink made without any milk!

How do you sweeten a fruit smoothie?

Ideally, a fruit smoothie will be sweet enough thanks to the natural sweetness of the fruits!

This is especially true of smoothies using more sweet fruits like pineapples or peaches.

This frosty Pineapple Smoothie uses just four ingredients: frozen pineapple, frozen banana, unsweetened greek yogurt, and unsweetened almond milk.

For fruit smoothies that are not quite sweet enough, try adding a more natural sweetener like honey or pure maple syrup.

This Carrot Cake Smoothie is full of veggies and uses just a bit of pure maple syrup to make it sweet!

Are fruit smoothies unhealthy?

Fruit smoothies without added sugar are absolutely healthy!

It’s a common misconception that the sugar in fruits is bad for you.

Natural fruit sugar is not the same thing as artificial white sugar.

Fruits have so many health benefits, and a fruit smoothie is a great way to help get some of your daily fruit in!

Try this nutrient packed blueberry banana smoothie!

How do you sweeten a smoothie without sugar?

Try to add more fruits and less milk and yogurt ratio for a sweet smoothie that isn’t filled with artificial sugar.

Can I put honey in my smoothie?

Yes! Honey is one of my favorite ways to add just a touch of sweetness to a smoothie that isn’t quite as sweet as it needs to be.

Typically just 1 – 2 teaspoons of honey will be plenty to add a pinch of sweetness.

Do ice cubes make smoothies thicker?

Ice cubes are an excellent way to make smoothies thicker.

I use ice cubes to add more thickness to any smoothie using fresh fruit like this Strawberry Smoothie, or a frozen fruit smoothie that isn’t quite as thick as I like it.

For me, I prefer super thick ice cream like texture smoothies, and ice cubes are so helpful in achieving this texture!

Just note that a high speed blender is most likely necessary to get the ice totally blended up without leaving ice chunks in your drink.

How do you make a smoothie thicker without yogurt?

try frozen bananas for a super thick and creamy texture
utilize frozen fruit instead of fresh fruit, and only enough milk to make the smoothie blend. Start with a little, and you can always add more if necessary.
use frozen veggies like steamed sweet potato or frozen cauliflower for more thickness
add ice to the smoothie until it is the desired thickness

This Sweet Potato Smoothie is a great thick smoothie without yogurt!