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    Home » Recipes » Smoothies

    How to Make Homemade Smoothies

    Published: Jan 2, 2021 · Modified: Mar 22, 2023 by Ang Paris · 6 Comments
    This post may contain affiliate links·

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    Making a homemade smoothie is super simple - not to mention delicious and nutritious. Check out all our tips and tricks for making your perfect smoothie! via @jugglingactmamaMaking a homemade smoothie is super simple - not to mention delicious and nutritious. Check out all our tips and tricks for making your perfect smoothie! via @jugglingactmama

    Learn everything you need to know about making homemade smoothies along with recipes, tips and suggestions and you'll be showing everyone how to make homemade smoothies in no time!

    How to Make Homemade Smoothies collage image showing various types of smoothies
    Jump to:
    • How Do You Make a Smoothie?
    • What Are the Basic Ingredients for a Smoothie?
    • Do You Have to Add Ice to Make a Smoothie?
    • What Makes a Smoothie Thick?
    • Can You Make a Fruit Smoothie Without Milk?
    • Which is the Best Blender for Making Smoothies?
    • How Do You Make a Green Smoothie?
    • Our Favorite Homemade Smoothies
    • Find More Homemade Smoothie Recipes
    • How Do You Make a Smoothie Bowl?
    • 💬 Comments

    How Do You Make a Smoothie?

    Making a homemade smoothie is super simple (and delicious!)  Here are our tips for making frozen and unfrozen smoothies:

    Frozen Fruit Smoothie (like our Pineapple Cranberry Smoothie)

    • 3 parts frozen fruit
    • 3 parts liquid
    • 1-2 tablespoons add-ins

    Unfrozen Fruit Smoothie (such as this Quick Strawberry Smoothie)

    • 3 parts fruit
    • 2 parts liquid
    • 1 part ice cubes or frozen fruit
    • 1-2 tablespoons add-ins

    Put the liquid in the bottom of the blender first, then add the fruit and add-ins.  When you are making a frozen smoothie, but the ice in last.  It's easier for the blender to get going when you layer ingredients this way.

    How to Make a Homemade Smoothie + Homemade Smoothie Recipes - Simple Strawberry Smoothie with Yogurt from The Dinner Mom - close up of a strawberry smoothie in a clear glass on a bright pink napkin

    Simple Strawberry Smoothie with Yogurt from The Dinner Mom.

    What Are the Basic Ingredients for a Smoothie?

    The "formula" for homemade smoothies, as you can see from above is very simple.  The flavor combinations are endless and are really whatever you love.

    For a fruit smoothie, you can use berries, plums, bananas, mango, melon, peaches, apricots, pears, oranges, papaya, or pineapple, along with many other tasty fruits.

    Sweeteners are optional, but you can add in honey, agave nectar or even maple syrup.   A little goes a long way, so taste test as you go.

    There are so many add-ins that are delicious for a smoothie, here are a few you might enjoy:

    • vanilla extract or ground cinnamon
    • almond, cashew or peanut butter
    • macha, cacao or protein powder
    • chia or flax seeds
    • hemp hearts
    • dates
    • yogurt

    Do You Have to Add Ice to Make a Smoothie?

    If you want a frozen smoothie, but don't want it watered down with ice, just use frozen fruit.  These are my favorite kind of smoothies.   Just be sure you add the liquid to the blender first to help your blender along. If you don't want a frozen smoothie, no problem! Just skip a frozen element altogether and you're good to go.

    Top down view of a Blueberry Smoothie.
    How to Make a Homemade Smoothie + Homemade Smoothie Recipes - Close up of an Orange Mango Smoothie with colorful straws
    Close up of Strawberry Banana Smoothie in a small glass.

    Pictured above... blueberry smoothie, orange mango smoothie, strawberry banana smoothie.

    What Makes a Smoothie Thick?

    For frozen smoothies, it's typically the frozen fruit or ice that helps thicken the smoothie.  For unfrozen smoothies, you'll want to use yogurt, avocado, banana or a nut butter to help thicken your drink.

    Top down view of Cranberry Pineapple Smoothie.
    Square image of the best spinach smoothie in a glass jar with a paper straw.
    Strawberry Smoothie in a mason jar with a straw,

    Pictured above... cranberry pineapple smoothie, spinach smoothie, strawberry smoothie.

    Can You Make a Fruit Smoothie Without Milk?

    There are tons of liquids you can use to make a homemade smoothie besides milk.  Here are a few alternatives:

    • Water allows the other flavors to come through
    • Fruit Juice such as orange, pineapple, cranberry are delicious
    • Plant Milks such as oat, coconut, rice or almond all work well

    You might like this dairy-free Pineapple Raspberry Smoothie from my friend Ashley. She knows a thing or two about awesome smoothies!

    Homemade Smoothies - Very Berry Smoothie from Cooking on the Front Burner - berry smoothie in the foreground with bowls of berries in the background

    Very Berry Smoothie from Cooking on the Front Burner

    Which is the Best Blender for Making Smoothies?

    There are a lot of blenders out there, and some are super expensive. For my money, I love this Hamilton Beach Blender which we use daily. It works so well and even has a smoothie setting.  This baby is durable, too.  We make 1-2 smoothies everyday and it has been a total workhorse.   We've had this machine for a couple of years and it's still blending homemade smoothies beautifully.

    If you make lots of blended drinks and soups, you might want a heavy-duty blender.  I would recommend a Vitamix blender. 

    For a middle-of-the-road blender, I've heard great things about the Nutri Ninja Blender.

    Close up of a Clementine Smoothie in a mason jar with two polka dot straws.
    Image contains two Easy Green Smoothies from Top Notch Mom as seen on Juggling Act Mama.

    Pictured above... clementine smoothie, easy green smoothie, strawberry pina colada smoothie.

    How Do You Make a Green Smoothie?

    • 2 parts liquid
    • 2 parts greens
    • 3 parts frozen fruit
    • 1-2 tablespoons add-ins

    Add the liquids and the greens first until smooth, then add the frozen fruit and the add-ins.  Since green smoothies can be bitter, you can add honey or agave nectar.  Taste as you go adjust as needed.

    The best greens for homemade smoothies, in my opinion, are baby spinach or kale, but you can use just about any greens out there including beet greens, and even romaine lettuce!

    Yummy add-ins for a green smoothie could be lime juice, chia seeds, cinnamon, avocado, citrus zest, or yogurt.

    It's easy to mix and match ingredients to make an amazing homemade smoothie!

    Our Favorite Homemade Smoothies

    Here are some of the smoothie recipes that we've shared over the years right here on Juggling Act Mama:

    Salted Caramel Mocha Protein Smoothie #ad #SilkandSimplyPureCreamer
    My Avocado Breakfast Smoothie will help you start your day off right!
    Pumpkin Pie Smoothie for Fall
    Virgin Pina Colada Smoothie recipe - Juggling Act Mama
    Frozen Chunky Monkey Smoothie #CalorieCountDown #IC #ad

    From left to right:

    • Salted Caramel Mocha Protein Smoothie
    • Apple Pie Smoothie
    • Avocado Breakfast Smoothie
    • Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
    • Virgin Pina Colada Smoothie
    • Best Ever Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
    Quick Strawberry Smoothie
    A tangy and sweet strawberry smoothie that's a breeze to whip up on a busy morning.
    Get the Recipe >>>
    Pineapple Cranberry Smoothie
    Cranberry Smoothie with pineapple is the perfect smoothie for wintertime. It's tangy and tart with loads of healthy vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
    Get the Recipe >>>
    Top down view of Cranberry Pineapple Smoothie.

    Find More Homemade Smoothie Recipes

    Check out these other fabulous smoothie recipes:

    • green protein smoothie
    • carrot smoothie
    • mango strawberry banana smoothie

    25+ Simple Smoothies You'll Love

    How Do You Make a Smoothie Bowl?

    Smoothie bowls have a thicker consistency and are topped with loads of yummy ingredients like nuts and fresh fruit.  Learn How to Make a Smoothie Bowl in Six Simple Steps.

    image of various smoothie bowls with smaller bowls of berries, nuts and other ingredients.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kelly says

      June 22, 2018 at 11:52 am

      Thank you for all the great recipe ideas!

      Reply
    2. Sydnee says

      January 16, 2019 at 8:47 am

      I love making smoothies!! I especially love citrus so I can't wait to try your Orange Mango smoothie!
      Thanks for the ideas 🙂
      Sydnee

      Reply
    3. Belinda says

      February 04, 2019 at 4:40 pm

      Great tips! Pinning!

      Reply
      • Ang Paris says

        February 05, 2019 at 7:42 am

        Thanks for pinning! Enjoy 🙂

        Reply
    4. Audrey says

      January 27, 2020 at 11:23 am

      I’ve been adding the probiotic juice into my smoothies to help with gut health.

      Reply
      • Ang Paris says

        January 27, 2020 at 12:42 pm

        Great tip! Thanks so much for sharing Audrey!

        Reply

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