How to Make Homemade Smoothies

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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:

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From left to right:

• Salted Caramel Mocha Protein Smoothie
• Orange Mango Smoothie
• Strawberry Pina Colada Smoothie
• Apple Pie Smoothie
• Avocado Breakfast Smoothie
• Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
• Virgin Pina Colada Smoothie
• Best Ever Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
• Easy Green Smoothie

Find More Homemade Smoothie Recipes

Check out these other fabulous smoothie recipes:

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.