Mixed Berry Smoothie

4.94 from 16 votes
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When you need a pick-me-up, try this cool and refreshing mixed berry smoothie. The combination of berries, spinach, yogurt, and bananas makes for a nutritious drink that will energize your day.

Berry smoothie in a glass cup

Need help getting more fruits and vegetables into your diet? This colorful and creamy mixed berry smoothie is the answer. In fact, it’s a recipe my kids often request and help me prepare. They love adding in each ingredient, even the spinach! It’s one way to talk about the importance of eating healthy and getting them to enjoy it too.

I like to balance the frozen fruit with tender greens and yogurt. The combination yields an eye-catching glass, filled with antioxidants, protein, and probiotics. Those vibrant jewel-toned strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries not only add juicy fruit notes but are also packed with phytonutrients.

ingredients portioned out to make a smoothie

Using fresh or frozen fruit

If you’re short on time, grab a bag of frozen mixed berries, or individual varieties to make your own blend. Typically frozen options come with strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries.

If you have ripe fresh berries, use them! However, to achieve a thick and creamy texture, freeze them in a single layer inside a large resealable bag until solidified. I usually do this the day before. If the strawberries are larger than 2-inches in size, halve or quarter them to make it easier to process when frozen.

Ice cubs and berries inside a blender cap

Instant nutritional boost

Adding in a generous handful of leafy greens like spinach delivers extra vitamins, minerals, and fiber in each sip. This vegetable is very mild in flavor so you barely taste it. Bananas and Greek yogurt provide a creamy texture and extra protein. The probiotics in the yogurt also deliver beneficial bacteria for gut health.

How to make a berry smoothie

To make sure that the spinach gets completely blended, you want to add it to the blender first. This allows the leaves to get immediately chopped into fine particles. The yogurt is added next, followed by the frozen ingredients like berries, bananas, and ice cubes.

The almond milk is added last to help process the smoothie. The texture should be thick and creamy. For a thinner consistency, gradually add in more liquid as desired. Just like my favorite green smoothie, in just 10 minutes, a refreshing sippable snack is ready to provide instant energy and nourishment.

blended dark red smoothie inside a blender cap

Customizing the smoothie

  • Make the recipe dairy-free by substituting Greek yogurt for coconut, cashew, almond, or soy yogurt.
  • For more of a tropical flavor, use coconut milk instead of almond milk.
  • Add some fiber and omega 3 fatty acids with chia seeds or flaxseed.
  • Add some extra protein and creaminess with almond butter.
  • If you like a sweeter taste, add pure maple syrup or honey.

two smoothies and a bowl of berries

Using fresh berries and bananas

Want to make a smoothie with just fresh fruit? Increase the ice amount to 1 ½ to 2 cups. Just note that the berry flavor won’t be as strong and the ice will dilute the flavor as the smoothie melts. The benefit of frozen fruit is that when it’s blended, the solidified water in the cell walls gets broken into tiny particles. This adds volume and density to the drink.

Berry Smoothie

When you need a pick-me-up, try this cool and refreshing mixed berry smoothie, the ingredients makes for a nutritious drink that will energize your day.
4.94 from 16 votes
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time0 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Course Drink
Cuisine American

Ingredients 
 

  • 1 cup spinach
  • ½ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
  • ½ cup frozen banana slices, about 1 medium banana
  • 2 cups frozen mixed berries
  • 1 cup ice cubes
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk

Instructions 

  • Add spinach, yogurt, frozen banana slices, frozen mixed berries, ice cubes, and almond milk to a blender.
  • Cover and process on medium speed for about 30 seconds, using the tamper as needed. Increase to high speed for 15 to 30 seconds until thick and smooth.
  • Adjust with more almond milk if needed to reach the desired consistency.

Notes

  • Recipe Yield: 4 cups
  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Make it VEGAN: Substitute Greek yogurt for plant-based yogurts like almond, soy, cashew, or coconut.
  • For a sweeter smoothie: Add some pure maple syrup or honey, 1 teaspoon at a time, until desired sweetness level is reached.

Nutrition Facts

Serves: 4 servings
Calories 81kcal (4%)Carbohydrates 15g (5%)Protein 4g (8%)Fat 1g (2%)Saturated Fat 1g (5%)Cholesterol 1mgSodium 100mg (4%)Potassium 186mg (5%)Fiber 3g (12%)Sugar 10g (11%)Vitamin A 739IU (15%)Vitamin C 6mg (7%)Calcium 116mg (12%)Iron 1mg (6%)

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet. All nutritional information is based on estimated third-party calculations. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.

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Jessica Gavin

I'm a culinary school graduate, cookbook author, and a mom who loves croissants! My passion is creating recipes and sharing the science behind cooking to help you gain confidence in the kitchen.

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7 Comments Leave a comment or review

  1. Mary Ann says

    Delicious, my husband said he could drink this for breakfast several days a week!! Yoohoo!! Thank you, it is a winner here.

  2. Sharmila Chakraverty says

    I used orange juice instead of milk and it came out kind of sour. So added some honey. It was tasty. I didn’t have any spinach.

  3. Joanne Kerr says

    Can you tell me if I can use something else instead of bananas as I am not able to eat them

    • Francine says

      I assumed the banana would be the sweetener, so just add honey, maple syrup, agave or your favorite sweetening agent. Yum!!!

      • Jessica Gavin says

        Yes, if you like the smoothie sweetener, definitely add in your favorite sweetener. Thanks for sharing, Francine!