How to make the best Smoothies: the ultimate guide

This basic smoothie formula is the perfect guide to creating a delicious and nutritious smoothie every time. Simply combine a liquid base, your favorite fruits and vegetables, a healthy fat, and optional boosters for extra nutrition. Blend until smooth, adjust sweetness if needed, and enjoy a refreshing, nutrient-packed drink in minutes. Perfect for breakfast, a post-workout snack, or a healthy treat any time of the day! 🥤✨
A pink smoothie in a clear glass with a blue and pink striped straw takes center stage as the ultimate smoothie. Surrounding it are various jars filled with green smoothies, each adorned with different striped straws. The bright background highlights the vibrant colors of these refreshing drinks.

About this guide

There’s nothing like a creamy, nutrient-packed smoothie to start your day or boost your midday. But not all smoothies are created equal! The best smoothies are well-balanced, flavorful, and packed with the right ingredients to nourish your body. In this guide, I’ll show you how to make the best smoothie every time, no matter what ingredients you have on hand.

The Secret to a Perfect Smoothie

The key to making the best smoothie is balancing liquid, fruit, vegetables, fats, and boosters. Here’s the order I follow for a creamy, well-blended smoothie.

Illustration of a blender with labeled layers for the ultimate guide to smoothies. From top to bottom: "addons," "fruits," "greens," and "liquid." The blender has a simple design with a handle on the right and control buttons on the base.
  • Blend and taste – Always taste your smoothie before serving so you can adjust flavors.
  • Liquid first – This helps the blender work more efficiently and ensures a smooth consistency.
  • Fruits and vegetables give your smoothie flavor, natural sweetness, and plenty of nutrients.
  • Boosters and fats – These add extra nutrition, protein, and creaminess.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Best Smoothie

1: Choose Your Liquid. The liquid is the foundation of your smoothie. The amount you use depends on how thick or thin you like your smoothie.

  • Coconut water – Light and hydrating
  • Almond, cashew, hemp, or oat milk – Creamy and plant-based
  • Water – A simple and refreshing option
  • Natural fruit juices – Adds a fruity boost
  • Vegetable juices (tomato, carrot) – Extra nutrition
  • Yogurt – Thickens the smoothie and adds probiotics
  • Tea (green, chamomile, lemon) – A subtle flavor with added benefits

TIP: Always add liquid first so everything blends smoothly.

2: Add Fruits & Vegetables. Fruits bring natural sweetness, while vegetables add fiber and nutrients. If you’re new to green smoothies, start with more fruit and slowly increase the veggies over time.

Best Fruits for SmoothiesBest Vegetables for Smoothies
BananaSpinach
Berries (strawberries, blueberries, cherries)Cauliflower
MangoZucchini
AppleBroccoli
PineappleRomaine lettuce
PeachSwiss chard
PearCelery
KiwiCucumber
Dragon fruitCarrot
Beet

TIP: If using frozen fruits and veggies, blend them directly or let them sit for a few minutes to soften.

3: Add Healthy Fats. Fats make your smoothie more satisfying and help your body absorb nutrients: Coconut oil, Flaxseed oil, Olive oil, Nut butter (almond, cashew, peanut), and Whole nuts.

Step 4: Boost the Nutrition. Boosters are extra ingredients that add flavor and health benefits to your smoothie: Dates (natural sweetener), Maple syrup or agave, Cinnamon, ginger or turmeric, Hemp seeds, Chia seeds, Spirulina, Maca powder, Oats, Plant-based protein powder.

TIP: Taste your smoothie before pouring it into a glass—adjust the sweetness or consistency if needed.

5: Blend to Perfection. Blending is easy if you have a high-powered blender like a Vitamix, Blendtec, or Nutribullet. If using a regular blender, follow these tips:

  • Taste your smoothie while it’s in the blender
  • Cut ingredients into small pieces before blending.
  • Start at a low speed and gradually increase.
  • If your smoothie is too thick, add a little more liquid.
  • If it’s too chunky, use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth.

TIP: Use colorful cups and straws to make smoothies more appealing to kids.

Smoothie Meal Prep & Storage Tips

To make smoothie-making even easier, prep ingredients in advance:

  • Wash, chop, and store ingredients in jars or reusable bags.
  • Freeze fruits and veggies by spreading them on a baking sheet, freezing overnight, and then transferring them to bags.
  • Make smoothie packs with all ingredients except liquid, so you just have to blend and go!
  • Store blended smoothies in glass jars for up to 24 hours.

TIP: Freeze coconut water, plant-based milks, or juices in ice cube trays for easy portioning.

A pink smoothie in a clear glass with a blue and pink striped straw takes center stage as the ultimate smoothie. Surrounding it are various jars filled with green smoothies, each adorned with different striped straws. The bright background highlights the vibrant colors of these refreshing drinks.

Basic Smoothie Formula

Alejandra Graf
This basic smoothie formula is the perfect guide to creating a delicious and nutritious smoothie every time. Simply combine a liquid base, your favorite fruits and vegetables, a healthy fat, and optional boosters for extra nutrition. Blend until smooth, adjust sweetness if needed, and enjoy a refreshing, nutrient-packed drink in minutes. Perfect for breakfast, a post-workout snack, or a healthy treat any time of the day! 🥤✨
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course smoothie
Cuisine American
Servings 1 serving

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup liquid coconut water, almond milk, oat milk, water, or juice
  • 1 cup fruit banana, berries, mango, apple, etc.
  • ½ cup vegetables spinach, cauliflower, zucchini, cucumber, etc.
  • 1 tbsp healthy fat nut butter, flaxseed, chia seeds, coconut oil, etc.
  • 1 tbsp booster optional (protein powder, maca, turmeric, cinnamon, etc.)
  • 1 tsp natural sweetener optional (dates, maple syrup, agave, or honey)
  • ½ cup ice optional for a thicker, colder smoothie

Instructions
 

  • Add the liquid to the blender first.
  • Add fruits and vegetables on top of the liquid.
  • Include healthy fats and boosters for extra nutrition.
  • Blend on low speed, gradually increasing to high, until smooth.
  • Taste and adjust sweetness or consistency if needed.
  • Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

If using frozen fruits and veggies, let them sit for a couple of minutes before blending for a smoother texture.
 

information

Nutritional information of this recipe is only an estimate, the accuracy for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Did you make this recipe?Tag @piloncilloyvainilla on Instagram and hashtag it #alecooks so we can all see your creations.
Alejandra Graf
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