If your blender gets a daily workout, bravo! Smoothies are an easy way to get fruit and veggie goodness into your diet during the winter. And they’re particularly good for those eating dairy-free – the satisfying creaminess of a well-blended smoothie can’t be beat!
Looking to shake things up? Experiment with these add-ins and fall in love with the slurp all over again.
Citrus
Seasonal winter citrus adds brightness and zing to all kinds of smoothies. Try clementines, navel oranges, red grapefruit – these are all at their peak of flavor this time of year. You don’t have to remove all the membranes – just a good peel and chop should do it.
Citrus is especially good paired with vanilla almondmilk or soymilk. This Sunny Citrus Smoothie opens in a new tab recipe will get you started. Just sub non-dairy yogurt to make it dairy free.
Sunny Citrus Smoothie opens in a new tab
Spices
Warm up that chilly drink with spices typically associated with hot drinks and baking. Try cinnamon, ground allspice, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg or cloves. This Pumpkin Pie Smoothie opens in a new tab comes alive with tingly winter spice. We also love this Chai Almond Smoothie opens in a new tab.
Pumpkin Pie Smoothie opens in a new tab
Cooked Grains
Leftover cooked grains bulk up a smoothie with extra protein and fiber. Try a generous spoonful of brown rice, quinoa or oats. The neutral flavors pair with most combos and give your mixture oomph. We love this Blueberry Muffin Smoothie opens in a new tab made with rolled oats, which are light and flaky enough that you don’t even have to cook them first.
Blueberry Muffin Smoothie opens in a new tab
Buttery Goodness
It goes without saying that peanut butter is a natural match for strawberries in a smoothie. Don’t stop there! Try almond butter, sunflower seed butter, tahini and coconut butter (sometimes called manna), too! Try spreading the butter on your fruit pieces to keep it from sticking to the sides of your blender. This Chocolate-Almond Banana Smoothie opens in a new tab is a favorite with kiddos, as is this Strawberry Almond Butter Smoothie opens in a new tab.
Chocolate-Almond Banana Smoothie opens in a new tab
Seeds
Edible seeds of all kinds add texture and interest (and a dose of nutrients and fiber) to typical smoothies. Flax is a popular choice, like in this Paradise Found Smoothie opens in a new tab but branch out with sesame, sunflower, chia, pumpkin and even poppy seeds. Just be to sure to have some floss handy if your blender isn’t high-powered.
What’s going in your blender this winter? Share your favorite not-so-common smoothie additions below!
