The 19 Best Smoothie Recipes For When You Need a Quick, Healthy Energy Boost
If you make the same smoothie over and over and need a little inspiration, here are 19 plant-protein-packed smoothie recipes to help you mix it up!
Be a Smoothie Operator
Freeze your vegetables and fruits the night before, or buy pre-frozen produce and toss into a blender with plant-based milk. An easy way to boost nutrients is to add superfoods – some favorites are maca powder, chia seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds, matcha powder, ginger, and dark leafy greens. Smoothies are full of antioxidants, vitamins, fiber, healthy fats, and protein. They travel well too-- pour one into a recyclable container like a Hydroflask or mason jar, and bring it with you on your commute to work.
Pro tip: Any fruits or veggies you have leftover from making a salad or stir fry can be used in your smoothie as well, so you don't let any of your scraps go to waste!
Make it Your Way
If you like a smoother texture with a thinner consistency, use more dairy-free milk and don't freeze your fruits and vegetables. Choose oat milk to achieve a thicker consistency, and hemp or flax milk for a more liquidy shake. Here are 20 easy-to-make smoothie recipes that will surprise your taste buds and make you feel full throughout the day.
Each recipe yields 1-2 servings.
1. Almond Butter Lover
I'm an almond butter lover and like how it adds thickness and flavor to any smoothie. You have to be careful about not adding too much almond butter because it will out-power all the other flavors and just taste like one big almond blob. Also, this smoothie has Maca powder in it, which has a nutty taste, so you don't want to overdo it and all you need is one tablespoon. Maca is a plant that helps improve energy and stamina. Studies have also shown that Maca root increases sex drive.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of frozen bananas
- 1 cup of frozen raspberries
- 1 scoop of almond butter
- ½ cup of Vega chocolate protein powder
- 5 dates
- 1 tablespoon of Maca powder
- 1 cup of oat milk
- 1 tablespoon of chia seeds.
2. Banana Split
This smoothie is a treat! It tastes like dessert without all the added sugar, but it's still high in calories. My favorite non-dairy milk to make this recipe with is Moolala banana milk which tastes like a banana smoothie on its own. Sprinkle a little cinnamon on top of the smoothie and drink it after a hard workout.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of frozen strawberries
- 1 cup of frozen bananas
- 1 cup of Moolala banana milk
- 1 cup of hazelnuts
- ½ cup of vanilla Vega protein powder
- 1 tablespoon of cacao powder
3. Green Goddess
Spirulina is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that has a taste similar to matcha powder, like sweet grass. In my opinion, I think spirulina is delicious so I like to add a little more than 1 tablespoon. The avocado makes this smoothie creamy and superfoods like kale and spinach are loaded with healthy nutrients.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of kale
- 2 cups of spinach
- ½ of an avocado
- 1 tablespoon of matcha powder
- 1 tablespoon of spirulina
- 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon of hemp seeds
- 1 cup of hemp milk
4. Mint Chocolate Chip
If you love mint chocolate chip ice cream, this smoothie recipe will become your go-to calorie saver. It tastes just like the ice cream but with half the calories and a smoother texture. Add more mint leaves if you can't get enough of the bold flavor. I like to place a spoonful of cacao nibs on top of the smoothie and let them mix through the drink so it actually feels like you're eating a mint chocolate chip ice cream with chocolate sprinkles.
Ingredients:
- ½ of a banana
- ½ cup of mint leaves
- 1 cup of coconut milk
- ½ cup of dark chocolate or cacao nibs
- ½ cup of vega chocolate protein
5. Relax in the Tropics
Kick your feet up on the couch and picture yourself laying on a beautiful beach with palm trees swaying overhead while you drink this smoothie. It tastes just like a fruity Piña colada. If you don't want to use orange juice, swap it for coconut water. Put a paper parasol in your smoothie and enjoy.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of frozen mangos
- ½ cup of orange juice
- 1 cup of raspberries
- 1/2 cup of coconut meat
- 1 cup of frozen pineapple
- 1 cup of strawberries
- 1 cup of almond milk
6. Protein Please
Calling all exercise gurus! This smoothie will be your go-to meal replacer after a hard workout. It's full of vegan protein like almonds, chickpeas, and of course Vegan protein powder. Add cauliflower and avocado if you really want to add a creamier texture and make it protein-dense.
Ingredients:
- 1 scoop of chocolate Vega protein
- 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
- 1 cup of almonds
- 1 cup of chickpeas
- 2 cups of almond milk
7. Winter Wonderland
This smoothie taste like a bowl of autumnal oatmeal. It goes well with a cup of warm coffee. If you like thicker smoothies stick with the oat milk but if you want a thinner consistency try using almond! Cheers.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of oats
- 2 cups of oat milk
- 1 tablespoon of cinnamon
- 3 dates
- 1 tablespoon of nutmeg
- ½ cup of chocolate Vega protein
8. Feeling Trendy
Stock up on all your favorite superfoods and add them to this smoothie! Wheatgrass is full of healing benefits like helping your digestion track, eliminating toxins, and boosting your metabolism and energy.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup of Matcha powder
- 1 tablespoon of hemp seeds
- 1 tablespoon of wheatgrass
- ½ cup of vanilla vega protein
- ½ of an avocado
- 2 cups of frozen strawberries
- 1 cup of oat milk
9. Wake Up Call
This smoothie only has 5 ingredients and one of them is something you probably have every morning: Coffee. Wake up and feel energized with this delicious drink.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of cold coffee
- 1 cup of dr oats
- ½ of banana
- 1 scoop of almond butter
- 1 cup of almond milk
10. Fight the Flu
Feeling lousy? Make this citrus smoothie that will help clear your sinuses. Add more ginger for a stronger taste and to reduce inflammation.
Ingredients:
- ½ of a peeled apple
- ½ of ginger
- 2 limes
- 1 cup of coconut water
- 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
11. Weight Loss
Apple cider vinegar is proven to help weight-loss and speed up your metabolism. The taste is very strong but depending on how much you love ACV, adding more to this smoothie is beneficial.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup of apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of matcha powder
- 2 cups of kale
- 2 cups of spinach
- ½ cup of coconut water
12. Healthy Carb Reset
Before a long run, you will want to load up on carbs. Drink this smoothie the day before your race or the morning of if it's later in the day. Agave is not necessary but if you want to make it sweeter, add as much as you like.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of oats
- ½ of a banana
- 3 drops of agave
- 1 tablespoon of Vega chocolate protein
- 1 tablespoon of maca powder
13. Veggie’d Out
This smoothie is full of natural fiber and vitamins. If I have leftover cauliflower I will add it to this recipe to make the texture a tad thicker. There are so many health benefits to ACV, to find out more, click here.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup of carrot juice
- ½ peeled cucumber
- ½ celery stalk
- ½ cup of spinach
- ¼ cup of parsley
- 1 ½ cup of apple cider vinegar
14. Avocad-YO
This smoothie is creamy and soft. You may want to add ice to make it colder or freeze the avocado beforehand. Spirulina is a green powder that tastes like wheatgrass but is a little sweeter. It's full of nutritional benefits and may reduce blood pressure.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of spinach
- ½ of an avocado
- ½ cup of almonds
- 1 tablespoon of spirulina
- ½ cup of vega vanilla protein
- 1 cup of almond milk
15. La Playa
This smoothie is similar to the Relax in the Tropics recipe mentioned above. If you like sweet and fruity recipes this one will be your favorite. It's better to freeze the fruit beforehand or add ice since the yogurt and coconut water is not that cold.
Ingredients:
- Lavva vanilla yogurt
- Bananas
- Pineapple
- Mango
- Vanilla vegan protein
- ½ cup of orange juice or coconut water
16. Chunky Monkey
This recipe taste like a vanilla and banana ice cream float. The taste of bananas, cacao, and dates are naturally sweet but if you want more of a savory taste, I recommend adding oats to the mix and leaving out the dates.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of frozen bananas
- ½ cup of cacao nibs
- 3-5 dates
- 1 tablespoon of Maca powder
- 1 cup of oat milk
17. Santa Monica
This smoothie is the perfect wake-up call! The sweet berry taste mixed with cauliflower creates a perfect balance. I recommend freezing the cauliflower and berries beforehand so there is no need for ice.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of frozen cauliflower
- 1 cup of frozen strawberries
- 1 cup of frozen bananas
- 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
- 2 cups of almond milk
- 1 cup of raspberries
18. Berry-licious
Freeze all the berries before you blend them. Use coconut milk for a thinner consistency or oat milk if you want a thicker consistency. Matcha powder if not necessary but it has nutritious health benefits like a natural source of energy and is proven to speed up your metabolism which results in weight loss.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of strawberries
- 1 cup of raspberries
- 1 cup of blueberries
- 1 cup of blackberries
- 1/2 of a red apple
- 1 tablespoon of matcha powder
- 2 cups of coconut milk
19. Feeling Peachy
This smoothie taste like a peach ice cream float. Add an orange for an even sweeter taste or simply load up on the peaches. You can throw a leafy green vegetable in the mix to add fiber.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole peach
- 2 tablespoons of Lavva vanilla yogurt
- ½ of cucumber
- ½ cup of orange juice
- ½ cup of vanilla almond milk
We would love to know your favorite smoothie recipes! Send them to info@thebeet.com or DM us on Instagram @thebeet
Your Guide to The Best Plant-Based Protein Powders: We Tasted 9 Bestsellers
1. Vega Protein & Greens
The base of Vega is pea protein, brown rice protein, and sacha inchi (a seed eaten like a nut) protein. One serving of Vega has only 80 calories and 15g of protein. Vega's protein powder is a great choice for anyone who struggles to get enough greens in their diet. The proteins are combined with alfalfa powder, spinach powder, broccoli powder, and organic kale powder giving you 2 servings of veggies in one scoop. The taste of this protein was described as "artificial" whereas others thought it tasted like birthday cake. We recommend adding this into a smoothie, but luckily all you have to add is fruit since Vega has the greens covered. This low-cal powder won't break the bank at $1.20 a scoop.
2. TB12 Vanilla Plant-Based Protein
Tom Brady's TB12 pea protein powder consists of simple ingredients with no additives. For anyone who is allergic to soy or nuts, TB12's pea protein-based powder is a great option. It's hard to say no to this powder with 24 grams of protein. Don't hide this powder in a smoothie, mix it with water and you will immediately see a thick consistency resembling a vanilla milkshake. Not only does it look like a milkshake, but it tastes like it too. TB12 recommends drinking this powder up to 20 minutes after a workout for the best recovery. You have to order this powder on the TB12 website since it isn't available in stores or on Amazon. Less than $2 per serving!
3. PlantFusion Complete Protein
PlantFusion is a blend of peas, artichokes, algae, and superfoods. The deep yellow-gold coloring of PlantFusion's protein powder set this brand apart from the rest. Some testers found the flavor wasn't overwhelming, making it a great addition to a smoothie, whereas others felt the powder was sweet. For those of you who aren't a fan of Stevia, buy the natural, no-stevia blend. This protein powder is low in fat, and carbs, making it a great choice for anyone wanting to lose weight while still getting enough protein (21g a serving). PlantFusion's powder has a sweetness not everyone enjoyed since Stevia is an ingredient. $1.20 a scoop, makes this a deal!
4.Vivo Perform
Vivo Perform is the most superfood-packed protein powder of this bunch. Athletes will appreciate this protein powder made of pea protein, hemp protein, plant-based BCAA (branched-chain amino acids), reishi mushrooms, acai berries, lucuma fruit powder, maca powder, and turmeric extract. Vivo Perform is $59 on Amazon so go straight to their website for a cheaper price at $51 for the pouch pictured below. With 25g of protein and complete amino acid profile helps athletes to build, perform, recover, and absorb. If you want a quick protein drink after a workout, use a shaker bottle when mixing or this powder will stick to the sides of the cup. In the mood for a protein-filled breakfast? Add to your oatmeal or smoothie bowl with this recipe.
5. Elevate Plant-Based Performance Protein
Elevate is a pea and hemp protein-based powder that also is made with sweet potato powder. For anyone looking to convert from whey protein powders, Elevate is the plant-based protein for you. This powder is meant to be used in beverages such as smoothies. The thin consistency doesn't mix well with water and becomes chalky. If you aren't in the mood for a protein smoothie, add a scoop to your pancake batter. For a complete recipe check out Elevate's Chocolate Chip Banana Protein Pancakes. This powder is another affordable choice at $1.60 a scoop.
6. Momentous Absolute Zero
Momentous protein powder is a combination of pea and rice protein concentrate. Testers liked the initial scent of mint and thought it was refreshing. This powder is perfect for anyone who likes sweeter drinks. Momentous powders are NSF International Certified for Sport, which means the product label is 100% accurate and there are no banned substances present in this powder. This is one of the pricier protein powders at $60 a tub but is worth it for athletes looking for a clean and effective post-workout powder. We recommend either mixing with water or adding to a smoothie for a more nutrient-dense drink. The priciest powder of the bunch at $3 per serving.
7. Garden of Life
Garden of Life is made of pea, buckwheat, amaranth sprout, and brown rice. We didn't love the green color of the powder or the way it smelled but once we mixed it with water, it tasted surprisingly good. Garden of Life is the easiest to mix with water, plan-based milk or in a smoothie. The vanilla flavor isn't overpowering so you can add this to any combination of smoothies and not be overwhelmed by the taste of vanilla. And it's only $1.20 per scoop!
8. Tone It Up Plant-Based Protein Vanilla
Tone It Up protein powder is a blend of sunflower seeds and pea protein. The minute we opened the container, everyone loved the smell of this powder. Tone It Up is known to be a great addition to baked goods. The next time you make your protein muffins, add Tone It Up to the mix. We don't suggest adding this powder with just water but instead a smoothie with fruits and veggies.
9. Nuzest Clean Lean Protein
The name of this powder says it all. Nuzest is the cleanest protein powder since it is made out of only 3 simple ingredients: Pea protein isolate, natural vanilla flavor, and thaumatin (a low-calorie sweetener). For $45, you are supposed to get 20 servings out of one container, but at a glance that didn't seem accurate. This high protein, low carb powder is perfect to blend with plant-based milk and ice. The consistency is smooth and adds thickness to any protein shake.