Shakes & Smoothies
How to Make a Smoothie Without a Recipe
The simple formula, plus how to make a smoothie without yogurt, milk, banana or a blender, and how to fix one that is too thin or gritty.
Once you know the formula, you never need a smoothie recipe again.
The formula for one large smoothie
| Part | Amount | Ideas |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid | 1 cup | Milk, soy or oat milk, orange juice, coconut water |
| Frozen fruit | 1 1/2 cups | Berries, mango, pineapple, peaches, banana |
| Something creamy | 1/2 cup | Yogurt, frozen banana, avocado, soaked oats |
| Optional boost | 1 tablespoon | Peanut butter, chia seeds, ground flaxseed |
| Flavor | A pinch or splash | Vanilla, cinnamon, lime, cocoa |
Swaps when you are missing something
- Without yogurt: use a frozen banana, 1/4 avocado, 1/4 cup rolled oats or silken tofu for creaminess.
- Without milk: use juice, coconut water or water with a spoonful of nut butter.
- Without banana: use mango, avocado or extra yogurt for body, and a little honey for sweetness.
- Without a blender: mash very ripe fruit well, then whisk or shake it hard with yogurt and milk in a jar. A food processor also works.
Fixing texture
- Too thin: add more frozen fruit or a spoonful of oats and blend again.
- Too thick: add liquid a splash at a time.
- Gritty or leafy: blend the liquid and greens first, before the fruit.
- Not sweet enough: add a ripe banana, a few dates or a teaspoon of honey.
Honey is not suitable for babies under 12 months.
