Banana Beet Smoothie Recipe
If you’re anything like me, you love starting your day with a burst of fresh, nourishing flavors — and that’s exactly why I want to share this fan-freaking-fantastic Banana Beet Smoothie Recipe with you. It’s vibrant, packed with wholesome ingredients, and blends together into one of the most deliciously smooth mornings you could hope for. Whether you’re after a healthy pick-me-up or just craving something naturally sweet and satisfying, this recipe is going to become your new go-to. Trust me, you’ll love it as much as I do!
Why This Recipe Works
- Balanced flavors: The earthy beet nicely complements the sweet banana and tart raspberries for a harmonious taste.
- Nutrient-dense: Loaded with vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber, giving you a healthy boost.
- Simple prep: Quick cooking the beets softens them perfectly without needing peeling, saving you time.
- Flexible add-ins: Optional seeds and maca powder let you customize for extra protein and energy.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Banana Beet Smoothie Recipe combines a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients that work beautifully together. Each one brings a unique flavor or health benefit, and picking fresh produce helps make each sip truly delicious.
- Small beet: Fresh, not peeled, adds earthiness and vibrant color while providing fiber and antioxidants.
- Water: Acts as a light base, enough to cook the beets and blend smoothly without overwhelming flavors.
- Banana: Naturally sweet and creamy, bananas are the secret to that smooth, rich texture you’ll crave.
- Non-dairy milk: I prefer almond or oat milk for subtle creaminess without added dairy (but any plant milk works).
- Fresh lemon juice: Adds brightness and balances the sweetness with a touch of zing.
- Frozen raspberries: Tart, refreshing, and frozen to keep the smoothie cool and thick.
- Chia seeds (optional): For a bit of omega-3 and fiber boost — plus, they add a nice texture.
- Hemp seeds (optional): Mildly nutty, adding plant-based protein to keep you full longer.
- Maca root powder (optional): Adds energy and earthiness with adaptogenic benefits, great if you want that extra kick.
Tweak to Your Taste
I love playing around with this Banana Beet Smoothie Recipe depending on what I have on hand or the mood I’m in. Feel free to make it your own — smoothies are forgiving like that! You can adjust sweetness, textures, and even nutrient boosts to suit your day perfectly.
- Variation: Sometimes I swap raspberries for frozen blueberries or mixed berries — it changes the flavor but keeps that pretty fruity punch.
- Dietary modification: Use coconut milk if you want a richer, tropical vibe, or keep water for a lighter drink.
- Seasonal change: In warmer months, tossing in fresh mint leaves adds a refreshing twist.
- Texture adjustment: If you like your smoothie thicker, add more frozen banana or a handful of ice cubes.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Banana Beet Smoothie Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Chop the Beet
First things first: trim the top and bottom off your small beet and give it a good scrub under running water. I don’t bother peeling the skin — it blends right in and adds nutrition plus color. Chop the beet into roughly ½-inch cubes. Don’t worry about them being perfectly shaped; we’re blending them all up anyway! Smaller pieces speed up cooking time, so I usually try not to make the chunks too big.
Step 2: Cook the Beets Until Tender
Bring 2 cups of water to a gentle boil in a small saucepan, then add the beet cubes. Let them cook for about 5 minutes or until they’re tender enough to blend easily. If your blender needs smoother ingredients, cook a bit longer. When done, drain the beets and let them cool a little if you want your smoothie chilled — steaming hot beets will warm things up, which might be nice in winter!
Step 3: Blend It All Together
While the beets cook, toss your peeled banana, non-dairy milk, fresh lemon juice, frozen raspberries, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and maca root powder (if you’re using them) into your blender. Once the beets have cooled to your liking, add just the beet cubes (not the cooking water) to the blender. Blend everything until silky smooth and you have a gorgeous, vibrant smoothie ready to enjoy.
Pro Tips for Making Banana Beet Smoothie Recipe
- Prepping the Beet: No need to peel the beet, just scrub well — it saves time and keeps nutrients intact.
- Cooling Beets for Cold Smoothies: Let your cooked beets cool fully if you want that crisp, refreshing chill from the raspberries to stand out.
- Frozen Bananas for Creaminess: Freeze ripe bananas ahead of time to make your smoothie extra creamy and naturally chilled, no ice cubes needed.
- Blending Order: Add liquids and soft fruits first for easier blending, then finish with the cooked beets to get everything silky smooth.
How to Serve Banana Beet Smoothie Recipe
Garnishes
For garnishes, I love sprinkling on a pinch of extra chia seeds or hemp seeds just before serving — they add that subtle crunch and boost nutrition. Sometimes a few fresh mint leaves or a small slice of banana resting on the rim gives it that café-style vibe. A little lemon zest on top also adds a pop of bright aroma.
Side Dishes
This smoothie pairs wonderfully with something light like a handful of nuts or a small bowl of granola. I often enjoy it alongside toasted whole-grain bread with almond butter for a more filling breakfast. It’s also fabulous with a simple avocado toast if you want a savory contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
When I have guests over, I like serving this Banana Beet Smoothie Recipe in clear glasses, layering it with a raspberry puree drizzle on the side for a pretty swirl effect. For a fun twist, blend it thicker and serve it in small jars with colorful paper straws — it’s such a conversation starter at brunch!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to make extra (which rarely happens in my house!), I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and try to drink it within 24 hours. The color might deepen slightly, but the taste stays fresh. Give it a quick stir or shake before pouring to recombine any settled bits.
Freezing
I haven’t frozen the finished smoothie itself, but I always freeze ripe bananas in chunks ahead of time, making this recipe better and easier to whip up instantly. If you want to freeze the whole smoothie, do it in ice cube trays and blend the cubes fresh when you’re ready for a fresh batch.
Reheating
Since it’s a smoothie, I generally avoid reheating it to keep the fresh, vibrant flavors intact. If you prefer a warm drink, you could gently heat the cooked beets before blending but skip reheating the finished smoothie to preserve texture and nutrients.
FAQs
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Can I use raw beets instead of cooking them for the Banana Beet Smoothie Recipe?
You can, but cooking the beets slightly softens them, making the smoothie smoother and easier to blend. Raw beets might give you a grittier texture and stronger earthy taste, so I recommend cooking for best results.
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What if I don’t have non-dairy milk? Can I use regular milk?
Absolutely! Regular milk works just fine if you prefer a dairy option—it will add creaminess and pair well with the banana and beets. Use whatever milk suits your taste and dietary needs.
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How do I make this smoothie sweeter?
Use riper bananas or add a drizzle of maple syrup or honey. You can also increase the amount of frozen berries to boost natural sweetness without overwhelming the earthy beet flavor.
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Is this Banana Beet Smoothie Recipe kid-friendly?
Definitely! Most kids love the creamy texture and fruity flavors. The mild earthiness from beets is hidden well by banana and raspberries, making it a nutritious treat even picky eaters usually enjoy.
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Can I make this smoothie ahead of time?
Yes, blend everything, store in an airtight container in the fridge, and enjoy within 24 hours. Just give it a good stir before drinking, as natural settling may occur.
Final Thoughts
This Banana Beet Smoothie Recipe is truly one of my kitchen favorites because it feels like a little health celebration in a glass. It’s simple, colorful, and packed with flavors that brighten your morning and nourish your body. I hope you’ll give it a try soon and see how easy it is to add a splash of vibrant goodness to your routine. Don’t be surprised if it becomes a daily ritual—you won’t regret it!
Print
Banana Beet Smoothie Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Banana Beet Smoothie is a vibrant and nutritious blend featuring cooked beets, banana, raspberries, and optional seeds and maca root powder. Perfect for a refreshing and healthful drink with a creamy texture from non-dairy milk and frozen fruit.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 small beet
- 2 cups of water
- 1 medium banana
- ½ cup of non-dairy milk
- 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice
- ⅔ cup of frozen raspberries
Optional Add-ins
- 1 teaspoon of chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon of hemp seeds
- 1 ½ tablespoons of maca root powder
Instructions
- Prepare the beet: Cut the top and tail off the beet, wash and scrub it clean without peeling, then chop it into ½-inch cubes to ensure faster cooking.
- Cook the beet: Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan, add the chopped beet cubes, and cook for 5 minutes or until tender enough to blend easily.
- Add ingredients to blender: While the beet is cooking, place the peeled banana, non-dairy milk, fresh lemon juice, frozen raspberries, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and maca root powder (if using) into the blender.
- Combine cooked beets: After cooking, strain the beets to remove water and let them cool if you want a cold smoothie. Add the cooked beets to the blender with the other ingredients.
- Blend smoothie: Blend all ingredients together until smooth and well combined, adjusting blending time based on your blender’s power.
Notes
- Smaller beet cubes cook faster, so chop accordingly.
- If you prefer a cold smoothie, allow the cooked beets to cool before blending with frozen raspberries.
- Use frozen bananas for a creamier, shake-like texture and to avoid food waste by saving overripe bananas.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
