Yogurt Smoothie

I have sung arias to my Vitamix blender, a pro tool that makes a smoothie smoother and a hummus hum. Back in 2014, an auspicious year for dreams-really-do-come-true in the life of Maureen, my Vitamix-dream was also realized!

My brother and his wife put that high-speed blender baby in my hands after I babysat their new baby. It was their first trip away from him, so imagine…. They knew I would use this powerful blender for lots of things, and I do! Like my avgolemono soup and lemon meringue tart.

Because I am such a smoothie person, I use the blender most frequently for all my favorite healthy smoothie recipes. Thick and creamy, it’s well-balanced and perfectly sweet. This makes it a favorite way to start the day with great nutrition and flavor.

Ingredients and Notes

These are just a few notes about the key components. Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the complete details! 

• Yogurt – I recommend using a creamy Greek yogurt or labneh, but any kind of yogurt works in a smoothie, boosting the texture and adding extra protein. Take your pick of regular yogurt, labneh, or plain Greek yogurt. Homemade yogurt is a bonus! Any fat level of a creamy yogurt works fine. You can even use non-dairy yogurt if needed. 
• Protein Powder – Adding a scoop of your favorite protein is a great way to make a thick smoothie, and it packs in a good amount of protein, especially when paired with the yogurt and other dairy products. I’m a huge fan of organic vanilla protein powder, but different protein powders and flavors all work. Use your favorite.
• Ice Cubes – This helps keep the smoothie cold and amps up the thickness, contributing to the creamy texture we want. 
• Fresh Fruit – Fresh berries, peaches, or cherries are my favorite options. Frozen fruit is also great in a smoothie.
• Fruit Juice – A splash of fruit juice, like pomegranate juice, orange juice, or pineapple juice, is optional but gives the smoothie great color, sweetness without added sugars, and tartness while helping blend the ingredients. 
• Banana – This is optional, but it enhances the sweetness of the yogurt smoothie and thickens it too. I like to use frozen bananas because they work to create a thick, creamy, smoothie-like texture, almost milkshake-like, without the need for ice cream. As my bananas get too ripe on the counter, I peel them, pop them in a freezer bag, and store them in the freezer until smoothie time.
• Seeds – Try chia seeds, hemp seeds, or flaxseed for a high-protein, high-fiber smoothie full of healthy fats. 
• Honey – A drizzle of honey adds natural sweetness and gives otherwise slightly tart Greek yogurt smoothies a boost of flavor. Raw honey has great antioxidant and other health properties. Maple syrup works well as an alternative. 
• Extra Fruit – You can never have too much, right?! Include extra fruit in the smoothie or sprinkled on top. I love to add pomegranate seeds or coconut flakes as garnish.

Possible Variations

One of the best things about this Greek yogurt smoothie recipe? There’s no right or wrong way to make it. The main idea is to keep the recipe ratios in place for balanced thickness. Beyond that, feel free to play with different healthy ingredients! 

• Yogurt – Swap Greek yogurt for plain yogurt (not as thick). Swap plain yogurt with fruity yogurts or vanilla yogurt, which are also delicious in a smoothie (but they do have added sugar in them, which is why I often go for plain yogurt). 
• Fresh Fruit – Almost any kind of fruit works well in a smoothie. Citrus fruits are the ones I use least often, getting citrus flavor instead from juices. Fruit combinations are really nice (fresh strawberries for a strawberry banana smoothie recipe is a classic combo, though you can never go wrong with a plain yogurt strawberry smoothie). 
• Nut Butter -For my husband, Dan, there is nothing better than a peanut butter banana smoothie! Other nut butters are great too, such as almond butter and cashew butter. I always use a pinch of salt in a nutty smoothie.
• Green Smoothie – Add more nutrients to your smoothie with fresh leafy greens, such as spinach or mixed lettuce. They won’t fully puree when blitzed, but they’ll add that boost of nutrition.
• Vanilla Extract – Adding a splash of vanilla extract is one of my favorite ways to infuse a variety of healthy smoothie recipes with extra depth and enhance their sweet flavor. 
• Oatmeal Smoothie – Include quick oats or rolled oats in your smoothie as a delicious way to add complex carbs, fiber, and a slightly chewy texture. Try toasting them in the oven or in a skillet on the stovetop for added depth of flavor.
• Coffee Smoothie – Include coffee beans or a small scoop of coffee powder, instant espresso powder, or even brewed coffee to give your beverage a caffeine boost. Really nice in a nut butter smoothie.

My Top Tips

• If you’re using all fresh fruit and no frozen fruit, include a handful of ice cubes. This thickens the smoothie and chills it.
• One of the best ways to freeze bananas is to use ripe bananas, peel them, and tuck them into a sealable bag or airtight container in the freezer. This way, you have frozen bananas on hand whenever you need them. 
• If the smoothie is too thick, add a touch of regular milk, almond milk, soy milk, water, or juice to thin it out. If the smoothie is too thin, add protein powder or a banana if you haven’t already. If you try to add fruit or ice to a large batch of smoothies that is already blended, it may be difficult for them to pulverize and disperse among the rest of the liquid.
• Make an extra batch of any delicious smoothie, pour the liquid into a mason jar (or several), and serve it as an afternoon snack with tahini-date granola bars or stovetop popcorn! 

More Refreshing Beverages

• Strawberry Rose Shake
• Strawberry Rose Lemonade
• Fresh Mint Lemonade
• Frozen Mint Julep