This is one of the base recipes as seen in our Whole Life Meal Plan. A Greek yogurt smoothie is a great way to start your morning, fuel a workout, or satisfy a craving for something cold, creamy, and sweet!
Must-Know Cooking Skill
For recipe success, learn how to:
Measure Wet vs. Dry Ingredients
Culinary Tips for the Best Yogurt Smoothie
If you want to make smoothies for breakfast and are usually crunched for time in the mornings, place all of the non-frozen ingredients in your blender’s jar and place it in the fridge the night before. Add the frozen ingredients in the morning and blend!
Choose a creamy fruit to yield a creamy smoothie (bananas, avocados, mangos, etc.).
If your smoothie is too thick after blending, add more liquid. If it is too thin, add more fruit or ice. Note that the optional oats, seeds, and nut butter will all thicken the smoothie.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Milk or Milk Alternative: substitute 100% fruit juice, coconut milk, or even water. Learn about plant-based milk vs cow’s milk in this article.
- Yogurt: substitute any plain or dairy-free variety. Or substitute kefir as seen in our Kefir Smoothie Base Recipe.
- Fresh Fruit: use any fruit of your choosing. Use creamy fruits to yield creamy smoothies. Think bananas, avocados, mangos, etc.
- Frozen Fruit: use any fruit of your choosing. Choose options without added sugars.
- Leafy Greens: use spinach or kale. If you are unsure about the flavor of greens in your smoothies, start with spinach. Spinach has a milder flavor than heartier greens like kale. Do not use arugula or mustard greens.
- Oats: use old-fashioned or quick oats. Do not use steel cut oats, as these need to be cooked.
- Seeds: use chia, hemp, or ground flaxseeds.
- Nut Butter: use almond, peanut, walnut, sunflower, soy nut, or any other variety of your choosing. Choose natural varieties (just nuts and salt) for optimal nutrition.
- Flavor Extracts: use vanilla, almond, coconut, or lemon. Start with 1/4 teaspoon, then adjust to taste.
- Spices: use sweet spices such as allspice, apple spice, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, or pumpkin spice.
We love buying our spices from The Spice House. Click on the picture below to view & try out hundreds of flavorful spices and herbs!
Base Recipe Variations
Remember that this is a base recipe, so the goal is for you to customize it to your taste!
Want to turn this into greek yogurt smoothie popsicles? Leave out the milk and ice and blend until smooth. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze for 2-3 hours or until solid. Enjoy!
Need some greek yogurt smoothie recipe inspiration?
Try out these tasty and satisfying variations!
Which Blender is Best for Smoothies?
Any blender will work! While a Vitamix probably makes the creamiest smoothies, any full-size blender, single-serve blender, immersion blender, or even a food processor will do the job.
Are Greek Yogurt Smoothies Healthy?
While eating whole fruit is normally best, a smoothie can be a great way to get lots of fruits and/or vegetables in one easy serving. The featured ingredients in this smoothie recipe are fruit, Greek yogurt, and leafy greens!
Fresh & Frozen Fruit
Both fresh and frozen fruit is healthy. Fruit contains fiber, water, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. All of these nutrients help your body fight, prevent, and manage diseases. Aim to include a variety of colors throughout the week.
Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is a great source of B vitamins, calcium, and probiotics.
Why Greek Yogurt vs. Regular?
Greek yogurt isn’t necessarily better than regular yogurt, but we like the creamy texture and extra tang that it adds to smoothies. Greek yogurt is also higher in protein, which makes this smoothie more filling and satisfying.
We recommend buying plain varieties in order to avoid added sugars and organic, if you can afford it. Select a fat content that works with your overall diet. If you tend to consume a lot of foods high in saturated fat, a low-fat or fat-free variety is your best choice. If you limit saturated fat in your diet, full-fat varieties are okay.
For more information about which dairy products are best, check out our ingredient guide.
Leafy Greens
Leafy green veggies are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that promote health and help fight diseases. Blending spinach into a greek yogurt smoothie is an easy way to help promote your health.
Serving Suggestions
Greek yogurt smoothies can be a meal on their own or can be an accompaniment to a healthy breakfast! Pair with our overnight oats, energy bites, whole wheat muffins, or granola for a satisfying meal.
Will Smoothies Keep in the Fridge?
Keep leftovers in the fridge and enjoy the next day. They can hold for longer than a day in the fridge but often will start to separate. Simply shake before drinking, and voila! Delicious, nutritious smoothie goodness!
Want more delicious breakfast recipes?
Try out these favorite base recipes, and as always, adjust to YOUR taste!
Dairy Free Smoothies Base Recipe
Baked Oatmeal Cups Base Recipe
Whole Grain Pancakes Base Recipe
Greek Yogurt Smoothie Base Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup milk or milk alternative
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 cup fresh fruit
- 1 cup frozen fruit
Optional Mix-Ins
- 1 cup lightly packed leafy greens
- 6-8 ice cubes
- ¼ cup old fashioned or quick oats
- 1 Tablespoon chia, hemp, or ground flaxseeds
- 1 Tablespoon nut butter
- ¼-½ teaspoon flavor extract
- ¼ teaspoon spices
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender and puree. Enjoy!