This is one of our base recipes. A kefir 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
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Culinary Tips for the Best Kefir Smoothie
If you want to make smoothies for breakfast and are in a time crunch, 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!
If your smoothie is too thick after blending, add more liquid. If it is too thin, add more fruit or ice.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Fresh Fruit: use any fresh fruit. Use creamy fruits such as bananas, avocados, and mangoes to yield creamy smoothies.
- Frozen Fruit: use any frozen fruit. Choose options without any added sugars.
- Kefir: substitute 1/2 cup plain Greek or regular yogurt + 1/2 cup milk/milk substitute for 1 cup kefir.
- 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. If you are uncertain about the taste of greens in your smoothie, bananas hide the taste of leafy greens really well!
Base Recipe Variations
Remember that this is a base recipe, so the goal is for you to customize it to your taste!
Add a dash of real vanilla or almond extract for extra flavor.
If the smoothie is too tangy for your taste, add some honey or agave.
For a higher protein berry smoothie, add 1 Tablespoon of nut butter, chia seeds, and/or flax seeds.
Need some kefir smoothie recipe inspiration?
Use these recipe variations for inspiration, then have fun exploring other flavors, ingredients, and textures!
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 food processor will do the job.
Are 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. This recipe features fruit, kefir 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.
Kefir
What is kefir? Kefir is a fermented milk beverage – basically a pourable yogurt drink. It is high in probiotic cultures, which makes for a happy gut. We recommend buying plain varieties 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, whole milk varieties are okay.
Leafy Greens
Leafy green veggies are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that promote health and help fight diseases. Blending spinach into a kefir smoothie is an easy way to promote your health.
For more information about ingredient recommendations, check out our ingredient guide.
Serving Suggestions
Kefir smoothies can be a meal on their own or can be an accompaniment to a healthy breakfast. Pair with our overnight oats, energy bites, 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 but will often begin to separate. Shake before drinking.
Want some more healthy breakfast recipes?
Check out these easy, healthy breakfast ideas!
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The whole family will enjoy this kefir smoothie! Blend with your choice of fresh and frozen fruit and greens for a healthy refreshing drink!
- 1 cup fresh fruit
- 1 cup frozen fruit
- 1 cup kefir
- 1 cup lightly packed leafy greens (optional)
- 6-8 ice cubes (optional)
Place all ingredients in a blender and puree. Enjoy!
If you are looking for a creamier smoothie, choose creamy fresh fruits like bananas, mangoes, and avocados (yes, avocados are a fruit!).
Be careful with the leafy greens you choose! Some can be very bitter. Spinach probably impacts the flavor the least. Kale and herbs will be stronger. Hint: banana helps mask the flavor 😉
This Post Has 3 Comments
Yum!
Such a tasty recipe
We think so! 🙂