How to Make a Smoothie in 5 Easy Steps

Time needed: 10 minutes.

1. Choose your liquid base

   Start with your liquid base since it’s foundation of your smoothie. It helps to have the liquid and softer foods nearest the blade to blend the ingredients more easily.
   
   The liquid base also adds flavor and texture. Use about 1 cup of liquid for 2 cups of fruit.
   
   You can use water, coconut water, milk (dairy or non-dairy), kefir, tart cherry juice, 100% fruit or vegetable juice, cottage cheese or yogurt. The amount of liquid you need depends on how thick or thin you like your smoothie. 
   
   A good rule of thumb is to add enough liquid to go one-third to halfway up the blender pitcher. You may want to experiment with this based on your blender and the instructions that come with it.

2. Add powders or sweeteners

   If you want to sweeten your smoothie or boost its nutritional value, you can add some sweeteners or powders to the liquid base. Add these to the liquid so that you can break up any clumps.
   
   Some examples are honey, maple syrup, sugar, cocoa powder, pea protein powder, fiber powder, chia seeds, bee pollen or spices (such as cinnamon or turmeric).
   

3. Add fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables

   Fruits and vegetables are the main ingredients of your smoothie. They add color, flavor, vitamins and antioxidants. (1) You can use fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, depending on what you have on hand and what you prefer.
   
   Frozen fruits and vegetables will make your smoothie colder and thicker, while fresh ones will make it lighter and more refreshing. If you don’t use frozen fruit or veggies you may want to add a handful of ice cubes instead.
   
   You can use any combination of fruits and vegetables, such as bananas, strawberries, blueberries, mangoes, pineapples, oranges, apples, peaches, kiwi, spinach, kale, carrots or celery. These boost fiber and reduce inflammation.
   
   Try to layer them from softest to hardest, with the softest ones closest to the blade. This will help the blender chop them more easily and prevent chunks or lumps in your smoothie.
   

4. Blend Until Smooth

   Once you have added all your ingredients to the blender pitcher, it’s time to blend them until smooth. Start with a low speed and gradually increase it until you reach the desired consistency.
   
   You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the pitcher with a spatula or add more liquid if the mixture is too thick or chunky. Try using the pulse function to break large pieces of fruits or vegetables.

5. Enjoy Your Smoothie

   When your smoothie is ready, pour it into a glass or a if it is thick enough, you may want to put it in a bowl. Enjoy it right away or store it in the fridge for later. 
   
   Add some fun to your smoothie with toppings like granola, chia seeds, nuts, coconut flakes, chocolate chips or fresh berries.