Why You’ll Love This Berry Beet Smoothie

• A Color That Pops. Honestly, this smoothie is just a joy to look at. That deep, vibrant magenta hue is a natural mood-lifter, making your breakfast feel like a special occasion.
• Surprisingly Sweet & Creamy. You might expect an earthy flavor, but the combination of ripe banana and sweet berries completely tames the beet, resulting in a perfectly balanced, creamy texture that’s far from vegetal.
• An Energy Boost in a Glass. This isn’t a sugary crash waiting to happen. The complex carbs from the beet and banana, paired with the fiber, provide a steady release of energy that keeps you going all morning.
• Incredibly Simple to Customize. Whether you’re dairy-free, prefer a protein punch, or want to play with different berries, this recipe is a fantastic base that welcomes your personal touch.

Ingredients & Tools

• 1 medium raw beet, peeled and roughly chopped (about 1 cup)
• 1 cup frozen mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• 1 ripe banana, fresh or frozen
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of your choice)
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (or plant-based alternative)
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds or flax seeds
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (optional, but brightens the flavor)

Tools: A high-speed blender is really recommended for this recipe to ensure a super smooth texture.

The beauty of this list is its simplicity. Using a raw beet is key—it gives that fresh, crisp flavor and stunning color. And don’t skip the frozen berries; they act as your ice cubes, making the smoothie wonderfully thick and frosty without any dilution.

Serves: 1 large or 2 smaller servings | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 0 minutes | Total Time: 10 minutes

Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes

• To peel or not to peel the beet? I highly recommend peeling it. The skin can have a slightly bitter, earthy taste that we don’t really want competing with our sweet berries. A good vegetable peeler makes quick work of it.
• What if I only have a regular blender? No worries! You can still make this. The trick is to chop the beet into much smaller pieces—think dime-sized—and blend it with the liquid first for a full minute before adding the other ingredients. This ensures no beet chunks are left behind.
• Fresh vs. Frozen Berries? Frozen is my go-to. They create that perfect milkshake-like consistency. If you use fresh berries, you’ll definitely want to add a handful of ice cubes to get the right texture.
• The Ripe Banana Rule. The spottier the banana, the better! A super ripe banana adds significant natural sweetness, meaning you won’t need to add any extra sugar or honey. If your banana isn’t ripe enough, a tiny drizzle of maple syrup can help.

How to Make Berry Beet Smoothie

Serving Suggestions

Complementary Dishes

• Avocado Toast with Red Pepper Flakes — The creamy, fatty avocado provides a lovely savory counterpoint to the sweet, bright smoothie, creating a perfectly balanced breakfast.
• A Simple Veggie Omelette — The protein from the eggs complements the smoothie’s nutrients, making for a seriously satisfying and complete morning meal.

Drinks

• A Glass of Sparkling Water with Lime — The effervescence cleanses the palate and the lime echoes the citrus note from the smoothie, keeping everything feeling light and fresh.
• Hot Green Tea — The mild, slightly grassy notes of the tea are a calming companion that doesn’t compete with the smoothie’s bold berry flavor.

Something Sweet

• A Small Square of Dark Chocolate (70%+) — A bite of rich, bitter dark chocolate after your smoothie feels like a decadent treat that somehow still feels virtuous.
• A Few Almond Butter Stuffed Dates — For when you need a little more sustenance, the caramel-like sweetness of the date and the richness of the nut butter are a dream team.

Top Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Using a cooked beet. While roasted beets are delicious, they will make your smoothie taste more earthy and less fresh. They also don’t blend into as smooth a consistency. Stick with raw for the best flavor and texture.
• Mistake: Not blending long enough. Beets are dense! A quick 30-second blend will leave you with gritty, unpleasant chunks. Be patient and let the blender run for a full minute or more on high to achieve that silky-smooth result.
• Mistake: Skipping the fat. The yogurt (or a nut butter) isn’t just for creaminess—the fat helps your body absorb the fat-soluble vitamins from the beet. It also makes the smoothie more satisfying and blood-sugar friendly.
• Mistake: Adding too much liquid at once. Start with the recipe amount. You can always add more to thin it out, but you can’t take it away! A too-thin smoothie is sadly, just a pink juice.

Expert Tips

• Tip: Make-aweek Smoothie Packs. Chop your peeled beet and portion it out with the frozen berries and banana into individual freezer bags. In the morning, just dump the bag into the blender, add your liquid and yogurt, and blend. It cuts prep time down to literally 60 seconds.
• Tip: Boost the Protein. For a more substantial meal, especially post-workout, add a scoop of your favorite unflavored or vanilla protein powder. It blends in seamlessly and keeps you full for hours.
• Tip: Play with Spices. A tiny pinch of ground ginger or cinnamon can add a wonderful warm, spicy note that complements the berries beautifully. Just a 1/4 teaspoon is a great starting point.
• Tip: The Pre-Blend Trick for Weaker Blenders. If your blender isn’t a high-powered model, try blending the chopped beet with the milk alone first until completely smooth. Then add the remaining ingredients. This two-stage process guarantees no beet chunks.

FAQs

Can I use canned beets?
You can, but I don’t highly recommend it for this particular recipe. Canned beets are typically cooked and packed in water or vinegar, which will alter the flavor significantly, making the smoothie taste less fresh and more pickled. If it’s your only option, make sure to drain and rinse them very well. The texture will also be softer, so your smoothie might be a bit thinner than with a raw beet.

How long can I store this smoothie?
This smoothie is best enjoyed immediately. However, you can store it in a sealed jar or bottle in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. It will separate a bit—that’s totally natural. Just give it a really good shake or a quick re-blend before drinking. I wouldn’t recommend freezing it as the texture can become a bit grainy when thawed.

My smoothie turned out bitter. What happened?
A bitter taste usually points to one of two things. First, the beet might not have been peeled thoroughly, as the skin can be bitter. Second, the berries could be the culprit—if they were under-ripe or a bit tart, they can impart bitterness. Next time, ensure the beet is fully peeled and taste a berry before freezing to ensure it’s sweet.

Is this smoothie good for weight loss?
As a whole-food-based meal replacement, it can be a great part of a balanced diet. It’s packed with fiber from the beet, berries, and chia seeds, which helps promote feelings of fullness. Just be mindful of portions and added sweeteners. Keeping it to the recipe as written, with its natural sugars, makes it a very wholesome choice.

Can I make this without a banana?
Absolutely! The banana primarily adds creaminess and sweetness. To replace it, you can use 1/4 of a ripe avocado for the creamy texture (you won’t taste it) and you might need a touch more sweetener, like a pitted date or a drizzle of maple syrup. Using more frozen berries can also help maintain the thick consistency.