This Goji Berry Smoothie is just amazing. Thick, creamy, delicious. Loaded with beautiful flavors and powerful superfoods. Also, packed with immune-boosting vitamin C and made without any added sugars. Perfect energy-filled breakfast.
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And so here we go... It's now only a week since our kid returned to school, and already he's having a runny nose and sore throat. This is pretty normal for this time of year when cold and flu season starts. Returning to the collective after months being locked inside the house with little contact with other people, it's one of the reasons he's been more sensitive too. It was entirely expected. And I was prepared.
To boost our immunity and protect us from a simple cold to advance into a more severe illness, I started making us immune-boosting smoothies and filled our menu with warming SUPERFOOD soups weeks before. In my son's case, that prevented a complete disaster from happening with sore throat turning into hight temperature. Also, it protected my husband and me from getting ill.
When you're looking to avoid winter colds and flu and boost your immunity, the obvious choice is Vitamin C packed fruits. I wanted to add a little more diversity into our diet; that's why I decided to use Goji Berries. Goji berries are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and vitamin A, and some powerful antioxidants. They are powerful little fruit, entirely overlooked by many.
This Goji Smoothie is just one of the many ways to use these little berries.
It's packed with so many beautiful anti-inflammatory ingredients that promote a good healthy immune system as well. It's also very nutritious, filled with all the nutrients our body needs. It's thick, creamy, bursting with so much flavor. Super sweet, but has no added sugars. Equally healthy and delicious.
Ingredients used
Smoothies are usually super easy to make. And this beauty is no exception. You'll need only a few simple ingredients. Here's what you'll need:
- GOJI BERRIES: Goji berries pack healthy energy into small servings. They are an excellent source of vitamin C and vitamin A, and other powerful antioxidants that help boost the immune system and protect the body from high levels of oxidative stress and inflammation.
- BANANA: I used frozen ripe banana. It gave the smoothie a creamy texture and natural sweetness, so there was no need to add added sugars. Also, banana added many nutrients as well - fiber, antioxidants, and many vitamins and minerals, especially potassium and magnesium — two nutrients that are essential for heart health. Also, fibers in bananas are beneficial to our digestion, and happy digestion means better immunity.
- MILK: I used oat milk, but you can use any non-dairy milk such as almond or soy milk.
I also tossed in some more superfoods to boost this smoothie to the next level. I added:
- ALMOND BUTTER: I used creamy natural almond butter. Almond butter is packed with healthy monounsaturated fats, fibers, proteins, and many essential minerals and vitamins.
- FLAXSEEDS: Flaxseeds are a good source of many nutrients, especially fibers and antioxidants. They are one of the richest plant sources of the Omega-3s. I used freshly ground flax seeds.
- GINGER: I used fresh ginger root. Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties.
- CEYLON CINNAMON: Ceylon cinnamon is loaded with powerful antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties. It gave smoothie wonderful flavor.
How to make Goji Berry Smoothie
Making this gorgeous smoothie is quite easy. It will take you 5 minutes (tops!). Here's how to make it:
- Prepare and measure all ingredients using measuring cups.
- Soak Goji berries in warm water for 10 minutes. Drain them.
- Peel and slice fresh ginger.
- Take the blender and add goji berries, frozen banana, milk, almond butter, flax seeds, fresh ginger and cinnamon. Mix everything on high speed until you get even texture.
- If the smoothie is too thick, add a little more liquid – milk or water. Blend again until everything is well combined.
- Taste the smoothie and add additional sweetener if the smoothie is not sweet enough. I recommend using date syrup, raw honey or maple syrup, or stevia. This is totally based on your preference.
- Transfer the smoothie into a tall glass.
- ADD TOPPINGS: I used goji berries and bee pollen. Be creative here and add toppings you like.
- Serve and enjoy!
- Makes 1 glass that serves 1 person.
Substitutions
- You can substitute almond butter with cashew butter. Tahini works well too. Peanut butter won't work well here because of the taste.
- Substitute flaxseeds with hemp seeds or chia seeds (it will add more omega-3's).
- You can use any plant-based milk here except coconut milk and cow's milk. It won't work well.
- MAKE IT VEGAN: Use plant-based milk. Omit bee pollen as a topping. Use stevia, or maple syrup as a sweetener.
Recipe tips
- Frozen banana helps create a thick and creamy consistency and makes your smoothie extra refreshing. If you don't want to use banana, bear in mind that the smoothie's texture will change, as well as sweetness.
- You can substitute banana by adding OATS. In that case, you might need to add extra sweetener. Use raw honey, date syrup, maple syrup, or soaked dates.
- Be sure to buy your organic goji berries from a reliable source, even though they may be expensive. Cheaper brands have been known to contain sulfites. Sulfites can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
- ¼ cup of goji berries also fulfils 170 percent of your intake for vitamin A. You may want to limit how much you eat to reduce the risk of vitamin A toxicity.
Goji Berry Smoothie benefits
This sweet, vibrant beauty is:
- Loaded with nutrients that promote good health.
- Made with ALL NATURAL healthy ingredients.
- Powered with SUPERFOODS – goji berries, flaxseeds, GINGER.
- Completely ADDED SUGAR-FREE.
- Full of wonderful sweet berry flavor.
- Packed with plant-based proteins, heart-healthy fats, and fibers.
- Rich in powerful antioxidants, vitamin C good for immunity, and iron.
- Vegan, gluten free and dairy free.
- Very filling and will keep you full for long time.
- + it’s deliciously creamy, rich and amazing!
This gorgeous Goji Berry Smoothie is creamy, dreamy, and absolutely delicious. It’s very thick, vibrant, and full of flavor. Beautiful to look at and tastes amazing. Kids love it!
It's so healthy too. Packed with immune-boosting Vitamin C and Vitamin A, fibers good for digestion and anti-inflammatory Omega-3s. It has all the important nutrients that boost our immunity and promote optimal health. This smoothie is a well-balanced meal and thus perfect for morning served as breakfast.
I know you have goji berries stashed somewhere in your kitchen cabinet. Now, this is the perfect opportunity to use them. Enjoy!
Recipe
Goji Berry Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup oat milk
- ½ banana frozen
- ¼ cup goji berries soaked
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger
Instructions
- Prepare and measure ingredients. Soak Goji berries in warm water for 10 minutes. Drain them. Peel and slice fresh ginger.
- Take the blender and add goji berries, frozen banana, milk, almond butter, flax seeds, fresh ginger and cinnamon. Mix everything on high speed until you get even texture.
- If the smoothie is too thick, add a little more liquid – milk or water. Blend again until everything is well combined.
- Taste the smoothie and add additional sweetener if the smoothie is not sweet enough. I recommend using date syrup, raw honey or maple syrup, or stevia. This is totally based on your preference.
- Transfer the smoothie into a tall glass.
- ADD TOPPINGS: I like goji berries and bee pollen. Be creative here and add toppings you like.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
You can substitute almond butter with cashew butter. Tahini works well too.
Substitute flaxseeds with hemp seeds or chia seeds.
You can use any plant-based milk here except coconut milk. Cow's milk won't work well.
MAKE IT VEGAN: Use plant-based milk. Omit bee pollen as a topping. Use stevia, or maple syrup as a sweetener. Nutritional Disclaimer
Nutrition
More healthy smoothie recipes to try
- Mixed Berry Smoothie
- Strawberry Kefir Smoothie
- Blueberry Banana Chia Smoothie
- Strawberry Ginger Smoothie
If you’ve tried this Goji Berry Smoothie recipe or any other recipe on Natalie’s Health, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. I love hearing from you!
Kay says
I use sub coconut milk for all my smoothies. Why won't it work well here?
Natalie says
I would say because of flavor pairings. But you're welcome to try it with coconut milk. It's more a personal preference and choice.
Heidy says
This Goji Berry Smoothie was so refreshing and delish! I couldn't get over the beautiful flavor and ended up having two lol! I will be making this again!