Strawberry Ginger Smoothie

Strawberry Ginger Smoothie benefits

• It's so delicious. Fruity, creamy, and silky smooth. Very refreshing!
• It's packed with important nutrients - fibers, vitamin C, antioxidants, and healthy Omega-3s.
• It's filling and nutritious, a great smoothie for weight loss.
• It's packed with gut-friendly probiotics, great for building immunity.
• It's made with a few simple ingredients and without added sugars.
• It's vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
• It's super easy to whip up and plus kids love it!

Ingredients used

You will need only a few simple pantry ingredients for this ginger and strawberry smoothie recipe.

• Strawberries. They are loaded with vitamin C and many other powerful immune-boosting antioxidants. (Source) I love them because they are low-carb, reduce inflammation and keep our gut and heart-healthy. (Source) I used fresh strawberries for this smoothie. Frozen strawberries are even better.
• Probiotic yogurt. I used vegan coconut probiotic yogurt, but you can use any yogurt (regular, low-fat, or even Greek yogurt) to make this strawberry smoothie. Kefir is also a great option. Probiotic yogurt and kefir are full of gut-friendly bacteria, responsible for keeping our immunity and health in check.
• Fresh ginger root. Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. It's great for boosting digestion, and immunity. Also, ginger added amazing flavor punch. 
• Sweetener (optional). See the "Sweetener recommendation" section for more info on which sweetener to use.

To give this healthy strawberry smoothie some extra flavor and boost, I also tossed in:

• Hemp seeds. They are an excellent source of Omega-3s and a great source of proteins. (Source)
• Vanilla extract.

How to make Strawberry Ginger Smoothie

Making this strawberry and ginger smoothie is quite easy. It will take you 5 minutes and all you need is a good blender.

Step-by-step instructions

• Step 1: Prepare the ingredients.
  • Start with preparing and measuring all the ingredients. I like to use measuring cups.
  • If you are using fresh strawberries, wash them and remove strawberry stems.
  • Peel and chop the ginger.
• Step 2: Mix the smoothie.
  • Take the blender and add all ingredients. Note: add wet ingredients first for easier blending.
  • Turn on the blender and mix at high speed until you get a smooth texture.
  • If the smoothie is too thick, add a little more liquid – milk or water. Blend again until the smoothie is smooth.
  • Taste the smoothie and add additional sweetener if you like.
• Step 3: Serve the smoothie.
  • Transfer the smoothie into a tall smoothie glass. 
  • Add toppings (optional): I used bee pollen and hemp seeds. Be creative here and add toppings you like. 
  • Serve and enjoy!

Substitutions

• You can use fresh or frozen strawberries.
• You can use any plant-based or dairy probiotic yogurt here. Kefir is a great option too.
• You can substitute probiotic yogurt with regular yogurt, low-fat or Greek-style.
• You can substitute hemp seeds with ground flax seeds with chia seeds.

Smoothie variations

This strawberry ginger smoothie is vegan and gluten-free.

Add ½ avocado or a tablespoon of almond butter, to make the smoothie more nutritious.

Add protein powder: Add a scoop of vanilla protein powder. This will transfer smoothie into a great protein-packed, post-workout shake.

Tips for storing

• Store in a smoothie cup with a lid and keep refrigerated for up to one day.
• If you left the smoothie standing long it will set. Don't forget to shake or stir it before drinking!
• Remember, all smoothies oxidate when left standing. That's not bad. But it's best to have the smoothie fresh.

Recipe tips

• When you're adding ingredients to a blender, always add the liquids first. Doing this will help your blender run easily and it will prevent lumps.
• Use a high-power blender to ensure everything blends well and the smoothie is silky smooth. 
• If you're using frozen strawberries they will make a smoothie extra thick. and even hard to mix. In that case, add a little more milk when blending to adjust thickness.
• If you don't have frozen strawberries at hand, just pop the fresh strawberries in the freezer for 1 hour.
• Add ice cubes if you're using fresh strawberries and you want a cold punch.
• Use fresh ginger. Not the powder.
• Always use unsweetened non-dairy milk and natural unsweetened yogurts. Read the ingredients list on the back of the label.

Sweetener recommendation

This smoothie uses strawberries as a natural source of sugar and sweetnes. I don't recommend adding any extra sugar. But if you find the smoothie not sweet enough, I recommend adding some of the sweeteners listed below.

• Use 1-2 dates, date syrup, liquid honey, or pure maple syrup.
• If you are using dates, make sure you soak them in warm water for at least 10 minutes. Drain them before using them.
• Use liquid stevia or any liquid low-carb sweetener for the low-carb option.
• Coconut sugar or any other cristal sugar won't work well here. It will not dissolve well in a cold smoothie mixture.

FAQ

You may like these healthy smoothies too:

• Mixed Berry Smoothie
• Strawberry Oatmeal Smoothie
• Strawberry Mango Smoothie
• Strawberry Spirulina Smoothie