Vibrant Vibes Only
When most of us think of vegetable-forward smoothies, our minds go to spinach, kale, and the like. But for the mornings when you’re out of leafy greens or just want to shake things up, this carrot smoothie recipe is here to save the day! And while you can totally throw a carrot into most smoothie flavors undetected, it’s especially great when paired with citrus and ginger. We’re talking feel-every-sip-on-your-tongue-for-maximum-flavor deliciousness. Trust me, you’ll want to savor each slurp. The great thing about this blend is that while it satisfies your tastebuds with its fruity, sweet veggie, and honey flavor, it also supplies your body with incredibly powerful nutrients. So drink up, buttercup! Your body (and tastebuds) will thank you.
Here’s what you’ll need
Before recipe testing this carrot smoothie, I figured I’d have to play around with the ingredients to get the mixture just right. I actually nailed it on the first try (go figure!), and it’s the simplest blend!
Banana: You always need an “oomph” ingredient in your smoothies, and it’s a good ol’ banana for this one. It adds sweetness and creaminess and improves the mouthfeel. Carrots: This smoothie obviously needs carrots to live up to its name! We’ll use 1 cup chopped, which will equal about 2 carrots. Orange: Peel and pith a navel orange to give this smoothie its citrusy touch. (You can learn how to pith an orange here!) Honey: You need a dash of something sweet! Honey is my go-to, but you could also use agave or sugar. Ginger: Grated ginger brings a fresh, zingy, slightly sweet flavor. (You’ll want to know how to peel ginger for this smoothie). Liquid: You can use orange juice, coconut water, milk, or plain water. Optional Flavors: Get fancy with your choice of add-ins (turmeric and fresh pineapple are my personal favs).
Making This Carrot Smoothie Is So Easy
Step 1: Prep The IngredientsA few hours before blending, peel, slice, and freeze the banana. (Find out how to freeze bananas here!) Step 2: Blend Everything TogetherAdd the frozen banana slices, carrot, peeled orange, honey, and ginger to a blender. Blend, adding liquid as needed to reach a drinkable consistency.
Sip Switches
I haven’t tried these switcharoos, so don’t quote me on these. Just know that, in theory, I think these swaps would be chef’s kiss.
Grapefruit: For something a little different, try adding grapefruit instead of orange! Since grapefruits are extra bitter, you may need a touch more honey. Mango: Try using mangos as your thickening fruit! They work incredibly well in place of bananas. You should still freeze them ahead of time to achieve that same creamy, frozen texture. Tropical: Use coconut milk as your liquid for the most tropical-tasting carrot smoothie ever! Let’s Get Seedy: Throw in some hemp seeds, chia seeds, or flaxseeds for a healthy fat boost. Juice: Turn your carrot smoothie into juice (like we do in this easy carrot juice recipe)!
