This cherry smoothie recipe is made from frozen cherries, cherry juice, banana’s and vanilla greek yogurt. Toss everything in the blender for a perfectly sweet and simple hunger fix that is perfect for dessert, snack or meal.
It’s no secret, my family loves smoothies! We are always looking for no fuss meals and snacks and this healthy smoothie recipe is the perfect solution. When we have time to sit down, we love making s making our fancy smoothie bowls, like this peach smoothie bowl pumpkin smoothie bowl, or cranberry smoothie bowl.
But when I am craving something sweet, simple and classic this cherry smoothie is the perfect solution!
How to make a cherry smoothie
Start by gathering the ingredients. This recipe is super simple! All you need are frozen sweet cherries, sweet cherry juice, banana and vanilla greek yogurt.
Put everything in a blender. I like to put the liquid at the bottom, I think it helps everything blend a lot easier. Sometimes when you are dealing with frozen fruit it can take a while to drop and putting the liquid in first will help it reach the blade easier.
Next, pulse the blender a few times to get things going. Once everything is beginning to combine well, increase the speed and continue blending on medium speed until desired consistency is reached.
Getting the perfect smoothie consistency
Once your smoothie is blended, you may want to adjust the consistency. To make the cherry smoothie recipe thinner, you can add a bit more cherry juice. If you want to thicken it up, add more frozen cherries. The most important part of getting perfect smoothie consistency is to add the liquid slowly. Start with the minimum amount you need and work your way up.
Are cherry smoothies healthy?
Yes! The ingredients in this smoothie are loaded with tons of nutritional benefits. As long as you avoid added sugar with the frozen cherries and the juice, this smoothie is very healthy.
- Cherries: Cherries are a great source of fiber, vitamins and minerals. They are well known for their antioxidant properties and are loaded with Vitamin A and Folic acid.
- Bananas: Bananas are great for your skin, are high in vitamin c, aid in digestion and are excellent for heart health.
- Greek Yogurt: Greek Yogurt boosts your metabolism, improves gut health, strengthens bones and encourages good mental health.
What is a good replacement for yogurt in a smoothie?
If you are not a fan of yogurt, there are many alternatives you can choose instead. Try coconut cream, nut yogurt, soaked chia seeds or protein powder. No matter which substitute you choose, try and add something that has the general consistency of greek yogurt.
Can I use fresh cherries?
Yes! I absolutely love using fresh cherries when they are in season here in Michigan. Cherries usually can be seen locally mid-summer. If using fresh cherries, be sure to pit them and make sure you are using frozen banana.
Should I use fresh or frozen banana?
Either! When making a smoothie, it is important that one of your fruit choices is frozen. So, as mentioned above, if you are using fresh cherries then the banana should be frozen. If you are using frozen cherries, then it is up to you!
Using frozen banana can help give the smoothie a super creamy texture and keeps it super cold.
Storage tips
If you are planning to make a double batch of this recipe or happen to have leftovers, you can store this recipe in the refrigerator in a glass with an airtight lid for up to two days.
You can also freeze it in a freezer safe container and thaw it when you are ready to enjoy it. I love freezing it in an ice cube tray and blending the cubes up when they begin to thaw. It tastes like a fresh smoothie!
Variations
One of my favorite things about smoothies is that they are very forgiving and you can adjust the ingredients or add things if you need to. Here are some easy changes you can make to make this smoothie personalized to suit your tastes:
- Add milk – you can add milk of choice in place of the yogurt if you don’t have any on hand.
- Try adding chia seeds– chia seeds are a common addition to smoothies
- Toss in some protein powder- you may need to adjust the amount of liquid if you add this
- Switch up the cherries- my favorite type of cherries for this recipe are sweet cherries, but you can try tart if you like
Serving Suggestions
This smoothie can easily be a meal on it’s own, but you can also serve it as a snack or dessert. If you are serving it as a snack, pair it with our watermelon radish chips or this brussels sprout salad.
If you are serving it for dessert, it would be delicious with a slice of our strawberry cheesecake cookie or gluten free pumpkin bread. Yum!
No matter how you serve it, the smoothies always taste extra special if you garnish them with a few extra cherries on top and a sprig of mint.
More smoothie recipes to try
This post was originally seen on Yellow Bliss Road where I am a contributor.
Cherry Smoothie
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup black cherry juice
- 1 cup frozen black cherries
- 1 banana
- 5.3 ounces vanilla or cherry greek yogurt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in the blender.
- Pulse until well combined, then blend on medium low speed until smooth.
- Slowly add more cherry juice until desired consistency is achieved.
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