Simple Strawberry Basil Smoothie

This simple strawberry basil smoothie is a refreshing fruity drink with plenty of health benefits—learn how to make it with just 5 ingredients in 5 minutes. Vegan, gluten free, nut free and soy free.

Why You’ll Love This Smoothie

• High in antioxidants
• Unique & refreshing flavour
• Has antibacterial properties

This delightful strawberry basil smoothie is super easy to make! And although it’s simple, it’s full of juicy strawberry flavour with a refreshing hint of fresh basil. Two healthy ingredients that go perfectly together. This smoothie is a nice option when you want to enjoy something a little different from a plain strawberry smoothie.

Basil is a wonderful herb to include in smoothies because it has antibacterial properties. It also helps to regulate blood sugar levels after eating, reduce inflammation in the body and lower oxidative stress. That’s a lot of benefits in those leaves! It’s important to consume enough antioxidant rich foods like basil, strawberries and banana because antioxidants protect our bodies from free radical cell damage.

The base of this smoothie is made with frozen strawberries and banana. Strawberries are a prime source of antioxidants, including vitamin C. Vitamin C not only strengthens immune system function but also promotes healthy, glowing skin. This strawberry basil smoothie is a super healthy way to start the day.

Ingredients Needed

These are the ingredients you will need to make this strawberry basil smoothie.

Fresh basil: The star ingredient! Wash the leaves clean of any dirt before adding to the blender.

Agave or date syrup: Adds sweetness to balance any tartness of the strawberries.

Frozen strawberries & banana: Creates the thick, cold base of the smoothie.

Oat milk: The liquid that brings all of the other ingredients together to blend smoothly and adds a creamy consistency.

For ingredient amounts and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Benefits

Hydrating

Staying properly hydrated is a basic requirement for optimal health. By incorporating daily smoothies you can maintain your ideal hydration level more easily. Start each morning with a smoothie for easy hydration!

Nutrient dense

Vegan smoothies are a great way to get more nutrient rich foods in each day. By blending them into a single meal, it’s super quick, easy and fun! Choose ingredients like dark leafy greens, berries, nuts, seeds and fruits to make your smoothies nutrient rich.

Quick and easy

It’s incredibly fast to make a yummy smoothie. Gather your ingredients and toss them in the blending container, blend, and you’re already done! Rinse the blender container. It doesn’t get much more simple than that. Smoothies rarely take more than 5 minutes to make. This makes them a great option if you find yourself short on time for a healthy meal.

Variations

Substitute the agave syrup

If you don’t have any agave or date syrup add 1-2 medjool dates into the smoothie instead. Make sure the pits are removed and soak the dates for 10 minutes in water before adding if you are not using a high speed blender like a Vitamix.

Try an alternative plant milk

This recipe uses oat milk but you can try using any plant based milk you prefer. Some alternatives include soy, almond or hemp! You can also make your own plant milk from scratch.

Adjust the consistency

If you prefer a thicker consistency you can try the recipe using a bit less liquid than what is suggested. If you want a thinner consistency, try adding a bit of extra liquid to the recipe.

Instructions 

• Add all ingredients to blender.

• Start blending at low speed for 5-10 seconds. Increase to high speed and blend for 1-2 minutes. Use the blender tamper to push ingredients down towards the blades.

• Pour into a glass and serve your strawberry basil smoothie.

Prep & Blending

Add ingredients in the correct order

Always add liquid ingredients to your blender first. Then add powders, nut butters, nuts and seeds. Then add fresh greens and fresh fruit. Finally add your solid ingredients like frozen fruit. If using a small blender container with a twist on lid, reverse the order so that when you turn the container over to blend the frozen ingredients are farthest away from the blades.

Use a tamper

Push ingredients down towards the blades while blending using the tamper that comes with your blender. This helps to avoid thick smoothies from getting stuck, so you don’t have to stop blending and scrape down the sides of the container.

Don’t over blend

Try to blend your smoothie for less than a couple of minutes. If blended for too long, even thick smoothies will become thin. This is because the heat generated by the blades and motor of the blender heat up your ingredients while they are being blended.

Use a high power blender

For smoothies that have a perfectly smooth and creamy texture use a high powered blender such as a Vitamix. It can break down any ingredients to much finer particles than standard blenders, and more nutrients are released. A high speed blender also reduces the time you need to blend your recipe, which helps keep it nice and cold.

Chill your glass

By placing your smoothie glass in the freezer for a few moments you can help your smoothie stay cool for longer. This way it won’t start melting instantly while you are eating it. This is especially helpful if you’re in a hot climate. Pop it into the freezer while you are prepping and blending, then take it out when it’s time to pour your finished smoothie!

FAQ’s

Can I use dried basil instead?

No! It’s necessary to use fresh basil in this strawberry basil smoothie to get the refreshing, juice flavour. Dried basil will create a strong taste that is too overpowering and it will lack the freshness of basil leaves. It might also leave small particles in your smoothie.

Can I lose weight with smoothies?

Smoothies are an excellent weight loss food! This is because they are generally lower calorie and higher in fibre and nutrients. Due to high water content, the large volume of a smoothie helps your stomach to feel satiated. And the fibre keeps you feeling full for longer, without feeling weighed down or tired like a huge meal would.

Can smoothies be refrigerated?

Smoothies are best enjoyed immediately after blending, while they are freshest. However you can refrigerate most smoothies for 1-2 days in an airtight container such as a jar.

Can I make smoothies without a high speed blender?

Yes, you can still make smoothies with a regular blender. It might take more patience depending on the recipe, but it can work. Turn off the blender to scrape down the sides of the container, and secure the lid before continuing to blend. Repeat as needed. Alternatively you can add a small amount of additional liquid to the recipe, which should help.

How can I increase the protein?

If you wish for your smoothie to have a higher protein content, you can simply add (more) protein powder to the recipe. Plain unsweetened plant based protein will work in any smoothie. Alternatively you can try adding hemp seeds or even silken tofu.

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