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5 simple tips to make the perfect 3-ingredient smoothie (plus 10 great recipes!)

Kim Renta
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Smoothies are healthy, refreshing, and delicious. Thick, creamy concoctions made with nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables, and other natural ingredients, smoothies are the perfect healthy breakfast for busy mornings, or a great energy boost post workout. Not just for summer, smoothies can be enjoyed all year long, with ingredients that can be switched up seasonally to take advantage of the freshest produce available.

If you’ve been wondering how you can go about making a truly outstanding smoothie, we have all the tips and tricks that will make you a smoothie master. Plus, we’ve pulled together 10 of our favorite smoothie recipes, each with just three ingredients so they’re super easy and convenient to make. Want to know more? Here’s how to make the best simple smoothies.

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5 simple tips for the perfect smoothie

1. Make it thick
The most delicious, most satisfying smoothies are nice and thick. So which ingredients help to make a smoothie thick? The easiest way is to use frozen fruit instead of ice cubes — particularly frozen bananas, which are a smoothie all-star ingredient. 

2. Make it creamy
To up the creaminess quotient of your smoothie recipe, try adding nut butter or tahini, silken tofu, or Greek yogurt (which both up the protein levels, as well), half of an avocado, or a bit of puréed pumpkin, sweet potato, or butternut squash.

3. Pick the perfect liquid base
If you’re trying to cut down on your calorie and sugar intake, a smoothie made with water is your best bet. If you want a smoothie that is creamy and has a bit more flavor, then it’s better to use milk, including dairy-free varieties, such as almond or soy milk.

4. Avoid adding these ingredients

  • Fat-free flavored yogurt
  • Fruit juice
  • Ice cream, frozen yogurt, or sherbet
  • Added sweeteners

5. Use the right smoothie blender
Even with the best ingredients and the most inventive recipe, your smoothie will be doomed to fail if you don’t have the right smoothie maker. Whether you opt for a personal-sized bullet blender or a standard blender, be sure your blender has sufficient power to plow through frozen fruits with ease. 

Person making smoothie with fruits.

10 of our favorite 3-ingredient smoothie recipes

Peanut butter strawberry

Super rich and super delicious, right down to the last sip. 

  • 1 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1 large banana (sliced)
  • 1-2 tablespoons peanut butter

Blend with 1/2 to 1 cup liquid.

Spinach and banana power

Power up by starting your day with this healthy, tasty smoothie. 

  • 1 cup plain soy milk
  • 3/4 cup packed fresh spinach leaves
  • 1 large banana, sliced

Not easy being green

Feeling extra adventurous? Blend in 1/2 of an avocado or some fresh lime juice when making this recipe.

  • 1 green apple with skin, cored and cut into chunks
  • 1/2 cup frozen spinach
  • 1/2-inch piece peeled, fresh ginger (cut into small pieces) 

Blend with 1/2 cup water.

Tangerine pineapple banana

A tart tropical fruit mix that’s thick and creamy, thanks to the frozen banana.

  • 2 tangerines (peeled and segmented)
  • 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
  • 1 frozen banana

Blend with 1/2 to 1 cup liquid.

Kale orange banana

Please your palate with these complementary flavors.

  • 1 orange, peeled
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 leaf kale, torn into several pieces
  • 2 ripe bananas, peeled 

World’s easiest refreshing smoothie

It only takes two ingredients and you’ve got a healthy smoothie that tastes more like a frozen summer treat.

  • ½ (16 ounce) can pineapple chunks, undrained 
  • 5 frozen strawberries

Cranberry pineapple spinach

Feel free to swap out the cranberries for another berry of your choice. Spinach adds rich nutrients and fiber.

  • 1 1/2 cups pineapple
  • 1/2 cup cranberries
  • 1 cup spinach

Blend with 1/2 to 1 cup liquid.

Cherry coconut smoothie

This refreshing drink is perfect in the summer.

  • 1 cup cherries, pitted 
  • 1 cup ice
  • 1/2 cup almond milk
  • 1/2 cup coconut water

Chocolate sunset smoothie

Rich, creamy, and dairy-free!

  • 1 (13.5 ounces) can unsweetened coconut milk
  • 6 ice cubes
  • 1/4 cup chocolate syrup

Green day

Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for an unexpected flavor explosion. 

  • 1/2 cup frozen kale
  • 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
  • 1/2 cup plain kefir or pourable plain yogurt

Mix with 1/4 cup of water in the blender. 

You can find an abundance of yummy smoothies recipes for every day of the week, every available ingredient, and every personal taste preference. Grab your favorite fruits or veggies, along with your trusty blender, add a secret ingredient or two, and you’ll be on your way to drinking to your good health.  

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