Zucchini Smoothie

Get all the nutrition of a zucchini but with the delicious taste of a smoothie!

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When most people think about smoothies, they usually envision their favorite fruits being the focal point. But, with the right combination of ingredients, it’s just as easy to make a tasty smoothie with a vegetable as the main ingredient!

That leads me to this recipe for a zucchini smoothie. I understand if a zucchini smoothie doesn’t immediately get your mouth watering, but if you give it a try, I promise you’ll enjoy the taste while also getting plenty of vitamins and nutrients.

Keep in mind that this isn’t just zucchini, milk, and ice. This smoothie also includes peanut butter, vanilla extract, and a banana. The zucchini has quite a neutral taste, and the other ingredients add a sweetness and balance that makes this smoothie delicate and satisfying.

The smoothie comes out sweet and creamy while also being filled with nutrients. This means you get a smoothie that you can feel good about from a health perspective while also satisfying your taste buds.

Is a Zucchini Smoothie Healthy?

Not only is this zucchini smoothie sweet and filling, it’s also packed with health benefits. Zucchinis are high in fiber, vitamin C, and a variety of other nutrients, so there is plenty of nutritional value from this smoothie.

Don’t forget that the banana in the smoothie is a good source of potassium, while the milk provides calcium, giving this smoothie a diverse nutritional profile.

The Right Consistency

You can always experiment with the ratios of the ingredients to get the perfect consistency! To get a thicker consistency with this smoothie, I recommend you purée the zucchini, milk, and ice together before adding the other ingredients.

You can also reduce the amount of milk you use, especially since fresh zucchinis tend to have a lot of water. Consider adding just three quarters of a cup of milk instead of a full cup. Likewise, a frozen banana – as opposed to a fresh ripe one that’s turning brown – can also contribute to a thicker smoothie. Of course, if you want a thinner smoothie, use a full cup of almond milk and a fresh ripe banana.

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store

It’s always best to drink a smoothie right after making it. However, you can keep it covered or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days, just give it a good mix before enjoying in case it separates while being chilled.

Do I need to put ice in this smoothie?

Most smoothies require a little bit of ice to help with the consistency, unless you are using fruits and vegetables that are already frozen. In this recipe, the banana and zucchini are both frozen before blending, so you may not need the ice cubes if they are enough to make the smoothie silky and smooth. Just have them on standby in case you want to thicken the smoothie further.

What other vegetables are good in smoothies?

Aside from zucchinis, green veggies like kale, spinach, and avocado are also good to use in smoothies. I’ve also seen some people add blanched broccoli or peas into their smoothie! Just make sure to add lots of fruit so you don’t feel like you’re drinking a savory cold soup.

Serving Suggestions

If you’re making a zucchini smoothie as a snack or as part of your breakfast, there are a few things that will pair nicely with it. For breakfast specifically, I would recommend Low-Carb Keto Oatmeal or perhaps Chia Seed Oatmeal. I also like to have a smoothie with Soft Scrambled Eggs.

Another good combination is a smoothie with a muffin. If you need a suggestion, consider an Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins or perhaps a Vegan Pumpkin Muffins. Finally, a smoothie will always go well with a Homemade Paleo Protein Bars or a Homemade Protein Bars with Chocolate and Almonds.