Beet Smoothie Recipe: How to Customize Beet Smoothies

A beet smoothie is a blended drink featuring beets and other vegetables or fruits. Beets, or beetroot, are the sweet, edible taproots of the beet plant (Beta vulgaris), the same species that produces leaves known as Swiss chard. This nutrient-dense, gluten-free vegetable contains healthy carbohydrates, dietary fiber, calcium, potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin C.

Purée the beet smoothie well to eliminate any beet chunks. Raw beets have the highest nutritional content, but you can also use steamed or baked beets. Any color beet works well; your beetroot smoothies will have a striking hue, whether you use orange or red beets.

You can make beet smoothies in many different ways. Here are some common options:

1. 1. Fruits: Adding fruit—frozen or fresh—elevates this healthy smoothie even further. Antioxidant-rich pomegranate adds flavor, color, and texture, while banana provides a thicker, creamier texture. Red berries (like redcurrants, raspberries, or strawberries) enhance the color of a red beet smoothie and contribute a tangy sweetness. Frozen pineapple is incredibly sweet—add a few chunks if your smoothie tastes too vegetal.
2. 2. Liquids: Liquid is an essential component of any smoothie. For more pure beet flavor, use beet juice. Opt for creamier liquids like almond milk, oat milk, coconut cream, or yogurt for a more balanced flavor and texture.
3. 3. Mix-ins: A beet smoothie is an ideal canvas for your favorite add-ins. Add a scoop of protein powder for a post-workout smoothie; grated fresh ginger for zing; chia seeds for a more gelatinous texture; or ground flaxseed for omega-3 fatty acids.
4. 4. Raw vs. cooked: Adding raw beets to a smoothie is the easiest (and most nutritious) option, but cooking brings out the vegetable’s natural sweetness. If you prefer to use cooked beets, try roasted beets, which add caramelized notes to smoothies. Keep the seasoning minimal and let the beets cool thoroughly to ensure your beverage tastes more like a smoothie than beet soup.

Smoothies offer plenty of room for customization, but there are some general guidelines to keep in mind as you craft the beverage. Here’s what you need to know:

1. 1. Choose the best beets. If you opt to use raw beets in your smoothie, choose small beets with their greens still attached. These younger beets have a smoother texture and sweeter flavor than large beets that have been in storage without their greens for some time. (Save the beet greens and sauté them with garlic and onion for a quick side dish.) If all you can find are large beets, steam them for more effortless blending and better flavor.
2. 2. Prepare your beets properly. Beets have a rough outer peel that can taste unpleasant in smoothies. Before adding them to the blender, scrub your beets with a vegetable brush, remove the stem end of the beets, and peel and chop them into small pieces. Learn how to peel beets properly.
3. 3. Add healthy fats for creaminess. For creaminess, use healthy fats like coconut milk, plain Greek yogurt, kefir, peanut butter, or almond butter, which also add protein. Avocados can also give smoothies a velvety texture.
4. 4. Use ice to add texture. To achieve a cold, slushy consistency, add a scoop of ice cubes to the mix to balance the fresh ingredients.