I might have reached a new low on Sunday when I ate a cookie off of the floor.
Questionable behavior, but let me explain.
I've been recipe testing chocolate chip cookies like a mad woman over the past two weeks in hopes of creating a bullet-proof plant-based, gluten-free version. I'll admit: a nasty case of perfectionism gripped me by the apron with this one. I was so happy with the way the first batch turned out that I probably should have stopped there and called it done. But no. That nagging, you-can-always-do-better voice wriggled its way in, and I made the mistake of listening to it.
On the fifth trial this past Sunday, I was testing out the way different baking times set the cookies once they cooled. I went in to pull out the two cookies I was baking until the 9-minute mark, and my excitement caused me to whip the pan around a bit too quickly as I turned to place it on the counter. If you've ever wondered, freshly baked cookies fly like hot mini Frisbees, except they plummet towards the ground without a single hope of being caught.
Splat.
And rather than pick them up and place them in the trash, what did I do? I grabbed a spatula, scooped them up, and slid them onto the cooling rack. And when they were cool, I tasted one. Okay, I ate the entire thing and two bites of the other before realizing I was teetering between recipe testing and baking insanity. One more bite and I might have toppled.
Moral of the story: pushing for perfection in baking and life is a slippery slope, and the 5-second rule probably has its limitations.
Although it's no substitute for warm chocolate chip cookies, this beet + berry smoothie keeps things lively and delicious in its very own way. Plus, after all that cookie testing/eating (fact: I ate all 16 cookies from the first batch within a 48-hour period), I was craving fruits and vegetables.
This smoothie is made with raw beets, fresh or frozen strawberries and blueberries, a frozen banana, and almond milk (or plant-milk of choice). I also threw in a tablespoon of hemp seeds to add a small kick of protein and creaminess, but you can omit them without affecting the overall flavor. If you don't have a high-powered blender, I recommend grating the beet before blending because it takes a bit of power to cut through it.
If you're looking to start adding vegetables into your smoothies but aren't ready to dive head first into green smoothie territory (hellooo, kale), then this is a great one to try. It's heavy on the fruit so the flavor of the beet gets quietly nestled in between the sweetness of the berries and banana.
If you're a kale-blending, celery-shredding, green-smoothie-drinking pro, then this is one to mix into your rotation when you're craving something a little sweeter.
And who could resist this vibrant magenta hue? It's a bit swoon-worthy, don't you think?
Beet & Berry Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup plant milk of choice or water*
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 small beet, washed, peeled, and cut into sixths**
- 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- Optional add-in: 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender, and blend for 2-3 minutes or until smooth. This one can be a bit tricky to get moving in your blender, especially if you're using all frozen fruit. If you have a "pulse mode" on your blender, I recommend using that to get it started. Then, blend consistently until smooth.
Notes
**If you don't have a high-powered blender, I recommend grating the beet before blending.
Would you be able to use the frozen sliced beets from a bag? I love the thought of this recipe, but if this were going to be a morning ritual I'm trying to find a way to make it easier. Thank you!
Hi, Kristi! Great question, and I agree that washing/peeling/chopping beets isn't exactly time-efficient! I would absolutely give frozen sliced beets a try. If they're pre-roasted or cooked they will lend a slightly different flavor, but other than that I think they'd be a great substitute. I hope you enjoy this smoothie!
The colour of this smoothie is just incredible! I definitely will be making these tomorrow morning.. just using some home made cashew milk I have on hand instead.
Thanks, Thalia! The color of beets is pretty amazing, isn't it? Great idea to use homemade cashew milk -- so rich and creamy!
LOVE this smoothie! Made it last night for an after-dinner cold treat and it was terrific. Will definitely be adding this into my normal smoothie rotation!
So happy to hear you enjoyed the smoothie and that it will become part of your regular rotation, Tracy. Thanks for taking the time to comment with feedback!
Just made this...didn't have strawberries so I added a few more frozen blueberries. I also added a splash more of water while blending.
A nice chilled and delicious smoothie!
Super easy recipe!
Hi, Jeff! So happy to hear you're enjoying this smoothie. Thank you for taking the time to circle back with your substitutions, adjustments, and kind feedback -- I really appreciate it!
Ashley - do you have any green smoothies you can recommend? I prefer something that I can use water.
Thanks!
Hi, Jeff! Of course. Here are my favorites (I believe all call for plant-based milk, although you should be able to substitite filtered water -- just won't be as creamy):
https://www.blissfulbasil.com/2014/02/03/mean-green-kale-smoothie/
https://www.blissfulbasil.com/2014/03/12/avocado-green-apple-smoothie/
https://www.blissfulbasil.com/2015/03/04/energizing-green-shamrock-smoothie-bowl/
https://www.blissfulbasil.com/2015/05/20/glowing-green-mango-kale-smoothie/
Hope this helps and enjoy!
hello ive tried something similar and i think this is a really awesome mixed beets with bananas, beets has a really earthy taste but the banana balances out and bring the beet to life. thanks for the recipe will be trying this today. Having a beautiful day.
I never like the looks of beets, seeing Dad at the end of table with them on the side soaked in vinger, yuck
Haha, that is certainly quite the picture, and I can totally relate as they are a bit odd looking. That said, if you can get past their look long enough to get them into your blender, I promise this smoothie is a tasty one, Kate!
The best way I 've found to get protien into a smoothie is to add a scoop of firm tofu (about half a cup). It adds no flavor but makes the smoothie super smooth. I use it in all of my smoothie recipes. It also has the effect of calming my acid reflux. Also, you can use canned beets.
Hi can I use cooked beets for this
Hi, Kimberly! Yes, you can absolutely use cooked beets for this smoothie if you prefer! Also, I'm so sorry for my slow response time—I was out of the country on vacation for the last three weeks and just returned last night.
Hypothetically speaking, you can use anything but cooked beets are not as good. I also read somewhere that 90% the nutrition in beets gets lost when you cook it.
Great recipe and doesn't even need any added sugars! Sweet enough from the berries. Thank you!
Thanks, Shrutika! So glad you enjoyed it!
I Googled beets smoothies & i came across your smoothie recipe it was absolutely delicious, I am anemic, so I try to get as many beets into my daily diet as humanly possible, you can't even imagine how my dinner salads look. Lol. I tweaked it only by two ingredients, I added some spinach, and 1/2 a piece of cactus fruit, and I absolutely have found my new dinner smoothie. Thank you! !!!!
Thanks for the smoothie recipe. So many health benefits to beetroot. Just pinned it.-Anna
Loved the smoothy!
Didn't have the strawberries just used frozen mixed berries and it was delicious and felt very healthy.
Have betts in my salads daily, but absolutely loved the new combination of flavours.
Thanks so much.
Just made this for my dinner tonight because it was just to darn late to cook a meal. I had fresh beets that I had cooked last evening for my dinner. So my beet wasn't raw, blends much easier that way since I have an old Oster Kitchen Center blender which I have to play with to blend smoothies but it never fails.
I used half homemade cashew milk and beet juice water (cooked in)) blueberries and strawberries, and reluctantly banana.. small handful of hemp seeds. Earthy berry with bit of tart to it. Yummy!!
Ohhh yes! I got all the ingredients for this killer of a smoothie. Thank you so much for the inspiration!
Dear Ashley- loved this smoothie. My daughter feels tired and sleepy during the days . And its so hard to make her eat green veggies. Do you have green veggie and fruit smoothie recipe? She is allergic to nuts. Many thanks
Awesome recipe! I added fresh ginger, 1/2 fresh squeezed lemon, and 2 leaves of basil to mine - so delicious! I've been drinking green smoothies for a while, but this has me convinced that beet smoothies are where it's at!
This smoothie was great☺ I used raspberries & blueberries because I don't have strawberries😊 I'm dying to try that though... Anyways I'm subscribing & I love your blog❤ thank you
Hello - I was looking to see if the beet water - left over from boiling beets - can be used as the base for a beet smoothy and it CAN! It is delicious, with `1/3 banana and a variety of fruits, plus I added super protein, chia sees and a combo of golbi, flax, pumpkin and sesame seeds....very delicious!
Hi, Ashley
Thanks for the nice smoothie recipe. It's really so simple. I'm a big fan of berries in my smoothie :) I'v never used beet in my smoothie. But this recipe is sounds great to me.
You're welcome, Donna. Hope you enjoy it!
Hi There! Just ran across this when I was thnking of a smoothie with beets. Now, I don't like beets, at all!! But, I am facilitating a parent group where are making edible paint and was thinking of "natural colors" colors to use. Beets and blueberries came to mind. So from the leftover from juice, I will venture into the Beet worked and create this smoothie. Thank you for the recipe!! :)
Hi, Charissa! What a neat idea to make edible paint. And so glad the leftovers will be repurposed for this smoothie. Hope you enjoy it!
I’ve been obsessed with smoothie bowls lately. This morning I made this smoothie with frozen fruit so it was nice and thick and I added a scoop of vanilla protein powder and a tsp. of maca. It was so good! I’ve been trying to get more veggies into my smoothie bowls. This was the first time I’ve made one with beets and I’ll definitely do it again. I topped the bowl with fresh blueberries, unsweetened shredded coconut, cacao nibs and homemade granola.
Thanks for the recipe!