Strawberry Smoothie Recipe

Prepare fruit

Hull and quarter the fresh strawberries. Peel the banana and break it into chunks. If using frozen strawberries instead of ice, ensure they are slightly thawed (5–10 minutes) so the blender can process them.

Measure yogurt, milk, orange juice (or water), honey (or maple syrup), and vanilla extract so they are ready to add to the blender.

Combine ingredients

Place the hulled strawberries, banana chunks, yogurt, milk, and orange juice (or water) into the blender. Add honey (or maple syrup) and vanilla extract.

Add ice cubes (or frozen strawberries) to the blender. If using chia seeds or lemon zest, add them now.

Blend to smooth

Secure the lid and blend on medium-high speed for 45–60 seconds, or until smooth and creamy. Stop and scrape down the sides with a spatula if needed, then blend another 10–15 seconds. If the smoothie is too thick, add up to an additional 2–4 tablespoons (30–60 ml) of orange juice or milk and pulse to combine. If too thin, add a few more ice cubes or some frozen berries and blend until desired thickness.

Taste and adjust sweetness, adding up to 1 more teaspoon of honey or maple syrup if desired. Pour the smoothie into two glasses or one large glass.

Garnish each glass with a sliced strawberry and a mint leaf if using. Serve immediately with a straw.