Blackberry Blueberry Smoothie
Blackberry blueberry smoothies are quick, easy and so refreshing. This healthy blueberry and blackberry smoothie is made without banana and is sweet, tangy and so satisfying. Rich and creamy, this blueberry blackberry smoothie is the perfect breakfast, light lunch or healthy snack.
Why you will love this recipe
- This deep purple smoothie gets its beautiful color from the combination of blackberries and blueberries mixed with the yogurt. This smoothie is made with simple ingredients that are freezer and fridge staples and are easy to find.
- Smoothies are one of those quick and easy meals that come together in just minutes. Perfect for busy mornings or as a simple, refreshing snack. This blackberry blueberry smoothie is perfect for summer but can be enjoyed anytime of year!
- You can take the base recipe and customize this smoothie based on your preferences and what you have on hand. Use peanut butter instead of almond butter, add some oats or avocado to make it even creamier and more filling. Add a scoop of protein powder to increase the protein and make it a little more filling. Once you try the base recipe, you can change it up in so many ways.
Ingredients
- Frozen blackberries – I recommend using frozen blackberries because they are so easy to store in the freezer (no worries about them going bad before you can get to them) and they help make the smoothie super cold and refreshing. If you are going to use fresh blackberries, add about 1/4 cup of ice to the smoothie as well to help create that same cold, refreshing texture.
- Frozen blueberries – for the same reason I recommend using frozen blackberries, I recommend using frozen blueberries. They are packed with flavor and so easy to keep on hand, plus they really help make the smoothie creamy and delicious. Add 1/4 cup of ice if you will be using fresh blueberries.
- Yogurt – you can use regular yogurt, dairy free yogurt or Greek yogurt in this smoothie recipe. The yogurt provides some healthy fats, protein and helps to give the smoothie a creamy consistency. This is one of the ways to get a creamy smoothie without adding banana.
- Dairy free milk – I like to use almond milk or cashew milk but oat milk, flax milk, coconut milk (in the carton) all work well here too. If you are not dairy free, you can always use regular milk here too.
- Almond butter – the almond butter helps make the smoothie more filling and also helps make the consistency a little thicker. You can also use peanut butter, sunbutter, cashew butter or tahini in place of the almond butter. Each of these will change the flavor slightly.
- Maple syrup – since this smoothie is using the sweetness of the berries, I like to add just a touch of sweetness from maple syrup to help offset the tanginess of the yogurt. You could also use honey, date syrup, medjool dates (with the pits removed) or 1/2 a banana to help sweeten the smoothie.
How to make a blackberry blueberry smoothie
- Measure out all the ingredients into a blender in the order listed.
- Blend until smooth.
Top tips
- Blackberries have a lot of seeds, and those seeds can get stuck in your teeth or throat if you don’t have a powerful blender to crush them up. If you are using an older blender, you may want to swap the blackberries for a different fruit (like raspberries, strawberries, cherries, mango, pineapple, etc).
- Frozen berries are best in smoothies as they really help to thicken the smoothie and make it super cold. Using frozen berries is my trick on how to make the perfect smoothie without adding ice. If you are going to use fresh fruit, be sure to add 1/4 – 1/2 cup of ice to get the same thick and creamy consistency.
- Adjust the sweetness depending on your preferences. This blueberry blackberry smoothie has a tablespoon of maple syrup to help boost the natural sweetness of the berries. If you prefer a sweeter smoothie, add another tablespoon of maple syrup or add a naturally sweet fruit like banana, dark sweet cherries or mango to help sweeten the smoothie (you will need about 1/2 cup of these fruits).
Other additions
- Spices: Add cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg or vanilla extract to the smoothie for more flavor
- Protein – Add a serving of your favorite protein powder (vanilla or peanut butter protein would be delicious here) or some hemp hearts for more protein.
- Veggies – Add a small serving of vegetables like 1/2 cup of frozen cauliflower rice, baby spinach, frozen zucchini, frozen spinach, frozen kale or fresh or frozen beets.
- Creaminess – Add 1/2 an avocado, 1/4-1/2 cup of oats, coconut milk (from a can) or coconut butter
Storing leftovers
- Fridge – You can store this smoothie in the fridge for up to 24 hours in a well sealed container. When you are ready to enjoy, stir the smoothie with a spoon or a straw, as it can start to separate in the fridge. You can also re-blend it with a few cubes of ice to make it super cold.
- Freezer – Pour the leftover purple smoothie in ice cube trays, Soupercube trays, reusable pouches or even in popsicle molds. You can store these frozen smoothies for up to 3 months in a freezer safe bag or container (I like to use reusable Stasher bags).
Questions
How to make smoothies thicker
You can thicken a smoothie by adding one or more of these ingredients:
- Chia seeds
- Ground flax
- Cauliflower rice
- Yogurt (add an additional ½ cup of yogurt to this smoothie to make it even thicker)
- Avocado
- Oats
This smoothie is already thick, but you can make it even thicker by adding one of the above methods. Adding any of these could make the smoothie seem less sweet (especially if you are adding a veggie or yogurt), so you may decide to add some additional sweetness in the form of maple syrup, honey or a sweet fruit like bananas, dark sweet cherries or mango.
What are the benefits of a berry smoothie
Berries (both blackberries and blueberries) are a great source of fiber, vitamins (A,C,E, B), minerals (like potassium, calcium, magnesium) and antioxidants. They are also low in calories and packed with flavor (USDA Database).
Yogurt which is a good source of calcium and protein and almond butter is a great source of healthy fats, some protein, magnesium and potassium.
This blackberry blueberry smoothie is packed with fiber, protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals and low in added sugar. This deep purple smoothie provides everything you need to feel satisfied for hours.
You can also modify the smoothie to increase the protein, healthy fats, or fiber to make it even more filling.
Is it safe to blend blackberries?
Blackberries are safe to blend but are full of seeds so it’s recommended that you use a really high powdered blender to ensure that you pulverize the seeds completely.
If you are unsure about your blender, you can either use different fruit or you can run the smoothie through a mesh strainer or nut milk bag to catch any of the seeds that don’t get ground up using your blender.
Can you freeze fresh blackberries or blueberries for smoothies?
Yes! Freezing fresh berries is a great way to preserve them! Check out this detailed post on how to freeze fruit for smoothie, which will include how to freeze berries.
Substitutions
- Blackberries and blueberries – you can use any berries you have on hand for this recipe including raspberries, strawberries, all blueberries, all blackberries. You can also use dark sweet cherries, mango, pineapple or banana. I recommend using frozen fruit when possible or adding some ice to create the same consistency.
- Yogurt – replace the yogurt with 1/2 cup of dairy free milk and 1 serving of protein powder or 1/2 cup of oats.
- Dairy free milk – use whatever milk you have on hand. If you don’t have milk, use water or coconut water.
- Almond butter – use whatever nut or seed butter you have on hand. You can use peanut butter, cashew butter, sunbutter or tahini in place of the almond butter. You could also use 1/2 an avocado.
- Maple syrup – sweeten the smoothie with honey, date syrup, 1-2 medjool dates (remove the pits), ½ a banana or ½ cup of dark sweet cherries or mango.
If you love this blackberry smoothie recipe, you should try
Blackberry Blueberry Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup blackberries
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1/2 cup greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup dairy free milk
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
- Measure out all the ingredients into a blender in the order listed.
- Blend until smooth.
Equipment
Notes
- Blackberries have a lot of seeds, and those seeds can get stuck in your teeth or throat if you don’t have a powerful blender to crush them up. If you are using an older blender, you may want to swap the blackberries for a different fruit (like raspberries, strawberries, cherries, mango, pineapple, etc).
- Frozen berries are best in smoothies as they really help to thicken the smoothie and make it super cold. Using frozen berries is my trick on how to make the perfect smoothie without adding ice. If you are going to use fresh fruit, be sure to add 1/4 – 1/2 cup of ice to get the same thick and creamy consistency.
- Adjust the sweetness depending on your preferences. This blueberry blackberry smoothie has a tablespoon of maple syrup to help boost the natural sweetness of the berries. If you prefer a sweeter smoothie, add another tablespoon of maple syrup or add a naturally sweet fruit like banana, dark sweet cherries or mango to help sweeten the smoothie (you will need about 1/2 cup of these fruits).