Dairy-Free Strawberry-Banana Smoothie

1. In a blender, combine 1 cup juice or milk, bananas, strawberries, lime juice, honey, and flaxseed, if using.

2. Blend, adding additional orange juice or milk a little at a time, if necessary, until the smoothie is thick but pourable. Serve immediately. 

Ingredient Substitutions and Cooking Tips

You have a few options when it comes to a dairy-free milk.​ Soy milk boasts more protein and B vitamins. Almond milk, on the other hand, is higher in vitamin D and calcium.

Hemp milk is not traditionally a favorite; however, many vegetarians are familiar with this option. Hemp milk has a creamier texture, which often works well in a smoothie. Hemp milk may be rich in the omega-3 fatty acids, but it is important to use one that is fortified with calcium and vitamins to get the most nutritious kind.

You will notice that this recipe doesn't include any ice—that's because the trick to a satisfying dairy-free smoothie is to ditch the ice and use frozen fruit instead. This delivers maximum flavor and helps keep the smoothie from becoming watery. A mix of fresh and frozen fruit works fine depending on what you have on hand. For best results, at least half of the fruit should be the frozen. 

When you have bananas that are becoming overripe, simply peel them and put them in a zippered plastic bag in your freezer. They will be perfect to toss into your smoothie at a moment's notice. Don't worry if they turn somewhat brown—their flavor won't be affected. The frozen banana will add a creamy texture to the smoothie.

A smoothie is also a perfect recipe to sneak in some nutrition. Ground flaxseed is rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are important for heart health, as well as being high in fiber. Another option is to add chia seeds, which are also helpful in building up the fiber content of the smoothie. Keep in mind that chia seeds tend to absorb liquid so do not add too much, as it can affect the thickness of your smoothie. 

If you like your smoothie on the sweeter side you can add ingredients like maple syrup, dates, agave, honey, or even non-calorie sweeteners if you want to keep the calories in check.

A good trick when making a smoothie is to pour in liquids first, then add the solids. This helps ensure all ingredients are blended evenly. If you have any leftover, pour into popsicle molds and freeze for a delicious snack!