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Beets are one of those ingredients that seem to spark a strong reaction—either you love them or you can’t stand them. After many attempts at perfecting this cherry beet smoothie recipe, we finally landed on one that even my kids will drink! This beet smoothie combines the earthy richness of beets with the sweet, juicy flavors of cherries and pomegranate, creating a smoothie that’s as vibrant as it is refreshing.
Why this Beet Smoothie Rawks
From post-exercise recovery, to liver detox, to fighting free-radicals, this beet smoothie delivers major health benefits. And with a silky smooth texture and sweet, fruity flavor, it’s love at first sip. Let’s look at what makes this cherry beet smoothie recipe so good for your health:
- Beets bring a major boost with natural nitrates that improve blood flow and support endurance, making this smoothie an ideal choice before or after your workout.
- Naturally rich in folate, beets also support a healthy pregnancy by helping prevent birth defects.
If you are trying to get pregnant or already have a baby on the way (– Yay! –) you def wanna blend some beets! - Pomegranate adds a burst of antioxidants that help fight inflammation and oxidative stress, giving your immune system a powerful lift.
- Cherries help reduce muscle soreness and promote better sleep, thanks to their anti-inflammatory compounds and natural melatonin.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this cherry beet smoothie is chosen for its flavor, texture, and health benefits. Here’s what you’ll need, plus tips on how to pick the best ingredients for a perfectly balanced blend!
- Beet (peeled and diced): Adds a deep, earthy sweetness and vibrant ruby color. Look for small to medium beets that feel firm and heavy for their size, with smooth skin. You can also find beets already peeled and diced in the freezer or fridge section of some specialty grocery stores, like Sprouts.
- Cherries: Bring a naturally juicy sweetness. Choose dark, sweet cherries with shiny skin if buying fresh. Frozen sweet cherries are a great option as well. If you’re focused on calming inflammation and recharging (post workout support) opt for frozen tart cherries.
- Frozen Banana: Provides creamy texture and natural mellow sweetness, balancing the earthiness of beets. Use very ripe bananas (those with lots of brown spots) for the best flavor. You can also read my guide on how to freeze bananas.
- Pomegranate Juice: Adds a tart, fruity brightness. Go for 100% pure pomegranate juice with no added sugars, often found in the refrigerated juice section or natural foods aisle.
How to Make a Beet Smoothie
This beet smoothie recipe might be out of your comfort-zone, yet give it a blend! Beets are nutrient powerhouses, and should be a part of your diet. I was scared to try my first beet recipe too… yet it was so worth it. Here’s how to make your beet smoothie recipe a success:
- Peel and dice the beets to remove any rough texture for a smoother blend.
- Blend all ingredients together until the mixture is creamy and well combined.
Tips for Blending Beets
Peel the beet with a vegetable peeler, just like you would an apple, then chop it into small chunks for easier blending. If you don’t have a high-powered blender, steam the beet for about 15 minutes until tender, then let cool before blending.
Recipe Suggestions
One of my favorite things about this beet smoothie is how easy it is to tweak based on what you have at home or what flavors you’re craving. You can swap out ingredients, sneak in extra nutrients, and play with different flavor combos until you find your perfect match:
- Swap the fruit: If cherries aren’t available, frozen strawberries, blueberries, or even blackberries work beautifully. They keep the smoothie sweet, fruity, and packed with antioxidants.
- Change the liquid: No pomegranate juice on hand? Orange juice, coconut water, or even almond milk can easily step in and add their own unique flavor and benefits.
- Add greens: Toss in a handful of fresh spinach or baby kale to sneak in extra nutrients without changing the flavor too much. You can also learn how to freeze spinach to try out my spinach cube hack.
- Add healthy fats: For a more filling smoothie, blend in half an avocado or a spoonful of almond butter. It’ll make the texture extra creamy and satisfying.
- Adjust the sweetness: If you like a sweeter smoothie, add a pitted date, a drizzle of honey, or a splash of vanilla extract for natural sweetness.
- Add protein powder: Add protein powder to give your smoothie a boost. Try my homemade protein powder for a clean, plant-based option!
Common Questions
Beets are a great nutritious and flavorful addition to smoothies. They add natural sweetness, vibrant color, and a boost of essential nutrients like folate, fiber, and nitrates that support blood flow and endurance. Beets pair well with fruits like cherries, bananas, and berries, creating a smooth, earthy base for energizing or post-workout blends.
Fruits with bold, sweet, or tart flavors pair best with beets. Cherries, strawberries, pomegranate, raspberries, and oranges all complement the earthy taste of beets and help balance their natural bitterness. Combining beets with bananas adds creaminess, while berries and citrus brighten the flavor. The key is to match beets with strong, flavorful fruits that can hold their own.
Drinking a beet smoothie every day is a great way to boost your intake of fiber, antioxidants, and essential nutrients like folate and potassium. That said, because beets are naturally high in oxalates, I make sure to balance them with a variety of other fruits and veggies in my diet. As long as I’m listening to my body and mixing up my ingredients from time to time, enjoying a daily beet smoothie can be a super healthy habit!
Can you put raw beets in a blender?
Raw beets can be blended into smoothies to add vibrant color, earthy flavor, and powerful nutrients like fiber, folate, and nitrates. For best results, peel and chop them into small chunks before blending. Pairing raw beets with soft fruits like bananas or using a high-speed blender helps create a smooth, creamy texture without the need for cooking.
More Beet Recipes To Try
Craving more of that bright red goodness only beets can deliver? Here are a few of the best-ever beet recipes you’ll want to try out:
If you make this cherry beet smoothie, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your feedback helps me and all the readers in this community. And if you’re interested in more plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.!
Cherry Beet Smoothie
Ingredients
- ¼ cup beet peeled and diced
- 1 cup cherries
- ¼ banana frozen
- ½ cup pomegranate juice
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients until smooth.
- Pour into a glass and drink immediately.
Equipment
Notes
- To make it easier on your blender (and less mess), buy steamed beets (not pickled) in the refrigerated produce section or freezer aisle.
- Use at least one frozen fruit for a refreshingly cool smoothie.
- Add up to 1 cup of leafy greens for even more nutrients.
Have made this smoothie several times, it’s one of my favorites…delicious
This is really tasty (not too earthy from the beets) and easy to make. It’s a nice change from my usual smoothies that have milk (non-dairy). I added some cara cara powder for a full dose of vitamin C, and the extra zest it adds pairs nicely. I take iron supplements every other day, and vitamin C makes it more absorbable, so I’ll be making this quite often. I just might have to start buying big bags of frozen cherries!
I mean “camu camu” powder, not cara cara, lol. Although I’m sure that cara cara oranges have lot of vitamin c too!
I am obsessed with this smoothie right now. It’s been my go to mid-morning after workout for about a week now. Bonus points Trader Joe’s has already prepped beets that I use
Yes! The TJ prepped beets are a game-changer!
This would be a great afternoon refresher on a hot day! It’s got a nice tang to it, and the color is vibrant. I love beets, so thought this was really good. If you’re not a beet fan, you may not be impressed. Next time I’ll make it when my family is home to taste test.
You’re so right, Jennifer!
Wonderful!!
Yeahh! So glad you liked this one, Debbie!
If I wanted to add a serving of healthy fat, what would you recommend that would go well with these flavors?
Avocado blends well to make a smoothie creamier and doesn’t add much flavor. You could also use MCT Coconut oil. Nut butters provide healthy fats, but could create an interesting combination of flavors, so I would go for flavorless additives like avocado or MCT oil instead.