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As much as I love a green smoothie, it’s important to get a variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Blending the rainbow is one way I do that. This turmeric smoothie recipe is pure sunshine in a glass—using oranges, carrots and turmeric to create the color. It’s the perfect way to kickstart your day with tropical fruits and powerful, immune-boosting ingredients.
Table of contents
Ingredients You’ll Need
All of the ingredients in this turmeric smoothie are simple, plant-based whole foods you can feel good about:
- Turmeric (ground): This golden spice brings warmth and color to the smoothie. You’ll find ground turmeric in the spice aisle, or grab fresh turmeric root in the produce section if your store carries it.
- Honey: Complements the turmeric and ginger nicely. Look for raw honey or manuka honey, known for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
- Fresh ginger root: Adds a spicy-sweet kick that balances the creaminess of the smoothie. Look for firm, smooth ginger in the produce section, bonus points if it’s organic.
- Orange (peeled and zested): Bright and juicy orange makes the smoothie taste like sunshine. Pick up fresh oranges from the produce section.
- Frozen mango: Naturally sweet and creamy, mango gives tropical vibes in every sip. Find it in the frozen fruit section, perfect for thick, cold smoothies without needing ice. For instructions, you can also check out my guide on how to cut a mango.
- Frozen sliced carrots: A sneaky way to add veggies, fiber, and extra beta-carotene. You can buy pre-sliced frozen carrots in the freezer aisle or slice fresh carrots yourself and freeze them.
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How to Make a Turmeric Smoothie
My turmeric smoothie is quick, creamy, and full of benefits. Just blend a few simple ingredients and sip golden goodness in minutes.
- Add ginger, orange, and almond milk to your blender. These form the bright, creamy base that sets the stage for all the other flavors.
- Blend until silky smooth. Give it a good whirl so the ginger fully breaks down and the orange citrus flavor shines through.
- Toss in the frozen mango, carrots, turmeric, and raw honey.
- Blend one more time until thick and creamy. Pour into your favorite glass and sip immediately while it’s fresh.
Turmeric Hack
Long before it became the star of golden lattes, turmeric was cherished in Ayurvedic medicine for its powerful healing benefits. This golden spice has been used to soothe inflammation, aid digestion, and bring vibrant energy to meals.
To get the most out of turmeric’s benefits, try adding a tiny pinch of black pepper before blending. Black pepper contains piperine, which, when combined with curcumin, has been shown to increase bioavailability by 2000%.
Easy Swaps and Add-Ins
This smoothie is creamy, nourishing, and totally delicious as is—but don’t be afraid to make it your own! Here are a few simple swaps or tasty add-ins you can try:
- Milk alternatives: No almond milk? Try oat milk or add a tropical twist with coconut milk.
- Creamy: Add half a banana or a few slices of avocado to make the smoothie thicker and even more creamier.
- Sweet: Instead of raw honey, try pure maple syrup or Medjool dates for a vegan-friendly option. You can also check out my guide on natural sweeteners I like to use.
- Protein: Blend in a scoop of my Homemade Protein Powder, a spoonful of hemp hearts, or even a dollop of Greek yogurt to make this smoothie more filling.
Serving Suggestion
This turmeric smoothie recipe makes 16 oz—perfect for one adult. For kids, split into two 8 oz servings, and serve with a straw to make sipping easier.
More Recipes with Turmeric
If you’re digging the golden glow and anti-inflammatory benefits of this turmeric smoothie recipe, here are a few more turmeric recipes to try next:
- When I need something soothing, turmeric tea is my go-to—warm, cozy, and full of anti-inflammatory goodness.
- And when I’m craving creamy comfort, golden milk hits the spot. It’s turmeric, cinnamon, and plant milk blended into the perfect hug in a mug.
- When I want a quick boost, I make turmeric blender bombs—frozen cubes of turmeric, ginger, and healthy fats that blend into an instant wellness smoothie.
If you make this turmeric 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.
Honey Turmeric Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 inch fresh gingerroot peeled
- 1 tablespoon orange peeled and zested
- ¾ cup almond milk or other nut milk
- ½ cup mango frozen
- ½ cup sliced carrots frozen
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
- 1 teaspoon turmeric, ground
Instructions
- Place ginger, orange and almond milk in blender. Blend until smooth.
- Add remaining ingredients and blend until creamy.
Helpful Tools
Notes
- Fresh vs. dried turmeric: Fresh turmeric root gives this smoothie a brighter, peppery flavor and extra nutrients, but if you can’t find it, ground turmeric works just fine.
- Add natural sweetness: If your smoothie tastes a little too zesty, add more honey, half a banana, a couple of Medjool dates, or a splash of maple syrup.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review for a chance to win signed copies of my cookbooks!Common Questions
About 1 inch of fresh turmeric root or ½–1 teaspoon of ground turmeric is a good amount for most smoothies. For those new to turmeric, starting with a smaller quantity is recommended before adjusting to taste.
Turmeric smoothies can be enjoyed any time of day. Many people prefer them in the morning for an energizing start, after a workout to support recovery, or in the afternoon as a refreshing pick-me-up.
To use fresh turmeric, wash and peel the root, then slice or grate it before blending with other ingredients. Frozen turmeric chunks can also be kept on hand for easy smoothie prep.
Turmeric works best when combined with ginger, black pepper, and naturally sweet fruits such as mango, pineapple, or banana. Black pepper enhances the absorption of curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, making this combination both flavorful and beneficial.
Although very refreshing it was not my favorite of the week, but still good and I would make it again.
Day 5 Carrots and Mango++. LOVED
Super yummy if you like ginger and turmeric & know what flavor to expect!
Not cold and creamy enough for me- I might try freezing the orange slices first next time? Usually I add a frozen banana to my smoothies for the icy texture I’m looking for, but I’m not sure how that would taste in this
Hi Sam! Were your carrots and mango frozen? That definitely helps keep this one cold. You can definitely try freezing the orange slices if you want it even colder!
Spice is nice! When heavy on the ginger because I ❤️it but this wasn’t always the case. Added hemp seeds, chia, doubled the carrots and mango.
Love the kick with the ginger. It is very tasty and not too sweet.
It’s ok. I miss the greens and it’s a more spicy than what I prefer in the morning.
I would make this again in the Spring when Navel oranges are at their best (sweeter) which would compensate for the slight bitterness I tasted in this smoothie. I left the zest out as I have never cared for zest. I love the anti-inflammatory benefits! Very pretty color!
smoothie was an interesting array of flavors. I may have left too much of the orange pith, or maybe combination of tumeric – might have contributed to a bitter taste. I could learn to love this one- lots of good ingredients, and each sip I could taste a different flavor #challenge
Okay. So this one tested me…..I’m don’t care for ginger, not much for mango either and have never used carrots in a smoothie.
Looks like sunshine in a glass. (Getting snow today, lol) Tasted better then I expected. I did cut the ginger a bit. I give it 5 stars.
Love this smoothie. I start by blending the orange with the almond milk and then straining because I don’t care for the pulp.
I use both fresh turmeric & ginger, peel & grate both then add. I swapped maple syrup for the honey (I live in VT ) Delicious!
My only question is what is the orange zest for?
Hi Karen! You can throw the zest and blend it in the smoothie. It’ll add more flavor!
Delicious!
I didn’t have frozen carrot or a super blender so I peeled my carrot in ribbons and it blended perfectly . I had fresh turmeric on hand and it just shines in this smoothie. Just what I needed!
Great idea to cut into ribbons, Janet!
Not real fond of this taste
Hi Karen- Between the turmeric and the ginger, it’s definitely an acquired taste and not for everyone. If you’re looking for something anti-inflammatory, you may try the Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie.
Love this smoothie. Not too sweet. Tried it with water as I’m not sure orange and milk mix well. Delicious
This smoothie of my absolute favorite! I love the turmeric. I love the ginger. I love everything about this honey turmeric smoothie. The only thing I changed was, I used homemade cashew milk (your recipe ). This one is definitely in my smoothies rotation.
I liked this one a lot. I added a handful of spinach, protein powder and spirulina. So mine was definitely green, but tasted amazing. I enjoyed that this one wasn’t overly sweet and enjoyed the warm spiced flavour.