• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Simple Green Smoothies
  • Recipes
  • Challenge
  • About
  • Protein
  • Meal Plans
  • Ingredients
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Challenge
  • About
  • Protein
  • Meal Plans
  • Ingredients
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Challenge
  • About
  • Protein
  • Meal Plans
  • Ingredients
×

Home » Smoothies

Red Velvet Smoothie

Published on 2.4.2022 by Jen Hansard

RECIPE CARD LEAVE REVIEW
red velvet smoothie

Today I'm giving you a smoothie recipe loaded with rich chocolate flavor and just the right amount of sweetness. Plus, it's got a velvety texture that you want in a creamy dessert. Where does it get that lovely red color, you ask? Why a little bit of beet! (Don't worry, you can't even taste it.) This luscious red smoothie satisfies my sweet tooth, gives me natural energy and provides a festive treat to share with a loved one.

Don't let the spinach fool you. If you're looking for a dessert smoothie, then this is a winner!

delicious red smoothie

Red Velvet Smoothie Recipe

I like blending my smoothies in two steps for the smoothest result. First, blend spinach and coconut milk (canned or carton, your choice) until smooth. If you're not using a high-speed blender, then whip the canned coconut milk before adding to the blender to stir the fat into the liquid.

Then add the strawberries (frozen), Medjool dates, beet, cacao powder and vanilla extract to the blender. Blend until smooth.

If you're serving this as a dessert, feel free to add a dollop of coconut whipped cream to the top and turn it into a festive shake.

Tips for the Best Blend

To ensure the Medjool dates are thoroughly blended, let your blender run on medium speed for a bit, then slowly increase to high. If you're using a non-high-powered blender, swap the dates with maple syrup for an easier blend.

Canned coconut milk (full-fat or light) gives you a milkshake texture. The beet adds the iconic deep red velvet color. You can also swap it with beet powder.

Using frozen strawberries ensures a refreshingly cool red velvet smoothie, or you can refrigerate before serving (give it a good shake).

dessert smoothie recipe

Sweetener Swaps for Dessert Smoothies

I love the caramel flavor of Medjool dates, but you could use several natural sweeteners for this red smoothie. Here are a few more options:

Maple Syrup- Use two tablespoons of maple syrup to replace two dates. Maple syrup is a great swap if you're not using a high-powered blender.

Date syrup- This newer sweetener is a great option too! Start with one tablespoon, then add more to taste.

Banana- ¼ a banana (fresh or frozen) can add creaminess along with sweetness. It's a great swap if you're using carton coconut milk.

Red Velvet Smoothie FAQs

What kind of coconut milk is best for smoothies?

It depends on the texture you want. Canned coconut milk gives a thicker, creamier texture. Carton coconut milk is much thinner and offers a tropical taste when paired with other tropical fruits like pineapple and dragon fruit.

Should I use cocoa or cacao in smoothies?

I recommend unsweetened cocoa or cacao in smoothies. Both are great options with a slightly different taste. It's up to you to determine which you like better. Just make sure they are unsweetened; no need to add in extra sugar.

How do I make a red velvet smoothie?

Blend spinach and coconut milk until smooth. Add strawberries, Medjool dates, beet, cacao powder and vanilla extra to the blender and blend again until smooth. Pour into a fancy glass and enjoy!

valentine's dessert

Dessert Smoothies

If you're craving a smoothie and have a sweet tooth, try blending one of these decadent recipes. Perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up or an easy dessert.

  • Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
  • Banana Smoothie
  • Coconut Joy Smoothie Bowl
  • Pineapple Smoothie
  • Caramel Shake
  • Strawberry Blueberry Smoothie
  • Raspberry Smoothie
  • Strawberry Vegan Milkshake
  • Shamrock Shake
  • Cinnamon Date Smoothie
  • Maple Apple Smoothie Bowl
  • Vanilla Fig Smoothie

Who knew plants could be so delicious? Which one of these do you want to blend first? Don't forget to try this Red Velvet Smoothie recipe as well. It truly is like cake in a cup!

 

Red Velvet Smoothie

4.39 from 21 votes
Rate this Recipe Print Recipe
Give your heart a healthy boost with cacao (unsweetened cocoa) in this green smoothie recipe. Serve it in a fancy glass with two straws so you and your loved one can enjoy it together!
Total Time5 minutes
Servings1

Ingredients

  • 1 cup spinach
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 cup strawberries (frozen)
  • 2 medjool dates (pitted)
  • 2 tablespoon beet (raw or cooked)
  • 1 tablespoon cacao powder
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Blend spinach and coconut milk until smooth.
  • Add remaining ingredients, and blend until smooth.
  • Top with a dollop of coconut whipped cream, if desired.

Notes

  • Use frozen fruit to make smoothie cold.
  • Swap spinach for the leafy green of your choice.
  • Swap Medjool date with the natural sweetener of your choice (maple syrup, honey, etc.)
  • Use canned coconut milk for a richer, creamier smoothie.
  • Use carton coconut milk for a lighter smoothie.
  • Unsweetened cacao powder can be swapped with unsweetened cocoa powder.

Nutrition (estimated)

Calories: 289kcal (14%) Carbohydrates: 35g (12%) Protein: 4g (8%) Fat: 15g (23%) Saturated Fat: 14g (88%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 1g Sodium: 216mg (9%) Potassium: 655mg (19%) Fiber: 7g (29%) Sugar: 18g (20%) Vitamin A: 2842IU (57%) Vitamin C: 95mg (115%) Calcium: 70mg (7%) Iron: 2mg (11%)
« 21 Vegan Appetizers for Game Day
Hydrating Alkaline Smoothie »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Isabel

    February 10, 2022 at 1:55 pm

    5 stars
    So excited to give this one a try!! Looooove red velvet everything <3

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      February 11, 2022 at 11:21 am

      Gonna be like your fav red velvet cake in a glass, Isabel. Enjoy!

  2. Kenneth Thompson

    February 08, 2022 at 6:32 pm

    4 stars
    THE sugar an carbs. HEALTHY how

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      February 10, 2022 at 1:37 pm

      Fantastic question Kenneth! The carbs and sugar here are from natural resources rather than refined ones. Also, the fruit in this smoothie not only sweetens naturally, but has a boatload of fiber - as do the beets. Fiber naturally slows your body's absorption of the sugar, so you don't end up with a big ol' sugar high. Plus this smoothie looks red, but it has our trademark green hidden in there with the spinach. To reduce the amount of sugar, feel free to flip the serving amounts of fruit and greens - so 1 cup fruit to 1.5 cups greens instead. Give a blend and let us know what you think!

  3. Cassie

    February 07, 2022 at 5:06 pm

    I am definitely making this for my husband - he is a red velvet fanatic!! If he can have something that's red velvet flavored AND healthy, it's a win-win!

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      February 08, 2022 at 7:16 am

      Yay Cassie! Sounds like a wifey win!

  4. Kelly

    February 07, 2022 at 3:06 pm

    5 stars
    I love this recipe! Right now, I don't have coconut milk, what can I use instead?

    Reply
    • Leah

      February 07, 2022 at 5:09 pm

      My preference is oat milk (I think it's the creamiest of all the plant-based milk options). But you can, also, use almond or cashew milk!

    • Cassie

      February 07, 2022 at 5:10 pm

      Or water!

    • Simple Green Smoothies

      February 08, 2022 at 7:15 am

      Really any plant milk would do in a pinch. Personally, we'd love some oat milk in this case. That would make it creamy in the way coconut milk would. Happy blending, Kelly!

  5. Marie

    February 07, 2022 at 2:39 pm

    This smoothie looks like a treat I wanna make my hubby for Valentines Day! Can't wait to try it!

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      February 08, 2022 at 7:11 am

      He's gonna love it, Marie!

  6. Dani Mitchel

    February 07, 2022 at 12:59 pm

    5 stars
    I didn't use the beets, so mine didn't turn so red BUT it did taste delicious. Do the beets chance the taste or just make the color more vibrant?

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      February 07, 2022 at 2:35 pm

      Great question, Dani! The beets will give a little bit more of an earthy flavor to this sweet smoothie. Give it a try and let us know what you think!

  7. Erin

    February 04, 2022 at 2:46 pm

    5 stars
    I love this idea for a healthy dessert! Definitely adding the coconut whipped cream to mine.

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      February 06, 2022 at 5:15 pm

      So glad you're gonna give it a blend, Erin! 🙂

  8. Jenny Fortuna

    February 14, 2021 at 2:41 pm

    5 stars
    Yumm! I made this red velvet smoothie for my hubby and I for Valentine's day before we went on a 3 mile walk! Delicious!!

    Reply
  9. Chef John

    February 07, 2021 at 9:36 pm

    5 stars
    Nutritious and delicious

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      February 09, 2021 at 4:52 pm

      We agree! Thanks John!

  10. Agnes Rivera

    February 07, 2021 at 2:31 pm

    Wonderfully tasting smoothie !!

    Reply
  11. Dawn

    August 15, 2020 at 9:32 pm

    5 stars
    Very velvety! Yum! The cacao seemed somewhat overwhelming. I wasn't expecting that much. But it was all good!

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      August 17, 2020 at 10:17 pm

      This one is SO GOOD.

  12. Dieta

    February 25, 2020 at 12:23 pm

    5 stars
    This is an amazing smoothie....addictive.

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      February 25, 2020 at 1:51 pm

      Dieta, I completely agree! Love this one.

  13. Pamela

    April 08, 2019 at 5:09 pm

    5 stars
    I love this smoothie! Sometimes I add another date if I want it a little sweeter.

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      April 10, 2019 at 1:41 pm

      Adding dates is one of our favorite ways to add in some all natural sweeteners!

  14. Cynthia

    June 23, 2018 at 11:59 pm

    At the recommendation of a lady I met while shopping for beets I tried this for the first time tonight. It was delicious!!! Can wait to introduce this recipe to some of my smoothie-loving friends!!!

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      July 09, 2018 at 10:11 pm

      Hi Cynthia,

      YAY!! I love learning about new recipes while hanging out in the beets aisle! 🙂

  15. Nateasa Ware

    July 01, 2017 at 1:17 am

    3 stars
    Hello im allergic to coconut so what should substitute for these?

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      July 05, 2017 at 8:41 pm

      Hi Nateasa,

      Allergic to coconut milk? No worries! Swap in another dairy-free milk you love. One of my favorites is almond milk!

  16. Nicole

    June 19, 2017 at 10:17 am

    Since I don't have dates I will use either maple syrup or honey as suggested in the comments. What serving size of the honey or maple syrup should I use for a serving of 1?

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      June 26, 2017 at 8:20 am

      Hi Nicole,

      I usually swap in 2 tbs, but it's really up to your taste preferences.

    • Nicole

      June 27, 2017 at 9:52 am

      Thank you. I made this before your comment and I ended up doing 1 teaspoon. It was the perfect amount of sweetness. In fact I had this again this morning. Instead of all strawberries, I did half strawberries and half cherries. OMG. So good. I can't wait to make it again and again. 🙂 It is so creamy and delicious.

  17. Iqra Sajid

    April 09, 2017 at 7:20 pm

    2 stars
    I dont know me and my husband dint liked the taste of this smoothie.. i guess i should have used raw beets or i should have not used the almond milk or not used chocolate powder. Not at all yummy.

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      April 10, 2017 at 4:22 am

      Hi Iqra,

      Oh no! I'm so sorry this wasn't your favorite. While we love switching up our liquid bases, this recipe really benefits from the coconut milk. It makes it super creamy, sweet + dessert like!

  18. Joana Hendy

    April 07, 2017 at 12:10 am

    I would love to taste that coconut whipped cream topping! Will whip mine this weekend! Thanks, Jen!

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      April 07, 2017 at 4:23 am

      Reach back out + let us know what you think! 🙂

  19. chad

    March 24, 2017 at 8:19 am

    Looks delicious to me!

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      March 24, 2017 at 5:14 pm

      Hi Chad,

      It taste great too! Hope you love it!

  20. Vicki Soto

    March 21, 2017 at 9:27 am

    4 stars
    Spinach doesn't like me... for some reason. I suspect it may be a thyroid issue. What green should I replace the spinach with?

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      March 21, 2017 at 6:29 pm

      Hi Vicki,

      Body not a fan of spinach? Swap in another green you + your body love. A few of our favorites are kale, romaine, + chard. Learn more about our favorites here...

      https://simplegreensmoothies.com/leafy-greens

  21. Green Press

    December 20, 2016 at 1:19 am

    Wow! Love the color of this smoothie. Definitely going to give this one a try. Perfect for a romantic night!

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      December 20, 2016 at 7:09 am

      YES! The beets add a major nutrient boost + amazing color!

  22. Rachel Burner

    August 15, 2016 at 5:15 pm

    Hi! So on a whim home from school we stopped by the farmers market and got the ingredients for this smoothie. It's delicious! My girls loved it. We went with raw beets (we have a Vitamix so it could handle it with frozen fruit) and used unsweetened vanilla almond milk. So just in case anybody is wondering, it's yummy with almond milk as a substitute!

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      August 16, 2016 at 7:40 am

      Hi Rachel,

      We love this! What a great way to end the school day with a trip to the farmer's market to blend one of our favorite recipes! Thank you for sharing that you loved this recipe with almond milk too!

      We love bringing our kids to the farmers market too!

      https://simplegreensmoothies.com/smoothie-recipes-for-kids

  23. Liz Swann {RedSmoothie}

    July 12, 2016 at 12:17 pm

    This is very refreshing and delicious! Easy to make and extremely smooth!

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      July 13, 2016 at 11:13 am

      Hi Liz!

      Thanks so much for reaching out + for your kind words! We're so happy to hear you enjoyed it!

      Cheers :).

  24. Lisa

    March 25, 2016 at 8:41 am

    Hello -
    I'm pre-diabetic and tightly control my sugar intake through diet. How many grams of sugar does 1 serving of this smoothie have? Whenever I have looked at coconut water in the stores, its seems to have a high sugar gram count. I imagine coconut milk is even higher. Any suggested substitutes?

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      March 25, 2016 at 11:59 am

      Hi Lisa,

      We love switching up our recipes + it's definitely important to adjust our recipes to meet your diet needs. Some great alternatives to coconut milk are almond + hemp milk. Learn more about our favorite liquid base options here...

      https://simplegreensmoothies.com/how-to-make-a-smoothie-without-milk

    • Serena

      May 04, 2017 at 8:15 am

      Coconut water is very high sugar impact, while unsweetened coconut milk is not. The fat makes a difference and is SO healthy for your brain and the rest of your body!

      I would probably replace the dates with stevia, monk fruit or xylitol for a no healthy no sugar alternative.

  25. Mary Ann

    February 12, 2016 at 5:37 am

    Where can you buy cacao powder?

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      February 12, 2016 at 8:03 am

      Hi Mary Ann,

      You can often find cacao powder at your local health food store or at grocery stores like Whole Foods or Trader Joe's. Unsweetened cocoa powder is the perfect substitute, and can easily be found in your baking aisle!

      Cheers 🙂

    • Tc

      March 25, 2016 at 11:20 am

      Cacao powder is also sold at Costco and smart & final

    • SGS Rawkstar

      March 25, 2016 at 12:00 pm

      Thanks for sharing TC! We love stores like Costco + Sam's Club!

  26. Kelli

    February 11, 2016 at 8:41 pm

    Hello,
    Do you use cooked or raw beets?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      February 12, 2016 at 8:02 am

      Hi Kelli,

      We actually leave that up to you! Both will create a delicious decadent "guilt-free" green smoothie! Learn more about blending with beets here...

      https://simplegreensmoothies.com/anti-inflammatory-smoothie-recipe

  27. Larissa

    February 11, 2016 at 12:04 pm

    Are you using canned coconut milk, or the thinner coconut milk they sell in a carton?

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      February 11, 2016 at 12:20 pm

      Hi Larissa,

      Great question! There are several types of coconut milk available. It can be hard to know which to choose! Coconut cream is the thickest and richest. It has the least amount of water. Then there is full-fat or regular coconut milk. It still has plenty of rich, creamy taste, but has a higher liquid ratio. Light coconut milk has the mildest flavor, highest water content, and least amount of calories compared with the other varieties. Think of these as you would heavy cream, whole milk, and low-fat milk.

      You’ll find coconut milk packaged in several ways – cans, cartons (shelf-stable and refrigerated), or frozen.

  28. Jennifer

    February 11, 2016 at 11:50 am

    Can I use coconut water instead of coconut milk?

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      February 11, 2016 at 12:04 pm

      Hi Jennifer,

      Of course!! We love switching up our liquid bases! Check out some of our favorites here...

      https://simplegreensmoothies.com/how-to-make-a-smoothie-without-milk

  29. Kalynn Batkoski

    February 11, 2016 at 9:13 am

    Will canned beets throw off the flavor?

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      February 11, 2016 at 12:02 pm

      Hi Kalynn,

      I personally haven't tried canned beets, but they're worth a try! Just check your label and make sure there's no additives.

  30. Melissa

    February 11, 2016 at 10:51 am

    Hi there,

    I also dislike beets, but how strong do they taste in the smoothie? I could probably tolerate a taste that is subtle.

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      February 11, 2016 at 12:03 pm

      Hi Melissa,

      Great question! All of the other yummy ingredients help cover the flavor of beets in this delicious "guilt-free" treat! We love the beets in this recipe for their major health benefits and the deep red color they add to our Red Velvet Green Smoothie!

      Cheers 🙂

  31. Am

    January 21, 2016 at 4:31 am

    Any suggestions on what to replace the strawberries with? Blackberries, cherries, blueberries, etc do fine? (Losing the red velvet feel on the blueberries, I suppose, ha!) I seem to have a slight reaction to strawberries (but no other berries) but would love to try this recipe! Many thanks!

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      January 21, 2016 at 11:08 am

      Hi Am,

      Thanks for reaching out! All berries make a great substitute for strawberries in this recipe. We especially love reaching for raspberries, blackberries, or cherries!

      Hope this helps! 🙂

  32. Jaque

    November 20, 2015 at 9:48 pm

    Do you have a recipe for coconut whipped cream?

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      November 23, 2015 at 5:08 pm

      Hi Jaque,

      We do! Check out our Coconut Whipped Cream recipe in our new book. It just hit shelves on November 3rd!

      https://simplegreensmoothies.com/books

  33. Debbie

    October 22, 2015 at 10:53 am

    When you say cacao are you talking about the regular cocoa powder that I would buy for baking?

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      October 22, 2015 at 4:20 pm

      Hi Debbie,

      Great question! Raw cacao is made by cold-pressing unroasted cocoa beans. The process keeps the living enzymes (meaning major health benefits) in the cocoa and removes the fat (cacao butter). Cocoa powder is raw cacao that’s been roasted at high temperatures. Sadly, roasting changes the molecular structure of the cocoa bean, reducing the enzyme content and lowering the overall nutritional value. But if you have unsweetened cocoa powder on hand, it makes a great substitute in any of our recipes that call for cacao.

      Cheers 🙂

  34. Candace

    September 28, 2015 at 11:54 am

    Hello, I've been making green smoothies for years, but somewhat new to SGS and just signed up for the 30-Day Smoothie Challenge last week. I've been exploring the website for some recipe options, and happened upon this which sounds awesome.

    With one exception.. Beets. I hate 'em.

    I assume they are mainly for the added color here, would that be correct? If there's more to it, what might be a good sub? Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      September 28, 2015 at 7:10 pm

      Hi Candance,

      We're so happy you found us in this busy internet world! Thanks for blendin' with us! You're right the beets in this recipe add the deep red color of our Red Velvet Green, they also add folate, fiber, + vitamin C! Not a fan? Swap out beets for an additional 1/4 cup of strawberries.

      Cheers 🙂

  35. Nish

    September 22, 2015 at 4:46 am

    My Red velvet keeps coming out brown! what am I doing wrong? I am just halving the quantities!!

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      September 22, 2015 at 6:54 am

      Hi Nish,

      The combination of berries + dark leafy greens can sometimes turn your smoothie brown. The flavor + nutrition of our Red Velvet Green Smoothie is still there, but we understand any frustration when you're hoping for a glorious red green smoothie! If you're looking for more red, simply add extra beets the next time you blend this recipe!

      Hope this helps, and thanks for blendin' with us! 🙂

  36. Angela

    August 04, 2015 at 5:59 pm

    How many servings to these recipes typically make?

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      August 05, 2015 at 4:21 am

      Hi Angela,

      Great question! Our recipes make two 16oz servings!

  37. Alicia

    July 29, 2015 at 4:39 am

    Is there another type of flavoring that anyone has used besides the chocolate? I am allergic to chocolate. I wasn't sure if there were other options for unsweetened flavored powders. Thanks in advance!!

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      July 29, 2015 at 7:49 am

      Hi Alicia,

      Thanks for reaching out! Would your allergies allow you to use carob powder? Carob is a chocolate substitute made from the roasted pods of the carob tree. We recommend using slightly less carob powder because its flavor is stronger than the flavor of cocoa.

      Hope this helps!

  38. SGS Rawkstar

    July 21, 2015 at 4:17 am

    Hi Lori Jo,

    Thanks for reaching out! Our recipes are here to inspire you, please don't feel like you need to follow them to a T. We suggest following the Simple Green Smoothie Formula of 2 cups liquid base, 2 cups leafy greens, + 3 cups fruit, but change it up, and blend what works for you!

    Cheers 🙂

    Reply
  39. Lori

    June 26, 2015 at 3:34 pm

    You gave a substitute for dates (Bananas, honey, + maple syrup), but I'm allergic to bananas and don't like dates. What else could I use in place of dates? Thanks!

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      June 26, 2015 at 6:54 pm

      Hi Lori,

      Have you tried using honey or maple syrup? They're both great options for replacing dates in this recipe if you're allergic to bananas.

      Cheers 🙂

  40. Celestine

    June 20, 2015 at 1:23 pm

    Is there an alternative for the coconut milk?

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      June 22, 2015 at 7:05 pm

      Hi Celestine,

      Of course! Swap in another liquid base that you enjoy more. I love using almond milk in this recipe. Here are some of our favorite liquid base options you can try...

      https://simplegreensmoothies.com/how-to-make-a-smoothie-without-milk

  41. Nicole

    May 12, 2015 at 6:24 pm

    Im not a big fan of strawberry, is there any fruit that would be a good supplement with out taking out any nutritional value

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      May 12, 2015 at 6:29 pm

      Hi Nicole,

      Raspberries, blackberries, + cherries are all great replacements for strawberries!

  42. Alison

    May 10, 2015 at 11:42 am

    I freaking LOVE your website and have been telling everyone to check it out! So happy to have found recipes that are easy and delicious... This one is desert in my mouth!

    What is your best meal replacement combo for this one that won't change the straight up cake flavor too much? I put chia seeds today since you can't taste them at all but wondering about a healthy fat. Coconut oil?

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      May 11, 2015 at 12:56 pm

      Hi Alison,

      We're so excited to hear you love the Red Velvet Green Smoothie recipe, we do too! 🙂

      Avocado or coconut oil would both be great additions when looking for a healthy fat that won't effect the flavor of this delicious smoothie!

      Avocado is mild in flavor, + offers a great creamy texture, while also being a great source of monounsaturated fats!

      Coconut oil is an appetite suppressant, an incredible energy booster and has antibacterial properties. When blendin' coconut oil into a chilled smoothie, it sometimes solidifies, to prevent this, I like to melt my coconut oil (not hot, just melted) and with the blender on low, slowly pour the coconut oil into my completed smoothie!

      While coconut milk is high in protein, fiber, and other micronutrients, it is also high in calories and fat. For this reason we recommend using coconut milk as a liquid-base only for special indulgences–maybe for date night desserts. This milk does help to protect your heart, but it will cost you in other areas if used on a regular basis.

      Switch up your liquid base occasionally with these great options!

      https://simplegreensmoothies.com/how-to-make-a-smoothie-without-milk

  43. Tara

    May 05, 2015 at 9:57 am

    I think I did something wrong. . .maybe you can help me figure it out.

    The dates didn't blend up well. They were chunks that sank to the bottom. I just have a very low grade blender, a Ninja - and not the higher powered one. This is the only time I've had any issues with blending well and I've been doing smoothies for over a month now. Are the dates supposed to blend up well?

    Are the beats supposed to be raw? I used a tiny pre-cooked/pre packaged one from Trader Joes. My smoothie was more beat tasting and I was hoping it would be more of an undertone flavor. It really smelled like beats too. I'm guessing I should have gone raw?

    Thanks in advance! Love your website and all your smoothies!!

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      May 05, 2015 at 7:13 pm

      Hi Tara,

      If you're finding your dates to be chunky, we suggest blending the dates + liquid base first, to ensure you have a smooth consistency and then add your remaining ingredients.

      And the beets can either be raw, roasted, or steamed, whatever works for you! Here are some of our tips for blendin' with beets...

      https://simplegreensmoothies.com/anti-inflammatory-smoothie-recipe

    • Annette

      July 06, 2015 at 3:46 pm

      Hi Tara
      I soak my pit my dates and soak overnight to soften. This makes them blend smoothly. I would also replace beets with frozen cherries. Best chocolate lovers smoothie. Trust you'll love it this time.

    • SGS Rawkstar

      July 06, 2015 at 8:11 pm

      Thanks for the great suggestion, Annette!

  44. Angie

    April 22, 2015 at 11:17 am

    Is there any way to include the calories per smoothie?

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      April 22, 2015 at 7:24 pm

      Hi Angie,

      We personally don't count calories, so we don't include them in our recipes at this time. You'll find that when you consume more nourishing whole fruits and veggies, you will not only feel full longer, but you'll also have lessened cravings for high-calorie, nutritionally empty foods. So in the end it balances out. But we know many people would like to have calorie info. Three great resources for tracking calories are Self Nutrition Data, and the phone apps: My Fitness Pal and Lose It.

  45. Amy A

    April 16, 2015 at 12:25 pm

    Instead of coconut milk, can coconut water be substituted? Also, is there some place that gives a calorie count for the different smoothies?

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      April 17, 2015 at 7:31 am

      Hi Amy,

      Of course you can swap out coconut milk for coconut water! We made this smoothie a decadent creamy treat with the addition of coconut milk!

      We personally don't count calories, so we don't include them in our recipes at this time. You'll find that when you consume more nourishing whole fruits and veggies, you will not only feel full longer, but you'll also have lessened cravings for high-calorie, nutritionally empty foods. So in the end it balances out. But we know many people would like to have calorie info. Three great resources for tracking calories are Self Nutrition Data, and the phone apps: My Fitness Pal and Lose It.

  46. Tiina

    April 14, 2015 at 9:51 am

    Hi! Is there a good substitute for dates?

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      April 15, 2015 at 6:16 am

      Hi Tiina,

      Bananas, honey, + maple syrup make great substitutions for dates!

    • Annette

      July 06, 2015 at 3:48 pm

      Frozen sweet cherries would be a good sub as well

    • SGS Rawkstar

      July 06, 2015 at 8:11 pm

      Hi Annette,

      Thanks for being an amazing member of our SGS tribe + sharing so many o you insights...YOU RAWK!

  47. Wendy

    April 07, 2015 at 2:00 pm

    This is so good! I have always had a sweet tooth and giving up sweets was hard. I found this smoothie to have that cupcake taste I've been craving! I sometimes use cherries instead of beets and raw cacao nib and it makes a chewy chocolate covered cherry smoothie. Way to inspire, ladies!

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      April 08, 2015 at 4:12 am

      Hi Wendy,

      Swapping out beets for cherries and adding raw cocao nibs sounds delicious! I might have to try that tonight for dessert!

      Cheers 🙂

    • Nyla

      May 04, 2015 at 6:26 pm

      Ive used cherries too and it is just as wonderful, if not better.

  48. Emma

    April 07, 2015 at 10:37 am

    Hey, I'm new to this and feel this is a silly question. It may seem obvious to most people, but can I use any "unsweetened cocoa powder" or does it have to be specifically called "cacao?" Thanks!

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      April 08, 2015 at 4:11 am

      Hi Emma,

      Not a silly questions at all! Cocoa powder is produced similarly to cacao except cocoa undergoes a higher temperature of heat during processing. Surprisingly, it still retains a large amount of antioxidants in the process and is still excellent for your heart, skin, blood pressure, and even your stress levels. Just look for a brand that is unsweetened!

  49. Christie

    April 05, 2015 at 11:28 pm

    I am so jealous ! That looks so delicious but I'm allergic to strawberries and I hate beats. would raspberries and carrots work.

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      April 06, 2015 at 8:16 pm

      Hi Christie,

      Try it out, and let us know what you think! 🙂

  50. Kelsey

    March 26, 2015 at 9:24 am

    Just curious how tightly y'all pack your spinach? 😉

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      March 26, 2015 at 11:10 am

      Hi Kelsey,

      I give the spinach a good push with my finger tips and add enough spinach until it's starting to press up out of the measuring cup. Please let me know if that helps!

  51. Kate

    March 23, 2015 at 7:54 am

    I was terrified of this smoothie and it is delicious!!! I did half blueberries in place of strawberries since I was running low and it kept the red color. Thank you!

    Reply
    • SGS Rawkstar

      March 24, 2015 at 6:05 am

      Hi Kate,

      Adding blueberries sounds rawsome! Thanks for sharing, and so happy you enjoyed this smoothie!! 🙂

  52. Nyla

    March 10, 2015 at 3:39 pm

    Absolutely Decadent...it's like little cupids in red velvet suits dancing on my tongue. I could not get enough and wanted to clean the sides of my glass clean. I used creamed coconut to avoid guar gum in canned coconut milk and steamed beets. I've been trying a new recipe from your site each week and this has been the best. I've been doing green smoothies for two years now with no real recipe and needed a change and found your site. Thank you so much!

    Reply
  53. Shirley

    February 21, 2015 at 5:14 pm

    this looks delish! Could I use beet powder instead of beets?

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      February 23, 2015 at 2:13 pm

      We haven't tried beet powder in its place before, but always worth a try if you have it on hand.:)

  54. Lili A

    February 21, 2015 at 2:30 am

    We only found frozen spinach is that okay? Or should I use other greens?

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      February 23, 2015 at 2:14 pm

      Any leafy green will work, Lili. 🙂

  55. Kelly

    February 19, 2015 at 8:01 pm

    This smoothie was amazing! My 1 year old, 2.5 year old, & my very fussy husband all loved it too!! So good.

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      February 20, 2015 at 5:55 am

      Great to hear! Cheers to you and your family!

  56. Rebecca

    February 19, 2015 at 2:10 pm

    Would using pickled beets be totally gross?

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      February 19, 2015 at 7:38 pm

      I haven't tried picked beets in this recipe, so I don't know they best answer...My life motto, go for it!

  57. Abi

    February 17, 2015 at 3:44 pm

    Do you use packed or loosely packed spinach?

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      February 17, 2015 at 7:37 pm

      Packed. The more the merrier. 🙂

  58. Legra

    February 16, 2015 at 6:14 am

    Today's breakfast. Loving the chocolate flavor!!!

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      February 16, 2015 at 7:46 am

      YAY! So glad you are enjoying it!

  59. Carolyn Kammeier

    February 13, 2015 at 7:22 am

    What is the recipe for the coconut whipped cream?

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      February 13, 2015 at 9:34 am

      Our coconut whipped cream recipe is coming soon. 🙂

  60. Debbie W

    February 12, 2015 at 9:46 am

    I literally hate, abhor beets. Can you taste them in this recipe or is there something I can substitute? I know it provides the color and it sounds delicious.

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      February 13, 2015 at 5:51 am

      Hey Debbie.

      Thanks for the comment. Try subbing in carrots. 🙂

Leave a Comment & Rating! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate the Recipe




Primary Sidebar

Jen hansard blogger at Simple Green Smoothies About

I'm Jen Hansard, mom of two, plant-based foodie, adventure junkie + cookbook author.

ABOUT ME
COOKBOOK
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • RSS Feed
  • Best Green Smoothie Recipe
  • Classic Vegan Pizza Recipe
  • Austinite Vegan Tacos
  • Healthy Blueberry Smoothie
  • Anti Inflammatory Smoothie
  • Fat Burning Smoothies for Weight Loss

Get my brand new, FREE 10-Day Smoothie Plan delivered to your inbox. Sign up →

  • How to Meal Prep Smoothies
  • How to Freeze Spinach
  • Top 10 Superfoods List of 2022
  • Best Blenders for Smoothies
  • How To Make Almond Milk
  • Plant Based Protein Powder for Smoothies

Top-quality smoothie supplies to make this healthy habit stick and transform your life.
Shop now →

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Footer

RECIPES

CHALLENGE

TOP BLENDERS

SMOOTHIE SHOP

MEAL PLANNER

CONTACT

©Simple Green Smoothies

Affiliate | Privacy | Terms