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Today I’m giving you a Red Velvet 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!
Table of Contents
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).
Sweetener Swaps for Dessert Smoothies
I love the caramel flavor of Medjool dates, but you could use several natural sweeteners for this low-sugar 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– 1/4 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
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.
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.
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!
More 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, then leave a rating to let me know what you think. It truly is like cake in a cup!
Red Velvet Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup strawberries frozen
- 2 medjool dates pitted
- 2 tbsp beet raw or cooked
- 1 tbsp cacao powder
- ½ tsp 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.
Equipment
Notes
- Use frozen fruit to make smoothie cold.
- Swap spinach for the leafy greens 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.
Instead of coconut milk, can coconut water be substituted? Also, is there some place that gives a calorie count for the different smoothies?
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.
Hi! Is there a good substitute for dates?
Hi Tiina,
Bananas, honey, + maple syrup make great substitutions for dates!
Frozen sweet cherries would be a good sub as well
Hi Annette,
Thanks for being an amazing member of our SGS tribe + sharing so many o you insights…YOU RAWK!
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!
Hi Wendy,
Swapping out beets for cherries and adding raw cocao nibs sounds delicious! I might have to try that tonight for dessert!
Cheers 🙂
Ive used cherries too and it is just as wonderful, if not better.
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!
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!
I am so jealous ! That looks so delicious but I’m allergic to strawberries and I hate beats. would raspberries and carrots work.
Hi Christie,
Try it out, and let us know what you think! 🙂
Just curious how tightly y’all pack your spinach? 😉
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!
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!
Hi Kate,
Adding blueberries sounds rawsome! Thanks for sharing, and so happy you enjoyed this smoothie!! 🙂
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!
this looks delish! Could I use beet powder instead of beets?
We haven’t tried beet powder in its place before, but always worth a try if you have it on hand.:)
We only found frozen spinach is that okay? Or should I use other greens?
Any leafy green will work, Lili. 🙂
This smoothie was amazing! My 1 year old, 2.5 year old, & my very fussy husband all loved it too!! So good.
Great to hear! Cheers to you and your family!
Would using pickled beets be totally gross?
I haven’t tried picked beets in this recipe, so I don’t know they best answer…My life motto, go for it!
Do you use packed or loosely packed spinach?
Packed. The more the merrier. 🙂
Today’s breakfast. Loving the chocolate flavor!!!
YAY! So glad you are enjoying it!
What is the recipe for the coconut whipped cream?
Our coconut whipped cream recipe is coming soon. 🙂
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.
Hey Debbie.
Thanks for the comment. Try subbing in carrots. 🙂