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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.
Will canned beets throw off the flavor?
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.
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!
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 🙂
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!
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! 🙂
Do you have a recipe for coconut whipped cream?
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/shop
When you say cacao are you talking about the regular cocoa powder that I would buy for baking?
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 🙂
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!
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 🙂
My Red velvet keeps coming out brown! what am I doing wrong? I am just halving the quantities!!
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! 🙂
How many servings to these recipes typically make?
Hi Angela,
Great question! Our recipes make two 16oz servings!
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!!
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!
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 🙂
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!
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 🙂
Is there an alternative for the coconut milk?
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/dairy-free-smoothies
Im not a big fan of strawberry, is there any fruit that would be a good supplement with out taking out any nutritional value
Hi Nicole,
Raspberries, blackberries, + cherries are all great replacements for strawberries!
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?
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/dairy-free-smoothies
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!!
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
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.
Thanks for the great suggestion, Annette!
Is there any way to include the calories per smoothie?
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.