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I’m showing you how to make a strawberry smoothie you won’t be able to put down. Need an invigorating morning pick-me-up or energizing snack? This tart + sweet strawberry smoothie recipe is the perfect health-boosting treat – an utterly delicious blend of antioxidant-rich strawberries, nutrient-packed cherries and protein-rich cashews.
Let’s talk about how to make a strawberry smoothie like a pro.
Banana-Free Smoothie
I always get requests for banana-free smoothie recipes, and this one delivers! Yet how does this smoothie stay creamy and sweet? Well, cashews are the secret ingredient.
While any kind of plant milk can be used in this smoothie, cashew milk is by far the creamiest. And the 2 extra tablespoons of raw cashews add healthy fat + a creamy finish without adding the extra flavor that comes from almonds.
If you need some more banana-free smoothie recipes, then blend through this list:
- Avocado smoothie
- Chia seed smoothie
- Caramel protein shake
- Brain food smoothie
- Mango smoothie
- Peach spinach smoothie
- Pineapple ginger smoothie
Don’t worry banana lovers; I’ve got tons of smoothies with banana too!
Fresh vs Frozen Strawberries
Another common smoothie question is whether to use fresh or frozen ingredients. While fruits do lose some of their nutritional value when frozen, they are typically frozen in season + at the peak of freshness.
So whether you buy fresh or frozen, you’ll still get great nutrition out of this strawberry smoothie.
How to freeze strawberries
Often, I buy strawberries in February (peak of the season here in Florida), and freeze them. BAM! I’ve got the best strawberries around for a few months of strawberry smoothies. Here’s my process
- Place strawberries in a colander and then rinse thoroughly with water. Pat dry with a clean towel.
- Hull the strawberries using either a knife or strawberry huller.
- Place the strawberries on a baking tray, making sure each berry doesn’t touch.
- Freeze for at least an hour.
- Place frozen strawberries in a resealable freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 12 months.
This strawberry smoothie recipe can be made with fresh or frozen strawberries. If you aren’t using a high powered blender, then make sure to thaw the berries slightly before blending.
How to Make a Strawberry Smoothie
It’s so easy to make a strawberry cherry cashew smoothie. Depending on your blender, soaking the cashews prior to blending might help. You can soften cashews with three methods:
The first method involves soaking the cashews overnight for 8 hours in water.
The second method involves boiling the cashews in hot water for 5-10 minutes.
The third method involves bringing the coconut water to a boil, then turning off the heat and adding the cashews to soak in the hot coconut water for 30 minutes to an hour.
Once the cashews are softened, drain, then add them to the blender along with the cashew milk, strawberries and frozen cherries. Blend until smooth and creamy. If the strawberry smoothie is too thick, add a bit more cashew milk, or water, and continue blending until reaching the desired consistency.
Health Benefits of a Strawberry Smoothie
From flavor to health benefits, cherries have so much to offer in this smoothie. Not only do they have a welcoming tartness that balances out the sweetness, they’re also packed with powerful antioxidants. Cherries also support healthy sleep and reduce inflammation.
Strawberries are full of vitamin C, which boosts your immunity as well as reduces the free-radicals that cause disease. With all of the cold and flu viruses circulating, there’s no better time to load up on vitamin C!
Cashews are a great source of plant-based protein. Cashews provide heart-healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, along with vitamins E, K, and B6 and Manganese, Magnesium, Copper, as well as Phosphorous and Zinc.
Whip up this tasty strawberry smoothie recipe as a health-packed breakfast or satisfying snack. The whole family will love this creamy treat! Will you please rate + review this recipe once you make it? Your reviews help us bloggers out so much.
Strawberry Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup strawberries
- ½ cup cherries frozen
- 1 cup cashew milk
- 2 tbsp raw cashews
- 1 serving homemade protein powder optional
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients until smooth
- Pour into a glass and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Cashews are used for creaminess, yet can be subbed with oats and oat milk, or almonds and almond milk
- Use at least one frozen fruit for a refreshingly cool smoothie.
- To up the fiber content + help your body break down the natural fruit sugar in this recipe add up to 1 cup of spinach per serving.
This is my favorite smoothie so far as I love the blend of fruit flavor and it tastes creamy and delicious. This is great for breakfast or an afternoon snack and something I will make frequently.
I forgot to replenish my cherry supply and had only bought oat milk so Oat milk, cashews, strawberries and raspberries it was. Added a bit of maple syrup and collagen protein. Not too bad. Gonna have to try again when I restock my cherries.
I added 1 scoop of protein powder along with 1 & 1/2 pitted dates to the original recipe.
Really smooth & tasty.
Super yummy! I really enjoyed the nutty flavor with the strawberry flavor. I’m not a cherry fan so was glad they weren’t overpowering. I didn’t have cashew milk so used almond milk with the cashews. I’ll make this again.
Today’s challenge is ok. It is thick. I can only taste the strawberries. I would like to have some of the flavors from the cherries come through. I froze the cashew milk as well as my fruit. The smoothie was nice and cold like I prefer my smoothies. I added protein powder to make it more filling. I am not sure if I should have soaked the tablespoon of cashews or not. Something got stuck in the corners of my Vitalmix blender. This is our first time using cashews and cashew milk. I seem to be having trouble posting my comments.
Today’s challenge is ok. It is thick. I can only taste the strawberries. I would like to have some of the flavors from the cherries come through. I froze the cashew milk as well as my fruit. The smoothie was nice and cold like I prefer my smoothies. I added protein powder to make it more filling. I am not sure if I should have soaked the tablespoon of cashews or not. Something got stuck in the corners of my Vitalmix blender. This is our first time using cashews and cashew milk.
Strawberry smoothie with cashews and cherries. I don’t know, I think I would call this a strawberry-cherry smoothie. I didn’t have cashew milk… Kind of hard to find where I am. So I used almond milk but instead of 2 tablespoons of cashews I used about a quarter cup. And added a few extra strawberries and cherries into the mix. When you’re measuring fruit you can’t get a true measurement so I add a few extra to fill in those gaps. And if it doesn’t seem to blend as well I just add a little more almond milk to make it more liquidy. Sometimes when doing a smoothie with nuts I’ll add some nut butter like sunflower butter, and some oatmeal and make it a full on meal. I like the smoothie it’s similar to ones I’ve made. And I added a bit of protein. It’s a good morning breakfast smoothie!
Love the combination of the cherries and strawberries.
Thick and creamy. Not as sweet as other fruit smoothies but satisfying.
I loved this. It’s like strawberry ice cream in a smoothie.
Cherries make this
So I made this for me and my boyfriend. The first thing he asks is did I use banana. When I told him “No,” he tells me, “Ah – that’s what’s missing.” I told him that was the point but he still felt it was missing something. I couldn’t find cashew milk so I subbed almond milk. I liked it. There was a subtle strawberry taste mixed with the slight nut flavor. I didn’t really taste the cherry. I would make it again but my boyfriend would pass lol
I changed this smoothie by omitting the cashews (don’t like). Used water and added leafy greens instead.
Smooth creamy and cold! Love it. I enjoy cashew milk with fruit in smoothies. Will make this all summer!
Loved it. Will do it again
Great summer dessert. I used frozen strawberries & protein powder to make it creamier.