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.

strawberry smoothie in a glass with a glass straw and a strawberry garnish.

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:

Don’t worry banana lovers; I’ve got tons of smoothies with banana too!

strawberry smoothie in a glass with a glass straw and a strawberry garnish.

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

  1. Place strawberries in a colander and then rinse thoroughly with water. Pat dry with a clean towel.
  2. Hull the strawberries using either a knife or strawberry huller.
  3. Place the strawberries on a baking tray, making sure each berry doesn’t touch.
  4. Freeze for at least an hour.
  5. 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.

strawberry smoothie in a glass with a glass straw and a strawberry garnish.

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.

ingredients for a fruit smoothie including cherries, cashews, strawberries and cashew milk.

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.

fruit smoothie ingredients including strawberries, cashews, cashew milk and cherries.

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.

4.62 from 195 votes

Strawberry Smoothie

This super fun + super pink strawberry smoothie is springtime perfection. Sweet with not a banana in sight, and a great kid-friendly snack!
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Author: Jen Hansard
Course: Smoothie
Cuisine: Plant-Based
Serves: 1

Ingredients  

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 225kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Sodium: 164mg, Potassium: 506mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 17g, Vitamin A: 61IU, Vitamin C: 90mg, Calcium: 39mg, Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe? Show me!Mention @SimpleGreenSmoothies or tag #SimpleGreenSmoothies!

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Rating




Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I had to substitute almonds and almond milk since I can’t eat cashews. It still makes a delicious smoothie!!

  2. 5 stars
    I really like this smoothie, it’s hard to go wrong with strawberries, but the added cherries boost the flavor notch up to perfection!

  3. 3 stars
    This one was not my favorite. I could not find cashew milk in the stores this time. Actually the varieties of milk were quite slim in the store. I also should have known to soak the cashews from prior challenges but did not see it in the directions for this smoothie so they were added raw. I had a strange after taste which might have been the cashews. I will try this one again soaking the cashews and hopefully I will be able to find cashew milk. Otherwise. I might try with almonds instead.

  4. 5 stars
    Super creamy, loved not having the banana. Easy to add some protein powder for a filling breakfast.

  5. 5 stars
    Delicious! We really enjoyed this one, have never thought of adding nuts to a smoothie before!

  6. 5 stars
    Creamy and delicious like a milkshake. I loved this one with added spinach and protein boost was a satisfying breakfast.

    1. This one was perfect. I love berries. Simple and few ingredients made it easy.

  7. 5 stars
    Strawberry fields forever… Another day another burst of deliciousness! Strawberry cherry with protein powder & MCT oil topped with bee pollen. Be still my heart!

  8. 5 stars
    This one is delicious! Strawberries and cherries make a great combination. I’ve been making a variation of this smoothie myself, so it was a no brainer that this recipe will work and be tasty