Make smoothies in half the time with my make ahead smoothie prep guide. You can use this process to prep for a day, a week or even a month– depending on how much space you have in your freezer!
Equipment
freezer
measuring cups
quart sized jars or bags
permanent marker
Ingredients
5cupsspinach
2cupskale
3bananas
5oranges
3mango
1pineapple
2cupsstrawberries
Instructions
Decide which recipes you'll make for the week and have the recipe on hand. Feel free to use my free 10-day smoothie challenge recipes. For this sample guide I'm using my original Simple 7 Smoothie Guide.
Slice or cut fruit into chunks. You can also cut fruit into smaller pieces and freeze ahead of time on lined baking sheets or use packaged frozen fruit. This will help keep the fruit and leafy greens from freezing together in a large clump and the smoothies will blend more easily.
Label bag and jar lids with recipe name and date. Be specific. You might also want to include how much of which liquid gets blended with each smoothie pack (to have when you're ready to blend).
Measure out the ingredients and pack into jars or bags.
Remove as much air as possible from bags and jars when sealing closed. Pack fruit and greens tightly into the jars and screw on the lids.
Place in freezer. Don't pack too tightly together. There should be some air circulation to help the contents to freeze quickly.
When ready to use
Remove smoothie pack from freezer. Add liquid base to container or bag (which helps defrost the fruit slightly). You can also thaw for a few minutes on the counter or in warm water. The fruit and greens will come out of the jar/bag easier too.
Pour into blender and blend until smooth.
Notes
Smoothie packs will keep for several months in the freezer but are the very best quality when used within 2-4 weeks.
This sample prep guide uses naturally sweeter fruits. To lower the natural sugar in a smoothie, swap 1 banana with 1/2 an avocado.
If hoar frost forms on the fruit and greens, it is still perfectly safe to consume. It can be rinsed off with lukewarm water.
Store smoothie packs away from foods with strong odors. Glass jars offer the best protection against odors.
Pick smoothie recipes with similar ingredients for bulk purchasing and to save money.