Strawberry Cucumber Smoothie

This strawberry cucumber smoothie is a refreshing summertime treat. It’s packed with antioxidants, low in calories, and naturally sweet.

Why you’ll love it:

If you haven’t tried cucumber in a smoothie yet, you’re missing out! It’s clean, crisp flavor complements strawberries to a tee. It’s like summertime in a glass.

I make this strawberry cucumber smoothie on repeat when spring turns into summer. It’s fresh and fruity, with just the right amount of cucumber. It’s also low in calories, at just 222 calories for the entire smoothie.

Both strawberries and cucumbers are a rich source of antioxidants. Antioxidants help prevent oxidative stress throughout your body. It’s the perfect way to kickstart your morning.

Key Ingredients:

Banana – Bananas are naturally sweet and creamy which makes them a great base for fruit smoothies! Look for yellow, ripe bananas. Green underripe bananas taste chalky and bitter.

Cucumber – I prefer to peel my cucumber for a smooth texture, but you do lose some of the nutrients in the peel. You can leave the peel on, but the peel won’t break down completely and little bits of peel will be in your smoothie.

Strawberries – Frozen strawberries thicken the smoothie and give it a burst of strawberry flavor!

Orange juice – A splash of orange juice brightens up the whole smoothie. You can use store-bought orange juice OR the juice of a navel orange! I use just enough to add a pop of citrus without overpowering the other flavors in the smoothie.

Almond milk – Almond milk has a creamy texture and neutral flavor. I buy unsweetened almond milk to avoid added sugar.

How to Make a Cucumber Smoothie:

This strawberry cucumber smoothie is a breeze to make!

Combine ingredients: In the pitcher of your blender, combine the banana, frozen strawberries, cucumber, orange juice, and almond milk.

Blend: Blend until smooth. Adjust the consistency as desired. If the smoothie is too thin, add a few more frozen strawberries and blend again.

Serve: Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately!

Recipe Tips:

• Adjust the consistency as desired. Smoothies are very forgiving! If the smoothie is too thick, it just needs a splash more liquid. If it’s too thin, it needs more frozen ingredients.
• For a smooth consistency, peel and deseed the cucumber. If you don’t mind little bits of peel throughout the smoothie, you can leave it on.
• You don’t need ice! Most of my recipes don’t call for ice. Ice dilutes the flavor of the smoothie while it melts, plus it has a grittier texture.
• Make it into a smoothie bowl! Just decrease the amount of liquid so the smoothie is thick enough to eat with a spoon. You can always add more if it’s too thick!

Variations:

This strawberry smoothie with cucumber is easy to customize! Try one of these simple variations:

• Greens – Add a handful of baby spinach. Baby spinach has a mild flavor and delicate leaves, so it blends up nicely in fruit smoothies.
• Fruit – Swap half the strawberries with mango or pineapple for a tropical vibe!
• Sweetener – If you like your smoothies on the sweeter side, add a teaspoon or two of honey, maple syrup, or light agave.
• Yogurt – Add a scoop of Greek yogurt for protein.

Health Benefits of Cucumbers:

Cucumbers are nutrient-dense fruits with a high water content! This makes them hydrating and ultra refreshing. Here’s a few of their featured health benefits:

• Low in calories – One 300 gram cucumber contains a measly 45 calories!
• Antioxidants – Antioxidants protect the body from harmful free radicals and ultimately block oxidation.
• Healthy gut – Cucumbers contain fiber, specifically pectin, that helps keep you regular!
• Vitamin K – High in vitamin K, among other vitamins and minerals. Vitamin K is important for blood clotting and strong bones.

Storing Tips:

I always recommend enjoying smoothies fresh! They only take 5 minutes to make and they taste best right when they’re made.

If you have leftover smoothie and don’t want to toss it, you can freeze it into smoothie pops. Pour the smoothie into popsicle molds, add popsicle sticks, and freeze overnight.

Smoothie pops are best when they begin to melt a little.

FAQs:

More Smoothie Recipes

• Tropical Spinach Cucumber Smoothie
• Strawberry Raspberry Smoothie
• Strawberry Grape Smoothie
• Strawberry Plum Smoothie