What Fruit Goes Well with Beets?
Beets go well with strawberries and banana in this smoothie, but they are mild-flavored enough to pair well with almost any fruit you happen to have on hand. Using frozen fruit gives this smoothie a nice slushy texture. If you want to hide the beet flavor even more, try using some frozen raspberries!
What makes this smoothie extra-special is the addition of fresh ginger. Ginger and beets are a match made in heaven, and cover up any “earthy” flavor you might otherwise taste from adding beet to a smoothie. The combination makes me want to drink this smoothie every day! Tip: I freeze bananas whole, and break them up into chunks right before blending. I’ve got a whole tutorial on how to freeze bananas if you want extra guidance!
What Are Beets Good For?
There are several potential health benefits associated with beets, so I love finding new ways to sneak them into my day. Be sure to try my favorite beet salad, too, if you haven’t yet! Here’s what I love about them:
Beets may help to significantly lower blood pressure, probably because they are high in nitrates. Eating beets may help to improve running performance and cycling performance. Beets may help to lower inflammation, thanks to pigments called betalains. One study suggests these might help reduce pain associated with osteoarthritis. The fiber in beets may help promote digestive health. (Don’t be alarmed if your bowel movements are beet-colored the next day, either!) The nitrates in beets may also promote brain health by increasing blood flow to the brain.
Dietary nitrate levels peak around 2 to 3 hours after consuming them, so if you’re hoping that eating beets will improve your athletic performance, it’s best to eat them 2 to 3 hours before you need that extra boost.
Can You Freeze Beets for Smoothies?
I only tested this recipe using fresh beets, because that’s what I have on hand most often. If you have some fresh beets that you don’t think you’ll use up right away, you can definitely freeze them for later. When you freeze fresh beets, be sure to cut them in to chunks first, so they’ll be easy to measure out for this beet smoothie. Check out my how to freeze strawberries tutorial if you want step-by-step photos to follow along with– the method for freezing fresh beets, and other varieties of fruit, will be the same! You might need to add a little extra liquid to the blender if using frozen beets, but you can just add that as you go, until the smoothie reaches your desired texture.
Optional Add-Ins
This smoothie is a great way to sneak more nutrients into your day, but it’s not hefty enough to act as a meal replacement. To make it more filling, try adding one of the following:
Hemp hearts (a complete source of plant-based protein) Chia or Flax seeds (for extra fiber & omega-3 fatty acids) Almond butter (for healthy fat & fiber) Avocado (another great source of healthy fats)
Feel free to experiment with whatever you have on hand. I’d love to hear what else you try! If you try this beet smoothie, please leave a comment below and let me know what you think. And if you make any modifications, I’d love to hear about those, too! – Reader Feedback: What’s your favorite smoothie combination?
