Smoothie Prep Tips

Simple tricks to make smoothie prep faster, easier, and more nutritious.

Drinking a smoothie is one of the simplest—and tastiest—ways to pack your day with essential nutrients. After blending hundreds of smoothies ourselves, we like to think we’ve earned some serious smoothie wisdom. We’ve already shared plenty of tips – such as how to build the perfect blend and how to support your immune system – but there’s always more to learn when it comes to making smoothie prep quick, easy, and nutritious.

Here are three fresh tips to keep you blending like a pro—from saving time to sneaking in more veggies.

1. Prep Smoothies Ahead of Time. Make-ahead smoothie bags or jars are a game-changer. Simply wash, chop, and portion out your non-liquid ingredients into reusable bags or jars, then store them in the fridge or freezer. When you’re ready, transfer everything to your nutribullet®, add your favorite liquid, and blend. For even more convenience, you can prep your smoothie directly in your nutribullet® cup and refrigerate until blending time.
2. Save, Freeze, and Repurpose Overripe Produce. Freezing fruits and veggies not only prevents waste but also makes smoothie prep effortless, while giving you that perfect frosty texture. Overripe bananas are an obvious choice—just peel, chop into chunks, and freeze. Avocados freeze beautifully too; peel, pit, quarter, and store them in an airtight container. If your greens are on their last legs, turn them into “green ice cubes” by blending spinach or kale with water or almond milk, pouring the mixture into ice cube trays, and freezing. Toss a few cubes into your smoothie for an easy nutrient boost.
3. Think Outside the Box. Smoothies are the perfect vehicle for sneaking more veggies into your diet. Cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini, yellow squash, and even green peas have surprisingly mild flavors that blend well with fruits and nuts. Don’t believe us? Try this Chocolate Banana Shake recipe. It has a hidden ingredient you’d never guess: frozen peas! Add some cauliflower or squash in your next smoothie and you’ll be surprised by how well it pairs with your favorite fruits, nuts, and boosts.

With a little planning, prepping, and thinking outside of the box, there’s no limit to the delicious, nutritious smoothies that await you in your future. Go forth and blend.