Smoothie Prep Tips

Drinking a smoothie is an easy and delicious way to get a ton of nutrients in your system. You deserve a smoothie. We all do.

And because our team has blended literally hundreds of them, we think we’re pretty qualified to dole out some solid smoothie advice. We’ve already shared tons of tips, from how to build the perfect smoothie to making smoothies that support a healthy immune system, but there’s always more to offer when it comes to smoothie prep practices. 

From saving time to adding more veggie-based nutrients to your blends, here are three more of our smoothie-making tips to get you blending like a pro.

Prep smoothies in advance. Make-ahead smoothie bags/ jars come together in no time and make it insanely easy to whip up a delicious blend. Just wash, dry, and chop all your non-liquid ingredients, add to a reusable bag or jar, and store in the fridge or freezer. When you’re ready to blend, transfer the contents into your nutribullet cup, add your liquid of choice, and blend. And if you want to save even more time, you can build your smoothie directly in your nutribullet cup and store it in the fridge until go-time.

Save, freeze, and use overripe produce. Freezing fruits and veggies for smoothies is not only a great way to save produce that’s about to turn, it also makes smoothie prep a cinch, and gives your blends that thick, frosty texture we’re always aiming for. Overripe bananas are obviously perfect candidates for the job. Peel your browning bananas, break them into 1-to 2-inch chunks, and freeze them in a reusable airtight bag or container until you’re ready to add them to your mix. Avocados also freeze really well, which is helpful, since they turn from ripe to mush in what seems like 30 seconds. To prepare, halve your avocados, twist to open, remove the pit, then cut each half in half to yield four quarters. Remove the peel and transfer the quarters to a freezer-safe bag or container. Finally, if you have any greens like spinach or kale that look to be on the edge, you can turn them into green ice cubes with your nutribullet(R). Just blend the greens along with some water or almond milk in your nutribullet(R) and pour into a covered ice cube tray. Freeze the cubes, and when you’re ready to make your next smoothie, pop a few into your nutribullet(R) cup for a boost of nutritious green goodness. 

Think outside the box. Smoothies are an amazing vehicle for nutrient-dense veggies you might not always be inclined to sit down and eat. Cauliflower, broccoli, yellow squash, zucchini, and green peas might not be everyone’s favorite at the dinner table, but they’re surprisingly mildly flavored when added to smoothies. Don’t believe us? Try this recipe for a Chocolate Banana Shake. It has a hidden ingredient you’d never guess: frozen peas! Toss 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.