5 Minutes · No Earthy Aftertaste · 8 Flavors
Easy Beet Smoothie Recipe (Plus 7 Smoothies with Beets That Taste Good)
A bright pink berry beet smoothie that tastes like berries, not earth, plus how to prepare beets for smoothies, how much to use and seven more flavors to try.
- 5 minutes
- About 280 calories
- 7g fiber
- Printable card
The berry beet smoothie: cooked beet, frozen berries, banana and a squeeze of lemon.
A good beet smoothie should taste like a berry smoothie with a little something extra: deep, sweet and jammy, with none of the earthy flavor that puts people off beets. The secret is balance. Tart-sweet fruit, a squeeze of citrus and something creamy turn beets into one of the best smoothie ingredients there is.
So, can you put beets in a smoothie? Absolutely, and if the beet smoothies you have tasted before were earthy, this one is different. Whether you call it a beet smoothie or a beetroot smoothie, this easy beet smoothie recipe is the place to start, and it might just become your best beet smoothie recipe.
Below you will find how to use raw, cooked, canned or powdered beets, how many ounces of beets to add to a smoothie, which fruits go best with beets, seven more smoothies with beets recipes and beetroot smoothie recipes, a smoothie bowl, and the honest story on beet smoothie benefits.
Easy Beet Smoothie Recipe (Berry Beet)
Here is how to make a beetroot smoothie the easy way. This beet smoothie recipe makes one large glass. Tap how many you want and every amount on the card changes, including the printable version.
Berry Beet Smoothie
The easy beet smoothie recipe to start with: cooked beet, frozen berries, banana, Greek yogurt and a squeeze of lemon. Sweet, tangy, creamy and bright pink, with no earthy aftertaste.
How many smoothies?
Ingredients
- ½ cup (75 g)1 cup (150 g)1½ cups (225 g)2 cups (300 g) cooked beet, chopped (roasted, steamed or precooked)
- 1 cup (140 g)2 cups3 cups4 cups frozen mixed berries
- ½11½2 frozen banana
- ½ cup1 cup1½ cups2 cups plain Greek yogurt, or dairy-free yogurt
- ¾ cup (180 ml)1½ cups2¼ cups3 cups milk of choice, or unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tbsp2 tbsp3 tbsp¼ cup fresh lemon or lime juice
- ½ tsp1 tsp1½ tsp2 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated (optional)
- 1–2 tsp2–4 tsp1–2 tbsp1½–2½ tbsp honey or maple syrup, to taste (optional)
Instructions
Get the beet ready
Use cooked beet for the smoothest, mildest smoothie: roasted, steamed or the vacuum-packed precooked kind. Using raw beet? Peel it and grate it finely first.
Liquids in first
Pour the milk, yogurt and lemon juice into the blender. Liquid at the bottom helps the blades catch everything.
Add the beet and fruit
Add the beet and ginger, then the frozen banana and berries on top.
Blend until silky
Blend on low for 10 seconds, then on high for 45 to 60 seconds, until there are no flecks of beet left. Add a splash more milk if it is too thick to move.
Taste and serve
Taste and adjust: honey for sweetness, a little more lemon for brightness. Pour into a glass and serve right away.
Roughly, per glass
Made with 2% Greek yogurt and unsweetened almond milk, without honey.
This is an estimate, not a lab analysis.
How to Prepare Beets for Smoothies
Raw, grated, roasted and steamed: every way to get beets for smoothies ready.
Using beets in smoothies is easier than it looks, and you can add them in almost any form. Cooked beets are the easiest: milder, sweeter and smooth in any blender. Raw beets work too, as long as you grate them finely. Here is how each one compares:
| Form | How to prep it | Taste and texture | Per smoothie |
|---|---|---|---|
| FormRaw beets | How to prep itPeel, then grate finely or cut into small dice. A high-speed blender helps. | Taste and textureEarthiest, most “beet” flavor; can be slightly gritty | Per smoothie¼–½ cup grated |
| FormRoasted or steamed beets | How to prep itCook until tender, cool, peel and chop. Freeze in portions. | Taste and textureMildest and smoothest; the top pick | Per smoothie½ cup (75 g) |
| FormPrecooked vacuum-packed beets | How to prep itDrain and chop. Ready to use. | Taste and textureMild and smooth, with no cooking | Per smoothie½ cup (75 g) |
| FormCanned beets | How to prep itChoose plain beets, not pickled. Drain and rinse well. | Taste and textureSoft and mild; can taste a little salty | Per smoothie½ cup (75 g) |
| FormBeet juice | How to prep itUse in place of some of the milk. | Taste and textureSweet-earthy, deep color, no fiber | Per smoothie¼–½ cup |
| FormBeetroot powder | How to prep itAdd straight to the blender. | Taste and textureEasiest; earthy unless paired with fruit or cocoa | Per smoothie1–2 tsp |
| FormBeet greens | How to prep itWash well, remove thick stems; use like spinach. | Taste and textureMild, a little like chard | Per smoothie1 small handful |
How to Use Raw Beets in Smoothies
Using raw beets in a smoothie is simple. For a raw beet smoothie recipe, scrub and peel the beet, then grate it on the fine side of a box grater before it goes into the blender.
Start with ¼ cup, since raw beet tastes stronger than cooked. To make juice for a smoothie, do you cook the beets or use them raw? Use them raw: beets juice well uncooked, and raw juice keeps the most nutrients.
Roasting or Steaming Beets in Batches
Wrap scrubbed beets in foil and roast at 400°F (200°C) for 45 to 60 minutes, or steam whole beets for 30 to 40 minutes, until a knife slides in easily. Cool, rub off the skins, chop and freeze. Roasting and steaming keep more nutrients than boiling.
How Much Beet to Add to a Smoothie
For one person, ½ cup (75 g, about 2½ to 3 oz) of cooked beet is the sweet spot: about one small beet. That is enough for color and goodness without tasting like a vegetable.
- New to beets: ¼ cup (about 1½ oz)
- Most people: ½ cup (about 2½ to 3 oz)
- Beet lovers: a smoothie with 1 cup beets, balanced with extra fruit and lemon
How to Make Beet Smoothies That Taste Good
The best tasting beet smoothie is the one where you notice the fruit first. These five tricks make any smoothie with beets taste delicious:
Start small
Begin with ¼ to ½ cup of cooked beet per glass. You can always add more next time.
Pair it with tart-sweet fruit
Berries, cherries, pineapple and orange stand up to beet and turn its earthiness into a deeper, jammy flavor.
Add citrus
A squeeze of lemon, lime or orange is the biggest single trick. Acid brightens the whole smoothie and cuts the earthy taste.
Add something creamy
Frozen banana, Greek yogurt or a spoon of nut butter makes the smoothie thick and smooth, so it tastes like a treat.
Ginger or cocoa to finish
A little fresh ginger adds warmth, and cocoa makes the beet almost disappear into a chocolate smoothie.
What Fruits Go Well with Beets in a Smoothie?
| Fruit | Why it works with beets |
|---|---|
| FruitStrawberries, raspberries, blueberries | Why it works with beetsSweet-tart and the same deep color; the classic pairing |
| FruitDark sweet cherries | Why it works with beetsRich and jammy; amazing with cocoa |
| FruitBanana | Why it works with beetsSweetness and creaminess; tames the earthy taste |
| FruitPineapple and mango | Why it works with beetsTropical and bright; great with lime |
| FruitOrange | Why it works with beetsJuicy and fresh; perfect with golden beets |
| FruitApple and pear | Why it works with beetsMild and crisp; good in green beet smoothies |
| FruitPrunes and dates | Why it works with beetsNatural sweetness and extra fiber |
Beetroot smoothie too tangy? Too much lemon, yogurt or tart berries is the usual cause. Blend in half a frozen banana, a pitted date or a teaspoon of honey, or add a splash more milk.
Save the pin for your next smoothie morning.
7 More Smoothies with Beets
Berry, pink beet milkshake, golden beet and chocolate cherry, side by side.
These beetroot smoothie recipes are some of the best smoothies with beets for every mood, and like all smoothies using beets, they start with cooked beet. Same easy method as the recipe card: liquids first, then beet, then frozen fruit, and blend for a full minute. Each makes one large glass. Tap a flavor:
Pink Beet Milkshake
Thick, creamy and pink, and nobody guesses there is beet in it.
- ⅓ cup cooked beet
- 1 frozen banana
- ½ cup frozen strawberries
- ½ cup vanilla Greek yogurt
- ¾ cup milk
- ½ tsp alcohol-free vanilla extract
- 1 pitted date (optional)
Blend until very thick and smooth.
Celery, Cucumber and Beet Smoothie
Is celery, cucumber and beet good for a smoothie? Yes: it is the fresh, green-tasting one, light and not too sweet.
- ½ cup cooked beet
- 1 celery stalk, chopped
- ½ cup chopped cucumber
- 1 small green apple, cored
- ½ cup frozen pineapple
- juice of ½ lemon
- ½ inch fresh ginger
- ¾ cup water or coconut water, plus ice
Blend for a full minute so the celery is completely smooth.
Tropical Beet Smoothie
Sunny, sweet and tasty, with a gorgeous coral color.
- ½ cup cooked beet
- 1 cup frozen mango
- ½ cup frozen pineapple
- ½ orange, peeled
- ¾ cup coconut water
- juice of ½ lime
Chocolate Cherry Beet Smoothie
Like a black forest dessert in a glass. Cocoa and beet are a natural match.
- ½ cup cooked beet
- 1 cup frozen dark sweet cherries
- ½ frozen banana
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 1 cup milk
- 1 pitted date
Prune Beet Healthy Smoothie
The best prune-beet healthy smoothie is naturally sweet with no honey, and high in fiber.
- ½ cup cooked beet
- 3–4 pitted prunes (soak 10 minutes in hot water if dry)
- ½ frozen banana
- ½ cup frozen raspberries
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ¾ cup milk
- a pinch of cinnamon
Beet Green Smoothie
Use the leafy tops too. Beet greens blend just like spinach, which makes this one of the best beet green smoothie recipes to start with.
- 1 small handful beet greens or spinach, washed
- ⅓ cup cooked beet
- 1 cup frozen pineapple
- ½ frozen banana
- 1 tbsp chia or hemp seeds
- 1 cup coconut water or almond milk
- juice of ½ lime
Golden Beet and Orange Smoothie
Golden beets are milder and sweeter than red, and they do not stain. This one is a bright sunshine yellow. Mix golden, red and candy-striped beets for multi-colored beet smoothies.
- ½ cup cooked golden beet
- 1 orange, peeled
- ½ cup frozen mango
- ½ frozen banana
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ½ tsp grated ginger
- ½ cup milk
Beet Smoothie Bowl
A bowl of red beet smoothie, thick and spoonable, topped with banana, berries, granola, chia and coconut.
To turn a beet smoothie into a bowl, make the berry beet smoothie with only ⅓ cup of milk and an extra ½ cup of frozen berries, so it is thick enough to eat with a spoon. Use the tamper or stop and scrape down the blender as needed.
Spoon it into a chilled bowl and top it with sliced banana, fresh berries, granola, chia seeds, toasted coconut and a few mint leaves.
Beetroot Smoothie Benefits: What Beets Really Add
What are the health benefits of beets in smoothies? Here is what a healthy smoothie with beets really gives you, and the beet smoothie benefits that hold up, without the hype:
Fiber
The berry beet smoothie has about 7 g of fiber, because you drink the whole beet and fruit rather than just the juice.
Folate
Half a cup of cooked beets has around 17% of the daily value for folate, a B vitamin your body uses to make new cells.
Natural nitrates
Beets are rich in dietary nitrate, which the body turns into nitric oxide, a molecule that helps blood vessels relax.
Potassium and manganese
Beets add potassium and manganese, two minerals that many smoothies made only from fruit are low in.
Betalain pigments
The deep red and gold colors come from betalains, plant pigments with antioxidant properties.
About the nitrate research. Most studies on blood pressure and exercise used concentrated beet juice, and the effects were modest and short-lived. A smoothie with whole beets has less nitrate than a juice shot. Think of a beet smoothie as a nourishing drink, not a treatment. This is general food information, not medical advice.
Blenders and Gear for Beet Smoothies
Raw beets are the hardest test for a blender. These turn them silky, not gritty.
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nutribullet SmartSense Blender Combo
Single-serve cups and a full pitcher; strong enough for raw beet.
Check Price on Amazon →
Ninja Detect Power Blender Pro
Senses the load and adjusts speed, so frozen fruit and beets blend smooth.
Check Price on Amazon →
Vitamix Ascent X2 Blender
The smoothest result from raw, unpeeled beets, and it lasts for years.
Check Price on Amazon →
Wide Mouth Mason Jars
Blend ahead and keep a smoothie cold in the fridge for the morning.
Check Price on Amazon →Blender Tips for Beet Smoothie Recipes
Blender power
In a high-speed blender, raw beet blends smooth. In a regular or personal blender, use cooked beet or grate raw beet finely first.
Freeze beet cubes
Roast or steam a batch of beets, chop them and freeze in ½-cup portions. They chill the smoothie, so you need less ice.
Smoothie packs
Bag the beet, berries, banana and ginger together and freeze. In the morning, tip a bag into the blender with the milk and yogurt.
Beat the stains
Beet juice stains boards and fingers. Use a plastic or glass board, wear gloves, and rub any pink spots with lemon juice and salt.
Storage
Best fresh. You can keep it in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 24 hours; shake well. The color stays, but the flavor fades a little.
Beet Smoothie FAQs
Can you put beets in a smoothie?
Yes. Cooked beets blend into a smooth, sweet and earthy smoothie with a beautiful pink color. Start with a quarter to half a cup of cooked beet per glass, and pair it with berries, banana and a squeeze of lemon so the earthy taste stays in the background.
Are beets good in smoothies?
Yes. Beets add fiber, folate, potassium and natural nitrates, plus natural sweetness and a vivid color. They taste best balanced with fruit, citrus and something creamy, like banana or yogurt.
Should I use raw or cooked beets in a smoothie?
Both work. Cooked beets are milder and blend smoother in any blender, so they are the best choice for most people. Raw beets keep slightly more of their heat-sensitive nutrients and taste earthier; peel and grate them finely, and use a high-speed blender if you can.
What is the best beet to use in smoothies to retain nutrients?
Raw beets keep the most nutrients, followed by roasted or steamed beets. Boiling lets some of the water-soluble vitamins and pigments leach out into the water. Whichever you choose, drinking the whole beet in a smoothie keeps all of its fiber.
Can you use canned beets in a smoothie?
Yes. Use plain canned beets, not pickled ones, and drain and rinse them well to wash off some of the salt. They are already soft, so they blend smoothly. In Australia and the UK, tinned beetroot is often packed in a sweet vinegar brine, so check the label or use fresh cooked beetroot instead.
Can you put beet juice in a smoothie?
Yes. Use a quarter to half a cup of beet juice in place of some of the milk or water. It gives the smoothie a deep color and a sweet, earthy flavor, but no fiber, so whole beets are the better choice if you want a more filling smoothie.
How many ounces of beets should I add to a smoothie?
For one person, about 2.5 to 3 ounces (75 grams) of cooked beet, which is half a cup or one small beet. If you are new to beets, start with 1.5 ounces, about a quarter cup. A smoothie with 1 cup of beets tastes strongly of beet, so add extra fruit and lemon to balance it.
What fruits are good with beets in a smoothie?
Berries are the classic match, especially strawberries and raspberries. Dark sweet cherries, banana, pineapple, mango, orange, apple, pear and prunes all work well too. Tart-sweet fruits balance the earthy taste of beets best.
What can you add to a beetroot powder smoothie to make it taste better?
Use only 1 to 2 teaspoons of powder and blend it with sweet, strongly flavored ingredients: frozen berries or cherries, banana, a squeeze of lemon, and a spoon of cocoa or a little vanilla. Cold, thick smoothies hide the earthy taste better than thin ones.
Why is my beetroot smoothie too tangy?
Usually too much lemon, yogurt or tart berries. Blend in half a frozen banana, a pitted date or a teaspoon of honey, or add a splash more milk. Next time, start with half the lemon juice and add more to taste.
Can I use golden or multi-colored beets in smoothies?
Yes, golden and candy-striped beets blend in exactly the same way as red beets, and they have similar fiber, folate and nitrates. Golden beets taste milder and sweeter, give a yellow-orange smoothie and do not stain. Their pigments are yellow betalains instead of red ones.
What can I use instead of beets in a smoothie?
For the same deep color, use frozen raspberries, dark cherries or a splash of pomegranate juice. For the vegetable boost, add a small carrot or a handful of spinach. Neither tastes like beet, which some people see as a bonus.
Is it normal for urine to turn pink after a beet smoothie?
Yes, for many people. It is called beeturia, and it is harmless: the red pigment from beets passes through and can tint urine or stool pink or red for a day or so.
Is it okay to drink a beet smoothie every day?
For most people, yes. Beets are high in oxalates, though, so if you have had kidney stones or been told to limit oxalates, check with your doctor first. Beet greens are even higher in oxalates. If you take blood pressure medication, ask your doctor before adding a daily beet smoothie or beet juice.
Related Reads
More smoothies and easy healthy drinks to make next.
The Cucumber Smoothie
Creamy, cool and refreshing, with no bitter green taste. Get the recipe → Veggie BoostEasy Smoothies with Vegetables
More ways to blend vegetables into smoothies that taste like fruit. See them all → The ClassicCreamy Banana Smoothie
Just 4 ingredients and no yogurt needed. Make it now → Master FormulaAny Frozen Fruit Smoothie with Yogurt
One basic formula for any fruit in your freezer. Learn the formula → Smoothie BowlsMango Smoothie Bowl Recipes
Thick, spoonable bowls with all the toppings. Build a bowl → Easy HabitChia Seeds and Lemon Water
A 2-minute fiber drink, plus a warm turmeric version. Read the recipe →Start with ½ cup of cooked beet, add tart-sweet fruit, a squeeze of lemon and something creamy, and blend for a full minute. That is the whole secret to a beet smoothie that tastes good.
Pin this beet smoothie recipe so all eight flavors, from the berry classic to the best beetroot smoothie for chocolate lovers, are ready when you are.