Ultra-Creamy Avocado and Mixed Berry Smoothie

updated Feb 3, 2020
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Credit: Joe Lingeman

This creamy berry smoothie features a surprise ingredient — an avocado!

Serves2

Makes2 1/2 cups

Prep5 minutes

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Credit: Joe Lingeman

Are you convinced that the only way to enjoy a perfectly smooth and creamy smoothie is a trip to the smoothie shop? While a good blender helps, I’ve found an ingredient that can turn any thin and icy smoothie into a super-rich and satisfying one — and no, it’s not a frozen banana. My new favorite smoothie ingredient is avocado, and although you can add it to any smoothie of your liking, I prefer to blend it with mixed berries, spinach, milk (dairy or otherwise), and maple syrup, which creates a sweet-tart smoothie that is creamy beyond belief.

An avocado also adds heart-healthy fats to any smoothie, helping to keep you fueled until lunch.

Ditch the Banana (and the Yogurt, Too!)

Frozen bananas or thick Greek yogurt are often added to smoothies to make them creamier, but here’s why I prefer avocados. Bananas have a distinct flavor that not even the tartest berry can hide, while mild-flavored avocados add a thick and creamy texture to smoothies without overpowering other flavors. Yogurt isn’t an option for anyone avoiding dairy, but this avocado smoothie can be made with nondairy milk.

Credit: Joe Lingeman

Which Berries Are Best?

Frozen mixed berry blends, full of blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, are my favorite smoothie base. Mixed berries add a sweet-tart flavor and a vibrant hue that stays bright even after the spinach and avocado are blended in (which is important when serving kids who eat with their eyes first). Ice-cold frozen berries are a better bet than frozen, because they chill the smoothies without diluting the drink.

Avocado-Berry Smoothie

This creamy berry smoothie features a surprise ingredient — an avocado!

Prep time 5 minutes

Makes 2 1/2 cups

Serves 2

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups

    frozen mixed berries, such as blueberry, raspberry, blackberry

  • 1 cup

    fresh spinach

  • 1 cup

    dairy or nondairy milk

  • 1/2

    ripe medium avocado

  • 1 tablespoon

    maple syrup

Instructions

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  1. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Pour into 2 glasses and serve immediately.