Perfect Strawberry Smoothie

This recipe unlocks the secret to the perfect strawberry smoothie! It’s deliciously thick, perfectly sweet, and bursting with fresh flavor.…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

This recipe unlocks the secret to the perfect strawberry smoothie! It’s deliciously thick, perfectly sweet, and bursting with fresh flavor.

Strawberry Smoothie Recipe

It’s more difficult than you think to make a perfect smoothie without a recipe. Our strawberry smoothie recipe uses just 5 ingredients to make the creamiest texture and a pure, sweet berry flavor. Make it, memorize it, and make a perfect healthy smoothie on repeat!

Jump to the recipe—now.

Why this recipe is the perfect strawberry smoothie

It’s my job to make the best smoothie recipes on the internet. I’ve created over 65 smoothie recipes focusing on natural fruits and vegetables and healthy proteins like yogurt, while avoiding sugary juices. Along with my co-author Alex, we’ve made green smoothies, vegetable smoothies, fruit smoothies and energy smoothies.

But when it comes to picking favorites, it all comes back to this strawberry smoothie recipe for both of us! Here’s why it’s perfect, to us:

  • Light and creamy texture. It’s easy for smoothies to turn out too icy or thick. This one is light and creamy, with just the right icy and airy texture.
  • Subtly sweet, fruity flavor. Often smoothies are too bitter or overly sweet. This strawberry smoothie is lightly sweet, with just the right berry essence.
Best strawberry smoothie

Ingredients for this strawberry smoothie

Here’s what you’ll need to make this strawberry smoothie! Strawberries have a lot of nutritional punch for very few calories (per Cleveland Clinic), making them one of our favorite ingredients to incorporate in smoothies. We were careful to choose healthy ingredients for this smoothie: no overly sugary juices or syrups. Here’s what we selected:

  • Frozen strawberries: It’s easy to find and store frozen berries, and they add a great icy texture to this smoothie. If you prefer using fresh berries, use a frozen banana instead of one at room temperature.
  • Fresh banana: Many smoothie recipes call for frozen bananas, but we don’t often have them on hand or have the time to wait for freezing. So we customized this recipe to use a fresh banana!
  • Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt gives this recipe a protein boost and helpful probiotics. (If you love yogurt, you could add a touch more.) It also makes for a perfect creamy texture.
  • Ice: Here’s the most important part — ice is essential to a perfect strawberry smoothie! It makes just the right frothy texture. We’ve tried it without and it really makes a difference. Do not omit it!
  • Milk: You need just the right amount of liquid in a smoothie to get it to blend. Not enough and the blender gets stuck (the worst!), and too much it tastes milky. You can also use non-dairy milk.
  • Maple syrup: Adding a hint of maple brings out the sweetness in the berries. If you eat a low sugar diet you could omit, but it doesn’t quite taste sweet enough with no sweetener.
Strawberry smoothie

Add-ins and options

Of course, you can mix in whatever you’d like to customize your healthy strawberry smoothie! But if you want it to be perfect, you’ve got to use flavors that work. Here are some ideas:

  • Almond butter. Almond goes well with strawberry. Use about 1 tablespoon, 2 for a stronger almond flavor (it will also dull the color a bit).
  • Vanilla. Use ¼ to ½ teaspoon vanilla to heighten the flavors.
  • Mint or basil. Add a few fresh mint or basil leaves for an herbaceous spin.
  • Cocoa powder. Craving chocolate? Go to Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie.

Things not to add? Handfuls of spinach leaves! They turn this smoothie into an unappealing shade of brown. If you want a green smoothie, go to our Green Smoothie.

Strawberry smoothie variations

Strawberry smoothie variations

Craving a flavor twist? Don’t stop at strawberries! This versatile smoothie base can be transformed into a tropical paradise with a handful of mango or pineapple. Mix in blueberries for a tart and tangy upgrade, or add even more banana for extra sweetness. We’ve created separate recipes for each variation:

For a strawberry recipe without banana, try this one from smoothie expert The Blender Girl.

Ways to make it plant based

You can make this strawberry smoothie plant-based or vegan by doing the following:

  • Make our strawberry banana smoothie. Try our Strawberry Banana Smoothie: it’s vegan and uses only 2 ingredients!
  • Omit the yogurt and use non-dairy milk for the milk. We like using oat milk or almond milk. Oat milk is usually a little sweeter and creamier, so it’s our default for smoothies. You could also try coconut milk, which adds a nice coconut essence, or soy milk. To compensate for the yogurt, add a splash more milk as necessary to get it to blend.
Strawberry smoothies in two cups with straws and strawberry garnish

Storing leftovers

Smoothies are best eaten immediately. But this strawberry smoothie actually lasts 1 to 2 days refrigerated, stored in a sealed container or a mason jar with the lid on. It may separate, which is perfectly natural. Just shake it up and you’re good to go!

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Strawberry smoothie

Perfect Strawberry Smoothie


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 2 small smoothies

Description

This 2-minute recipe unlocks the secret to the perfect strawberry smoothie! It’s deliciously thick, perfectly sweet, and bursting with fresh flavor.


Ingredients

  • 2 cups frozen strawberries
  • 1 banana (room temperature)
  • ¼ cup Greek yogurt*
  • 1 cup milk (or almond milk or oat milk)
  • 1 ½ tablespoons maple syrup, honey, or agave syrup
  • ½ cup ice
  • Optional add-ins: 1 tablespoon almond butter, ¼ teaspoon vanilla, fresh mint leaves or basil leaves

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients in a blender, breaking the banana into pieces. Blend until creamy and frothy, stopping and scraping down the sides as necessary. Serve immediately or store in a covered jar in the refrigerator for 2 days.

Notes

*For vegan, make a Strawberry Banana Smoothie! Blend 2 cups frozen strawberries, 2 bananas (room temperature), ½ cup water and 8 ice cubes. Or, omit the Greek yogurt and add additional oat milk to get the smoothie to blend. 

  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Blended
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Strawberry Smoothie, Strawberry Banana Smoothie

This strawberry smoothie recipe is…

Vegetarian and gluten-free. For vegan, plant-based and dairy-free, see the recipe for variations.

A few favorite smoothies

We’ve got lots more where this came from! Here more smoothie recipes to try:

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

This peanut butter banana smoothie recipe tastes like a milkshake but is made with wholesome ingredients! A total favorite. As…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

This peanut butter banana smoothie recipe tastes like a milkshake but is made with wholesome ingredients! A total favorite.

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

As authors of over 50 smoothie recipes, we’ve slurped up just about every type. But here’s a recipe that stands out as one of our top favorite ever: this peanut butter banana smoothie! This one tastes like a milkshake but it’s made of wholesome ingredients like banana, peanut butter and oats. Whiz it up with frozen bananas and it makes a thick and creamy, just sweet enough puree that will have you professing your undying love! Our family is head over heels about this one (I think I could eat it every day, really!).

Ingredients in this peanut butter banana smoothie

It’s tricky to get a peanut butter banana smoothie recipe with just the right creamy, thick texture and bold peanut butter banana flavor. In fact, if you just try blending up room temperature bananas with some peanut butter, it can come out very runny and thin. The trick? Frozen bananas add texture, along with Old Fashioned oats which bring an even creamier body. (We tried this trick in our oatmeal smoothie and have been using it ever since!) Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

  • Frozen bananas
  • Old Fashioned oats
  • Peanut butter
  • Milk of choice (dairy, oat milk or almond milk), plus more to taste
  • Vanilla extract
  • Maple syrup (or honey)
  • Ice

We like using creamy unsweetened peanut butter here. We’ve made this smoothie with both oat milk and dairy milk and it is delicious either way! Using dairy milk adds to the protein content and it tastes a little richer.

How to freeze bananas

Tips for freezing bananas

It’s simple to freeze bananas for smoothies: you’ll just need to remember to freeze them 1 ½ hours before you want to enjoy your drink! Here are a few notes about freezing bananas:

  • Use ripe bananas. Only use ripe bananas for smoothies, because this enhances the fruity banana flavor. Unripe bananas can add a bitter aftertaste to smoothies.
  • Slice the bananas, then flash freeze. Slice the fruit into 1/2-inch slices, then place them on a baking sheet. Freeze for 1 ½ to 2 hours. Once solid, place in a freezer safe container until ready to use.

Make it non-dairy and vegan

This peanut butter banana smoothie is easy to make as dairy-free or vegan smoothie. Simply use your favorite non-dairy milk! We love it with oat milk, since it adds a nice creamy body. Using dairy milk does add more protein, so for a vegan smoothie it can be helpful to add additional plant-based protein to make it more filling.

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie ingredients

Protein adders for a peanut butter banana smoothie

This peanut butter banana smoothie does have some plant-based protein from the peanut butter: 12 grams total or 6 grams per serving. But if you’d like, you can add even more protein! This is especially helpful if you’re planning to use this smoothie as a meal replacement. Here are a few ideas:

  • Chia seeds. Add protein and fiber with chia seeds! 2 tablespoons chia seeds adds 4 grams protein and 11 grams fiber.
  • Vanilla protein powder: This vanilla protein powder is the one we use; it has a good flavor that’s not too artificial.
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie Recipe

Smoothie storage

Smoothies are best eaten immediately. However, this peanut butter banana smoothie actually lasts 1 to 2 days refrigerated, stored in a sealed container or a mason jar with the lid on. It may separate, which is perfectly natural. Just shake it up before serving!

More top smoothie recipes

This peanut butter banana smoothie is a favorite in our smoothie lineup! Here are a few more top recipes you’ll love:

This peanut butter banana smoothie recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

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Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 2 small servings

Description

This peanut butter banana smoothie recipe tastes like a milkshake but is made with wholesome ingredients! A total favorite.


Ingredients

  • 2 medium ripe frozen bananas (sliced and frozen at least 1 1/2 hours)
  • ¼ cup Old Fashioned oats
  • 3 tablespoons peanut butter (creamy and unsweetened)
  • 3/4 to 1 cup milk of choice (dairy, oat milk or almond milk), plus more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup (or honey), plus more to taste
  • 1 cup ice
  • Protein adder: 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, optional*

Instructions

  1. If you haven’t already, slice the bananas and freeze them for at least 1 ½ hours until solid.
  2. Blend all ingredients in a blender, starting on the low end of the milk and adding small amounts more until it blends together.  Taste and add additional maple or honey if desired. 

Notes

*If using protein powder, add that first, then add sweetener to taste.

  • Category: Smoothie
  • Method: Frozen
  • Cuisine: Smoothie
  • Diet: Vegan

Keywords: Peanut butter banana smoothie, peanut butter banana smoothie recipe

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Healthy Pomegranate Smoothie

NEW!

This pomegranate smoothie recipe is loaded with healthy benefits that will leave you glowing from the inside out. Antioxidants galore!

The post Healthy Pomegranate Smoothie appeared first on Simple Green Smoothies.

NEW!

Grab this Pomegranate Smoothie for a ruby red beverage loaded with potassium, vitamin A and vitamin C. It’s the perfect antioxidant-rich drink that you can sip this season to ward off the sniffles and capitalize on some seasonal ingredients.

two glass jars full of pomegranate smoothies topped with pomegranate arils and raspberries, sitting on a wooden cutting board.
Table of Contents
  1. Pomegranate Smoothie Ingredients
  2. How to Cut a Pomegranate for a Smoothie
  3. How to Blend a Pomegranate Smoothie
  4. More Ways to Use Pomegranate
  5. Healthy Pomegranate Smoothie Recipe
  6. Pomegranate Smoothie FAQs

I live for pomegranate season, like buy Costco-sized boxes every time I see them in stores kind of living. My family loves them as well!

I’m sure it’s the burst of juice you get when you bite into the arils as well as how versatile they are as a topping for a Fall salad, a bright addition to a vegan charcuterie board or a lovely flavor mixed into berry sangria. They are perfect for this Pomegranate Smoothie and I hope you get to enjoy this recipe at least once this year.

Today’s smoothie recipe is loaded with healthy benefits that will leave us glowing from the inside out. These antioxidant gems make an energizing pomegranate smoothie in just minutes.

labeled ingredients for a red fruit smoothie including frozen berries, red cabbage, pomegranate arils and goji berries.

Pomegranate Smoothie Ingredients

I added as many red ingredients as I could fit into this smoothie recipe resulting in a delicious, gorgeous red beverage that’s loaded with vitamins and minerals. Here’s what I’m blending today:

If you want to boost your smoothie and turn it into a meal replacement then add in 1 serving of homemade protein powder. It takes this smoothie from 5g of protein to 15g of protein as well as thickens the final product up a bit.

How to Cut a Pomegranate for a Smoothie

While we LOVE this great fruit and all the incredible benefits, how the heck do you get it open?! Pomegranates are a little weird in that we can’t just peel or slice to get to the juicy good parts.

Here is a short tutorial on how to de-seed a pomegranate:

Follow these steps for the least amount of mess and the biggest yield:

  1. Cut the fruit directly in half ‘hamburger style.’
  2. Holding the fruit seed side down over a bowl, use a wooden spoon or flat, sturdy spatula and whack the fruit.
  3. Repeat with the other half.
two glass jars of red fruit smoothie topped with raspberries and pomegranate arils.

How to Blend a Pomegranate Smoothie

While this smoothie may not have “leafy greens” it does have some leafy reds, so we’re going to do the 2-step blending method to get the best result:

  1. Blend cabbage, water, pomegranate arils and goji berries until smooth. If you aren’t using a high-powered blender then soak the goji berries first to soften them up a bit.
  2. Add the remaining ingredients and blend again until smooth. Since the berries have seeds you may need a longer blending time than normal. Stop and scrape down the sides of the container as needed.
  3. Pour into your fav glass and enjoy!

If you’re adding protein powder to this recipe then add it during step 2. You can also add in some yogurt (greek yogurt or vegan yogurt) to turn this smoothie into a meal replacement.

glass jar full of fruit smoothie topped with red fruits.

More Ways to Use Pomegranate

Since pomegranate has a lot of the same nutrients that berries do, you can swap them into any smoothie recipe that calls for berries: my raspberry smoothie would be a great one. You could also add them to this mixed berry smoothie with ease.

Pomegranate isn’t just good for smoothies; toss it into this mason jar salad or even use it as a delightful vegan pumpkin soup topping.

Don’t forget to rate + review this recipe once you blend it up!

pomegranate smoothie recipe
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Healthy Pomegranate Smoothie

Try this pomegranate smoothie recipe to give your body an immunity boost and some great energy for the busy day ahead. It's loaded with antioxidant-rich ingredients like red cabbage, raspberries, pomegranate arils, strawberries, cherries and superfoods to bring you the best flu-fighters in one serving.
Course Smoothie
Cuisine Plant-Based
Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1
Calories 310kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup red cabbage chopped
  • ½ cup water chilled
  • ½ cup pomegranate arils
  • ½ cup strawberries frozen
  • ½ cup raspberries frozen
  • ½ cup cherries frozen
  • 2 tbsp chia seeds
  • 2 tbsp goji berries optional

Instructions

  • Place cabbage, water, pomegranate arils and goji berries (if using) into a blender.
  • Puree until smooth.
  • Add the remaining ingredients and blend again until smooth.

Notes

  • Can substitute pomegranate arils with 1/2 cup pomegranate juice.
  • Use at least 1 frozen fruit for a refreshingly cool smoothie.
  • Swap out the cabbage for the leafy greens of your choice.
  • Feel free to add in some Antioxidant Smoothie Cubes for even more red foods.

Nutrition

Calories: 310kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 38mg | Potassium: 861mg | Fiber: 20g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 1079IU | Vitamin C: 122mg | Calcium: 239mg | Iron: 4mg

Pomegranate Smoothie FAQs

What fruit mixes well with pomegranate?

Pomegranate mixes well with so many fruits. You can pair it with citrus, berries, bananas and more! It also pairs well with a variety of squashes, so don’t be afraid to toss some pomegranate arils in your next dish.

Is it safe to blend pomegranate?

It is safe to blend pomegranate arils. If you aren’t using a high-powered blender then you may still get a few gritty pieces after blending, so feel free to pour it through a mesh sieve into your glass. If you are using a high-powered blender then there shouldn’t be any grittiness leftover from the arils.

Can we mix banana and pomegranate together?

Pomegranate goes well with a variety of fruits, including bananas. Toss some arils on your next salad, fruit salad or citrus platter. Mix it in with some butternut squash. Blend some in your next smoothie, or enjoy fresh and by itself!

The post Healthy Pomegranate Smoothie appeared first on Simple Green Smoothies.

Yogurt Persimmon Smoothie

NEW!

Try this creamy, refreshing Yogurt Persimmon smoothie to add a new, fun Fall fruit to your smoothie list. Delightfully festive and tasty!

The post Yogurt Persimmon Smoothie appeared first on Simple Green Smoothies.

NEW!

This easy smoothie will brighten your day! It’s made with just 4 ingredients + a dash of cinnamon at the end, and it uses a fun seasonal fruit called a persimmon. Try my Yogurt Persimmon Smoothie for a creamy snack. A smoothie like my Vanilla Bean Yogurt Smoothie or this lovely persimmon one is a great way to add extra protein to your day!

My son introduced me to persimmons after we found some at Trader Joes. He thought they were so bright and fun so we just had to try them. Once we figured out how to tell when they’re ripe (when the skin is almost translucent), we gave them a try… and were immediately impressed! They are creamy, super sweet and easy to eat.

glass full of orange smoothie topped with orange fruit, cinnamon and 2 paper straws.

Naturally I had to come up with a fruit smoothie recipe to showcase this incredibly beautiful fruit, so I paired it with a bright orange, some coconut yogurt and a bit of honey for a filling snack. This no banana smoothie recipe is a great option to blend this time of year.

Table of Contents
  1. Ingredients in a Persimmon Smoothie
  2. How to Make a Persimmon Smoothie
  3. Common Questions ABout A Persimmon Smoothie with Yogurt
  4. More Fruit Smoothie Recipes for Winter
  5. Yogurt Persimmon Smoothie Recipe

Ingredients in a Persimmon Smoothie

labeled ingredients for a persimmon smoothie including cinnamon, honey, vegan yogurt, orange and Fuyu persimmons.

This 4-ingredient smoothie with a dash of cinnamon is such a satisfying pairing of sweet, citrus and a bit of deep flavor from the honey and spice.

  • Vegan yogurt: I’m keeping this smoothie dairy-free with some coconut yogurt. Grab your fav version from the store or try making your own.
  • Orange: A lightly peeled orange adds a juicy, citrus flavor to this blend while also giving it vitamin C.
  • Fuyu persimmons: This type of persimmon should be fairly easy to find at the grocery store starting in October.
  • Honey: I love pairing honey with these sweet persimmons. Feel free to use the natural sweetener of your choice; maple syrup is a great vegan option.
  • Cinnamon: A dash of cinnamon at the end is the perfect way to finish off this festive drink. If you aren’t a fan of smoothie toppings then feel free to add it right into the blender to mix in with the other ingredients.

You can swap the yogurt with canned coconut milk and add in a dash of vanilla for a bit of warmth.

Pro Tip: Make sure those persimmons are ripe before you blend, as they won’t be flavorful and creamy if they aren’t!

How to Make a Persimmon Smoothie

Since persimmons may be a new-to-you fruit, especially if you aren’t used to tossing them into a smoothie, I added a recipe step on how to prep them (spoiler alert, it’s super easy). Here’s how I’m blending this 5-ingredient smoothie:

white bowl of persimmon slices on a white countertop next to whole persimmons.

Step 1: Since the skin of a persimmon is edible, start by washing the fruit well. Then remove the top stem and you’re ready to toss them into the blender along with the yogurt, orange (peeled) and honey.

blender container of orange smoothie sitting on a white countertop surrounded by fresh persimmons, a tea towel and a jar of ground cinnamon.

Step 2: Blend this mixture until smooth. Stop and scrape down the sides as needed to get the smoothest result.

pouring an orange fruit smoothie from a blender container into a glass sitting on a white countertop.

Step 3: Pour into a glass and sprinkle cinnamon on top. Enjoy!

If you thought the liquid was missing, it’s not. Oranges and persimmons are super juicy fruits so they act as both the liquid and the produce in this recipe. If you want to add in a few tablespoons of water to help your blender then go for it.

You can also add in a bit of coconut milk for a tropical tasting result.

Common Questions ABout A Persimmon Smoothie with Yogurt

What fruits go well with persimmon?

Persimmon tastes great alongside oranges, pomegranate seeds, grapes and apples. Since these are all rip in the same season, you should be able to easily find them all to toss into a fruit salad or smoothie!

What are the health benefits of persimmons?

Persimmons are great sources of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin B6. They are full of antioxidants and can help boost heart health.

Can you eat the skin of a persimmon?

The skin of a persimmon is definitely edible! The skin is just a bit tougher than that of a plum, and tastes just like the custard-like flesh inside.

glass of yogurt persimmon smoothie topped with fresh persimmons and 2 paper straws, on a white counter surrounded by persimmons.

More Fruit Smoothie Recipes for Winter

I know it might be hard to think about sipping an icy cold smoothie during the Winter months yet hear me out. You might be surprised how much of a difference using room temp ingredients (aka no frozen fruits) or blending up some warm smoothies can make.

Seasonal ingredients make smoothies like this butternut squash smoothie or an apple pie smoothie taste heavenly, even warm! My kids love sipping a hot chocolate smoothie on a cold morning.

Or if you do just fine with cold ingredients then give a refreshing pomegranate smoothie or a festive fig smoothie a blend. Lean into the flavors of the season and have fun with your daily beverage!

Don’t forget to rate + review this recipe once you’ve made it; I can’t wait for you to try it!

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Yogurt Persimmon Smoothie

I'm turning to persimmons this year for a festive, in-season persimmon smoothie that's ultra creamy and tasty. Just 5 simple ingredients— yogurt, orange, persimmon, honey and cinnamon,— to create a delicious drink that will help fuel your day.
Course Smoothie
Cuisine dairy-free
Diet Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1
Calories 402kcal

Equipment

  • high-powered blender

Ingredients

  • ½ cup vegan yogurt
  • 1 orange peeled
  • 2 fuyu persimmons ripe
  • 1 tsp honey
  • tsp cinnamon ground

Instructions

  • Wash persimmons and remove stems.
  • Blend yogurt, orange, persimmons and honey until smooth.
  • Pour into a glass and sprinkle cinnamon on top. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • To make this recipe vegan, swap honey with maple syrup or the natural sweetener of your choice.
  • Since oranges carry so much water, you don’t need to add liquid to this smoothie. Yet if your blender blades have a hard time getting this smoothie liquified, then add just a bit of water to facilitate the blending process.
  • Use frozen persimmons or add ice to your glass for a refreshingly cool smoothie.
  • Feel free to add up to a cup of leafy greens.

Nutrition

Calories: 402kcal | Carbohydrates: 92g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 39mg | Potassium: 782mg | Fiber: 17g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 295IU | Vitamin C: 292mg | Calcium: 566mg | Iron: 9mg

The post Yogurt Persimmon Smoothie appeared first on Simple Green Smoothies.