Smoothie recipes without yogurt can be difficult to find! It seems like almost every one has it added. But did you know that you can make lots of delicious smoothies without using yogurt?
That's right! Yogurt is completely unnecessary to the overall taste and texture. I'll show you how easily it can be substituted in your favorite smoothie.
Here are over twenty delicious smoothie recipes without yogurt, but have lots of wonderful flavor! From creamy mango smoothies, to berry smoothies loaded with antioxidants, and some refreshing ones for summer, I'm sure you'll find at least a few recipes that will become family favorites.
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Why Make a Smoothie without Yogurt?
For most people, you may just not have yogurt in your fridge or you don't like the taste. But for some, particularly those with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or those on a migraine diet, high histamine or fermented items like yogurt can trigger symptoms.
Yogurt contains "live active cultures" and while this can be great for gut health, it's not the only way to promote a healthy digestive system. Unfortunately this not only pertains to cow's milk yogurt, but also non-dairy yogurts like coconut or cashew yogurt. Some brands even sneak it into cottage cheese.
Live active cultures is different than "cultured" milk, which is a process any cheese has to go through. So you may see "cultured milk" on cottage cheese, but not "live active cultures".
Research has shown that probiotic strains Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus bulgaricus were found to produce the highest levels of histamine and tyramine. So if you find yourself sensitive to either, it's best to stay away from yogurt brands containing these. Typically, they're clearly labeled on ingredient lists.
Substitutes for Yogurt in Smoothies
Thankfully there are lots of great substitutes for yogurt in smoothies that have lower levels of both tyramine and histamine. Cottage cheese without live active cultures, like Daisy brand, is one of my favorites because it's still very high in protein - even more than yogurt!
To make a smoothie without yogurt, I recommend replacing the same amount with one of the following, depending on the recipe.
- Cottage cheese (just watch that no "live active cultures" are added)
- Frozen riced cauliflower
- Banana (if not sensitive to tyramine)
- Cream cheese (best for milkshakes)
- 1 cup of milk with 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar (this creates a faux buttermilk)
- Coconut cream
- Applesauce
- Seed butters like pumpkin seed or sunflower seed. These are particularly good in more milkshake-like smoothies.
Choosing a Good Blender
A great smoothie starts with the right equipment - a quality blender. The blender can make or break a smoothie recipe, especially if it's not a good one. If you find yourself struggling with leftover chunks of ice or frozen fruit, it may be time to invest in a new model.
Here are a few I recommend:
- Vitamix - I've had mine for 10 years and it's great.
- Ninja - Very popular with some readers.
- Nutribullet Ideal if you plan to only make dishes for one person.
What is a tamper? - A blender tamper is a long, thick stick that you can place through the top of the blender to push the fruit into the blade. This is ideal for really thick smoothies and to prevent adding more water to the mix, which could decrease the overall flavor.
Top Smoothie Tips
- Start with a good blender and a tamper.
- Freezing fruit helps the overall texture. Unless the recipe specifically calls for fresh fruit, aim to use frozen fruit where possible. This may require chopping fresh fruit and laying it on a sheet pan to place in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer it to a plastic bag for storage. This makes sure the fruit doesn't clump together initially.
- Make just before drinking. Smoothies are best consumed immediately, especially if thickening agents like chia or flaxseed are added.
- To prep ahead, freeze all the ingredients except any liquids in a ziplock bag. Then just dump those in the blender, add the liquid, and ice (if necessary) and you're finished!
Berry Smoothie Recipes without Yogurt
Looking for something sweet? These berry smoothies without yogurt are perfect for a hot day. Rich in antioxidants, they're packed with great health benefits for your brain.
Green Smoothies
Squeeze in some extra greens with these green smoothies without yogurt. A perfect way to get in a light snack or start your day!
Smoothies with Health Benefits
These smoothies without yogurt have ingredients that have been shown to boost brain health, promote fertility, enhance hydration, or increase immunity!
Mango Smoothies
Mangos offer many benefits including being a lower sugar fruit, aiding digestion, and being packed with vitamin C. And with lots of frozen mango available, it's easy to make these mango smoothies without yogurt any time of year.
Apple Smoothies
Apple is an underused smoothie ingredient, but it adds the perfect amount of sweetness, while being high in fiber. These apple smoothies without yogurt are great to aid digestion and are a little more filling. They're better as a meal replacement, especially if adding oatmeal.
Summer Smoothie Recipes
Beat the heat with these refreshing summer smoothie recipes! You'll love the refreshing yogurt-free watermelon smoothie for a light treat by the pool.
Do you have a favorite of these smoothie recipes without yogurt? Be sure to let me know!
Refreshing Drinks
Want a drink that's fruit based, but not a smoothie? Check out these other non-alcoholic drinks that are cool and refreshing!
If you make this, tag me #thedizzycook or @thedizzycook on Facebook and Instagram. And if you love the recipe, please leave a review below! Follow along on my Pinterest for more great recipes.
Gillian says
I've printed out a couple of recipes and will buy the ingredients this week. I really don't like the taste of yogurt in smoothies so I was happy to see this. What I would like to see is more smoothies that don't have strawberries. Some of us can't eat them, and honestly think they're disgusting.
Alicia says
I think I only see 2 recipes out of the 20 that require strawberries? You could probably sub them out for another berry you like.
Bridget says
Okay, so this is my new favorite blog post! This is so helpful!
Alicia says
Yay thanks, Bridget!
Andrea says
I love smoothies and appreciate this list so much. I can't wait to try that watermelon one!