The BEST Keto Smoothie Recipe – Perfect Low Carb Breakfast

Complete Guide to making Low Carb Keto Smoothies which can be used to make any variety you like!

This delicious Strawberry Keto Smoothie is a great way to start your morning! Made with only 4 ingredients and ready to start sipping in less than 5 minutes. When looking for a low carb or vegan option this keto breakfast smoothie recipe is going to be at the top of your list.

To tell you the truth I’m really not what you would call a “smoothie person.” But part of the joy of cooking and having your own food blog means I get to experiment and cook for others…and not just myself. 

Now that being said, I live with a husband who absolutely loves smoothies and protein shakes. He’s all about making a healthy shake before heading out to the gym. It’s a delicious, easy, and quick breakfast perfect for your busy days. 

So if you are a smoothie person then I’m really excited for you to try our keto strawberry smoothie. Besides being made in less than 5 minutes it’s a recipe that can be altered depending on your tastebuds. That’s kinda the beauty of smoothies, you can use fruit, veggies, protein powders for some extra protein, nut butter, and oils for added fat….the options are endless.

In this recipe, we are going to show you exactly how to make any kind of Keto-friendly smoothie you want, either creamy or fruit-based.

What is a Smoothie Anyway?

A smoothie is a drink that is made from fruit or vegetables then pureed using a high powered blender. Smoothies use some sort of liquid bases such as water, milk, plant-based milk, or even yogurt. Smoothies are a way to show off some of your own creativity…there are no rules.

Are Smoothies Healthy?

Smoothies are not only delicious but they can also be a healthy option. Just be careful because they also can be unhealthy depending on what goes into them and who makes them. 

If you buy smoothies out somewhere there can be tons of hidden ingredients that are not healthy. That’s a great reason to make your own homemade keto breakfast smoothie. 

I chose ingredients that are not only healthy but that taste really good together. My Keto strawberry smoothie recipe does not include any veggies like spinach or kale but that doesn’t mean you can’t add them. In fact, green smoothies are all the rage lately.

Are Smoothies Low Carb?

Again just like they can be unhealthy, smoothies also can be full of hidden carbs, but we’ve got you covered when it comes to making low carb smoothies. 

Bananas are super common in smoothies but if you are on a low carb diet or even if you are diabetic, bananas aren’t really on the smoothie menu. Using low carb fruits such as berries and veggies such as spinach, kale, or cucumbers will give you a great keto and low carb smoothie. 

Our Keto strawberry smoothie is only 3.1 NET CARBS for 1 glass. Don’t worry, 1 glass of this keto smoothie will have you full and satisfied. 

Other smoothies that contain banana, yogurt, or other fruits can have anywhere from 20-30 NET CARBS…or even more! 

 So in the end….Yes, you can drink smoothies on keto, just be aware of your ingredients.

Keto Smoothie Ingredients

As you know with keto you need to limit your carbohydrate intake. So the key to making yourself a keto smoothie recipe is making sure you choose low carb ingredients. 

Low carb options include low sugar fruits such as berries and avocados, and instead of using milk or juice swap it out with water, plant-based milk, or coconut water. 

Adding some green veggies will add not only extra taste but it will give you some added nutrients. 

When making a keto smoothie make sure to stay away from high sugar fruits like bananas and mangos. They might taste good, but they are loaded with sugar and will knock you out of ketosis. 

Below are some ideas for different smoothie options to help you make a delicious keto breakfast:

Nut Butters & Fat Options

Always buy nut butter that is natural with no added sugar or oils. 

• Almond Butter   
• Peanut Butter 
• Cashew Butter 
• Macadamia Butter 
• Pistachio Butter 
• Avocado – Nutritious and high in fat and fiber. 
• Chia Seeds & Ground Flaxseed – Excellent source of plant-based omegas and full of fiber. 
• Coconut Oil or MCT Oil – Use anywhere from 1 teaspoon – 1 tablespoon.

Liquid Options

Every keto smoothie needs to have a liquid of some kind to give it the creamy texture you want. When choosing which liquid option be sure to pick one that does not have any added sugar to it. 

• Almond Milk – Unsweetened 
• Coconut Milk – Unsweetened 
• Coconut Water – Pure coconut milk, no added ingredients. 
• Cashew Milk – Unsweetened 
• Heavy Cream 
• Water 
• Hemp Milk – Unsweetened 
• Macadamia Nut Milk – Unsweetened 

NON-KETO OPTIONS

• 1% or 2% Milk
• Yogurt
• Oat Milk – Great gluten-free option but too high in carbs to be keto-approved.

Fruit Options

Picking your fruit or fruits is the fun part. Strawberries are one of the lowest carb fruits but adding in other berries makes for a delicious keto smoothie. Add the juice of a lime or lemon for an extra zing. 

• Strawberries 
• Blueberries 
• Blackberries  
• Avocado  
• Raspberries  
• Lemon 
• Lime

Sweetener Options

Using a sweetener is something that can be added or omitted. In fact, I found that it wasn’t needed. When using berries they can be just sweet enough.  

Low Carb Sweetener – Any low carb sweetener will work, but I recommend using a powdered sweetener because it dissolves the best when added with fruit. 

Liquid Stevia – Remember that stevia is much stronger than sugar. You only should start with 1-2 drops then add more if necessary.

Extras

Here are some other great extras to make your keto smoothie recipe “extra” special. They can be added in to any of the above flavors for additional flavor and nutrition.

• Spinach
• Kale 
• Cucumber
• Celery 
• Protein Powder
• Collagen Powder – Improves skin, hair, and nails. 
• Cacao 
• Cinnamon 
• Mint Leaves 
• Extracts – Vanilla, Lemon, Orange

Should the Fruit be Fresh or Frozen?

For smoothies, frozen fruit is the better option. It makes the smoothie cold after blending. 

That doesn’t mean you can’t use fresh fruit, just add 1 cup of ice and blend until smooth. Both options will work, but frozen is my first choice.

Our Recipe Ingredients

These are the ingredients for our Keto Strawberry Smoothie. If you don’t want strawberries then just replace them with another berry of your choice. Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries are all great options.

For our exact strawberry keto smoothie: 

• Strawberries – ¼ cup frozen strawberries 
• Almond Milk – 1 cup unsweetened original or vanilla almond milk
• Protein Powder – 1 scoop of organic plant-based vanilla protein powder
• Coconut Oil – 1 tsp refined coconut oil. 

I wanted to keep my keto smoothie recipe super simple so I came up with this one. It worked out really well because I happened to have all of these ingredients in my kitchen too. 

The protein powder I used is plant-based and vanilla flavored. Feel free to use whatever protein powder you want…or leave it out completely…it’s up to you.

What Tools Do I Need?

You only need 2 tools to make yourself any type of keto smoothie recipe:

• Blender – Any blender will work, but my go-to is always my Vitamix. I find that it is one of the best high-powered blenders.
• Glass – Pick your choice of glass for serving.

How to Make a Keto Strawberry Smoothie (or any Low Carb Smoothie)

Ok so let’s get started and talk about how to make a keto strawberry smoothie. 

STEP 1: For starters place the fruit in either a Ziploc bag or container and put in the freezer. They only need a couple of hours in the freezer until they are ready.

STEP 2: Grab your blender and add the fruit, almond milk, protein powder, and the coconut oil.  It doesn’t matter the order you add them, so just throw them all in!

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STEP 3: Place the lid on the blender, turn on and blend until smooth.

STEP 4: Pour into the cup of your choice and drink up!

That’s really it.  You see how easy it is to make a Keto Smoothie!?

Best Tips for Smoothies

• A high-speed blender is key to getting a smooth texture.
• If you are blending vegetables, they may take a bit longer to get fully smooth.
• For a sweeter keto smoothie add liquid stevia or powdered swerve. 
• Using frozen fruit and chilled almond milk makes the smoothie extra cold and refreshing.
• Pour coconut milk into an ice cube tray and freeze. Add a couple of coconut milk ice cubes for extra creamy texture. 
• To thicken a keto smoothie you can add nut butter or avocado. 
• To meal prep: wash and slice the fruit and place into baggies or containers, then freeze. Pull out and place in the blender when ready to make. 
• Low carb fruit options: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and avocado.
• Low carb liquid options: almond milk, coconut milk, cashew milk, water, hemp milk, coconut water. 
• Extra Add-ins: coconut oil, MCT oil, protein powder, chia seeds, spinach, kale, cucumber, celery, fresh mint, cinnamon, extracts….etc.

How to Thicken It

If you need to thicken up a low carb smoothie a few good options are peanut butter, almond butter, or actually pretty much any nut butter. 

If you have enough carbs reserved for the day you could add some greek yogurt as a thickener. A ½ Cup serving is about 3.6 carbs.

For a non-keto option, you could use regular yogurt as a thickener. You don’t need a lot, about ½ cup should do.

How to Thin it Out

Sometimes you might go overboard and find that your low carb smoothie ends up being too thick. Don’t worry, there’s a solution.

If your Keto smoothie recipe is too thick you can add more almond milk or your choice of low carb milk. Or you can lessen the amount of nut butter as well.

Our Favorite Low Carb Smoothie Variations

Here are a few different smoothie options you can do: 

Triple Berry Smoothie – Pick any 3 berries of your liking for a delicious triple berry smoothie. 

Chocolate Avocado Smoothie – Who doesn’t love a chocolate smoothie? Add some avocado for some extra creaminess and healthy fat.

Peanut Butter Smoothie – Can never go wrong with a Peanut Butter shake! Just make sure it’s sugar-free peanut butter.

Green Smoothie – I know green smoothies are a favorite of many of our readers! It’s a super healthy breakfast option and full of vitamins. Spinach, kale, celery, collard greens, avocado  and lettuce are all options that can be mixed and matched.

Stay tuned for some more smoothie recipes coming your way…

Other Diets This Recipe is Good For

This keto smoothie is acceptable for almost all diets. 

• Dairy-Free: Almond milk makes your keto smoothie completely dairy-free. 
• Vegan: Not only is this low carb smoothie dairy-free it’s also vegan! We use vegan protein powder and plant-based milk.

Making it Vegan

To keep your keto smoothie vegan make sure you don’t use regular milk or yogurt. Stick with any type of nut milk, coconut milk, or even coconut water.

If you add a protein powder then be sure to check the label and ensure that it is plant-based.

When Should I Drink Smoothies?

A lot of people drink their smoothies first thing in the morning as their breakfast. Especially since keto breakfast smoothies are perfect for your on the go lifestyle. 

However, you aren’t limited to having a Keto smoothie for breakfast. You easily can whip up a low carb smoothie for lunch, dinner, or just a snack. Anytime you are craving a smoothie just go ahead and make one, you won’t regret it.

Meal Prep

Meal prepping and keto smoothies go together like peanut butter and jelly (that sounds like a good low carb smoothie idea!).

1. The best way to meal prep smoothies is to wash and cut all your fruit and or veggies. 
2. Place them in either small Ziploc bags or in small containers. Place in the freezer until ready to make. 
3. Add the frozen fruit/veggies to the blender, then add your liquid, and any extras. 

The way I do it for my husband is to prep all the fruit and veggies for about 5-7 days. I like being able to meal prep as much as possible.

How to Store Smoothies

If you have any extra smoothie leftover place it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for 1-2 days. If you add a little bit of lemon juice to the low carb smoothie it helps preserve the smoothie and keeps it from browning.

Can You Freeze a Low Carb Smoothie?

I don’t recommend freezing a keto smoothie, it really won’t thaw out well. The beauty of smoothies is that you can make them in less than 5 minutes so there is no need to make them ahead and freeze them. 

What you can do to save yourself some time, is freeze all your fruit in small Ziploc bags that way you can pull it out whenever you are ready to make a keto smoothie recipe.

More Low Carb Breakfast Recipes

If you’re in the mood for some other Breakfast Recipes then try our:

• Keto Corned Beef Hash
• Keto Lemon Pound Cake
• Breakfast Egg White Cups
• Fluffy Keto Blueberry Muffins
• Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs

They all are Keto-friendly and low carb, and will be a hit at your next meal!

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