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This Savory Smoothie is high in protein, loaded with veggies and savory flavors and is incredibly delicious. If you’re looking for new smoothie flavors, this savory protein shake is a great recipe to venture out in search of a more tangy taste.
My savory smoothie was inspired by the slow carb movement, which is a great way to lean up and build muscle too. The Slow-Carb Diet, made popular in Tim Ferriss’ book The 4-Hour Body, has taken the world by storm. The idea behind the diet is pretty simple. Eliminate all sugar, even from fruit, and focus on eating protein-rich foods and healthy “slow-carbs,” including tons of veggies, to help you lose weight.
I don’t personally believe in eliminating all sugars, yet I think having this smoothie for a meal isn’t a bad thing. Some days I crave more vegetables and don’t want something sweet— and this smoothie hits the spot.
Savory Smoothie Ingredients
My goal for this savory protein shake was to flavor it like my favorite Mexican-inspired dishes. It totally delivers. Here’s what I’m blending:
- Spinach: The best start to any green smoothie is a bunch of fresh, leafy greens.
- Cilantro: I know cilantro isn’t everyone’s fav, so swap this with parsley if needed.
- Vegetable stock: Find a low-sodium stock that is JUST vegetables for the best flavor… or make your own!
- Chickpeas: I like using chickpeas as a plant-based protein source. They also add creaminess to this beverage.
- Tomato: Whether you call it a fruit or a vegetable, tomatoes are a great smoothie addition! They act as a liquid and a plant.
- Avocado: Creaminess, healthy fat, what more could you want from this fun ingredient?
- Protein Smoothie Boost: Plant-based protein powder turns this smoothie into a complete meal that you won’t want to put down.
- Lemon juice: Never underestimate the level of brightness a squeeze of lemon juice can bring to any recipe. It helps lighten up the taste.
- Spices: I use chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, sea salt and black pepper in the blender and sprinkled on top of this savory smoothie for the perfect finish.
Choosing the Right Plant-Based Protein
Did you know that plants are loaded with protein? You don’t *have* to eat meat just to consume protein and legumes (beans, lentils, split peas, peanuts, etc) are a great plant sources of protein. I use canned chickpeas in this savory smoothie since they have a mild taste and are easy to toss in.
You can swap them with black beans, pinto beans or lentils if you want. Just make sure they are canned or cooked beforehand then blend them in.
I really wanted this smoothie to be a complete meal, so I also add in my plant-based protein powder, Protein Smoothie Boost, for a tasteless and clean boost.
Adding Vegetables to Smoothies
If you cringed a bit at the title of this smoothie then you’re not alone! Smoothies are traditionally on the sweeter side and some people think the more tropical, the better. Yet you don’t have to blend a savory smoothie just to enjoy the benefits of adding vegetables to your smoothies. In fact, every time you blend a green smoothie, you are adding leafy green vegetables to your day!
I know that some ‘vegetables’ are technically fruits, but for ease of discussion, I’m talking about the plants we typically view as not-sweet or ones that we’d put into a taco vs a fruit bowl. Here are my fav vegetables to add to smoothies:
| avocado | celery | legumes |
| beets | cucumber | pumpkin |
| butternut squash | fennel | sweet potato |
| carrots | herbs | tomato |
| cauliflower | leafy greens | zucchini |
How to Blend A Plant-Based Savory Smoothie
Savory smoothies blend just like sweet smoothies, so use the two-blend method with this one:
- Blend spinach, cilantro and vegetable stock in a blender until smooth. You want to blend until there are no leafy chunks left, so be patient!
- Add the remaining ingredients, including the spices, and blend again until smooth. This smoothie uses ‘softer’ plants so the blender shouldn’t have to work overtime to blend up the vegetables.
If you still want a refreshingly cool smoothie then toss in an ice cube or two once you’ve poured the blended smoothie into a glass or chill for 15 minutes in the fridge before enjoying.
Savory Smoothie FAQs
Spices are a great way to create new and better flavors in a smoothie. For this savory smoothie, I use a variety of spices to bring out a Mexican-inspired salsa flavor. Sometimes I even add hot sauce to this smoothie! It’s a game-changer.
They can be! Fueling your body with a variety of fruits, vegetables and plants is a great way to start a weight loss journey. Smoothies can easily add that variety to your day in an easy-to-consume beverage that’s fast to make. Just don’t get stuck in a rut making the exact same smoothie every day. Switch it up!
While I wouldn’t just go tossing salt into all your smoothies, it’s definitely a great way to heighten the flavor and create depth in a smoothie. I use just a pinch in this savory smoothie to highlight the flavor of the tomatoes and chickpeas.
Savory Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup spinach
- ½ cup fresh cilantro
- 1 cup vegetable stock
- ½ cup chickpeas canned (drained)
- ½ cup tomato fresh (diced)
- ¼ avocado
- 1 serving Protein Smoothie Boost
- ½ lemon juiced
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ¼ tsp cumin ground
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
- ⅛ tsp sea salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper ground
Instructions
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Place spinach, cilantro and vegetable stock in blender. Puree until smooth.
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Add remaining ingredients, blend again. Taste and add more salt and pepper, if needed.
Video
Notes
- Swap chickpeas with the bean/lentil of your choice (just make sure they are cooked/canned and not raw).
- Protein Smoothie Boost adds 10g of protein, 4g of healthy fat and 7g of fiber. Swap with your fav plant-based protein powder.
- If you can’t handle the taste of cilantro, swap it with basil or parsley.
Nutrition
More Vegetable Smoothies
Now that you’re more comfortable blending vegetables into smoothies and not just fruit, let me share a few of my favorite veggie-filled smoothies. Some are sweet and some are savory but all are delicious!
- Fruit and Vegetable Smoothie: This ‘kitchen sink’ smoothie is a great way to toss vegetables into smoothies without going completely savory all in 1 drink.
- Apple Celery Smoothie: A green-green smoothie! Fennel and celery combine with lemon and ginger for a lovely tasting smoothie.
- Tomato Smoothie: A fantastic mocktail to blend at any brunch! This fun smoothie is ruby red and gorgeously savory.
- Cherry Beet Smoothie: You’d never know this smoothie has a beet in it, yet your body will thank you! An antioxidant-rich delight.
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