Do you ever miss smoothies in the wintertime? I do.
I love the nutrition smoothies provide, but often find they’re too cooling and can even slow my digestion down when colder weather arrives.
After doing some research on the ancient practice of Ayurveda, I discovered there are a few ways to “warm” your smoothie so it’s not so cooling to your body, which is perfect when you’re already battling colder temps but still want your daily dose of greens. Let me show you how.
This smoothie is easy to make, requiring just 1 blender, 10 minutes, and 10 ingredients.
It starts with ripe banana, carrot, and zucchini (or cauliflower). I’ve been loving using less banana and subbing in some carrot for more natural sweetness and fiber lately. Plus, when adding in protein powder, I generally find excess banana can make it too sweet.
Next comes protein powder, hemp seeds for a dose of essential fatty acids, and warming spices like ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, and black pepper. In place of these spices you can also sub my Golden Milk Mix, making this smoothie another creative use for this go-to blend (also used in my Golden Milk Snack Bites!).
To make a smoothie more warming, try:
- Using cold or room temperature ingredients instead of frozen
- Adding warming spices like cinnamon, black pepper, turmeric, clove, cayenne, and ginger (which help stimulate digestion)
- Going for dairy-free milks like cashew or macadamia vs. coconut milk, which can be more cooling in the body
- Adding roasted winter squash, like butternut squash or roasted sweet potato in place of frozen banana
- Drinking in the afternoon when your digestive fire is strongest, as opposed to in the morning when your digestive fire is low
These little switches can make a huge difference in keeping your body warm yet still nourished this winter and spring! Of course, I’m not an Ayurvedic physician or nutrition expert. But these changes have helped me continue to enjoy smoothies in the wintertime! (Find a list of cooling and warming foods here!)
We hope you LOVE this smoothie! It’s:
Creamy
Not too sweet
Fiber-rich
Well balanced
Warming
& Delicious
This would make the perfect light breakfast, workout recovery drink, or afternoon snack to help you make it to dinner. I’ve enjoyed adding protein powder for more satiety, and you can see our unbiased Vegan Protein Powders Review here! Since writing that review, Nuzest has actually become my favorite because of its simple, high-quality ingredients and milkshake flavor. Yummmm.
Into smoothies? Also be sure to check out our Golden Milk Smoothie, Blueberry Almond Butter Smoothie, Super Green Spirulina Smoothie, and Peanut Butter Banana Green Smoothie Bowl!
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
Warming Winter Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1/2 ripe banana (previously peeled, sliced, and frozen)
- 1 small carrot, peeled and chopped
- 1/4 cup sliced zucchini (or chopped raw or steamed then frozen cauliflower)
- 1 scoop plain or vanilla protein powder (if using unsweetened / plain, add additional banana for sweetness)
- 3/4 – 1 cup dairy-free milk (we prefer cashew)
- 1 Tbsp hemp seeds
- 1 Tbsp peeled, minced fresh ginger*
- 1/4 tsp ground turmeric* (or sub 4x the amount fresh turmeric)
- 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon*
- 1 pinch black pepper* (increases bioavailability of turmeric)
- 1 tsp spirulina (optional / or 1 handful spinach or kale // adds green color and more fiber)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender (starting with the lesser amount of dairy-free milk) and blend on high until creamy and smooth, adding more dairy-free milk (or water) as needed. Spirulina and/or greens are optional additions that help make the smoothie green and more nutritious.
- Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more spices for warmth, ginger for spice/zing, or banana or protein powder for sweetness.
- Serve and enjoy immediately. Garnish with additional hemp seeds or ground turmeric if desired (optional). Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 24 hours, though best when fresh. You can also freeze leftovers in an ice cube tray and add to future smoothies.
Video
Notes
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with Tropeaka vanilla protein powder and MALK cashew milk and without optional ingredients.
Gayle Borst says
Excellent! I am a huge consumer of smoothies, and this recipe will definitely stay on my list. I always try and get in as many greens as possible so I added some wheat grass and Asian greens. Since I used plain protein powder and unsweetened Almond MALK, I added a bit of vanilla extract and a few mulberries. The sweetness was perfect, as I don’t like my smoothies very sweet. Next time I think I will increase the amount of zucchini, as I didn’t taste it at all, and the more fiber the better! Thanks for the excellent recipe!
We’re so glad you enjoy it, Gayle! Thanks so much for the lovely review and for sharing your modifications! xo
Gigi says
I have been making this smoothie for a few weeks now and I love it however I also consistently get stomach aches after drinking it. Wonder if it’s too much ginger for sensitive stomachs?
Hi Gigi, possibly if you’re sensitive to ginger! Ginger can also be very soothing to the digestive system. You could perhaps try a different protein powder or dairy-free milk to see if either of those are the issue!
Curtis says
I enjoy reading your recipes! I also like making such foods though i am not as organized. I admire your efforts and your excellent presentation.
I wonder if are aware of this interesting tidbit?
Dried ginger can be used to warm the body however fresh ginger has a cooling effect. It’s a subtle detail but it may be something you enjoy experimenting with.
Interesting! Thanks for sharing, Curtis!
Kat says
This was good. I found it was a bit too ginger-y for my personal preferences but the combination of ingredients works nicely together. This smoothie is great during the cold months when I too prefer more warming foods. The warmth of the spices balance out the cool banana. Will make again (likely just with less ginger and perhaps a bit more turmeric instead). Thank you.
Lovely! Thanks so much for sharing, Kat!
Dayna says
I have been looking for and craving a warm smoothie for years. Thank you for this recipe; it’s perfect.
Aw, yay! We’re so glad you found it =) Thank you for the lovely review, Dayna! xo
Ashley says
If it’s supposed to be at room temperature should we not use frozen bananas and vegetables? Or is that needed to get a certain consistency? Can’t wait to try.
Hi Ashley, either way works, but we prefer frozen banana. If using fresh, we’d suggest using slightly less liquid. Hope that helps!
Sande says
I’m curious as to why you’re suggesting protein powder. Are these recipes whole food plant based? Am I missing something? Thank you.
Hi Sande! Some protein powders are incredibly nutrient dense and helpful for those who struggle to get enough nutrients and protein in their diet. However, you can omit if you’d like to keep this more pure!
Jen says
This was delicious! I lose interest in smoothies in the winter but this is such a nice take. I’ll bring to work in the morning and leave on my desk so I can enjoy at room temperature during the day. I used unsweetened almond milk, brown rice vanilla protein powder, pumpkin Purée instead of carrot (because I had pumpkin purée on hand) and the rest of the ingredients as listed. Thanks for sharing!
Elizabeth says
What song is playing during the video? Love it!
Alumroot by Isaac Joel
Sasha says
I couldn’t wait to get home from my walk so I could try making this smoothie. Oh my goodness! It’s so delicious!!! I’ve never had a warming smoothie before. It was so perfect for this rainy grey day. Thank you so much for sharing this. I’ll be drinking it all winter.
Yay! We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Sasha! Thanks so much for sharing!
Ally says
I love this smoothie! I’ve been making it every weekday!
We’re so glad you enjoy it, Ally! Thanks for sharing!
Brook says
Great recipe and spot on about cooling foods slowing down digestion.
xo!
Suzanne Kinsel says
Delicious!!! Subbed peanut butter for the hemp seeds because pb is just so good. And subbed Apple’s for the banana because I don’t like them.
Karen says
Love this smoothie!! Made with the sweet potato as I cannot have bananas. Divinely Delicious!!
Thanks, Karen!!
Karen says
This is the most fabulous tasting smoothie!! I used a half of a baked sweet potato as I cannot have bananas.
Thanks, Dana Your recipes are true lifesavers!
Alison says
Yum! So easy to drink so fast because it’s so good and the perfect amount of sweet. Don’t know why it never occurred to me before that smoothies don’t have to be freezing cold. I used flax meal instead of hemp seeds and homemade pecan milk for the base!
Lovely! Thanks, Alison!
Aura says
This may be the best smoothie I’ve ever made. I’m terrible at eating my veggies, but my normal solution for that–smoothies–never seem very appealing in the winter. When I saw this recipe I knew I had to try it. The cinnamon, turmeric, and black pepper are what send it over the top! Thanks so much for another fantastic recipe!
Thanks for sharing, Aura! What a lovely name, btw!
Gillian Nicol says
Absolutely delicious. Thank you! Keep it up Dana and the minimalist baker team! Much appreciated.
Thanks, Gillian!! xo
Make Friends And Food says
Loved this recipe! Perfect for a cozy Sunday!!!
Thanks for sharing!! Next time would you mind leaving a rating with your review? It’s super helpful for us and other readers. Thanks!
Reserva says
Fantastic taste!!! I’ve tried it and it was amazing. How can I send a photo?
Cheers
Glad you liked it! If you would like to share a photo, feel free to share on instagram with the hashtag #minimalistbaker
Sophie K. says
EXACTLY what I have been needing these icy winter days. My body is craving veg but it’s just so hard on my system to put even more cold things into it.
Whoop! Thanks, Sophie!
Ana Maria Porras says
SO GOOD!!!! I added spinach also <3
Thanks, Ana!
Dani says
Sadly, I made this smoothie and it made me feel sick… maybe too much fresh ginger and/or turmeric??? I dunno… I threw half of it out. (On a positive note, I think the turmeric helped with some joint inflammation that I’ve been experiencing… so there’s that.)
Kary says
A friend of mine is allergic to hemp & it causes vomiting and stomach upset. Could this be the reason for your nausea??? Just a thought.
Dani says
Nope. :(
I use Hemp protein in overnight oats and don’t have any issues.
AK says
I’m allergic to turmeric. It makes my face swell. Uncommon but not unheard of allergy.
Mm says
Sometimes adding the protein and green powders made me feel nauseous, so I stopped using them. I don’t have a problem then.
I will try this recipe since it sounds delish and come back and rate.
Thanks!
Dani, sorry to hear that! Not sure what would’ve made you feel unwell. I’ve made this smoothie many times and feel great afterwards. Perhaps you were sensitive to one of the ingredients, or one of your ingredients was not fresh?
Cassie Autumn Tran says
A warming smoothie? I was SUPER skeptical about this idea. Unless you blend hot coffee with a frozen banana or two, then how can a smoothie actually warm you up? But now I figured–the warming spices are definitely appropriate for this! Ginger, turmeric, and pepper are absolutely perfect!
Naomi says
Perfect timing, been thinking of winter smoothies and was thrilled when this popped up in my inbox. A great meal on the go. I subbed out the banana for half and avocado and used a few drops of stevia.
Thanks, Naomi! Next time would you mind leaving a rating? It’s super helpful to us and other readers! xo
Bob says
Great !!!
Ana says
Just made this recipe using a handful of spinach (vs spirulina), almond milk, and no hemp seeds or protein powder because I didn’t have these 2 ingredients. I loved the spicy smell and exotic taste of the warming spices. Thank you for sharing :-)
Thanks for sharing, Ana!
Angie says
Delicious winter smoothie!
Deni says
Great recipes. Where did you get the glasses from they are lovely.
West elm!
Vasco Lourenço says
I love smoothies, they’re part of every breakfast I take. I literally only drink smoothies for breakfast, real heavy ones. Ginger is my favorite “warming” spice, but my best warming recipe for when I’m cold is just doing some push-ups :)
We hope you love this recipe, Vasco!
Meredith says
What protein powder do you recommend? Do you know of any that avoid plastic packaging? Thanks! Looking forward to trying the smoothie.
Hi Meredith! I’d recommend checking out our protein powder review here!
loh says
Oh! I saw you use these glasses with an earlier recipe and found them so gorgeous I had to get a set myself (with matching carafe!). Absolutely love them.
Smoothie looks delicious too!
Aren’t they beautiful!? I’m glad you got yourself a set :D
C says
Came to the comments looking for info on the glasses- where can I find them?
Jane says
How come there is cauliflower in the recipe but none in the video?
Hi Jane! We don’t include cauliflower in the video because it is an optional substitute in this recipe. Hope that helps!
Brandon says
What could I substitute for plain or vanilla protein powder? Or do you recommend not substituting and just leave it out altogether?
Thanks
I would just omit if you don’t use protein powder!
Tiffany Leblanc says
I just doubled the hemp seeds! :)
Sarah | Well and Full says
I love the idea of a smoothie custom-made for winter! That’s such a creative idea :)
Thanks Sarah! xoxo!
Angie says
I don’t usually like “milk” products in my green smoothie but this combo was delicious, and indeed perfect for these cold months. Thank you!
We’re so glad to hear that, Angie! If you don’t mind leaving a star review, it would help us out a lot! xoxo