📋 Healthy Rhubarb Smoothie recipe

5 from 1 vote

📋 Healthy Rhubarb Smoothie recipe

This Healthy Rhubarb Smoothie is light, creamy, and has a unique hint of licorice flavor. It's quick and easy to make, and you can use either frozen or fresh rhubarb; no strawberries required! Spring calls for rhubarb, and this Rhubarb Smoothie is the perfect way to celebrate! It's quick and easy, packed with nutrients, naturally creamy, and bursting with the unique flavor of rhubarb. It's a simple way to enjoy a healthy and satisfying breakfast or snack.

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American, Canadian, North American

Keyword frozen rhubarb, rhubarb, smoothie

Special Diet Vegetarian, weight watchers

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings servings

Calories 152kcal

Author Terri Gilson

Equipment

blender

Ingredients

2 cups 1% milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon fennel seed or ground fennel *you can add more or less to your liking
½ cup Greek yogurt *I use plain, non-fat Greek yogurt (0%)
2 whole bananas (small to medium-sized)
2 ½ cups frozen rhubarb
4 tablespoon agave syrup

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Put all ingredients (except chia seeds) in blender and blend until smooth (about 1 minute)
*Add additional sweetener to your liking, if desired.
Garnish with chia seeds and chopped rhubarb and a stalk of rhubarb, if desired.

Notes

Top tip:

It's best to use ground fennel seeds. If you don't have ground, you can grind them with a mortar and pestle or in a coffee grinder

Storage:

Store this smoothie in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. However, keep in mind that the longer it sits in the fridge, the more the banana flavor takes over and the banana will make it brown, as well.

Can you leave smoothies in the fridge overnight?

Yes, you can leave smoothies in the fridge overnight in an airtight container. However, if you have banana in your smoothie, you'll want to use it as soon as possible, as the banana will start to turn the smoothie a brown color and the banana flavor will become much stronger.

Expert Recipe Tips:

- Freeze Your Rhubarb First. Frozen rhubarb helps create a colder, thicker, and more refreshing smoothie without needing extra ice, which can water it down. And since rhubarb has a fibrous texture, freezing helps break down its structure, making it blend more smoothly.

- Adjust Sweetness Gradually. Rhubarb can be quite tart, so start with a smaller amount of sweetener and taste before adding more. Agave, honey, or maple syrup can all work, but their sweetness levels vary.

- Use a High-Powered Blender. A good-quality blender will make a big difference, especially when blending fibrous rhubarb and frozen ingredients. If your blender struggles, let frozen rhubarb sit for 5 minutes before blending.

- Toast Fennel Seeds for Enhanced Flavor. If using whole fennel seeds, lightly toast them in a dry pan before grinding. This deepens their licorice flavor and adds warmth to the smoothie.

- Add Extra Protein or Fiber. To make the smoothie more filling, mix in protein powder, chia seeds, flaxseeds, or a scoop of nut butter.

Variations & Substitutions:

Fennel - You can use fennel seeds or ground fennel. You could also substitute anise or licorice root.
Lactose-free- Use lactose-free milk and lactose-free Greek yogurt

Vegan - Use plant-based milk like coconut milk, soy milk, oat, or almond milk instead and non-dairy yogurt (i.e., coconut milk yogurt). To boost the creaminess, opt for coconut milk or oat milk for a naturally creamy texture without the yogurt.

Yogurt - You could sub vanilla yogurt for regular Greek yogurt or use plain yogurt instead of Greek, but it won't be as thick or have as much protein

Make it a smoothie bowl - For a thicker version, reduce the milk slightly and pour the smoothie into a bowl. Top with granola, nuts, coconut flakes, or fresh fruit for extra crunch.

Nutrition