Smoothies make for a delicious and nutritious breakfast or snack. They’re fast and easy to make, especially if you do some prep work ahead of time. With a little planning, you can have healthy, homemade smoothies ready to enjoy even on your busiest mornings.
Benefits of Prepping Smoothies in Advance
Prepping smoothie ingredients in advance has several advantages:
- Saves time – Chopping fruits, vegetables, and other add-ins ahead of time means your morning routine is faster.
- Makes healthy eating easier – Prepped ingredients mean you can throw everything in the blender fast without skipping fruits and veggies.
- Allows for better planning – You can prep smoothie combinations in advance and have ingredients ready to go.
- Reduces food waste – Prepping ingredients means you’re more likely to use up fresh produce before it goes bad.
How Long Do Prepared Smoothie Ingredients Last?
Most prepped smoothie ingredients will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Here are some guidelines for how long common smoothie ingredients last:
| Ingredient | Prepared Shelf Life in Fridge |
|---|---|
| Leafy greens (spinach, kale) | 3-5 days |
| Chopped fruit | 3-5 days |
| Chopped veggies | 3-5 days |
| Nut butters | 1 week |
| Chia seeds, flaxseeds | 1-2 weeks |
| Liquid bases (almond milk, coconut water, juice) | 5-7 days |
Some fruits like bananas can be frozen whole or chopped for longer shelf life. Frozen fruits last 6-12 months in the freezer.
Tips for Prepping Smoothie Ingredients
Follow these tips to prep smoothie ingredients efficiently:
- Prep produce when you get home from the store – Don’t leave veggies, leafy greens, and fruits sitting in the fridge uneaten. Chop and store them right away.
- Store in airtight containers – Use containers or resealable bags to keep oxygen from shortening the shelf life.
- Portion ingredients – Separate veggies, fruits, seeds, etc. into single servings so they’re easy to grab.
- Label containers – Write the name and prep date on containers so you know what’s inside and how long it has left.
- Freeze ripe bananas – Let overly ripe bananas freeze overnight, then store in bags for up to 6 months.
Can You Prep Complete Smoothies in Advance?
It’s best not to prep complete smoothies too far in advance. Ingredients like leafy greens and fruits will get soggy and degrade quickly once blended with liquid. The overall quality and flavor will decline.
You can make smoothies 12-24 hours in advance with some precautions:
- Prepare smoothies in individual servings, not a big batch.
- Use frozen ingredients like bananas and berries.
- Add fresh leafy greens right before drinking, don’t blend them in advance.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Give it a good shake or stir before drinking to recombine ingredients.
Smoothies with dairy or plant milk bases like yogurt, milk, or nut milks will separate and develop off flavors if prepped too far ahead. They are best made fresh.
Smoothie Prep Ideas
Making a plan for prepped smoothie ingredients will set you up for success. Here are some prep ideas:
- Chop fruits/veggies: Chop onions, carrots, apples, mango, pineapple, cauliflower, broccoli, etc. Store in containers.
- Portion leafy greens: Separate spinach, kale, swiss chard, etc. into bags or containers for individual smoothies.
- Divide add-ins: Portion chia seeds, flaxseeds, nut butters, oats, cocoa powder, protein powder, etc. into small containers or bags.
- Prepare bananas: Let spotty bananas ripen, then peel, chop, and freeze in resealable bags.
- Make nut milks: Make a batch of almond milk, cashew milk, etc. and divide it into bottles to use throughout the week.
Healthy Prep-Ahead Smoothie Recipes
Try out these delicious smoothie recipes that use prepped ingredients:
Tropical Green Smoothie
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1/2 banana, frozen
- 1/2 cup mango, chopped
- 1/2 cup pineapple, chopped
- 1/2 cup coconut water
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
Berry Almond Smoothie
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1/2 cup mixed berries, frozen
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 1 tsp flaxseeds
- 1 tsp cocoa powder
Green Protein Smoothie
- 1 cup kale, chopped
- 1 banana, frozen
- 1/2 cup greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp protein powder
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 cup ice
Storing Prepped Smoothies
For smoothies prepped 12-24 hours in advance, follow these storage tips:
- Store in an airtight container, leaving 1-2 inches at the top for expansion.
- Lay plastic wrap directly on the surface of the smoothie to prevent oxidation.
- Store smoothies in the back of the fridge where temperature is coldest.
- Avoid opening the fridge frequently to limit temperature changes.
- If smoothies separate, give them a good stir or shake when ready to drink.
Conclusion
Preparing smoothie ingredients in advance makes sticking to your healthy routine simpler and more sustainable. With proper storage, you can prep fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients to have ready for 3-5 days. For complete smoothies, limit prep time to 12-24 hours ahead.
Planning your smoothie preps takes the headache out of healthy breakfasts. With some time-saving strategies, you can build the smoothie habit into your mornings for good.
