Should I freeze leftover smoothie?

Smoothies make for a refreshing and nutritious breakfast or snack. But what do you do when you’ve made more smoothie than you can drink in one sitting? Can you freeze the leftovers for later? Here’s what you need to know about freezing leftover smoothies.

The Benefits of Freezing Smoothies

Freezing leftover smoothie allows you to:

• Preserve nutrients – Freezing helps retain many of the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in fresh fruits and vegetables used to make the smoothie.
• Save money – Rather than letting leftovers go to waste, freezing smoothies stretches your grocery dollars.
• Gain convenience – Having smoothies ready to thaw and drink saves time in the morning or when needing a quick snack.
• Reduce food waste – Freezing puts those leftover ounces to good use rather than tossing them out.

How Long Do Frozen Smoothies Last?

Frozen smoothies can generally be kept in the freezer for up to 3-4 months. The chart below outlines approximate freezer timelines for different smoothie ingredients:

Ingredient	Freezer Life
Fruits like bananas, berries, mangos	3-4 months
Leafy greens like spinach, kale	2-3 months
Vegetables like carrots, beets	8-10 months
Nuts like almonds, walnuts	4-6 months
Seeds like chia, flax	4-6 months
Yogurt	1-2 months
Milk	1-3 months

Note that freezer times may vary based on the freshness of ingredients when frozen, how ingredients are stored, and freezer temperature. For best quality, use frozen smoothies within 3-4 months.

Tips for Freezing Smoothies

Follow these tips for freezing smoothies:

• Choose the right container – Use freezer-safe containers like plastic, glass or freezer-grade bags. Avoid thin plastic containers prone to cracking.
• Leave headspace – Don’t fill containers to the brim. Liquids expand when frozen so leave 1-2 inches of headspace.
• Seal tightly – Use containers with tight lids or seal bags well, squeezing out excess air.
• Label – Note contents and freeze date so you know what’s inside and when to use by.
• Freeze right away – For best texture and taste, freeze smoothies immediately after making rather than refrigerating first.
• Break up fruit – Cut larger fruit into smaller pieces which freeze more solidly than puréed fruit.
• Avoid freezing yogurt – Yogurt tends to get watery when frozen. Mix it in after thawing the smoothie instead.

Thawing and Using Frozen Smoothies

Here are some tips for thawing and drinking frozen smoothies:

• Fully thaw smoothies in the refrigerator overnight, or for a quicker method, run the container under warm water for a few minutes.
• Give the smoothie a good stir or shake once thawed to evenly distribute ingredients.
• Add any fresh ingredients like yogurt or ice after thawing. The smoothie may need additional liquid to adjust consistency.
• Drink thawed smoothies within 3-4 days for best quality and food safety.
• Avoid refreezing thawed smoothies.

To make smoothies freezer-friendly, here are some recipe adjustments to try:

• Use slightly riper bananas which better hold their texture when frozen.
• Reduce the liquid by 1/4 cup or so to allow for ice expansion during freezing.
• Boost fiber and protein content which helps minimize separation when frozen.
• Increase fat content a bit by using avocado, nut butters or chia seeds to help maintain a creamy texture.

Do All Smoothie Ingredients Freeze Well?

Most smoothie ingredients can be frozen but some hold up better than others in terms of preserving flavor and texture.

Best for freezing:

• Bananas – best frozen when ripe as they retain sweetness.
• Berries – raspberries, blueberries, strawberries freeze well.
• Mangos – peel, slice and freeze pieces.
• Pineapple – core and cut into chunks before freezing.
• Stone fruits – peaches, nectarines and plums can be frozen.
• Cherries – pit and then freeze.
• Grapes – wash, dry and freeze whole.
• Melons – like watermelon and honeydew freeze well when cubed.
• Citrus fruits – orange or lemon slices can be frozen.
• Leafy greens – spinach, kale and swiss chard do well frozen.
• Root vegetables – beets, carrots and sweet potato freeze well.
• Avocados – freeze chunks for creamy texture.
• Nuts – almonds, cashews, walnuts can be frozen.
• Nut butters – look for natural peanut or almond butter.
• Chia seeds and flaxseeds – high in fiber and omega-3s.
• Cocoa powder – retains flavor well in frozen smoothies.
• Extracts – vanilla, almond and others add flavor when frozen.

Use caution when freezing:

• Cucumber – can get watery when frozen.
• Milk – tends to separate when frozen.
• Yogurt – can result in a grainy texture.
• Tofu – becomes spongy in texture after freezing.

Avoid freezing these ingredients:

• Lettuce and other tender greens – wilts and gets soggy when frozen.
• Herbs – lose flavor intensity, especially delicate ones like cilantro and parsley.
• Cream – curdles and separates when frozen.
• Mayonnaise – texture and flavor deteriorate with freezing.

Smoothies Worth Freezing

Almost any smoothie can be frozen, but here are some recipe ideas that hold up especially well:

Tropical Morning Smoothie

• 1 cup pineapple chunks
• 1 banana
• 1 cup coconut water
• 2 dates or 1 tbsp honey
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt (add after thawing)

Green Morning Refresher

• 1 cup kale or spinach
• 1 banana
• 1 cup coconut water or almond milk
• 1 kiwi, peeled
• 1 tbsp chia seeds

Berry Almond Smoothie

• 1 cup mixed berries
• 1 banana
• 1 cup almond milk
• 2 tbsp almond butter
• 1 tsp vanilla

Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie

• 1 banana
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp peanut butter
• 1 cup milk of choice
• 1 scoop protein powder (optional)

Smoothie Freezer Packs

For grab-and-go smoothie convenience, try assembling smoothie packs to keep in the freezer.

To make:

• Slice and freeze fruit pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet before combining in a freezer bag.
• Seal bags tightly, removing excess air.
• Label each batch with contents and date.

Fruity Green Smoothie Pack

• 1 cup spinach
• 1 cup kale
• 1 cup mixed berries
• 1 banana

Tropical Smoothie Pack

• 1 cup mango chunks
• 1 cup pineapple chunks
• 1 banana

When ready to make a smoothie, empty a freezer pack into the blender, add liquid and blend!

Conclusion

Freezing leftover smoothies is an easy way to reduce food waste, save money and always have a nutritious snack ready-to-blend. The best smoothies to freeze include fruits like berries, bananas, mangos and pineapple along with leafy greens, avocados and chia seeds. Store smoothies in airtight containers, allowing headspace for expansion. Thaw frozen smoothies overnight in the refrigerator before blending up a deliciously refreshing drink. With a little planning ahead, you can always have a healthy smoothie on hand!