Cranberry Smoothie

This creamy Cranberry Smoothie made with no banana, is perfect for using up excess fresh or frozen cranberries. It's healthy, full of fiber, and will really hit the spot with its fruity & gently spiced flavors.

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Smoothies aren't just for the Summer! Fall and winter fruits and veggies can make a fantastic and healthy addition to your breakfast blend, and this Cranberry Smoothie recipe is perfect for using up any fresh or frozen cranberries you have leftover and taking up space in your fridge or freezer after Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

This delicious cranberry smoothie recipe made with no banana, brings together the tartness of fresh, plump cranberries, the juicy sweetness of apple, the rich nuttiness of pecans or walnuts and the fragrant warmth of cinnamon. The combination is delicious and makes a wonderfully nutritious breakfast or snack.

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Ingredient & equipment notes
How to make a cranberry smoothie
Success Tips
Some ways you can adapt this recipe
Are cranberries good for you?
How to freeze fresh cranberries
Recipe FAQS
Hungry For More?
Recipe
Reviews & Questions

Cranberries are a fruit that tends to be really under-used. They only get their time to shine in cranberry sauce a couple of times a year. They are fantastic in both savoury and sweet dishes like my Mushroom Lentil Loaf and Cranberry Apple Pear Crumble though, and as you will find when you try this recipe, cranberries are really great in smoothies!

Ingredient & equipment notes

To make this smoothie you will need a blender. High-speed blenders are fantastic to have if you make a lot of smoothies.

The ingredients that go into this fresh cranberry smoothie are simple and healthy. Here is what you need:

ingredients for cranberry smoothie as per the listed ingredients in the recipe card

Cranberries - Either fresh or frozen cranberries are fine. If they are fresh it will be necessary to add some ice to the smoothie while blending. If they are frozen you won't need any ice. The tart cranberries work really well with the sweet apple and creamy nuts.
Raw pecans or walnuts - Either work well so just use what you have. They add some healthy fats, calcium and protein to your smoothie and make it much more satisfying and filling. They also make the smoothie creamy while adding a lovely nutty flavor. If you don't have raw nuts you can use 2 tablespoons of nut butter instead.
Apple - It really compliments the tart cranberries and naturally sweetens the smoothie. I leave the peel on to save time and increase the fibre content of the smoothie. Pear also works well.
Cinnamon - Everyone's favorite warming spice! It works really well with apples and cranberries.
Non-dairy milk - Any plant-based milk is fine to use. My oat milk or cashew milk are both great in it if you make your own. If the milk you are using is sweetened you might want to omit or reduce the maple syrup though.
Maple syrup - This helps balance the flavors without using any refined sugar. Cranberries taste pretty tart and they need a bit of mellowing. Maple syrup is a gentle and great tasting natural sweetener. You could use agave instead if you prefer.

How to make a cranberry smoothie

This cranberry smoothie recipe is super quick and easy to make! Simply core the apple, then add everything to the blender and blend until smooth. If you are using fresh cranberries throw in a handful or two of ice. If you are using frozen cranberries there is no need unless you want it to be extra chilled.

Success Tips

You might at first think there is more milk than you need, but this cranberry smoothie tends to thicken up quite a lot as it sits after blending.
Red specks throughout your smoothie are normal even if you are using a high-speed blender and blend thoroughly.

Some ways you can adapt this recipe

Use fresh cranberries instead of frozen. Just throw in a handful of ice too to compensate.
Throw in a little leftover cranberry sauce to use it up.
For extra heartiness throw in a handful of rolled or old-fashioned oats. You will need a touch more milk though.
Use orange juice instead of milk
Add some cranberry juice instead of some of the milk
Use either walnuts or pecans. To make it nut-free use hulled sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds or hemp seeds instead.
Give your smoothie a boost by adding a handful of greens like spinach or kale to make a cranberry green smoothie.
Add some vegan yogurt to make the smoothie creamier.
Switch the apple for a banana to make a cranberry banana smoothie.

Are cranberries good for you?

Cranberries are a rich source of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, manganese, vitamin E, vitamin K and copper so are great for your immune system. They are also a fantastic source of fiber when eaten in their whole form (although not when juiced). You can read more about their nutritional benefits here.

How to freeze fresh cranberries

When local fresh cranberries are in season I like to buy extra and freeze them to use throughout the year. This means you can enjoy a cranberry smoothie at any time of year.

To freeze cranberries, simply buy a bag of fresh cranberries and give them a good wash under running water. Lay them out on a clean dish towel and allow them to dry. Once dry line a large baking tray with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat then pour on the cranberries. Spread them out and place the entire tray carefully in the freezer. Make sure it stays level. After an hour they should be frozen. Remove the tray from the freezer and transfer the cranberries to a freezer bag or freezer-safe container.

Frozen cranberries have a long shelf-life and will be good for about 12 months.

Recipe FAQS

How do I select good cranberries?

Cranberries should feel firm to the touch and look plump and shiny.

Hungry For More?

Looking for more seasonal smoothies? You might enjoy:

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