This Kefir Smoothie is made with frozen fruit and honey and is so delicious. But, of course, you can use any sweetener you want! It's a great way to start the day and get your probiotics.
Kefir is high in nutrients and probiotics that is good for gut health and digestion. It even contains three times more probiotics than yogurt!
Kefir is not as thick as yogurt and is drinkable like regular milk. However, kefir generally has more twang than yogurt, thus depending on your taste, may require more sweetener.
What is Kefir?
Kefir is a fermented drink, typically made with cow's milk. It's made by adding kefir grains to the milk, letting it ferment for about 24 hours, and then removing the grains. What is left is a kefir drink that has many health benefits.
I have purchased kefir grains which are required for homemade kefir and you can find detailed instructions on making it yourself in the How to Make Kefir Video.
Probiotics, known as 'friendly bacteria,' are important for your gut health. I know we all want to be healthier and having a healthy gut is very important. Kefir and other fermented foods are a tool to reach that end.
Fermented foods have other positive health benefits besides just probiotics. When we ferment certain types of foods this can improve the availability of nutrients, make it easier to digest, and may even support heart health. These Fermented Carrots is another great recipe with added health benefits!
Instructions
We like to add sweeter fruit to our smoothies, such as strawberries and blueberries, to help balance the sourness of the kefir.
Add your favorite fruit and play around with different textures. Rule of thumb is ½ cup of fruit per 1 cup of kefir. Of course, you can use any ratio you like if you prefer a thicker or thinner smoothie.
- Start by adding kefir, fresh or frozen fruit, and honey (or your choice of sweetener) to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Add additional kefir if the smoothie is too thick, or ice cubes if the smoothie is too runny.
- Serve and enjoy!
Different fruit combinations are delicious and there are lots of great combos to be found!
Top Tips
- In the following kefir smoothie recipe, the amount of honey you add varies depending on the tanginess of the kefir and how sweet you like it. Feel free to adjust depending on your preference.
- Add any kind of fruit. I love using bananas, strawberries, blueberries, or mango. The possibilities are endless!
- Don't be afraid to try a green kefir smoothie - add 1 c. spinach or kale and 1 c. fruit.
- If you are using frozen fruit, you probably won't need to add any ice, unless you prefer a thicker smoothie.
More Kefir Recipes
There are lots of ways to use kefir. It's a wonderful dairy product that you can use as a substitute in many recipes.
- Use it in my Fried Chicken recipe and it produces a deliciously tender yet crunchy fried chicken!
- Kefir can be used as a substitute for sour cream (although it is not as thick), buttermilk, or an enhancer for many recipes. In my Buttermilk Pie, I find that it adds a sweet tang to the overall taste.
- Kefir isn't always the predominant flavor in every recipe where you find it, but sometimes you want it to be! That's why we also use it in recipes like the one for these Healthy Kefir Popsicles.
If you’ve tried this Kefir Smoothie or any other recipe on Cultured Palate please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, YouTube and TWITTER
📋 Recipe
Kefir Smoothie
Ingredients
To make 2 cups:
- 1 cup kefir
- ½ cup fruit fresh or frozen strawberries, peaches, blueberries, bananas ...
- 1 - 2 tablespoons honey adjust to taste
- ½ cup ice cubes optional
To make 6 cups:
- 4 cup kefir
- 1 cup fruit fresh or frozen strawberries, peaches, blueberries, bananas ...
- 4 - 6 tablespoons honey adjust to taste - we like them tangy!
- ½ - 1 cup ice cubes optional
Instructions
-
Blend all ingredients in a blender just until smooth.
-
Serve and enjoy!
What Fruit Flavor Kefir Do You Like the Best?
Leave a comment - I would love to know!
Debra says
I made this today with homemade kefir and banana. Thanks, that was great! It's a simple recipe but the ratios are just right.
Toni says
Had our first kefir smoothie this morning using this recipe and it was a resounding success!! Everyone ( me, hubby and 3 kids) loved it! Thank you :)
Dina-Marie says
Toni, I am so glad everyone enjoyed it!
Xinia Campo says
Can you mix kefir and honey
Dina-Marie says
Xinia, I use my immersion blender to mix the kefir and honey.
amber t. says
I was playing around with different flavors and decided to try something new. I had a craving for key lime pie and decided to see if I could duplicate it. I had a pint of kefir ready, so I added the juice of two freshly squeezed limes and a few drops of vanilla. Sweetened to my preferred taste, put it in the fridge overnight, and voilà!! Instant hit with the family. My daughter says its her favorite.
Dina-Marie says
Amber, thanks for sharing - that sounds delicious!
Dina-Marie says
Dawn, I have never had a problem or heard of it being a problem.
Kim says
Enjoyed the kefir recipe. It's yummy. I also have rheumatoid arthritis, I have found healthy eating and yoga has made a big difference.
Dina-Marie says
Kim, thanks for taking the time to comment - I am glad you enjoyed it!
Bridget Wright says
I make a kefir smoothie every morning after my workout: 2 c. kefir, 1 c. frozen berries, 1 scoop whey protein, agave nectar to taste. Sometimes I vary it with a half banana, dried oats, etc., but I make sure to get in my kefir after working out so that the protein can go to work right away.
Dina-Marie says
Bridget, that sounds like a great routine!
Christine says
Hi, I am new to kefir and just been given some "starter" to make my own. How else do people use kefir. Is it only for smoothie drinks or can you use it in baking for quiches etc. Do I keep the starter in the fridge and when I top up with milk do I revert to the original tablespoon of kefir and then throw the rest away?
Dina-Marie says
Christine, I keep my kefir out on the counter once I refill it with milk. You could certainly use it in cooking but the heat will kill the probiotic bacteria. When my grains become prolific, I eat them as I am straining and refilling the jars - they have a nice tart taste to them!
Dina-Marie says
Vicki, that does sound delicious - thanks for sharing!
York says
Can it only be blended with fruit ? What about nuts and veggies or other stuff ?
Dina-Marie says
York, it would be delicious with nuts and other things - I would definitely be creative and try it!