Bright, creamy, and ready in minutes — this strawberry milkshake smoothie is the easiest way to turn fresh fruit into a frothy, satisfying treat. It’s naturally sweet, deeply refreshing, and kid-approved.
You only need a few pantry staples and a blender to make something that feels indulgent but can be wholesome. It’s perfect for breakfasts, post-workout sips, or an afternoon pick-me-up.
Below you’ll find simple steps, ingredient science, troubleshooting visuals, and expert tips to help you make the best Strawberry Milkshake Smoothie every time.
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Milkshake Smoothie
– Ready in under five minutes.
– Uses whole fruit for real flavor and fiber.
– Flexible for dairy or plant-based diets.
– Easy to thicken or thin to taste.
– Customizable for protein or extra sweetness.
– Naturally colorful and photogenic for social sharing.
The flavor is bright, with ripe strawberry tang balanced by banana creaminess and a milky backdrop. The texture is silky and smooth when blended correctly, with a thickness you can control by adding ice or extra banana.
★★★★★ “I make this Strawberry Milkshake Smoothie every weekend. It’s light, creamy, and my kids adore the color. I add a scoop of protein and it’s a perfect post-workout drink.” — Emily, reader
Key Ingredients for Strawberry Milkshake Smoothie
Fresh Strawberries
Fresh strawberries provide the signature flavor and natural sweetness. Choose berries that are bright red, fragrant, and firm to the touch for the best taste. If you substitute frozen strawberries, reduce ice or skip ice altogether since frozen berries naturally thicken the smoothie.
Banana
Banana acts as a natural thickener and sweetener, creating a creamy body. For the best texture, use a ripe banana with brown flecks; underripe bananas will be less sweet and can taste starchy. Swap with avocado for creaminess but expect a milder, less sweet flavor and a greener hue.
Milk (Dairy or Non-Dairy)
Milk provides the liquid base and smooth mouthfeel. Use whole dairy milk for extra richness, or almond, oat, or soy milk for a plant-based option; each will slightly alter flavor and creaminess. If substituting water or juice, the smoothie will be thinner and less creamy.
Honey or Maple Syrup (Optional)
A small spoonful of honey or maple syrup balances tartness without masking fruit flavor. Choose raw honey or pure maple syrup for depth of flavor; agave can be used as a milder alternative. If omitted, rely on the banana for sweetness or choose riper berries.
Full Ingredient List for Strawberry Milkshake Smoothie
– 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled
– 1 banana, sliced
– 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
– 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
– 1 scoop protein powder (optional)
– Ice cubes (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Strawberry Milkshake Smoothie
Step 1: Add strawberries, banana, and milk to the blender.
Place the hulled strawberries and sliced banana into the blender, then pour in the milk. Start with a smaller amount of liquid if you want a thicker result and add more later.
Pro Tip: It should look like a loose fruit purée sitting in milk, with no large chunks visible.
Step 2: Blend until smooth.
Secure the lid and blend on medium-high for 20–40 seconds, until the mixture appears uniform and free of fruit pieces. Use a tamper if your blender has one to push fruit toward the blades.
Pro Tip: The surface should be glossy and free of visible bits; the noise will change when it’s smooth.
Step 3: Add sweetener, protein, and ice if desired.
If you want extra sweetness, add honey or maple syrup. For protein, add one scoop of protein powder. Add a few ice cubes for a thicker, colder shake.
Pro Tip: When you add powder or ice, the mixture will look cloudier and slightly thicker before the final blend.
Step 4: Blend again until creamy and well combined.
Blend the smoothie a second time for 10–20 seconds to fully incorporate additions and reach a silky texture. Scrape down the sides and blend briefly if needed.
Pro Tip: The smoothie should form a ribbon when poured from a spoon and look velvety with small suspended bubbles.
Step 5: Serve immediately and enjoy your healthy strawberry milkshake smoothie.
Pour into a chilled glass, garnish with a strawberry or banana slice if you like, and serve right away for the best texture and flavor.
Pro Tip: The color should be a pale to medium pink and the aroma will be bright, fruity, and slightly floral.
Expert Tips for Strawberry Milkshake Smoothie
– Temperature tip: Use chilled milk or cold ingredients to keep the smoothie bright and refreshing; warm components will flatten flavor.
– Texture troubleshooting: If the smoothie is too thin, add half a frozen banana or a handful of ice and blend again. If too thick, thin with a splash of milk and blend briefly.
– Equipment tip: A high-speed blender gives the silkest texture, but a standard blender works if you pulse and scrape more often.
– Common mistake: Over-blending with too much liquid yields a thin, watery shake — add solids after initial blend to avoid this.
– Sweetness control: Taste before adding sweetener — ripe banana and strawberries often provide enough sugar on their own.
– Protein powder tip: Choose unflavored or vanilla to avoid clashing flavors; add powder gradually and blend well to prevent graininess.
– Visual cue for readiness: Look for a uniform pale pink color and a glossy surface; any visible streaks mean another 5–10 seconds of blending.
– Serving tip: Chill glasses in the freezer for a minute before serving to keep the smoothie colder longer.
Storage & Freezing for Strawberry Milkshake Smoothie
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container or jar with a tight lid for up to 24 hours. Shake or stir before drinking; separation is normal and can be fixed by a quick whisk or brief re-blend.
Freezer: For longer storage, freeze smoothie portions in ice cube trays or freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months. Freeze in single-serve portions to make morning blending faster.
Thawing: Thaw frozen portions in the fridge for 2–4 hours or at room temperature for 30–60 minutes. For a quick fix, blend frozen cubes with a splash of milk to restore a fresh texture.
Reheating: This smoothie is best cold. Do not heat — warmth dulls bright fruit flavors and changes texture. If you want a warm berry drink, blend then gently warm on the stove while stirring, but expect a different result.
Best containers: Use glass jars or BPA-free airtight containers to maintain flavor. Leave a small headspace if freezing to allow expansion.
Variations & Substitutions for Strawberry Milkshake Smoothie
– Vegan Strawberry Milkshake Smoothie: Use oat or almond milk and maple syrup instead of honey. The smoothie will be slightly nuttier with a milder sweetness, and oat milk gives extra creaminess similar to dairy.
– Protein-Packed Strawberry Milkshake Smoothie: Add a scoop of whey or plant-based protein powder and a tablespoon of nut butter. This boosts satiety and turns the smoothie into a meal replacement with a richer mouthfeel.
– Green Strawberry Milkshake Smoothie: Add a handful of baby spinach or kale and a squeeze of lemon. You’ll get added nutrients without a vegetal flavor dominating; the banana masks bitterness and the smoothie stays pinkish-green.
– Dessert-Style Strawberry Milkshake Smoothie: Swap milk for vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt and skip honey. The result is thicker and more indulgent, perfect as an occasional treat.
Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberry Milkshake Smoothie
Q: Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
A: Yes. Frozen strawberries work well and make the smoothie thicker without ice. Use slightly less ice or skip ice entirely. Start with frozen fruit and ¾ cup milk, then add more milk if needed to reach the desired pourable consistency.
Q: How can I make this smoothie dairy-free?
A: Substitute dairy milk with almond, oat, soy, or cashew milk. Oat milk offers the creamiest texture closest to dairy, while almond milk yields a lighter, slightly nutty result. Adjust sweetness as some plant milks are sweetened.
Q: Is this smoothie suitable for weight loss?
A: It can be part of a balanced plan when portion-controlled. Use low-fat milk or unsweetened plant milk, skip added sweeteners, and include protein (Greek yogurt or protein powder) to increase fullness. Watch portion size—keep it to about 8–12 ounces for a snack-sized serving.
Q: Can I prepare the ingredients the night before?
A: Yes. Hull strawberries and slice banana, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge up to 24 hours. For best color and texture, freeze prepped fruit if not using within a day, and add milk right before blending.
Q: How do I avoid a gritty texture when adding protein powder?
A: Choose a fine-milled protein powder and add it with liquid rather than directly onto cold ice. Blend the fruit and milk first, then add powder and blend again for 10–15 seconds. A secondary short blend helps fully dissolve the powder.
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Final Thoughts on Strawberry Milkshake Smoothie
This Strawberry Milkshake Smoothie is a quick, flexible recipe that plays well with dietary swaps and flavor boosts. Try the variations to find your favorite balance of creaminess and bright fruit.
If you enjoyed this recipe please leave a star rating in the recipe card below and pin it to Pinterest. For more similar recipes, see Live Simply’s Strawberry Milkshake Smoothie, check out Kristine’s Kitchen Strawberry Milkshake Smoothie for another take, or explore a vegan option at Detoxinista’s Strawberry Smoothie | Healthy Milkshake!.
Strawberry Milkshake Smoothie
Ingredients
Method
- Add strawberries, banana, and milk to the blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Add sweetener, protein, and ice if desired.
- Blend again until creamy and well combined.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your healthy strawberry milkshake smoothie.