In this post, I will answer some of the most popular questions about using fresh or ground turmeric in smoothies along with my favorite turmeric smoothie recipes that I make on the regular. Similar to all of my other healthy smoothie recipes, the ones I am sharing here are vegan (no dairy), no added sugar and made with simple every day ingredients that you can easily find in your local grocery store. Though before I continue I want to mention one thing. Please consult your doctor for personalized medical advice and eat based on his/her recommendations. The long list of health benefits of turmeric is quite well known and accepted but you and your doctor know your needs better than anyone.
Why Should You Try My Turmeric Smoothies:
Why do we use black pepper and oil with turmeric?
Before I share the following recipes, I want to talk about two ingredients that I used in every single smoothie below that come as a surprise to you: Black Pepper and Coconut Oil.
Add a pinch of black pepper
The most well known and researched component in turmeric that is hailed for health is called curcumin. Its usage goes back to the ancient Ayurvedic practice and has been known to promote the holistic health of the body with its powerful anti-inflammatory antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-cariogenic properties. The sad thing is that our bodies cannot absorb curcumin when we consume it just by itself. This is where black pepper comes handy. The active ingredient in black pepper, piperine, increases the bioavailability (here is a detailed definition of this technical word) of curcumin by 2000% (source). The good news is that you do not need to use a lot. All you need is a pinch of black pepper. In the turmeric smoothie recipes below, you don’t even taste it.
A Splash of coconut oil or ghee
If you look back at the ancient Ayurvedic practice you will see that they make their golden milk with a little bit of clarified butter. They do this because curcumin has poor solubility in water. In other words, consuming turmeric with a little bit of fat helps us benefit from curcumin’s full potential. Therefore, I added a little bit of oil in my smoothies. I opted for ½ teaspoon coconut oil as it is widely available, but if you have access to ghee you can use that as well. Again, similar to black pepper, you do not taste the coconut oil in the smoothie recipes I shared in this post.
Delicious turmeric smoothie recipes for all year round
Below are my favorite turmeric smoothies that I make throughout the year. All of the recipes below are vegan (dairy-free), gluten-free, and no sugar added. If I am making these during the winter months I usually do not add ice into the blender. However, during the summer months, I almost always add in a cup of ice cubes to make it even more refreshing.
Mango Turmeric Smoothie
This is the smoothie that I make when I am in need of the tropical flavors. Made with fresh mango and pineapple, it is made even more nutritious with the addition of a tablespoon of chia seeds. Don’t have access to fresh fruit? You can also use frozen fruit to make this smoothie.
Turmeric Ginger Smoothie
This is what I call the superfood smoothie of all times. This turmeric smoothie is carrot and orange-based, so you also get your daily dose of Vitamin C right off the bat. Since they are both so sweet and flavorful, when used together they can mask the potent flavors of fresh ginger and turmeric pretty well. This is the smoothie I make myself when I feel like I need an afternoon pick me up. It opens my eyes and makes me feel good immediately.
Spinach Turmeric Smoothie
This is my favorite green smoothie recipe. Made with almond milk, spinach, ground flaxseeds, and fresh (or frozen) pineapple, it is packed with all kinds of good-for-you ingredients. Want to switch it up? Feel free to switch things up by using fresh kale instead of baby spinach or coconut milk instead of almond milk or chia seeds instead of ground flaxseeds. And if you like kale and pineapple combo, be sure to try my Pineapple Kale Smoothie recipe.
Are you someone who enjoys turmeric drinks on the regular?
If you are someone who enjoys adding turmeric to smoothies, curries, or simply in hot milk before bed, I highly recommend keeping a jar of turmeric paste in your fridge. I usually make it once a month and use a small amount (usually about 1 teaspoon) every day. And if you want to use this turmeric paste in these smoothie recipes instead of the turmeric spice, black pepper, and coconut oil, you can simply use ½ teaspoon of turmeric paste instead.
Need more smoothie recipe inspiration?
Here are a few more posts to get you inspired:
Benefits of SmoothiesMy favorite Superfood Smoothies – All vegan and no sugar added
