Healing Cranberry Smoothie
​How beautiful is this healing cranberry smoothie? A gorgeous pink color that’s delicious as a beverage, breakfast or snack. Packed with nutrition!
Let’s balance things out a little bit, shall we? Since craving (and eating) chocolate, gingerbread and peppermint everything over the past few weeks, I’m ready for a little holiday break.
This is typically the time of year when I start craving vegetable-filled meals. Don’t get me wrong, you know I’m not going to deny myself my favorite dishes; however, I find that I really do prefer produce-heavy meals most of the time.
I notice a dramatic shift in energy and clarity when my diet is full of plants. As much as I want to enjoy the same feeling from extra-cheese pizza and cinnamon rolls, unfortunately, that’s just not the case. And I know from my years as working as a dietitian, that’s true for many of you as well.
See below for tips, or scroll down for the full recipe.
Everything You Need to Make this Cranberry Smoothie:
Cranberry Smoothie Ingredients
- Fresh or frozen cranberries
- Bananas
- Fresh orange
- Maple syrup, honey or other sweetener, if desired
How to Make this Cranberry Smoothie
Blend together
All you need for this recipe is whole cranberries, oranges, banana and a little maple syrup for sweetener. Puree in a high speed blender together and enjoy!
What to make with bags of fresh cranberries
This cranberry smoothie is the perfect thing to make with extra frozen or fresh cranberries. I first created this cranberry smoothie a few years ago when my freezer was overflowing with cranberries, and I was craving something sweet yet nourishing.
I wanted something refreshing, cold and seasonal. The combination of orange and cranberry is amazing to me. I love the tart berry and sweet, refreshing orange together. Smoothies are one of my favorite ways to get ‘back on track‘, but this time I wasn’t in the mood for the usual green suspects.
How have I not put cranberries in a smoothie before? Orange and cranberry are the yin and yang to sweet and tart. Add a little frozen banana for extra creaminess, and this is one smoothie you’ll be firing up the blender for day after day. Besides being ready in no time flat, it’s become my favorite thing to sip after a workout.
Do you need to add a sweetener?
I’ve included maple syrup in the ingredients, but that’s completely optional. My thoughts- the first time you make this, only add in a little or no sweetener. Then, if you want it sweeter, add a little more. You can also use honey or agave nectar, if preferred.
Sometimes I like this smoothie tart, and sometimes I like this a little more sweet. Therefore, the maple add is completely optional!
Can you use leftover cranberry sauce?
You can use leftover cranberry sauce for this, but I’d recommend omitting the added sweetener as it likely doesn’t need it.
Variations on this Cranberry smoothie
If you don’t have any fresh or frozen cranberries, then I’d recommend frozen blueberries or frozen mixed berries instead. Raspberries are tart-like cranberries, so you can also substitute those for a raspberry orange version.
You can also add in yogurt, greek yogurt, dairy-free yogurt, or protein powder if you want to make this more of a meal smoothie. Instead of water, you can also use cranberry juice or non-dairy milk.
Orange juice can also be used instead of fresh oranges. Frozen bananas give this smoothie a creamy, milkshake-like texture, but you can use fresh if that’s all you have available. Frozen pineapple can also be used for a sweeter version without adding extra sweetener.
Health Benefits of Cranberries
Whole cranberries also pack quite a nutritious punch! Besides being one of the best sources of antioxidants, they’re also loaded with vitamin C, copper, manganese, vitamin E, and fiber!
Plus, research shows that consuming cranberries are beneficial for heart health and improving endothial function. Since fresh cranberries are so abundant this time of year, buy a few bags to store in the freezer! Keeping them frozen also negates the need for ice in this smoothie.
More Healthy Smoothie Recipes
- Blueberry Basil Smoothie
- Sunrise Smoothie Boost
- Apple Green Ginger Smoothie Recipe
- Chocolate Snicker’s Smoothie Recipe
- Sneaky Vitamin C Smoothie
- Vegan Creamsicle Date Shake
More Cranberry Recipes
- Cranberry Orange Bread
- Orange Cranberry Muffins
- Cranberry Pie with Streusel Topping
- Roasted Cranberry, Wild Rice and Kale Salad
- Fresh Cranberry Bars
If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your Instagram photos with #delishknowledge . I absolutely love seeing your creations. Happy cooking!
Healing Cranberry Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup whole cranberries
- 2 oranges, peeled
- 1 banana, frozen
- 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup
Instructions
- Place the ingredients into a high powered blender, like in the order listed: water, cranberries, oranges and banana.
- Blend until smooth and creamy. If desired, add in 1-2 tablespoons of maple syrup. Sometimes I want this more tart and sometimes I want things a little sweeter!
Notes
- If you are using a standard blender, you might need to puree a few times until smooth.
- A warning that this smoothie is a bit tart! While I love that sour/tart flavor of cranberries and orange, you may prefer it a little more sweet. In that case, add a little stevia, agave, maple, honey, whatever you prefer in with the ingredients. You can also decrease the cranberries to 1/2 cup.
Nutrition
This recipe was first published in 2018 and updated in 2023.