One of the keys to sticking to your clean eating habits is finding whole foods and whole food combinations with big flavor that keep you coming back for more. While I try to vary up my smoothie recipe, I invariably end up back to my good ‘ol favorite.

It’s always comforting to have your oldie-but-goodie on stand-by, but it’s also fun to mix it up. It’s also important to vary the foods we eat each day to maximize our nutrient content. Different plants have different compounds; the more variety you have in your eating habits the more goodness you can absorb.

With summer fast approaching I can’t get fresh basil off my mind. Since I know that berries and basil are divine together in salads and other dishes I thought, why not try it in a smoothie? I’m so glad I did! It’s really delightful to drink; the basil isn’t too overpowering and made my tastebuds perk up every time I took a sip.

Besides being delicious, basil adds antioxidants and a fresh, peppery flavor that wakes up the whole smoothie.

Play around with the amounts and flavors. Mixed berries are great here, but solo raspberries, strawberries or blueberries would also be delicious.

Here’s what you need: 16 ounces of water, a scoop of vegan vanilla protein powder, a heaping tablespoon each of psyllium husk and chia seeds, ⅓ cup of frozen mixed berries, 5 fresh basil leaves and 6 ice cubes. Blend until smooth. It takes 5 minutes and makes 1 big smoothie.

Why You’ll Love This Basil Smoothie

• A fresh twist: Basil makes a regular berry smoothie taste bright and summery.
• High in fiber: Psyllium husk and chia seeds make it filling enough to replace breakfast.
• Protein-packed: A scoop of vegan vanilla protein powder keeps you full for hours.
• Five minutes: Everything goes into the blender at once.

Ingredient Notes

Fresh Basil

Use about 5 small leaves (around 1 inch long). Sweet Genovese basil, the kind sold in most grocery stores, is perfect. Pick off any brown spots and skip the stems.

Frozen Mixed Berries

A bag of frozen mixed berries makes this easy any time of year. Strawberries, raspberries or blueberries on their own work, too.

Vegan Vanilla Protein Powder

Vanilla pairs beautifully with berries and basil. Use any brand you love, plant-based or not.

Psyllium Husk and Chia Seeds

Both add fiber and thicken the smoothie. Drink it soon after blending, since psyllium keeps thickening as it sits.

Liquid Stevia (Optional)

Taste the smoothie first. Ripe berries and vanilla protein powder are often sweet enough on their own.

Divine Basil Berry Smoothie Recipe

Total time: 5 minutes
Serves 1

• 16 ounces purified water
• 1 serving vegan vanilla protein powder (I use this one)
• 1 heaping tablespoon psyllium husk fiber supplement (I use this one)
• 1/3 cup frozen mixed berries (fresh also work well)
• 5 fresh basil leaves (about 1 inch long leaves)
• 1 heaping tablespoon chia seeds
• 6 ice cubes
• Optional: liquid stevia to taste if needed for sweetness

Method: Blend in a high-speed blender until smooth. Stir in your favorite probiotic (if using) after blending and enjoy. A handful of raw organic spinach is also wonderful in this smoothie if you have any on hand.

How to Make a Basil Berry Smoothie

1. Add the liquid: Pour the water into the blender first.
2. Add the rest: Add the protein powder, psyllium, berries, basil, chia seeds and ice.
3. Blend: Blend on high until smooth and the basil is completely broken down, about 1 minute.
4. Finish: Stir in a probiotic if you use one, taste for sweetness, and drink it right away.

Basil Berry Smoothie FAQs

Can you put basil in a smoothie?

Fresh basil is lovely in smoothies, especially with berries. Five leaves gives you a fresh, slightly peppery flavor without it tasting like pesto.

Which berries work best?

Mixed berries are great here, but strawberries, raspberries or blueberries on their own are just as delicious. Frozen berries make it thicker and colder; fresh work well, too.

Can I make it without psyllium husk?

Leave it out if you don’t have it. The chia seeds still add fiber, and the smoothie will just be a little thinner.

Love berry smoothies? Try my Blueberry Smoothie or Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie. And if you have extra basil, make a batch of fresh basil pesto.

Bottoms Up,