Smoothie Meal Prep Ideas and Recipes

We all know that meal prep is a total lifesaver

All of us are guilty of spending too much money on food (and blowing our diets) because we are looking to save time or avoid the hassle of cooking. Maybe we felt too rushed in the morning to pack a brown bag lunch, so we end up blowing $15 on fast food. Maybe we pick up a pizza on the way home from work because we feel exhausted– and then find ourselves doing it again the next day.

We might save a bit of time and energy, but we know that these habits are not great for our bodies or our budgets.

This is why meal prepping is so important. By dedicating the time in advance to prepare healthy, affordable meals, we can significantly cut down on take-out costs and save time and energy during our busy work week.

But how exactly can we meal prep a smoothie ?

For most of us, smoothies are not exactly casual cooking, especially if we steer clear of pricey frozen smoothie mixes. Between planning the grocery lists, cutting the fruits and veggies, and the (often very messy) clean-up side of things, smoothies are not always the easiest option for those of us who are always on the go.

Luckily, we have some great ideas to help you incorporate smoothies into your meal prep routine– plus some great smoothie recipes to make meal prep easier and more delicious than ever.

Smoothies On The Go

For a lot of us, smoothies are limited to post workout snacks or early morning breakfasts. If you find yourself stuck in a rut making the same smoothie recipe every day because you haven’t planned out other recipes then we are here to help.

While it is ideal to drink smoothies right after blending, the reality is that a lot of smoothies can stay good for up to a few days after making them with the right steps.

Here is a unique smoothie recipe with ingredients that are well suited for fridge storage:

All-Green Goodness

Ingredients:

• ½ cup Frozen Kale
• ½ cup Frozen Spinach
• ½ cup of Cherry Tomatoes or ½ of a Large Tomato
• ⅛ cup Diced Celery, frozen
• ¼ tsp. Prepared Horseradish
• 1 pinch Cayenne Pepper
• 1 dash Black Pepper
• ½ Lemon
• ½ cup Water
• 2-5 ice cubes

Directions:

Add all ingredients except lemon, water, and ice cubes to your blender. Squeeze the juice from your lemon, add the ice and water, and blend until you have reached a smooth consistency.

Make Use Of Your Mason Jars

On top of being adorable (and Instagrammable), mason jars are a great way to help you with pre-made smoothies and storage. You can plan out each individual smoothie in a separate mason jar for the week and freeze them.

Then each day you just pour the ingredients from the mason jar into the blender, add liquid and blend. You can pour the blended smoothie into the chilled empty mason jar for a smoothie on the go.

Here is a deliciously sweet recipe– just add the ingredients in the mason jar, and blend on the day you prepare it. Just add the almond milk (or milk of your choice) when you are ready to blend.

Chia and Mixed Berry Medley

• 1 cup almond milk
• ½ scoop protein powder
• 1 Tablespoon chia seeds
• 1 cup of frozen berries (of your choice, although blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries are popular choices)
• ¼ cup spinach

Freezer Packs

If you want to prep far ahead of time, leaving all of your ingredients in the fridge is risky. One of the best things about smoothies is the fact that all ingredients are fresh and natural. The downside is that fresh and natural things tend to go bad.

Freezer packs are a great way to prevent food waste and are super easy to prepare (see our detailed post about freezing smoothies). This meal prep option is also great for freezing larger portions, making it ideal for anyone meal prepping with a family.

Although you may be tempted to use single-use Ziploc bags, there are reusable bags available that can save you money in the long run and reduce plastic waste, so it’s a win-win.

Here are two delicious smoothie recipes that are perfect for freezer pack meal prepping:

Anti-Inflammatory Detox Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of chopped frozen mango
• 1/2 cup frozen cauliflower florets
• 1 sliced banana
• 1 piece of fresh ginger, peeled
• 1 piece fresh turmeric, peeled
• 1 cup of almond milk
• ½ cup of water
• Cinnamon to taste
• Pepper to taste

Directions:

Place all ingredients into a freezer-safe, air-sealed bag, except milk and water and squeeze all the air out. Freeze for up to one month. When ready to blend combine all ingredients, add water and milk, and blend until creamy. If desired, you can leave pepper and cinnamon out of the freezer pack and add during blending.

Fiber Loaded Freezer Pack Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of blueberries
• 1 apple, peeled and diced
• ⅓ cup of cauliflower
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• ⅓ cup of spinach
• ½ cup of Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1 tablespoon of chia seeds

Directions:

Begin by tossing your apple in lemon juice (this will help prevent browning). Place all ingredients (minus the Greek yogurt) into a freezer-safe, air-sealed bag. Freeze for up to one month. When thawed, add all ingredients to the blender. Add Greek yogurt, and blend until a smooth consistency is achieved.

What are your favorite time saving tips for meal prep ? We would love to hear them.