The Best Turmeric Smoothie Recipes (2024)

If you are fan of consuming warm drink recipes like golden milk or turmeric tea on the regular, then today you are in for a treat. Because today, we are making turmeric smoothies. Known with its anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric is a superfood that has been around for a very long time.

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.

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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.

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Why Should You Try My Turmeric Smoothies:

  1. Quick & Easy: Making a quick and creamy turmeric smoothie in the morning is an easy way to get your daily dose of superfoods and strengthen your immune system, even when you are on the go.
  2. Good for you: In addition to being a powerful antioxidant, turmeric helps with inflammation issues, especially when mixed with other superfoods like fresh ginger, chia seeds, spinach, flax seeds, tropical fruits, etc.
  3. They taste good: I developed these recipes to make sure that they have the right balance of natural sweetness coming from fruits to mask the spicy flavor of turmeric (especially if you are using ground turmeric) that some people don’t care for.

Below are my answers to some of the FAQs along with a few of my favorite turmeric smoothie recipes.

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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.

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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.

FAQs

How to use turmeric in smoothies?

You can use both ground turmeric spice (also known as turmeric powder) or fresh turmeric root in your smoothie recipes.

How much turmeric to put in a smoothie?

The following ratios might change depending on the recipe, but my general rule of thumb for 2 servings of a turmeric smoothie is to use ½ teaspoon of ground turmeric spice or ¼ teaspoon of grated fresh turmeric root (about 1-inch).
I personally find fresh turmeric root to be more potent compared to its spice version so I use half the amount. However, I recommend starting with these ratios and adjusting it to your liking.

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.

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Don’t have access to fresh fruit? You can also use frozen fruit to make this smoothie.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 Smoothies
  • My favorite Superfood Smoothies – All vegan and no sugar added

Turmeric Smoothie Recipes

By Aysegul Sanford

Yields: 2 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 5 minutes mins

Get the recipe for my go-to dairy-free, no sugar added and vegan spinach turmeric smoothie recipe.

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5 from 11 votes

Print Recipe

Ingredients

Spinach Turmeric Smoothie

  • 2 cups baby spinach or kale rinsed and washed
  • 3 cups of pineapple chunks fresh or frozen
  • ½ teaspoon of ground turmeric spice
  • 1 tablespoons ground flaxseeds
  • 1 cup of water
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk
  • Pinch of black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon coconut oil melted and cooled

Mango Turmeric Smoothie

  • 2 cups of chopped mango fresh or frozen
  • ½ cup pineapple chunks fresh or frozen
  • ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut flakes
  • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon chia seeds
  • 1 ½ cups of coconut water
  • A pinch of black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon coconut oil

Turmeric Ginger Smoothie

  • 3 stalks of carrot washed peeled and cut into chunks
  • 1 ½ cups of chopped oranges
  • 1 ½ cups of coconut water
  • 1- inch fresh ginger grated (about ½ teaspoon)
  • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • Pinch of black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon coconut oil

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients in the bowl of a blender and blend until smooth.

  • Serve immediately.

Video

The Best Turmeric Smoothie Recipes (9)

Notes

  • Do I add ice to the blender? 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 to make it even more refreshing.
  • Can I make these smoothies the night before? Yes, you can. Simply make a batch in the blender, place it in a jar or bottle with a tight fitting lid and store it in the fridge until the morning. Be sure to give it a good shake before drinking. I recommend consuming your turmeric smoothie within the 24 hours.

Course: Smoothies

Cuisine: American

Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @FoolproofLiving or tag #foolproofeats!

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You might also like:

  • 10 Minute Golden Milk Recipe (Turmeric Milk)

  • 12 Superfood Smoothies To Kickstart Your Day

  • 5-Minute Vegan Banana Smoothie

The Best Turmeric Smoothie Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the best ingredient to mix with turmeric? ›

Herbalist Rosalee de la Forêt tells us, “To get the most out of your turmeric add 3% black pepper to the mix. Black pepper improves the bioavailability of turmeric, making smaller doses more effective.” This works out to about 1/2 teaspoon of ground pepper to 1/4 cup of turmeric.

What kind of turmeric is best for smoothies? ›

Fresh turmeric is often turned into a turmeric powder, turmeric paste or dried turmeric to incorporate turmeric in a variety of products, like a creamy turmeric smoothie! You can find fresh turmeric at most large markets in and around the produce section- ask for turmeric root.

How to consume turmeric for best results? ›

As mentioned, food helps your body absorb turmeric. So the best time to take it is shortly before or after a meal or large snack. It's also a good idea to divide your daily turmeric dose into two doses and take them 8 to 12 hours apart. This will help increase absorption and keep turmeric levels steady in the body.

What fruit goes well with turmeric? ›

Citrus fruits like Lime can benefit our immune health as they are rich in vitamin C, phytochemicals and antioxidants. Citrus and bitter flavours balance well together, with citrus providing a zesty freshness to the savoury notes of Turmeric.

What not to combine with turmeric? ›

Turmeric may interfere with the action of these drugs, increasing the production of stomach acid:
  • Cimetidine (Tagamet)
  • Famotidine (Pepcid)
  • Ranitidine (Zantac)
  • Esomeprazole (Nexium)
  • Omeprazole (Prilosec)
  • Lansoprazole (Prevacid)

Is turmeric with ginger better than just turmeric? ›

A 2021 review in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture cites study after study that shows all the various benefits of curcumin, including its amazing anti-inflammatory properties. Like many classic food pairings, ginger and turmeric truly are better together.

Do you have to peel turmeric for smoothies? ›

Like ginger, it's best to peel turmeric before adding it to your recipes. Depending on the size and shape of the root, you can use a vegetable peeler, knife or even a spoon to scrape off the peel.

What brand of turmeric works best? ›

Thorne Curcumin Phytosome Capsules is our pick as the best overall because it contains a formulation of turmeric that has been suggested to be significantly more effective than other forms. It's also third-party tested and manufactured by a company known for producing high quality supplements.

Is powdered turmeric as effective as fresh turmeric? ›

Bioavailability: Some studies suggest that powdered turmeric may have higher bioavailability compared to raw or dry turmeric, meaning that it may be more readily absorbed by the body. This enhanced bioavailability may increase the effectiveness of turmeric in delivering its health benefits.

Is 1 teaspoon of turmeric a day enough? ›

How much turmeric should you consume to retain the health benefits? Here are a few helpful tips to get you started. Sayer uses 1/2 - 1.5 teaspoons per day of the dried root powder, certified organic. A typical dose of supplemental curcumin is about 250mg per day, and often increased when dealing with a condition.

What happens to my body if I drink turmeric everyday? ›

“Like other colorful plant-based foods, turmeric is rich in phytonutrients that may protect the body by neutralizing free radicals (pollution, sunlight) and shielding the cells from damage.” Diets rich in plant-based foods are associated with prevention of medical conditions such as cancer and heart disease.

What helps turmeric absorb better? ›

Eat With Good Fats

So, by eating the turmeric with good fats, like avocado, olive oil or coconut oil, you're more likely to absorb more of it into your bloodstream. This is also why turmeric is commonly mixed with warm milk—any kind of milk including coconut, cow, almond.

Can turmeric reduce belly fat? ›

Herbs like turmeric, ginger, green tea, chilli pepper, cumin and lemon might help you burn the fat accumulated in the belly. Doing regular physical exercise and maintaining a healthy diet are other ways to help you reduce belly fat.

How much turmeric should I add to my shake? ›

How much turmeric to put in a smoothie? The following ratios might change depending on the recipe, but my general rule of thumb for 2 servings of a turmeric smoothie is to use ½ teaspoon of ground turmeric spice or ¼ teaspoon of grated fresh turmeric root (about 1-inch).

Does turmeric help with sleep? ›

Initial mice studies have found that turmeric can protect against oxidative damage and sleep deprivation. Slip this super spice into your bedtime ritual to relax, improve mood, help depression , and potentially lower your anxiety levels (as seen in mice).

What pairs well with turmeric? ›

The earthy quality of turmeric means that this spice pairs well with a variety of other spices, herbs, and flavors. Bold spices like cumin, cloves, mustard seed, and pepper are all excellent pairings for turmeric. Often, turmeric will be found in combination with at least 4-5 other spices.

What do you take with turmeric to make it more effective? ›

Combining the spice with black pepper may help increase your body's ability to absorb turmeric's beneficial compounds. A substance in black pepper called piperine, when combined with curcumin, has been shown to increase bioavailability by 2000%.

What can I add to turmeric to make it taste better? ›

WHAT SPICE GO WITH TURMERIC?
  1. Cumin: Our pure cumin is an easy way to add deep, earthy citrusy flavors to spark your favorite meals. ...
  2. Cinnamon: Our pure cinnamon lends a warm, sweet aroma to everything from morning toast to cookies, and it also has a savory side, with earthy, mahogany-colored flavors.

What is the most important ingredient in turmeric? ›

Curcumin is a major component of turmeric, and the activities of turmeric are commonly attributed to curcuminoids (curcumin and closely related substances). Curcumin gives turmeric its yellow color. Turmeric dietary supplements are made from the dried rhizome and typically contain a mixture of curcuminoids.

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