Lemon Smoothie - Eating Bird Food

This bright and creamy lemon smoothie is made with lemon, Greek yogurt, frozen banana, cauliflower, and turmeric for a delicious, energizing drink loaded with protein, fiber, and vitamin C.

This lemon smoothie is sure to be your new favorite summer drink!

It’s tart from the lemon, creamy from the frozen banana, packed with protein from the Greek yogurt, and packed with nutrients from fresh ginger and frozen cauliflower rice. This smoothie is super refreshing and a great way to energize your morning.

Two lemon shakes with straws and slices of fresh lemon.

Table of Contents

Why you will love this smoothie

It’s tangy, refreshing, and the perfect summer drink!
It is packed with many vitamins, fiber and protein.
Gluten free but can easily be made dairy free + vegan.
Strain into vegetables with the frozen cauliflower rice.

Measured ingredients to make a lemon smoothie: frozen cauliflower rice, ice, frozen banana, turmeric, ginger, almond milk, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, lemon zest, and lemon juice.

Ingredients needed

almond milk – adds a slight nutty flavor and contributes to the creamy consistency of the shake. You can substitute any other non-dairy milk of your choice, such as coconut milk or oat milk. You can also use water as a liquid base for this smoothie.
lemon juice and zest – provides that refreshing citrus flavor. Fresh lemon juice is recommended for the best flavor.
greek yogurt – Provides creaminess and provides a good dose of protein. Feel free to use your favorite type of yogurt or opt for non-dairy yogurt to make the smoothie vegan.
frozen cauliflower rice – enhances the thickness of the shake without adding a strong flavor. Plus, it’s a great way to include some greens in your diet.
frozen banana – gives the shake a creamy texture and natural sweetness. If you are watching your sugar intake, you can substitute more frozen cauliflower for the banana.
turmeric and ginger – these add a warm, spicy note to the smoothie and are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric also gives this smoothie a golden color.
maple syrup or honey – for an added touch of sweetness, if desired. Both maple syrup and honey are great sweetening options, but feel free to use agave, medjool dates, or liquid stevia.

Side by side photos of a blender with the ingredients to make a lemon shake before and after blending.

How to do

As with all of my smoothie recipes, this one is so easy to make! Simply place all of your ingredients in a high speed blender like a Vitamix and blend until smooth and creamy.

Taste and adjust as needed, adding more liquid or a handful of ice to reach desired consistency.

Pour your smoothie into a glass and enjoy!

A lemon smoothie is poured into a glass.

Lemon Smoothie Variations

Lemon Blueberry: Swap out the banana with a handful of frozen blueberries for a lemon-blueberry variation.
add vegetables: Increase the nutritional value of the smoothie by adding a handful of spinach or kale. This will change the color, just a warning!
add protein: To make the shake more filling, consider adding a scoop of vanilla protein powder. The vanilla protein powder will also make the shake taste more like a dessert.
add seeds: Chia seeds, flax seeds or hemp seeds can be added for an extra dose of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.
Smoothie Bowl: Turn this shake into a smoothie bowl by using less liquid resulting in a thicker shake! You can then pour it into a bowl and add your favorite toppings like granola, fresh fruit, and seeds.
no banana: If you’re not a fan of plantain, you can swap it out for more cauliflower rice or if you still want a frozen fruit, go for frozen mango, pineapple, or peaches.

Overhead view of two lemon smoothies with straws and fresh lemon slices.

frequent questions

Can you add a whole lemon to this smoothie?

No! You don’t want to add the lemon zest to your smoothie, so it’s best to squeeze your lemon and measure the amount needed from there. Using too much lemon juice could make your smoothie too acidic, so stick with the amount of lemon juice and zest specified in the recipe and adjust to your liking.

Is it okay to use bottled lemon juice?

Fresh lemon juice will provide the best flavor, but if you’re in a pinch, you can use bottled lemon juice. Just make sure it’s 100% pure lemon juice.

Can I save this smoothie for later?

The shakes are best enjoyed immediately after they’re made, but if you need to store them, store them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. You may need to stir or shake it well before drinking.

How can I thicken this smoothie?

To make the smoothie thicker, you can add more frozen cauliflower rice, frozen banana, or a handful of ice. Alternatively, you can add a tablespoon of chia seeds, which will help thicken this smoothie and add nutritional benefits.