Smoothies are delicious, but they can also be wasteful.
Leftover smoothie is likely to go to waste if it isn’t drunk within 24 hours of being made.
The best way to store leftover smoothies is overnight in the refrigerator in an airtight container or jar with a lid.
Frozen fruit should be added before freezing for best results when making homemade smoothies.
However, instead of drinking it directly from the glass (or plastic cup), you can make another drink out of it.
Try one of these ideas below.
Add milk and enjoy as a shake
Boost your protein by adding unflavored or vanilla-flavored protein powder to your leftover smoothie and mix well until everything is blended together smoothly (most protein powders will work with this recipe).
Add ice cubes and blend until you get a smooth consistency.
Use in baked goods
One of the tastiest ways to make use of leftover smoothie is by adding it to your favorite muffin or bread recipe.
You can substitute up to half of the required water, milk, oil, etc in baking recipes with your favorite smoothie flavor for an amazing taste.
Make popsicles
Leftover smoothies can be poured into plastic cups or molds and frozen into delicious homemade popsicles that kids (and adults.) love.
Simply pour leftover smoothies into ice cube trays and cover with foil; once frozen through, remove foil and pop out the individually-frozen treats.
Combine with iced coffee or iced tea
Add a scoop or two of your favorite vanilla-flavored protein powder to the leftover smoothie and stir well.
Add it to a tall glass with some ice cubes and sweeten as desired with sugar, honey, agave syrup, fruit juice, etc.
Use iced tea instead of water for a delicious frosty beverage.
Whip up some egg nog
Adding heavy cream to the pancake mix is a good way of adding extra flavor and nutrition.
You can do the same thing by adding your favorite protein powder and half-and-half (or light cream) to leftover smoothies; whisk until everything is combined smoothly.
Try adding 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg.
Combine with milk and freeze into popsicles
Freeze leftover smoothie in ice cube trays overnight, then pop individual cubes out of the tray and store them in a plastic bag in your freezer.
When you want a cool, refreshing summer snack or dessert, combine 1/2 cup of frozen smoothie cubes with an equal amount of whole milk and blend until smooth for tasty slushy-type treats.
Use it to make pancakes
Mix pancake batter according to package instructions, replacing water with the leftover smoothie.
Try adding blueberries or strawberries for extra nutritional value.
Top cooked pancakes with fresh fruit and whipped cream for a delicious breakfast treat.
Fruit syrups made from chopped fresh fruit can also be added before cooking for a delicious pancake flavor.
Make popsicles with yogurt
Combine leftover smoothie with vanilla yogurt in an ice cube tray and freeze overnight.
For a refreshing summer treat, simply pop them out of the tray and enjoy.
You can add fresh berries to your popsicles before freezing if you want even more flavor.
Try using Greek yogurt for extra protein benefits.
Add frozen bananas to make a healthy smoothie bowl
Make a smoothie bowl by adding 2-3 frozen bananas (sliced into coins), 1 cup or so of milk, the juice from half a small lemon, and some honey to the leftover smoothie.
Whiz it all up in your blender until everything is combined and poured into a bowl.
Top it with fruit or granola for breakfast or as an afternoon snack.
Can you drink a leftover smoothie?
Yes, you can drink a leftover smoothie.
Smoothies will keep for up to 24 hours, while juice will stay good for 12 hours.
You can tell if it is still good by looking and smelling it.
How long can you keep a smoothie after making it?
Most smoothies will keep in the fridge for 1 to 2 days at most.
Separation may occur after a day, but it is normal.
You can just stir and eat.
Why did my banana smoothie turn brown?
The reason your banana smoothie turned from a nice yellow to a brown is because the fruit in it reacted and changed color.
This change is called oxidation, and it’s what makes the smoothie go from a light color to a dark one. (source)
Can smoothies be frozen?
Yes, your smoothies can be frozen.
If you have the time to make one fresh, do so.
But if you don’t, you can freeze it.
When it’s frozen, let it thaw or eat it frozen because the churning process in your ice cream maker will keep your smoothie just as good as if it were fresh. (source)
Are smoothies good for weight loss?
Yes, if a smoothie helps you eat less during the day, then it can help you lose weight.
Choose ingredients that are low in calories and high in protein and fiber to make sure you stay full until your next meal. (source)
Do frozen smoothies lose nutrients?
Yes, freezing smoothies can make them lose some nutrients.
However, the loss is negligible so it is still worth doing.
If you have to choose between losing a few nutrients and not having a smoothie at all, the better choice is to freeze them.
Do smoothies lose nutrients overnight?
Smoothies do lose nutrients over time.
To make sure you get all of the health benefits, drink it as soon as possible and store it in a refrigerator, not a freezer. (source)
Can you drink a smoothie left out overnight?
No, you shouldn’t do that.
It is not safe to drink a smoothie that was left out overnight.
The United States Food and Drug Administration says that two hours is the maximum amount of time for foods like smoothies to be left out at room temperature before they go bad. (source)
However, it is just good practice to keep your juice in the fridge at all times, unpasteurized or not.
How do you know if a smoothie has gone bad?
You can tell if your juice smoothies are spoiled by smelling, looking, or tasting them.
If they have an off flavor, appearance, or odor, they should be thrown away. (source)
Is a smoothie good for breakfast?
Yes, they can be a great breakfast choice if you choose the right ingredients.
Look for a smoothie that is high in protein, healthy fats, fiber, and low in sugar to make sure you stay full throughout the morning. (source)
Why is my smoothie fluffy?
The foam that forms on the top of the smoothie is made of fibers from vegetables and fruits.
Sometimes it can be fixed by blending for 10-20 extra seconds at a low speed. (source)
How long can you keep a green smoothie in the fridge?
One of the best things about green smoothies is that you can make them in advance and they’ll keep for up to two days refrigerated. (source)
Conclusion
There are many ways to utilize leftover smoothies.
You can enjoy them as is, freeze them for a later time, or use them in the recipes I shared above.
I hope you will give some of these ideas a try the next time you have a smoothie leftover.