Creamy Lemon Smoothie

This zesty and refreshing lemon smoothie is a citrusy way to kickstart your morning or as an afternoon snack! It’s loaded with vibrant flavors and nutrients.

There’s a particular kind of craving that shows up on gray mornings, and here’s the pick me up I created for those times: this easy lemon smoothie recipe! This frosty, pale yellow puree holds a secret: a super citrusy, sweet tart flavor owed to a load of lemon zest and juice.

When I’m in the mood for a sunny, citrusy drink, this is what I crave! Whiz it up with frozen fruit and milk in a blender, and it’s one of the tastiest, most satisfying smoothies around. You can even call it a “lemon pie smoothie” to make it even more fun!

Why You’ll Love This Lemon Smoothie

Tastes like liquid sunshine: The combination of lemon zest, sweet pineapple, and creamy banana makes a flavor that’s beautifully sweet-tart.
It’s done in 5 minutes: Throw everything in a blender and you’re done!
It’s customizable. Vegan, dairy-free, or protein-packed: this smoothie adapts to whatever you need!

5 Star Reader Review

“This was great — refreshing, with flavor combos that I would not have thought of otherwise. I did not use additional ice cubes as I had a little more frozen pineapple, and used oat milk, added a few cashews, and no maple syrup. Will make again!” -Monica

Ingredients You’ll Need

Lemon is a unique flavor for a smoothie recipe: it’s more common to see berry flavors like a strawberry smoothie or green smoothies. But this lemony drink is a fun and refreshingly healthy way to enjoy fresh fruit! Here are a few notes on the ingredients you need:

Lemon juice and zest: You absolutely must use real lemon for best flavor! You’ll need the zest from an entire lemon, plus two tablespoons of the fresh juice (no substitutes).
Frozen pineapple: Frozen pineapple is essential for the frosty texture and it adds a nice yellow color.
Banana: Room temperature banana is all you need: no need to freeze it! (Alternatively, you could use fresh pineapple and frozen banana.)
Milk: You’ll need liquid for it to blend! Use your favorite milk here, dairy or non-dairy both work, making it a vegan smoothie option.
Maple syrup: Just a hint of maple syrup heightens the flavors and gives it the best, sweet tart flavor.

How to Make This Lemon Smoothie

Making this lemon smoothie is so simple:

Add all ingredients to your blender in the order listed: liquids, then frozen fruit, then banana and ice.
Blend on high until completely smooth and frothy, about 60 seconds. Stop and scrape down the sides as needed.
Taste and adjust: add a touch more maple syrup if your pineapple is on the tart side.
Serve immediately in a glass, or pour into a covered jar and refrigerate for up to 1 day.

Tips for Working with Turmeric

Turmeric is a root used in cooking, part of the ginger family. It is most often used dried and ground into a yellow powder, which has an earthy, almost mustard-like flavor. But more than flavor, turmeric is also often used for color in recipes: in fact, it’s what gives yellow mustard its bright yellow color!

You can use turmeric here to make an even brighter lemon flavor! It won’t be noticeable flavor-wise. Be careful when using it, because it easily stains clothes! You’ll want to wipe it up right away if it touches your counter.

Ways to Boost the Protein

This lemon smoothie isn’t protein packed, unless you use dairy milk (which has 8 grams protein in 1 cup). If you’d like, you can add even more protein: whether it’s dairy-based or a vegan smoothie. Here are some ideas:

Stir in Greek yogurt. Use ½ cup Greek yogurt and ¼ to ½ cup milk for a significant dose of protein.
Chia seeds. You can add plant-based protein and fiber with chia seeds: 2 tablespoons chia seeds adds 4 grams protein and 11 grams fiber.
Vanilla protein powder: Protein powder works well too! We use this protein powder that has natural ingredients and a flavor that’s not too artificial. Just remember to dial back the maple syrup or honey, because protein powder adds sweetness.

Variations Worth Trying

Want to change up this lemon smoothie with mix-ins instead? There are a few additions that go well with the tropical flavors here! Here’s what we’d recommend trying:

Add cashew butter. A way to add plant-based protein is nut butter; we recommend the flavor of cashews here to complement the lemon. Keep in mind this can also dampen the flavor of the smoothie.
Swap in frozen mango or peaches. Swap out a cup of the frozen pineapple for frozen fruit of another variety.
Throw in coconut. Throw in a handful of coconut (or toasted coconut) for a tropical vibe.
Add a handful of fresh mint or basil. Lemon mint and lemon basil are two tasty flavor combinations.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

This lemon smoothie is best served right away: the texture is at its peak right out of the blender. But you can store it in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. Give it a shake before drinking.

Dietary Notes

This lemon smoothie recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.