Strawberry Cucumber Smoothie

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This is not a cheeseburger.

This is not bacon. ย These are not peanut butter and chocolate cupcakes.

These are not doughnuts nor french fries.

Oooh how I wish these were all of those things.

Instead… this is health. ย It’s health that tastes good and makes our bodies feel like they can leap like superheros, with x-ray vision, and super strength.

It’s ok that this smoothie doesn’t taste like chocolate… mostly ok.

out to eat

I really love going out to eat. ย Sure… that’s an easy thing to say. ย But I LOVE it!

When you go out to eat there’s French fries! ย Blue cheese in your salad! ย And bacon that you didn’t have to cook yourself! ย It’s absolute magic. ย Until the bill comes… that’s just real life.

When I’m home… not at a restaurant… not eating French fries and bacon… I drink a lot of smoothies.

Kale Spinach and Pear Smoothie. Peanut Butter Banana and Oat Milkshake. Super Citrus Smoothie.

Smoothies satisfy my desire to throw things in a blender and trick myself into thinking I’m drinking a milkshake.

Good heavens. ย I have a problem.

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I realize that this might seem like an odd combination of ingredients for a smoothie. ย It is. ย It’s the cucumber. ย Weird, right!?

Believe it or not, cucumber thickens the smoothie! ย It also adds lots of hydration and potassium. ย It’s a total secret weapon.

This smoothie has just a hint of sweetness… and it doesn’t take like a big bunch of vegetables. ย Strawberry sweet with creamy almond milk, and mellow mellow cucumbers.

Cucumbers add an interesting texture to the smoothie. ย It’s slightly more slippery. ย Like we added a touch of gelatine to the smoothie. ย But! ย It’s all natural and just the way that cucumbers work.

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English cucumbers (hot house, that is) are the best for this smoothie. ย The skin is thin and can be blended smooth. ย Cucumbers with thicker skins should probably be peeled.

Deseed the cucumbers. ย Chop into big chunks. ย Blend with frozen strawberries and cold almond milk. ย Add a touch of raw honey. ย It’s simple and delicious.

Strawberry Cucumber Smoothie

serves 2

inspired by VegeterianTimes

Print this Recipe!

a heaping 1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries

1 cup cold almond milk

half an English (hot house) cucumber, deseeded and chopped into large chunks

1 to 2 tablespoons honey

a squeeze of lemon if you’d like

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend! ย Add more almond milk as necessary, depending on your desired consistency. ย You can also enjoy the smoothie made with frozen blueberries or blackberries. ย 

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Questions

125 Responses

  1. This was very good, but since I am diabetic and I sorta do a keto/paleo diet, I used liquid stevia instead of honey. Also, when I am working (I am a painter), I will use 35% whipping cream instead of almond milk, although I use almond milk at home. That’s like heavy cream here in Calgary Canada. Yes it’s a few extra calories but its great as a to go option so I don’t have to stop for an actual lunch.

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  3. Hi Joy! Just wanted to let you know I made this today and it was delicious! Only, at first I forgot to put the honey in and I was wondering why it tasted a little off. Ooops :) Loved it, will be sure to make it again. Its so refreshing.

  4. I think this recipe did it. I think this solidified the feeling I was trying to avoid; that I have a slight crush on you because of recipes just like this. I think I read on one of your other posts you wish you were eating pizza and doughnuts at all times, and that’s when I realized I needed to start reading this more often.

  5. I typed ‘cucumbers in smoothie’ in Google and this popped up! I had the idea of a cuke in a smoothie and you confirmed it for me… All with my normal smoothie ingredients I have on hand plus said cucumber. I can’t wait for the morning to try!

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  7. I love this smoothie recipe! I’ve come back to it quite a few times now and have made it at home quite a bit too! It was a great way to introduce greens into my daily smoothie. Thank you for sharing this recipe!!!

  8. I’m on a smoothie kick lately. Trying to eat helthy and all, and smoothies are a great way to get several servings of fruit into your body quick and easy! I usually make tropical smoothies with mango, pineapple, banana, vanilla yogurt and coconut powder.

    Thanks for the new option!

  9. Made this for breakfast this morning – used plain coconut water (that is what I had on hand) – and threw in some chia seeds – it was perfect! Thanks!

  10. Thanks for the unique smoothie recipe! I really like adding veggies in my smoothies. (Like spinach and kale) But I haven’t use cucumbers much in my smoothies. I’m going to go try it. :)
    You have a “problem”. :) I drink smoothies every day, even during the cold winter. It is one of the healthiest drinks.
    Thanks again!
    P.S. Love your name! I just had a baby girl… and we named her Joy.

  11. I just made this and love it! I was a little skeptical but I should know to just trust you! You can taste a hint of the cucumber… which I love, because I always love some cucumber water! Thanks for another great recipe. :)

  12. Those smoothies looks so good! Bet my boys would enjoy those too! Rainy and cold in my neck of the woods so it’s more of a tea day. By the way, I work with Pacific Merchants and we are having a special on beautiful tea sets if you enjoy tea as much as I do. Check it out by going to https://www.pacificmerchants.com/tea-products. Use the code on checkout and get 25% OFF your purchase: TEA4US2012.

  13. First, this makes me think of summer, which makes me happy. Because when I look outside it’s grey and icy and gross, which makes me sad. So a summertime smoothie in the middle of winter sounds like a fabulous idea.
    Second, I have made salads with strawberries, cucumbers, nuts, and…blue cheese. I wonder how gross that would be all mixed up in a smoothie? Probably not as gross as it sounds! Maybe a bacon garnish? Ok, so less healthy, but seriously, isn’t everything made better with bacon and blue cheese?

  14. Hi, I stumbled across your blog, and I love it! Such interested recipes–very inspired. Curious where you got those lovely striped straws? I want to get some myself for drinking refreshing strawberry smoothies,…and perhaps some root beer floats too :)

  15. I’ve heard of juicing cucumbers before, but this is the first time I’ve seen them blended whole in a smoothie. It sounds interesting! I’ll have to keep this in mind for summer, when I’ll have more cucumbers than I know what to do with.

  16. I totally dig the strawberry cucumber combination- its fresh sounding like cucumber water in the Summer! Sometimes I add cucumbers, strawberries and mint to my water and it’s bliss!

    One small thing I absolutely ask, is that really an English cucumber?? Because every one I’ve seen has that really dark green, thick skin which is why I normally go for Persian cucumbers. Idk, maybe I’m just imagining things- if I am don’t mind me.

  17. I’m on a bit of a smoothie kick these days … I keep adding spinach or kale – but never cucumber. I’ll give it a shot – – and you’re right it’s not french fries or cupcakes, but drinking smoothies just make french fries and cupcakes (especially ones with peanut butter it in) that much yummier.

  18. mmm this actually does sound really good. the cucumber is a great idea, so cool and thickening, like you said. now it’s january i need to start drinking more smoothies and eating less french fries, so way to lead the way! :)

    1. I use my Magic Bullet for a smoothie every morning. It works great. Frozen strawberries, some flax seed, couple spoonfuls of yogourt and some milk. I will have to try the cucumber too.

  19. i have a smoothie every morning with my vitamix and i feel awesome all day long. spinach, banana, and coconut milk in my fave. i dont even need to drink coffee… i have great energy. smoothies are the way to go!!!

  20. it is extra-extra weird that i have cucumbers AND strawberries in my fridge AND that i was already planning on throwing them in the blender tomorrow morning (WITH almond milk). c-razy. i’m also tossing in some chia seeds for good measure ;).

  21. This sounds great. Almond milk is my favorite thing in smoothies. It’s so simple and healthy. I love dark chocolate almond milk with a frozen banana and strawberries. It’s like a healthy banana split.

  22. Cucumbers are my favorite, but I’ve never added them to a smoothie before. I have a smoothie every morning for breakfast, but usually get stuck in making the exact same thing each time–next time I head to the grocery store, I’ll definitely have to grab a cuc a try this!

  23. I loved that you used the word “slippery” in this blog.

    Outside of that, I’m hoping my future livin’ situation involves a blender so I can whip this up (along with other, less healthy smoothies that involve toasted marshmallows, oats, and hazelnut).

    Hahaha, slippery…

    Kasey

  24. There is something awesome about cukes in drinks. Give me a tall, frothy cocktail with cucumber and gin in it, and I am a happy girl. But I digress. Also good in smoothies, I am sure. Happy weekend, all!

  25. As I’m reading this, I’m drinking an apple-banana-spinach smoothie. :) Never thought about cucumbers…thanks for the idea!

  26. I’ve had cucumber and strawberries before and it really works so can imagine this is delicious. Would also be good as a cocktail, but I guess we can’t talk about that on a healthy post :-)

    Love the addition of almond milk btw – yum.

  27. Oh, the weather will be perfect for this. But! Two questions: how delicate is the cucumber taste? (I come from the land of the absurdly-intense leatherwood honey) and can I get away with not actually freezing my in-season berries?

    1. The cucumber taste is subtle but present, if that makes sense. You can definitely taste it. And yes, you can use fresh berries. Hope this helps!

  28. Sounds interesting. One question though – why the almond milk instead of milk? I haven’t actually heard of almond milk before, so I’ve no ideawhat it’s like

  29. I have to admit I am not 100% sure on this one. But I am nothing if not a brave lady, so I shall pop these goodies into the blender and have a taste. I have some lovely fresh cucumbers from the garden so this will be a great way to use one up!

  30. There is only one vegetable that I hate, and that is cucumber. I used to also hate beetroot, but I like that now. So I guess I should say cucumber is a vegetable I don’t like yet (although I think it is technically a fruit? Or a berry?). Anyway, this looks like a good entry level cucumber recipe.

  31. I only ever use cucumbers in a gin and tonic but I should probably do something a bit healthier with them shouldn’t I? This smoothie is a great combination of flavours!

  32. English cukes do have that sort of gelatine-ish quality about them. I’ve never blended them or juiced them, only “regular” cucumbers.

    I love the strawberries in this.

    Now, if the weather could just warm up here in “cold” San Diego, I could go to town on this without my teeth chattering :)

  33. This looks so healthy Joy. I have almond milk in the cupboard and berries in the freezer, I just need the cucumber and I’m good to go!

  34. this is awesome, i’ve been on a total smoothie kick the last week or so. i usually add a handful of spinach to mine. i’ll have to try the cucumber, which i actually have in my fridge right now. do you think this would work with mixed frozen berries?

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