Carrot Smoothie

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This delicious Carrot Smoothie is the perfect way to channel your cravings for carrot cake without having to bake it. This protein-packed, nutritious, and filling smoothie is healthful, but somehow tastes almost as indulgent as a cake!

Try some of our other nutritious smoothie recipes next, like this four-ingredient Blueberry Smoothie, our favorite Green Smoothie Recipe, or this vanilla Chai Smoothie.

Overhead image of the Carrot Smoothie

Our Favorite Carrot Smoothie Recipe

Adding carrot to smoothies might make you raise your eyebrow at me, but don’t leave just yet. I mean, it’s a little less weird than adding cauliflower to a smoothie, right? And…we already went there. (Remember this Cauliflower Smoothie?) Adding veggies to smoothies not only works, but it can also be downright delicious!

You don’t need to just take my word for it; Katie shared, “I made this smoothie this morning and it was SO yummy–definitely one that will become a breakfast staple…YUM.”

But today we aren’t just adding veggies to a smoothie, we are channeling my favorite spring dessert to bring you a smoothie that tastes like carrot cake. This Carrot Smoothie combination is definitely the next best thing to a big slice of carrot cake!

Process shots-- images of the cashew, shredded carrots, and milk being added to the blender and it all being blended together

Carrot Smoothie FAQs

Can you put carrots in a smoothie?

Watch how I make this Carrot Smoothie! Just click the video in the full post. Carrots add health benefits, great flavor, and subtle sweetness to this smoothie.

Can you freeze carrots for smoothies?

You can freeze the carrots beforehand (after shredding), but we don’t find it necessary as long as the banana is frozen.

Should I boil carrots before blending?

I only recommend steaming the carrots if you don’t have a high-powered blender. If this is the case, you’ll also want to soften the cashews first by soaking them. (Check out this Blueberry Ice Cream recipe for ways to soak cashews.)

How To Make A Carrot Smoothie

This recipe is quick and easy to make, but you do need a good, powerful blender (think Blendtec® or Vitamix®) to break down the cashews and carrots.

  1. Peel and shred: Peel whole (large) carrots and then grate on the large holes of a cheese grater.
  2. First blend: Blend the milk, carrots, and cashews until smooth.
  3. Second blend: Add everything else and blend until smooth.

Process shots of Carrot Smoothie-- images of the banana, spices, and honey being added and it all being blended together and poured into a glass to enjoy

Carrot Smoothie Ingredients

  • Milk: You can use any kind, but we like plant-based milk best for this smoothie.
  • Cashews: We prefer dry-roasted cashews for extra flavor without any extra work.
  • Grated carrots: Check out our tips section for more about using grated carrots!
  • Frozen banana: This makes the smoothie sweet and thick. It also helps you feel full! Use a fully ripe banana or grab pre-frozen ripe bananas from the store.
  • Flavor boosters: Vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and a tiny bit of salt make the smoothie taste like carrot cake. Why salt? It brings out the flavors and balances everything nicely.
  • Honey: This brings all the flavors together and adds just the right amount of sweetness. The smoothie won’t be the same without it!
  • Ice: Adds chill and thickness to the smoothie.

QUICK TIP

You can use pre-frozen banana slices in this smoothie. Many stores sell them in the freezer aisle, making it super easy for those forgetful days. Just grab a pouch, and scoop out as many slices as you need. Wondering how many slices make a banana? On average, one cup of slices equals one banana.

Overhead image of the Carrot Smoothie ready to be enjoyed

Carrot Smoothie Recipe Tips

  • Top tip: Instead of using pre-shredded carrots, opt for whole carrots and grate them yourself. Packaged shredded carrots tend to be tough, dry, and lack flavor. Grating your own carrots will result in a much juicier texture. Use a food processor with a grating attachment to grate carrots in large quantities. Store the grated carrots in separate bags in the fridge for easy access when making smoothies on busy days.
  • Measure your ingredients: While it might be tempting to eyeball your smoothie ingredients, I highly recommend measuring them, especially when you’re starting out, to get the proportions right. Adding random amounts can lead to too much smoothie or an unpleasant taste.
  • Blend well: Before pouring your Carrot Smoothie into a glass, give it a quick stir to ensure everything is mixed evenly and smooth. If there are any chunks, blend the smoothie again. Be careful not to over-blend, though, as it can make the smoothie thinner than desired.

Side shot of a Carrot Smoothie ready to be enjoyed

STORAGE

This simple Carrot Smoothie is best enjoyed right after blending. It doesn’t sit, store, or re-freeze well. If you won’t finish the whole smoothie in one sitting, I recommend halving the recipe!

Use Leftover Carrots In One Of These Recipes:

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Carrot Smoothie

5 from 2 votes
This delicious Carrot Smoothie is the perfect way to channel your cravings for carrot cake without having to bake anything. This protein-packed, nutritious, and filling smoothie is healthful, but somehow tastes almost as indulgent as a cake!
Print Recipe

Carrot Smoothie

5 from 2 votes
This delicious Carrot Smoothie is the perfect way to channel your cravings for carrot cake without having to bake anything. This protein-packed, nutritious, and filling smoothie is healthful, but somehow tastes almost as indulgent as a cake!
Course Breakfast, Brunch, Snack
Cuisine American, Healthy, Vegetarian
Keyword Carrot Smoothie
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 1 -2 smoothies
Chelsea Lords
Calories 482kcal
Cost $3.12

Equipment

  • High powered blender (Note 1)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or any milk of choice)
  • 1/4 cup roasted and lightly salted cashews (Note 2)
  • 1 cup grated carrots (Note 3)
  • 1 cup frozen banana coins (Note 4)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon each ground ginger, ground nutmeg
  • Very tiny pinch of fine sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon honey (Note 5)
  • 8-10 large ice cubes (~1 cup)

Instructions

  • SHRED CARROTS: Use the large holes of a grater to shred the peeled carrots. Measure and set aside.
  • FIRST BLEND: Combine cashews, shredded carrots, and milk in a high-powered blender. Blend until completely smooth, about 90 seconds.
  • SECOND BLEND: Add remaining ingredients and blend again until smooth, about 60 seconds. If needed, stop the blender and stir around with a spoon and begin blending again. Taste and add additional spices or add sweetener if desired. Enjoy immediately! This shake doesn't sit/store well.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Blender: You'll need a good, powerful blender (like Blendtec or Vitamix) to break down the cashews and carrots. If you don't have a high-powered blender, I recommend soaking the cashews first and steaming carrots. Let steamed carrots fully cool before adding to blender. (Check out this Cashew Ice Cream recipe for 3 ways to soak cashews.) 
Note 2: Cashews: We love dry-roasted cashews best — they're more flavor without any extra effort on your part. 
Note 3: Carrots: Use whole carrots and grate them yourself. Avoid packaged pre-shredded carrots; they are hard, dry, and much less flavorful. When you grate your own carrots you'll notice how much more moisture they have. Use a grating attachment on a food processor to grate carrots in bulk. Measure out and store the grated carrots in separate bags in the fridge so you can quickly throw together this smoothie on busy days!
Note 4: Frozen banana: The banana sweetens and thickens the smoothie beautifully. It also ensures the smoothie is filling! Make sure to freeze a fully ripe banana or buy already frozen ripe bananas!
Note 5: Honey: The honey pulls everything together and perfectly sweetens the smoothie. The smoothie is definitely lacking without it!

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 482kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Sodium: 647mg | Potassium: 1052mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 44g | Vitamin A: 17750IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 375mg | Iron: 4mg

We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed.

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5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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