There’s nothing more refreshing than this ice cold tropical smoothie on a hot day. Made with coconut milk, pineapple, mango, banana, and lime – it only takes 5 minutes to prepare. Garnish with optional lime wedges and mint for an extra zing.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy – just blend until smooth! Perfect for a quick breakfast or a healthy snack.
- Make it your own – switch out the plant-based milks to suit your taste. If you’re not a fan of coconut flavor, try something milder like oat milk. I personally love this with soy milk because it has added protein.
- Nutritious – the great thing about this smoothie is that it tastes so delicious but is also full of healthy nutrients from whole fruits.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For your convenience, here’s a shopping list of everything you’ll need to whip up this Vegan Tropical Smoothie:
- Coconut milk
- Pineapple chunks (frozen)
- Mango chunks (frozen)
- Bananas
- Limes
Instructions
Here’s how to make your tropical smoothie. For exact quantities, check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step One: Peel and break the banana into pieces.
Step Two: Add frozen mango and pineapple chunks to the blender.
Step Three: Squeeze lime juice into the blender.
Step Four: Pour coconut milk into the blender.
Step Five: Blend until smooth, garnish with lime and mint, then serve.
Substitutions & Variations
If you’d like to mix up your tropical smoothie, go for it! There’s really not much that can go wrong with smoothies, so feel free to use what is in season or sounds good to you. I would just suggest sticking to frozen ingredients as much as possible – so freeze fresh fruit before blending. That’s how you’ll get that super creamy smoothie texture. Here are some ideas you might want to try:
- Substitute coconut milk with soy or oat milk for a different flavor profile. Almond milk also works well too for a lighter option.
- Experiment with different fruits like strawberries or peaches for a unique twist.
- Add a scoop of plant-based protein powder to boost the protein content. This is a great way to turn a drink into a meal that will keep you feeling full and energized for longer.
- Add a tablespoon of chia seeds for extra fiber and healthy fats. Note that chia seeds will make your smoothie extra thick and a little gloopy though! They hold a lot of water and give a gelatinous finish.
Equipment
You’ll need a blender to make this smoothie recipe. Get a high-power one for the smoothest, silkiest finish. My favorite blenders are:
- NutriBullet – a small but very powerful and affordable option. Perfect for smoothies but not suitable for hot ingredients. I got by using this for years before buying a bigger blender.
- Vitamix – an investment, but if you’re wanting to make bigger quantities and hot sauces.
Storage
Smoothies are best eaten straight away as they start to separate and thaw quickly, becoming watery and less appetizing. If you want to meal-prep your smoothie ingredients, I’d suggest storing the pre-portioned ingredients (except the milk) into a freezer bag. Then when you’re ready to eat, add the milk and blend.
Now, I get it, sometimes you may want to blend your smoothie then eat it later. If you don’t mind the texture being a bit more watery, you can still do this. Just keep the smoothie in the fridge, then give it a good shake to mix any separated ingredients back together.
Expert Tips
For an ultra creamy and thick smoothie, use a frozen banana! Peel it before freezing, then break into small chunks to make blending easier.
FAQ
Simply substitute coconut milk with your preferred plant-based milk such as soy or oat milk for a different flavor profile.
I recommend using frozen fruit for best results, and it’s cheaper. However, there’s nothing wrong with using fresh, but keep in mind your smoothie will be more like a thick juice. It won’t have that super creamy texture, and it won’t be as cold.
Absolutely! Add in a scoop of vanilla protein, or a tablespoon of chia seeds for added fiber and protein.
Smoothies are best eaten immediately, otherwise they thaw and become watery. If you want to prepare your smoothie in advance, I’d suggest storing the pre-portioned ingredients (except the milk) into a freezer bag. Then when you’re ready, add the milk and blend. This is the best way to minimize preparation time and enjoy the best tasting smoothies!
Serving Suggestions and More Recipes
Looking for more smoothie and juice recipes? Some of my other favorites which are great for a refreshing boost are the Vegan Berry Smoothie, Vegan Smoothie Bowl, Immunity Juice, and Beet Juice (Beetroot).
This Vegan Tropical Smoothie recipe is perfect for hot summer days or as a quick breakfast option. Its creamy texture and tropical flavors make it a refreshing treat, packed with vitamins and nutrients. If you enjoy this recipe, I would be super grateful if you could leave a star rating and review – it really helps the algorithm send my recipes to more people! You can also tag me in your photos on Instagram @glowdiaries___ and I will reshare your posts to stories – I am so proud to see you make my recipes!
Vegan Tropical Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1.5 cup coconut milk from a carton, not a can
- 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks
- 1 cup frozen mango chucks
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 lime juiced
- Mint leaves for garnish (optional)
- Lime wedges for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Break the banana into a 3 or 4 pieces and add to your blender.
- Add the frozen mango, pineapple, lime juice and coconut milk to the blender.
- Blend for 1-2 minutes until smooth.
- Serve immediately. Garnish with optional lime wedges and mint.
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