Cranberry-Orange Fruit Smoothies – Cranberries are paired with a sweet, juicy orange and Greek yogurt to make a healthy, refreshing smoothie.
It’s smoothie time again! Since the cranberries in my freezer have been begging to be used in something I pulled them out and paired them with a sweet, juicy orange to make a healthy, refreshing smoothie. It’s a simple recipe with only four ingredients . . . okay, five if you count the ice cubes. All it takes is cranberries, an orange, a frozen banana, and plain non-fat Greek yogurt – no added sugar or honey needed here. It’s sweet enough as it is. You won’t find anything like this at Orange Julius or Jamba Juice. And it’s healthy.
Cranberries are a low-calorie nutritional powerhouse, with only 45 calories per cup. They’re high in Vitamin C and fiber, and are one of the highest anti-oxidant containing fruit out there. Oranges add their own nutritional perks to this smoothie. They’re a good source of folate and potassium and a very good source of Vitamin C and fiber. Put these two together and you have a healthy, great tasting smoothie.
The orange adds enough sweetness to offset the tart taste of the cranberries and eliminating the need for any added sweeteners. Frozen bananas provide a creamy base and help balance the sweet orange with tart cranberries. Everyone at the Dittmer place enjoyed this healthy, refreshing smoothie. I hope you do too!
What’s your favorite cranberry recipe? Leave your ideas in the comments below – I’d love to hear them. If you’ve enjoyed this post please consider sharing it on Facebook or Twitter.
Cranberry-Orange Fruit Smoothies
Ingredients
- 1 orange peeled and sectioned
- 1/2 c. frozen cranberries rinsed
- 1 frozen banana
- 1/3 c. non-fat Greek yogurt
- 6-8 ice cubes
Instructions
- Drop peeled and sectioned orange into blender with the 1/2 c. cranberries. Blend until thoroughly combined.
- Add frozen banana (I freeze mine divided into small sections so they're easier to blend). Continue to pulse together until banana is mixed in.
- Blend Greek yogurt into fruit mixture.
- Add ice cubes and blend to desired consistency.
- Serve immediately. Makes about 2 cups.
A Labour of Love says
Great idea. I am thinking of using Kefir instead of the yogurt. Great way to get in those probiotics. Also, thanks for the tip on freezing the banana in cut up pieces rather than whole. I’ve done them whole and they take a while to break down and blend. Thanks Marie. Cannot wait to try it tomorrow. 🙂
Marie says
Hi Sherry – Kefir would be good with it too, and yes, a good way to get in probiotics. Let me know how it turns out!
Miz Helen says
Your Cranberry Orange Smoothie looks delicious! Thanks so much for bringing this awesome recipe to Full Plate Thursday today and have a great weekend!
Miz Helen
Marie says
Thanks, Miz Helen! Always glad to see you here. 🙂
Virginia Freelon says
Love It your receipe. I just tried a cranberry ssmoothie Saturday, June 21, 2014…..I used a half cup of cold concentrated orange juice by minute-maid as part of my liquid, half cup cold water and one cup of dried sweet cranberries….. I fell in Love again. It was very delightful….I don’t care much for bannas and oranges in my smoothies.
However, I will try the yoplait yogurt the next time and add some spinach. Thanks for the tip.
Marie says
Virginia – I’ve never tried making my smoothies with concentrated juice (frozen right?). Sounds like that would be a good way to make one if you don’t have the fresh or frozen fruit available . . . or if you don’t like oranges. 🙂 Very creative and still keeps that flavor. Thanks for visiting and your kind words!