Pomegranate Yogurt Smoothie
This Pomegranate Yogurt Smoothie packs intense pomegranate flavor with high-protein yogurt. A healthy way to start the day, or post workout wonder.
This past year has upped the ante in a big way for the appliances in my life, and I can’t help but find it thrilling. I’m not a woman who shrinks from a gift of a great tool (for the kitchen, not the tool shed).
Jewelry or perfume have their place of course, but so do pizza ovens and Vitamix blenders. For years I’ve pined after both, with little decorum about my desire (here, here, here, and that’s just on the blog).
I have sung arias to my unrequited Vitamix blender, a pro-tool that makes a smoothie smoother and a hummus hum. In 2014, an auspicious year for dreams-really-do-come-true in the life of Maureen, my Vita-dream was realized.
My brother Tom and his wife Amara, they put that baby in my hands after I took care of their baby, my godson, on their first trip away from him. I think they must have known that I’d cry like a baby myself when I had to leave him after being with that boy all week; here was something special to ease the pain (I’m sure they were just saying thank you, but I was in deep) and replace the tears with a smile (the tears kept coming, but I smiled right through them over the blender).
Here’s the first thing I made, my Pomegranate Yogurt Smoothie, and it remains my go-to!
Ingredients for a Pomegranate Yogurt Smoothie
Remember that smoothies are flexible recipes. The main idea is to keep the quantities in place for balanced thickness, but beyond that: play!
Pomegranate juice. So tart, so colorful. So healthy! Use any Pom Wonderful juice blend or pure pomegranate juice.
Raw Honey. A little sweetness just brings it all together.
Chia seeds. High protein, high fiber.
Yogurt. Take your pick of labneh, Greek yogurt, or plain yogurt. Any fat level will be fine! Fruity yogurts are also fine but they do have in them and we don’t need more of that here.
Ice cubes. These are key for amping up the thick texture of the smoothie and also making it: ice cold!
Frozen berries. Go for strawberries or raspberries. Frozen again does the texture and cold temp of our smoothie good.
Pomegranate seeds. Use them here for garnish. Can you throw some in the blend as well? Sure!
Protein powder. I love how protein powder makes a thick shake. But also it packs this smoothie with high protein goodness.
How to make this smoothie
The only work of this smoothie is gathering your ingredients. From there, it’s as simple as blending everything in the blender. But there are still a few steps to follow:
Step 1. First ingredient to add to your blender is the juice. If protein powder or even ice cubes go in first, the blender gets stuck and has to be stirred frequently to set the blades free.
Step 2. Add the remaining ingredients to the blender and pulse until smooth. Stop and stir a couple of times if needed. Sometimes rather than stir, I give the blender container a shake or two to loosen things up.
Step 3. Serve immediately! Your smoothie has all of that frozen goodness from the berries and ice cubes right after it’s blended.
Tips to make this Pomegranate Smoothie Recipe
- Cut your own pomegranate! I do enjoy buying the little cups of seeds available now, for ease. But it’s economical to cut your own pomegranate, like this.
- Be sure to use frozen fruit and/or ice cubes. If your fruit is fresh, that won’t be a problem if you do use ice cubes. But better not to replace the ice cubes with water! Your smoothie won’t have the same thick texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this smoothie vegan? If you leave out the yogurt and honey, this smoothie becomes vegan easily. Substitute the yogurt with nut milk, oat milk, or any vegan yogurt. Replace the honey with maple syrup.
- Can I make my smoothie ahead of time? Smoothies like this one that include ice cubes and frozen berries will have its best texture and flavor if served immediately after it is made. To make it ahead, simply refrigerate the smoothie and then stir before serving.
- Is it a healthy breakfast? By all means yes! My Pomegranate Yogurt Smoothie is packed with protein and fiber, which will keep you satisfied and ready to start the day. It’s also a great post-workout replenishment.
Pomegranate Yogurt Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pomegranate juice
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 cup labneh, plain Greek yogurt, or plain yogurt
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 cup frozen raspberries or strawberries
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- Pomegranate seeds, to garnish
Instructions
- In a strong blender, combine all of the ingredients and blast until very smooth. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds on top and serve immediately.
23 Comments
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I'm so glad you're here! You'll find among these pages the fresh and classic Lebanese recipes we can't get enough of! My mission is to share my tried + true recipes -- and to help our Lebanese food-loving community keep these culinary traditions alive and on the table. What recipes are you looking for? Let me know!
Hi Maureen,
that’s too funny!
How does your Vitamix compare to the new Professional Ninja Blender that I recently got with my wife?
Thanks for the story and laughs,
Sean R. Abass
Muareen, allow me to say hello and tell you I found your blog today, and fell in love with it – subscribed quite quickly and was thrilled to already have my first notification of a new post on the same day – serendipity at its best!
I am Brazilian-American, biochemist, love your type of cooking and intend to spend some of my weekend indulging in your site
I also crave a Vitamix, or rather, I flirt with the idea of breaking my budget to get one, but so far resisted. Research is a harsh business as far as pay is concerned 😉
What a great note, Sally! I’m delighted to know you are here–thanks so much for joining in and sharing!
Cousin,
Love this story about Aunt Rita! There was a time I my life when I thought an appliance as a gift, especially from my husband, was pretty lame. Those days are long gone and I bless new appliances with the same excitement I used to reserve for Barbies and art supplies. I recently received a nutribullet for smoothies and it’s amazing! Can’t wait to try your recipe.
Thank you Celini!
Just got our Vitamix last week. The first thing we made was your hummus recipe. Fantastic machine and a great recipe! Have been using it nonstop ever since.
That’s fantastic, Bill!
Love those little baby feet!
We’ve had our Vitamix for two years now. We have a protein smoothy almost every morning. Love the Vitamix!
Terrific Patty!
P.S. My husband was up in Harbor Springs a few days ago and was so happy to see that the little house behind us will be “taken up the hill”….and repurposed! Thank you!
purchased the same Vitamix last december in red , the best investment ever , I make 3-4 smoothies a day with chia seeds, flax meal and hemp seeds and kale and it chews through anything you throw in it , it also makes the creamiest hummous ….. enjoy !
gg
Your smoothies sound great!
What a great story Maureen and they should pay you to be the Vitamixer spokesperson. We SO love our Vitamixer too – it’s the “must have” tool for the kitchen. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Brian!
Great story, I think my grandmother (Rose Abood) hid in the olive groves when my grandpa came to marry her!
Also my son-in-law bought my daughter a Vitamix weeks ago but won’t give it to her until their anniversary (Nov. 30)…….it’s KILLING her.
That’s just so funny Geri, Rose hiding in the olive grove! Great anniversary gift for your daughter, too!
Love the story about your Aunt. It is indeed a storyline we hear often, but her attraction to a vacuum is unique!
Found the blog interesting to read and informative too. I’m crazy about fruits and fruit drinks. Your smoothie seems to be refreshing and tempting 🙂 And the baby feet pic looks so cute, I’m sure you might be excited when the baby was put in your arms, that feeling I think can’t be described in words 🙂
I loooooooooooove the vitamix! I just got one this Summer and I am totally hooked.
Pomegranate is one of my favorite fruits. After reading this recipe, I can’t stop myself for trying this at my home.Thanks For Sharing….
I love your stories, they really make me smile. It’s nice to have a reminder of the middle east when you live far away 🙂
As for the attraction to kitchen appliances, yes I 100% have it too! I find my footsteps subconsciously slow down when I walk past a kitchen appliance or a great menu. The other things that have this power are shoes and handbags 😉
It’s likely to be a long love affair with that Vitamix. I bought one twenty years ago, and it’s still going strong. (I have to admit they are a lot sexier looking now, but you don’t turn your back on a loyal appliance because of its looks.)