Leftover cranberry sauce smoothie is the perfect drink to enjoy the days after a big holiday dinner. Throw leftover cranberry sauce, milk, Greek yogurt, and ice into a blender and enjoy this sweet and refreshing winter smoothie in just minutes. Serve it for a quick breakfast on-the-go, as a snack throughout the day, or even for dessert.
Why You'll Love Cranberry Sauce Smoothie
- Smoothies are quick and easy to make. I love making smoothies because they are seriously so easy to make, taking just a few minutes, and are so delicious. All you need for this leftover cranberry sauce smoothie is 4 ingredients and a blender. You could even prep the ingredients in advance and store them into individual portions in the freezer. Then just take your portioned amount and blend it up in seconds. It's the quickest and easiest recipe ever.
- A boost of energy for the day. This cranberry sauce smoothie will leave you feeling refreshed with energy to get you through the day. It's an easy recipe to whip up on a busy morning to leave you full and satisfied until lunch time.
- A great way to use up leftover cranberry sauce. One of the best parts of Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner is the leftovers. I love taking leftover cranberry sauce and turning it into something new — like this cranberry smoothie. Some other delicious leftover recipes to try are Instant Pot Cranberry Chicken, Cranberry Baked Brie, and Cranberry Sauce Muffins.
Ingredients and Substitutitons
To make this easy leftover cranberry sauce smoothie, you will need the following ingredients (full quantities in the recipe card below):
- cranberry sauce - you can use store-bought or homemade cranberry sauce. It's best to use unsweetened or sugar-free cranberry sauce here. If your cranberry sauce is made with a lot of sugar, you may find the smoothie to be too sweet. But you can counteract that by adding in more leafy greens and omit the banana.
- milk - I used dairy milk, but any kind of milk works. Try almond milk, oat milk, or cashew milk, for a vegan option.
- Greek yogurt
- ice
- spinach or kale - this is also optional, but it's delicious, adds nutrients, and helps to balance out the sweet cranberry sauce.
- almonds - nuts are optional, but I love the flavor that they add. You can substitute with any nut or nut butter that you like.
- banana - If the cranberry sauce you use is unsweetened, I would add the banana. But I recommend making the smoothie first and giving it a taste. If it needs to be sweetened, then add in the banana. Otherwise, you can leave it out.
This smoothie is completely customizable. Add in any other ingredients that you think would work. Try adding chia seeds or flax seeds, protein powder, other fruit, or a drizzle of honey.
You will also need a measuring cups and spoons and a blender.
How to Make the Best Cranberry Sauce Smoothie
Just like all smoothies, this leftover cranberry sauce smoothie is seriously the easiest recipe to make. All you need to do is throw all the ingredients into a blender, and blend until smooth. Give it a taste, and add in some banana if you think it needs to be sweetened. You could also add in a dash of honey or maple syrup instead, if needed. Then, divide into 2 glasses and enjoy.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- How to customize: You can customize this smoothie by using different kinds of nuts or nut butters, fruit, adding in different seeds or shredded coconut, or sweetening it with maple syrup or honey, if needed.
- How to store: Smoothies are best served immediately. If you have leftovers, store it an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. It may lose some of its thickness and get watery as the ice melts.
- How to freeze smoothies: Another way to store this smoothie is to freeze it. Transfer the leftover smoothie to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, take it out of the freezer and allow it to defrost slightly on the counter for about 10-15 minutes.
More Smoothie Recipes
- Majoon (Banana and Date) Smoothie
- Strawberry and Banana Smoothie
- Green Smoothie Bowl
- Healthy Mango Yogurt Smoothie
- Super Berry Smoothie Bowl
- Mango Pineapple Tropical Smoothie Bowl
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Recipe
Cranberry Sauce Smoothie
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Leftover cranberry sauce smoothie is the perfect drink to make with holiday leftovers. Plus, this sweet and refreshing winter smoothie in ready in minutes.
Ingredients
- ½ cup cranberry sauce, unsweetened preferred
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup ice
- ¼ cup almonds (optional)
- 1 cup spinach or kale (optional)
- ½ banana (optional)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients (except for the banana) into a blender and blend until smooth. Give it a taste, and add in the banana if you think it needs to be sweetened, or add in a dash of honey or maple syrup instead.
- Divide into 2 glasses and serve.
Notes
How to customize: You can customize this smoothie by using different kinds of nuts or nut butters, fruit, adding in different seeds or shredded coconut, or sweetening it with maple syrup or honey, if needed.
How to store: Smoothies are best served immediately. If you have leftovers, store it an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. It may lose some of its thickness and get watery as the ice melts.
How to freeze smoothies: Another way to store this smoothie is to freeze it. Transfer the leftover smoothie to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, take it out of the freezer and allow it to defrost slightly on the counter for about 10-15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Smoothie
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: American
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Ella says
This one looks delicious too. I bet the jellied kind would work in here.