Bored with traditional smoothies? Surprise your tastebuds with these somewhat quirky, yet delicious healthy smoothie recipes that use unexpected ingredients you may have never considered!

I’m not new to sneaking foods into smoothies. You may have already seen here how I add greens into my son’s diet into what we call the Popeye smoothie. By now, he knows that I “sneak” spinach in there and happily drinks it anyway.
While it isn’t unusual to add spinach to smoothies, for adults at least, it got me thinking about some of the other unusual ingredients that can be added to smoothies.
Today I’m sharing 15 smoothies with unexpected ingredients. I hope you enjoy these wonderfully creative recipes!
Basil seeds
Chia seeds are commonly used to thicken up smoothies, but tukmaria, or holy basil seeds, aren’t as well-known. Like chia, they are tiny black seeds that swell up and form a gelatinous coating.
Because of this coating, they are often used in desserts and juices. Think of them as a lower-carb, tiny little boba. (But these little “pearls” are actually being studied as a potential aid for weight loss.)
Tukmaria Cucumber Peach Smoothie
Bone broth
Sure, it’s healthy and delicious, which is why I have already shown you how to make bone broth. But have you ever thought of adding it to your smoothies?
I’m a bit quirky. Yet even I was surprised by this one!
Bone Broth Electrolyte Smoothie with Spirulina
Cauliflower
It may sound strange to add cauliflower to smoothies, but it’s a great way to make them smooth and creamy. The mild flavor of cauliflower won’t overwhelm the other ingredients, and you probably won’t notice it’s there at all.
Not only will this high-fiber veggie help fill you up, but it has so many nutritional benefits. (It’s rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, to name a couple.)
While you can add it raw or cooked, pre-cooking the cauliflower ensures a creamy result that is easier to digest.
Blueberry Cauliflower Smoothie

Carrot Tops
When preparing your veggies, don’t throw away leaf “scraps” like carrot tops and beet leaves. They can be added to soups and stews, or to smoothies, of course!
Not only are they an inexpensive addition to foods, but they are also high in calcium and phosphorus.
Green Smoothie with Carrot tops, pear, and Orange
Dandelion greens
You may think of dandelions as weeds, but they actually have some beneficial health properties. They have been shown to be antioxidant, and are rich in vitamin A and K.
Dandelion Green Smoothie
Hot Tea
While one normally envisions a cool and refreshing beverage when thinking of smoothies, this hot smoothie sounds just as delicious! Hot jasmine tea warms you up on those cool winter days.
Apple Elderflower and Pomegranate Hot Smoothie
Hot Peppers
While it isn’t unusual to add veggies, hot peppers aren’t your usual smoothie ingredient. Make it spicy with a touch of jalapeño or cayenne. Here, I’m sharing two spicy recipes, a sweet one and a savory one.
Spicy Red Pepper Smoothie
Pineapple Mint Jalapeño Smoothie
Kombucha
Kombucha is a fermented tea that is popular in healthy living circles. It’s made with a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts) and we love the flavor in our house. (Learn how to make kombucha.)
Apparently, not everybody shares our love of kombucha, which is why Linda of Veganosity came up with a smoothie recipe to drink hers down.
Kombucha Berry Smoothie
Raw eggs
While some people are grossed out by the thought of adding raw eggs, they’re a great source of healthy protein and add smoothness to smoothies. I used to always add some raw egg to my minty candida-diet sage “shamrock shake” (which is really more of a smoothie) to make it more of a full meal.
If you’re concerned about salmonella, you can always use pasteurized eggs. To pasteurize eggs, heat them in water to 140ºF/60ºC and keep them at that temperature for at least 5 minutes.
Healthy Eggnog Smoothie
Rose petals
I’m a sucker for the fragrant flavor of rose petals. That’s why I love Turkish delight, and also why I made rose petal gummies for Valentine’s Day. (I even flavor my panna cotta with rose water.)
That said, I had never considered using rose petal tea in a smoothie. I’m sure it’s delicious!
Rose Petal Beet Smoothie
Stinging Nettle
Nettles may irritate your skin, but they are surprisingly nutritious. They may even help lower blood sugar levels. Learn how to reap their benefits without getting stung!
Foraged, Tropical, Stinging Nettle Smoothie

Sweet potatoes
Deliciously sweet? Yes! But they aren’t your usual smoothie ingredient.
Cooked sweet potatoes can thicken and sweeten while giving you an extra dose of healthy antioxidants. (That’s especially true for purple varieties!)
Sweet Potato Peach Smoothie
Tahini
Tahini is another ingredient that I happen to love, but I hadn’t considered adding to smoothies. I, instead, normally use the sesame paste to add flavor and creaminess to homemade hummus and baba ganoush.
As adding peanut butter and other nut butters isn’t considered strange, I guess this shouldn’t have surprised me so much.
Honey Tahini Smoothie
Turmeric
High in curcuminoids like curcumin, turmeric is highly anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. It’s what gives curry its characteristic bright yellow color.
While I’ve used it in falafel, I hadn’t considered adding it to a smoothie! (With so many people making turmeric lattes these days, though, I guess I shouldn’t have been so surprised.
Turmeric Ginger Colada Smoothie
Making preparation easier
Before I sign off, I wanted to remind you how I normally prepare for smoothies.
When certain fruits are in season (or on sale), I puree and freeze them for future use in smoothies and other recipes. While the idea is simple enough, you may be worried about how much space it takes in your freezer. Check out my method for making frozen smoothie cubes which saves space in the freezer and saves you money by allowing you to buy fruit when it’s at its cheapest and best!
If you’re craving more, you may be interested in the book, 80 Delicious and Colorful Superfood Recipes to Nourish and Satisfy. One of my recipes was featured in the cookbook!
If you’re looking for tasty ways to nourish with superfoods, check it out!
Natalie Tamara @ The Tofu Diaries
Wow, this is a round-up and a half! So many amazing recipes to try! Thanks so much for including my kiwi, ginger & matcha smoothie 🙂 Pinning & sharing now x
Tiasha
Ohmigosh, this is such a wonderful collection of smoothies! Thank you for putting them all on one spot. I love it! 🙂
Tracy Ariza
Thanks, Tiasha!
I see you have some pretty nice looking smoothies (and smoothie bowls) on your beautiful blog as well!
Veronica
Oh, wow! Just came across your blog and I love it – so fun and colorful! You have put so much work and love in it! 🙂
Charlene @ That Girl Cooks Healthy
Thank you so much for featuring my strawberry banana smoothie recipe.
lenia
What a fantastic roundup! Thank you so much for including our recipes!
Kisses from Greece, dear!
The Veggie Sisters!
Melissa @ vegan does it
Great roundup with so much deliciousness! Thank you so much for including my Get Happy Sunshine Shake!
Kat | curlsnchard.com
Thank you so much for including my Very Green Smoothie and my Cucumber Mint Smoothie! This is an awesome roundup with a smoothie for literally every season and taste!
Tracy Ariza
Thank you!
It appears we have similar taste. I love combining cucumber with mint in shakes and sorbets. Most people don’t realize what a tasty treat that can be!
Alissa
Awesome roundup – these all sound amazing! Thanks so much for including my citrus kale and turmeric colada smoothies! 🙂
Tracy Ariza
Thank you!
They look great. I love turmeric and would love to try that smoothie. 🙂
Jenn
GREAT roundup! I love how you broke them down into categories. Thanks for including my Healthy Strawberry Shortcake Smoothie! I will be sharing for sure!
Tracy Ariza
Ha, yes, there were so many in the end, and I didn’t want to leave any out, so I figured it was the best way to help people find what they want!
Your smoothie looks great. Thanks for letting me use it.
Florian @ContentdnessCooking
Wonderful and fantastic roundup! Tank you so much for including my recipes!
Tracy Ariza
Thanks!
And thank you for letting me use them!