Strawberry Smoothie with Salted Caramel

Confession time about this strawberry smoothie. You know when you’re supposed to be doing something productive but instead find yourself in a snack spiral? That was totally me last month during a rare quiet moment while binge-watching “Crash Landing On You” (I’m obsessed with K-dramas, and this one has ALL the feels!).

I was craving something sweet but it was way too late for baking. I love salted caramel in chocolate and ice cream, so I thought, why not make a strawberry smoothie recipe with it?

This Strawberry Smoothie Will Change Your Dessert Game Forever

This strawberry drink is what happens when your sweet tooth meets real life. It’s technically a dessert smoothie, but between us? I’ve definitely had it for breakfast more than once!

I’ve been on a serious smoothie kick for months now – everything from green smoothie recipes with spinach (my attempt at “health”) to smoothie bowls for breakfast to healthy smoothie combinations. But when I’m looking for sweet drinks to make at home, this strawberry smoothie recipe always wins.

My 8-year-old declared this one of his favorite drinks for kids, which is saying something since he typically turns his nose up at my “weird” concoctions. This is definitely going in my rotation of fun kids drinks for his upcoming birthday party, though I’m still deciding between this and a banana split smoothie. (Mom decisions are tough, am I right?)

Ingredients for the Best Strawberry Smoothie Recipe

• 2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries (about 300g)
• 1 cup milk or plant milk of choice
• ½ cup Greek yogurt (for that strawberry yogurt smoothie vibe but WAY better)
• 3 tablespoons salted caramel sauce (plus extra for drizzling)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  
  Optional:
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional, for those extra sweet days)
• Ice cubes (optional, especially if using fresh strawberries)
• Pinch of sea salt (optional, but trust me on this one!)
• Whipped cream (if you’re not really caring about eating healthy today)

Equipment Needed

• Blender (nothing fancy required – mine survived the Great Smoothie Experiment of 2023)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Pretty glasses (because we eat with our eyes first, and this pink smoothie deserves the spotlight!)

How to Make a Strawberry Smoothie with Salted Caramel

1. Grab your blender and add the strawberries, milk, Greek yogurt, salted caramel sauce, and vanilla extract. Monday’s yoga class left my arms feeling like noodles, so I consider this my additional workout for the day!
2. Blend everything until smooth and creamy. You’re aiming for that gorgeous uniform pink color that practically screams “Instagram me!”
3. Take a quick taste test (the best part of being the chef!). According to my very scientific taste buds, ripe strawberries plus caramel sauce are usually sweet enough, but you can add honey if your sweet tooth is as demanding as mine.
4. Your smoothie consistency not quite right? No worries! Add a splash more milk if it’s too thick. For a thicker frozen strawberry smoothie, throw in some ice cubes or more frozen fruit and blend again.
5. Now for my favorite part – the presentation! Drizzle additional caramel sauce around the inside of your serving glasses. My friend Lisa saw me doing this at book club and now she copies this trick for all her smoothie drink recipes.
6. Pour your creation into the prepared glasses and top with one final caramel drizzle. A tiny sprinkle of sea salt takes these sweet drinks to a whole new level.
7. Serve immediately! This is not one of those make-ahead smoothies recipes – it wants to be enjoyed right away.

Storage Tips for Your Fruit Smoothie

You can keep any leftover smoothie in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours in an airtight container.

Like all good fruit smoothies recipes, this one will separate a bit in storage. Just give it a quick stir or reblend before enjoying.

Pro tip from someone who’s learned the hard way: Don’t add the fancy caramel drizzle to the glasses until you’re ready to serve! Otherwise, you’ll lose that beautiful striped effect that makes these strawberry drinks non-alcoholic but totally party-worthy.

Smoothie Ideas to Mix It Up

The beauty of learning how to make a strawberry smoothie like this is how versatile it is! Here are some twists I’ve tried on sleepy Sunday mornings:

• Add a frozen banana for extra creaminess (and to pretend I’m being somewhat nutritious)
• Swap the strawberries for other frozen fruit when I’m feeling adventurous
• Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder when I’m channeling chocolate-covered strawberry vibes
• Include a scoop of vanilla protein powder on days I’m trying to convince myself this is basically a protein shake
• Add halved straberries and eat the smoothie with a spoon.

These variations make it perfect for easy smoothies for kids since you can customize based on what fruit your little ones are actually willing to eat that day. My son’s swimming instructor was amazed when I mentioned he happily drinks a smoothie with “hidden” ingredients! #MomWin

Frequently Asked Questions About This Dessert Smoothie

How do I make this smoothie recipe even more decadent?

For special occasions or when Mercury is NOT in retrograde (anyone else feel that?), add a small scoop of vanilla ice cream instead of some of the yogurt. It turns into one of those smoothies for kids that feels like a major treat, perfect for kids drinks for a party!

What’s the best milk to use for fruit smoothies?

I’ve tried this with regular milk, almond milk, and oat milk – they all work beautifully! The oat milk makes for an extra creamy strawberry drink that pairs amazingly with the caramel.

Can I prep this strawberry smoothie recipe ahead of time?

You can measure and freeze all ingredients (except milk) in individual freezer bags for super quick assembly! This has saved me on busy mornings when I’m trying to get everyone out the door while my coffee is still hot (an impossible task, I’ve discovered).

Is this strawberry yogurt smoothie healthy?

I mean, it’s not a green smoothie with kale, but it contains real fruit, protein from the Greek yogurt, and calcium from the milk! Let’s call it “balanced indulgence” – which is coincidentally what my yoga instructor calls my approach to the poses I struggle with. I’m talking about the version without whipped cream of course.

A Pink Smoothie That Gets My Vibe

This strawberry smoothie recipe is like that friend who knows exactly when to bring over wine and when to bring over coffee. It’s indulgent enough for dessert but can pass for breakfast when necessary (I’ll never tell).

My Taurus moon probably explains why I’m so drawn to these satisfying, sensory experiences. Even my skeptical teenage daughter, who typically rolls her eyes at my kitchen experiments, requested this as one of her after-ballet smoothies!

Whenever you’re torn between being good and treating yourself, remember – good smoothie recipes like this strawberry smoothie with salted caramel let you do both. Your taste buds will thank you, and so will anyone lucky enough to be around when you’re making these fruit smoothies!