Hello, sunshine in a glass! This refreshing lemon smoothie is packed with protein, fiber and healthy fat to give you the boost of energy you need to start the day. Plus it’s got one of my all-time favorite veggies to sneak into smoothies (it makes it extra thick & creamy without affecting the taste at all)! Highly recommend adding this quick & easy recipe to your breakfast rotation asap!

lemon smoothie in a clear glass with straw and sliced fresh lemons on a marble white background

about this lemon smoothie recipe

I don’t know about you, but I love starting my day with a healthy smoothie recipe!

They make a super quick breakfast and are a great way to fit extra healthy fats, fiber, protein and veggies into my day.

It’s been an easy, happy habit to stack into my routine and I genuinely look forward to blending one up every morning – so I’m always looking to try new flavor combinations to keep that habit feeling fun and interesting.

And this light, tangy, and refreshing lemon smoothie is one of my newest obsessions!

It’s made with simple ingredients like lemon juice & lemon zest, traditional (or vegan) yogurt and a bit of turmeric for a deliciously energizing taste.

Plus it features one of my go-to veggies that blends in seamlessly with almost any smoothie – it makes this one extra thick & creamy but I promise it doesn’t affect the taste one bit.

lemon smoothie in a clear glass with straw and sliced fresh lemons on a marble white background

process & tips

All you need to do is add all your ingredients to a blender and let it work it’s magic.

Before you know it you’ll be sipping on a delicious, nutrient dense smoothie!

The powerhouse combination of fiber, fat and protein in this smoothie makes it more filling and satiating than a smoothie that’s only fruit-based.

Plant-powered fiber comes in the form of the frozen cauliflower rice (that’s the secret veggie I was telling you about!).

Healthy fat comes in the form of Greek yogurt and your milk of choice.

And the protein can be found in the yogurt as well as the protein powder.

adding cauliflower to smoothies

Don’t be afraid of the frozen cauliflower rice! 

If you’ve never used it before it might sound like a strange ingredient.

But trust me, it adds a nice creaminess without adding extra banana flavor and is a great low-sugar substitute.

It also adds some plant-based fiber (without adding any cauliflower flavor) to the final smoothie!

how to make a lemon smoothie bowl

You can also turn this recipe into a smoothie bowl by making the smoothie thicker using only 3/4 cup milk.

Also, make sure to use as many frozen ingredients (like frozen cauliflower) to help you get that thick consistency.

Once blended, pour into a bowl and add your choice of smoothie bowl toppings.

Some fun topping ideas would be nuts, seeds, sliced fresh fruit, granola, honey, cacao nibs and a drizzle of almond butter.

top down view of a clear blender cup with fresh fruit and protein powder on a white marble background

ingredients & modifications

Lemon juice and zest: The lemon adds some nice tartness and refreshing, bright flavor to this smoothie. Since it’s the namesake of this recipe, and the star ingredient, I also include the lemon zest to really punch up the lemony flavor.

Unsweetened Greek yogurt: A plant-based Greek yogurt can be used in place of traditional Greek yogurt for a dairy-free option, however it will decrease the total amount of protein in this recipe.

Turmeric powder: The turmeric powder adds a natural yellow color to this smoothie, plus a boost of anti-inflammatory power, but you can skip it if you prefer to not use it.

Frozen riced cauliflower: Riced cauliflower is one of the most underrated & easy ways to add a boost of veggies to your smoothies. The smaller riced size makes it easier to blend. Look for riced cauliflower in the fresh or frozen section of your store.

Unsweetened milk of choice: I often use almond milk when making this smoothie at home, but any milk will work great in this recipe. If you like a thinner consistency in your smoothies, add more milk.

Vanilla protein powder: You can use any protein powder you like the taste of. To keep this recipe paleo friendly, be sure to use a grain-free and dairy-free protein powder.

Maple syrup: The maple syrup adds a nice bit of sweetness that balances out the natural tartness of the lemon juice. You could also use another sweetener like honey or 2 pitted Medjool dates in its place. But if you prefer a lower sugar smoothie, feel free to omit it entirely.

Pure vanilla extract: Together with the maple syrup the vanilla extract helps give that extra dessert type of feeling to this sweet breakfast recipe.

Tip: If using fresh cauliflower rice in place of frozen, be sure to add extra ice to the blender for better texture.

smoothie in a glass with fresh fruit on a white marble background

this recipe is…

more easy smoothie recipes

Lettuce Smoothie

Pink Smoothie

Strawberry Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie

Sour Apple Smoothie

Cacao Smoothie

Berry Protein Smoothie

Sweet Potato Smoothie

Pineapple Cucumber Smoothie 

Pear Smoothie

Banana Walnut Smoothie

Glowing Green Smoothie

Cranberry Smoothie

lemon smoothie in a clear glass with straw and sliced fresh lemons on a marble white background
5 stars (31 ratings)

Lemon Smoothie

Light, tangy, and refreshing this lemon smoothie is made with lemon, traditional or vegan yogurt and a bit of turmeric for a deliciously energizing way to start the day.

Ingredients

  • zest and juice from 1 lemon
  • ½ cup unsweetened Greek yogurt, traditional or plant-based
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 cup frozen cauliflower rice
  • 1 cup unsweetened milk of choice
  • 2 scoops vanilla protein powder, optional
  • 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup, optional

Instructions 

  • Add all the ingredients to a blender. Blend on high until well combined.

Notes

Add 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup or 1-2 pitted Medjool dates if you prefer a sweeter smoothie.
If using fresh cauliflower rice instead of frozen, add ice for better texture.
For a thinner consistency, add more milk.
For nut-free be sure to use a nut-free milk like oat milk, coconut milk or hemp milk.
For vegan, be sure to use a plant-based protein powder.
For paleo, be sure to use a paleo-friendly protein powder.
Nutrition information calculated using almond milk, full-fat Greek yogurt and protein powder. Nutrition information will depend on the type of protein powder and yogurt you use.
For more ingredients & substitutions, see blog post above.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 104kcal, Carbohydrates: 14g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 5mg, Sodium: 208mg, Potassium: 346mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 2IU, Vitamin C: 39mg, Calcium: 239mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition disclaimer
Did you make this recipe?If you do, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me at @realfoodwholelife so I can see!

This post contains affiliate links.

Share this Post