Pineapple and Carrot Tropical Smoothie

This pineapple and carrot smoothie tastes like a tropical vacation in a glass, with fresh pineapple, mango, papaya and strawberries blended together with sweet carrots.

A scoop of vanilla protein powder makes it filling enough for breakfast, and a little raw yellow squash blends in without a trace. Everything goes into the blender at once, and it is ready in under a minute. It is a fun way to sneak more veggies into your morning.

The Best Carrot Pineapple Smoothie (Tropical and Protein Packed)

Carrots and pineapple are a natural pair. Pineapple brings bright, tangy sweetness, and carrots add an earthy, mellow sweetness and a gorgeous orange color. Blend them with a cup of frozen tropical fruit and you get a smoothie that is thick, cold and tastes like summer, any time of year.

The secret ingredient is yellow squash. Raw summer squash, seeds and all, has a very mild flavor and a soft texture, so it disappears into the smoothie and simply makes it creamier. You would never guess it is there.

I put EVERYTHING in my smoothies, including summer squash, zucchini, cabbage, avocado and so much more! The Vitamix blends so well and makes your smoothie really smooth. I LOVE my Vitamix and literally use it every day.

Vanilla protein powder rounds out the flavor and turns this into a smoothie that can hold you over until lunch. Use whey or a vegan protein powder, whichever you prefer. Water keeps it light and lets the fruit flavor shine, while the frozen fruit chills and thickens everything without watering it down the way ice can.

The result is a bright, sunny smoothie that gets its sweetness from fruit and carrots. Pour it into a tall glass for breakfast, or into a to go cup for busy mornings.

Why You’ll Love This Tropical Smoothie

• Tropical flavor. Pineapple, mango, papaya and strawberry taste like a beach vacation.
• Hidden veggies. Carrots and yellow squash blend right in, so even picky eaters won’t notice them.
• Filling. A scoop of vanilla protein powder makes it a great breakfast or post workout snack.
• Ready fast. Blend for just 30 to 45 seconds, pour and go.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.

• Water: The liquid that gets everything moving in the blender. It keeps the smoothie light and lets the fruit taste bright. Coconut water or almond milk work too if you want a creamier or more tropical base. Start with the full cup, since the frozen fruit needs liquid to blend.
• Vanilla protein powder: Vegan or whey, whichever you prefer. It adds staying power and a soft vanilla sweetness. Flavors vary by brand, so use one you already enjoy on its own.
• Carrots: Baby carrots or one medium carrot, peeled. Carrots give the smoothie its sweet, earthy flavor and pretty orange color. A high powered blender can handle whole raw carrots. With a regular blender, chop them into small pieces first so they blend smoothly.
• Fresh pineapple: Cut into chunks. Fresh pineapple is juicy and tangy and helps the blender start smoothly. Pick one that smells sweet at the base and has a golden color. Canned pineapple in juice, drained, works in a pinch.
• Yellow squash: Raw, chopped, with the seeds. It has a mild flavor and adds creaminess and extra veggies without changing the taste. Zucchini is a perfect swap. Leftover squash freezes well, too. Chop it, freeze it flat in a bag and toss it in straight from the freezer for an even colder smoothie.
• Mixed frozen fruit: A tropical mix of papaya, mango, pineapple and strawberry. The frozen fruit makes the smoothie thick and cold without ice. Any frozen tropical blend works, or use just frozen mango and pineapple. Look for bags with no added sugar or syrup.
• Extra frozen fruit or ice (optional): If you like a spoonable, extra thick smoothie, add more frozen fruit or ice, 1/2 cup at a time.

How to Make a Pineapple Carrot Smoothie

1. Prep the produce. Peel the carrot if you are using a whole one, cut the fresh pineapple into chunks and chop the yellow squash. Measure out the frozen fruit and keep it in the freezer until you are ready. Having everything prepped means the blending takes less than a minute.
2. Load the blender in order. Add the ingredients to the blender in the order listed: water, protein powder, carrots, pineapple, squash and then frozen fruit. Liquid on the bottom and frozen fruit on top helps the blades pull everything down smoothly.
3. Blend on high. Turn the blender to its highest setting and blend for 30 to 45 seconds, until the smoothie is completely smooth with no flecks of carrot. It should look bright orange and pour thick and creamy.
4. Adjust the thickness. If you want it thicker, add more frozen fruit or ice, 1/2 cup at a time, and blend again. If it is too thick to blend, add a splash more water. Use the tamper if your blender has one to push the frozen fruit into the blades.
5. Serve. Pour into glasses and enjoy right away while it is cold and frosty.

Ways to Customize This Smoothie

• Swap the squash. Zucchini, avocado or a handful of cabbage blend in just as easily.
• Make it creamier. Use coconut milk or almond milk in place of water.
• Add greens. A handful of spinach or kale adds more veggies, though it will turn the color brownish green.
• Add a citrus kick. A squeeze of orange or lime juice makes it extra bright.
• Add warmth. A small piece of fresh ginger or a pinch of cinnamon pairs well with carrots and pineapple.

Carrot Pineapple Smoothie FAQs

• Can you really put raw carrots in a smoothie? Yes! A high powered blender like a Vitamix blends whole raw carrots completely smooth. With a regular blender, chop the carrots small or use shredded carrots.
• Can I taste the yellow squash? Not really. Raw summer squash is very mild and just adds creaminess.
• Can I make it without protein powder? Yes. Leave it out, or add a few spoonfuls of Greek yogurt for creaminess and protein.
• How do I make it thicker? Add more frozen fruit or ice, 1/2 cup at a time, and blend again.
• Can I use canned pineapple? Yes. Drain it well. Fresh pineapple has the brightest flavor.
• Can I make it ahead? Smoothies are best fresh. You can store leftovers in a covered jar in the fridge for up to a day and shake or stir before drinking. You can also pack all the solid ingredients into a freezer bag so they are ready to blend in the morning.
• Is this smoothie good for kids? Yes. It is sweet and fruity, and the carrots and squash are hidden. You can leave out the protein powder for little ones.
• Can I use frozen carrots? Yes. Frozen sliced carrots work and make the smoothie even colder. Blend a little longer so there are no bits.
• What blender works best? A high powered blender gives the smoothest texture, especially with raw carrots.

Tropical Carrot and Pineapple Smoothie

This tropical carrot and pineapple smoothie blends carrots, fresh pineapple, raw yellow squash, frozen tropical fruit and vanilla protein powder. It takes just 30 to 45 seconds in the blender.

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Ingredients

  

• 1 cup water
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder vegan or whey
• 1 cup baby carrots or 1 medium carrot peeled
• 1 cup fresh pineapple
• 1/2 cup chopped yellow squash raw with seeds
• 1 cup mixed frozen fruit papaya, mango, pineapple, and strawberry

Instructions

 

• Place all ingredients into Vitamix blender in order listed. Turn blender to highest option and blend for 30 to 45 seconds until desired consistency.
• If you would like the smoothie to be thicker, add more frozen fruit or ice 1/2 cup at a time.

Made this smoothie? Leave a star rating in the recipe card and tell me how it turned out in the comments below. I love hearing what you put in your smoothies.

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