Start your day with some sunshine! This creamy vegan lemon smoothie features bright and tangy lemon perfectly paired with dates, vanilla and almonds for a super smooth combination. It's made to wake you up with a smile!
Smoothies are kind of my main squeeze! I absolutely love blending up a fresh smoothie and I make at least one a day. Using in-season produce keeps my smoothie rotation feeling fresh and interesting, and this year I wanted a new recipe featuring a fresh squeeze of lemon!
This refreshing lemon smoothie pairs bright lemon with sweet Medjool dates and almonds for the most incredible combination. It's such a happy smoothie!
Lemon Smoothie Ingredients
This easy recipe has some of my favorite simple ingredients for a well-rounded, nutritious smoothie! It has plant-based protein, natural sweetness, and of course tons of citrus flavor in every single sip. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for quantities and full instructions.
- Lemons - Use 2 whole lemons for both the zest and fresh lemon juice. You could even do more if you really love lemon flavor! A lemon squeezer makes it really easy to get all the juice out of fresh lemons.
- Plant-based milk - I use unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk! You could also go for cashew milk or oat milk.
- Almonds - Raw, blanched slivered almonds add plant-based protein and an incredibly creamy texture.
- Medjool dates - I used three pitted soft dates for a natural sweetness that perfectly balances the lemon.
- Vanilla extract - A splash of vanilla makes any smoothie come alive! And I just love the lemon + vanilla flavor combo.
- Turmeric - This is totally optional, but I added a tiny pinch of turmeric for the perfect lemony color! You don't taste it at all next to the lemon and dates.
How to Make this Lemon Smoothie
- To a high-speed blender, add lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, dairy-free milk, slivered almonds, dates, vanilla, 1 cup of ice and ground turmeric. Add optional smoothie boosters (chia seeds, flax seeds and/or hemp seeds) if using. Blend on the highest speed for 30-60 seconds until perfectly smooth and creamy.
- Add the other 1.5 cups of ice and blend for 30 seconds until smooth and creamy yet still frosty.
- Divide into two large glasses and garnish with coconut whipped cream, lemon zest, lemon slices or wedges and/or granola, if desired. Enjoy immediately with a spoon or straw.
Natural Smoothie Boosters - Chia and Hemp Seeds
Most of my smoothie recipes have hemp seeds and chia seeds listed as optional smoothie boosters. If you have both on hand, I recommend adding a spoonful into your smoothie!
Chia is a “superfood” with important nutrients and low calories. Chia seeds are rich in fiber, essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6) and antioxidants that help prevent cell damage. They offer protein and are high in calcium, iron, and magnesium.
Hemp seeds (sometimes called hemp hearts) have plant-based protein and essential fatty acids. They also contain vitamin E, potassium, iron, fiber and calcium.
Variations and Modifications
This is such an easy lemon smoothie recipe because it basically consists of lemon, almonds, plant-based milk and dates, allowing its tangy flavors to really shine. A simple recipe like this also allows for easy modifications depending on what you're craving! Consider the following:
- Fresh ginger - for a little kick and unique flavor
- Maple syrup - for more natural sweetness in addition to the dates
- Dairy-free yogurt - for an even thicker smoothie
- Baby spinach - for a boost of veggies
- Drizzle of almond butter - for more rich flavor
- Other fresh or frozen fruit
Make it a Lemon Protein Smoothie
I use blanched and slivered raw almonds as well as almond milk to add plant-based protein to this smoothie. As a bonus, the almonds create a thick and creamy texture you won't believe!
Almonds are low in carbohydrates and high in protein. They also offer fiber, healthy fats, vitamin E, magnesium, iron and calcium.
One serving of this smoothie provides 5.5 grams of protein. For more protein, feel free to add a scoop of protein powder, chia seeds and/or hemp seeds.
Health Benefits of Lemons
I love featuring bright and flavorful lemon in this smoothie! Lemons are high in vitamin C which is a powerful antioxidant that supports the immune system in addition to assisting with iron absorption and promoting skin health.
In grocery stores, look for lemons with firm, thin, and smooth skin, then store them in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
More lemon recipes I love:
Smoothie Cookbook: Rock Your Blender
If you love smoothies or want to find more recipes to try, check out my cookbook! It's called Rock Your Blender and it's filled with nutrient-dense smoothies that taste like treats. You can order it in print on Amazon or download it instantly as an e-book.
This lemon smoothie is vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free. It's a really wonderful way to give your body plant-based energy and nutrition! If you post about it on Instagram, I'd love it if you tagged me so I can see! You can also drop a review below to help other smoothie lovers find and make this drink.
More Vegan Smoothie Recipes
- Kid-Friendly Spinach Smoothie
- Sunshine Smoothie
- Lemon Blueberry Smoothie (no banana!)
- The Best Key Lime Pie Smoothie Bowl
- Creamy Pitaya Beet Smoothie
- Wild Blueberry and Almond Butter Smoothie (no banana!)
- Creamy Tropical Kiwi Smoothie
- 3-Ingredient Orange Creamsicle Smoothie
- Strawberries and Cream Veggie-Filled Smoothie
Creamy Vegan Lemon Smoothie
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Start your day with some sunshine! This creamy vegan lemon smoothie features bright and tangy lemon perfectly paired with dates, vanilla and almonds for a super smooth combination. It's made to wake you up with a smile!
Ingredients
For the smoothie
- 2 large juicy lemons, zested and juiced
- 1 cup unsweetened, plain plant-based milk of choice (I love almond milk or coconut milk here)
- ¼ cup raw, blanched slivered almonds (not sliced almonds)
- 3 soft Medjool dates, pitted
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2.5 cups ice cubes
- optional: ⅛ teaspoon ground turmeric (for color)
Optional Smoothie Boosters
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
Garnish Options
- Vegan Homemade Coconut Whipped Cream
- lemon zest
- lemon wedges or slices
- Homemade Granola
Instructions
- To a high speed blender, add lemon zest and juice, plant-based milk, slivered almonds, dates, vanilla, 1 cup of ice and ground turmeric. Add optional smoothie boosters (chia seeds and/or hemp seeds) if using. Blend on the highest speed for 30-60 seconds until perfectly smooth and creamy.
- Add the other 1.5 cups of ice and blend for 30 seconds until smooth and creamy yet still frosty.
- Divide into two large glasses and garnish with coconut whipped cream, lemon zest, lemon slices or wedges and/or granola if desired. Enjoy immediately with a spoon or straw.
Notes
This is the perfect smoothie to add a handful of baby spinach. You won't taste it at all here!
- Prep Time: 5
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Blender
Pea says
I have found putting a slice of lemon in the blender for my smoothie gives me the ultimate fresh lemon flavor! I just throw it in w the ginger as part of my go to smoothie and so good!
Elaine Gordon says
That's awesome! Yes, you can totally try blending it up like that - the skin is edible and provides an intense and fresh flavor. It is a great way to reduce food waste too! I would have to experiment with the quantity a bit to make sure it doesn't get too bitter as that can be a fine line. A slice sounds like a good starting point for sure! And I LOVE the lemon-ginger combo for sure - so good!
Marrah says
Just made this! I was worried that with all the ice it might taste watered down, but it is delicious! The lemon comes through beautifully, and the sweetness from the dates is perfect. This is frosty lemon smoothie is going to be in my glass all summer long!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Marrah! I’m thrilled to hear you loved it—and I totally get your concern about the ice. I worked hard to get that balance just right, so I’m glad it came through! It makes me so happy to know this smoothie will be a staple for you all summer long. 💛🍋 Cheers to refreshing sips ahead!