How should I store a smoothie?

Let’s learn smoothie storage basics 

Smoothies, frozen or cold 

Sometimes your eyes are bigger than your stomach. Other times you might want to double a smoothie recipe because you know you’re going to want another one just like it – and soon! Whether you plan to store that smoothie in the freezer or the fridge, we can help. If you’re curious about how to store smoothies effectively or just looking to store smoothies for future enjoyment, we’ve got the tips. Take just a few minutes to learn some of the options for coming back for more!

How Long Can You Store Smoothies?

Smoothies can stay fresh and flavorful for varying amounts of time depending on how you store them. In the fridge, most smoothies are best enjoyed within 24-48 hours. Beyond that, if not stored properly, oxidation and ingredient separation may start to take their toll. 

Want to stretch that time frame? Freeze your smoothie! Properly frozen smoothies can last for up to 3 months. The key to maintaining taste and texture is ensuring you store them in airtight containers and reblend them when ready to enjoy. With the right prep, you can sip on delicious smoothies anytime without worrying about freshness.

Do you have the right container?

Oftentimes proper storage is about having the proper storage equipment. When you prep smoothies, the main thing you want to consider in storage containers is actually the quality of the lid. Smoothies lose a lot of freshness and even nutrient value due to oxidation. Which means you should be all about exposing your smoothie to as little air as possible. Once you’ve finished with your smoothie (and have some to save) consider transferring it to an airtight container with a screw-on lid that won’t allow oxygen to get in and do its thing. 

If your blends include greek yogurt, milk, or any dry ingredients, this step is even more important. You can also portion your smoothie into an ice cube tray to create convenient smoothie cube servings. Later, just pop them out to make freezer smoothies even easier. When you’re ready to enjoy, you can reblend your cubes and explore how to make a smoothie in a blender for the best texture and flavor.

Benefits of Storing Smoothies Properly

Storing smoothies isn’t just about convenience—it’s about keeping your ingredients as fresh, nutritious, and tasty as possible. Proper storage helps you:

• Retain nutrients: Keeping oxygen out ensures you get all the vitamins and minerals from your smoothie.

• Save time: Prep once and enjoy later without the hassle of making a new batch.

• Avoid waste: No more tossing leftovers—just store and savor later.

So, next time you make more smoothies than you can handle, remember: smart storage means you’re saving time, food, and all that goodness.

Add some lemon juice

One cool thing about nutrition education is learning that there are so many hacks in the food world! Whether you’re dealing with green smoothies, fruit smoothies, or other recipes for healthy smoothies, when storing them for a return visit, it's a good idea to cover the top with a layer of lemon juice. This separates all your ingredients from that busybody known as oxygen. It also adds some easy Vitamin C. And, you might find that lemon is just what it needed. But don’t worry, we know that lemon can be overpowering, so if you don’t want so much tartness, just add a very thin layer on top of the smoothie you’re saving, and stir it back in before you dive back in. That way you get all the freshness value, and none of the lemony bite.

Freeze and reblend

Maybe you are sure you’re not going to want that exact smoothie again for a bit, and you’re afraid to go beyond the 24 hours or so to store a smoothie in the fridge. Can you freeze that smoothie and reuse it later? Of course you can. Consider freezing smoothies into frozen smoothie packs. Here are a few tips for freezing and resetting later when you’re ready.

Freezing tip #1:  Airtight is right. The tighter the seal, the less oxygen can get to your smoothie, and that’s a good thing. You want to keep water crystals and freezer burn to a minimum, so keep it tight!

Freezing tip #2: Once you know you’re ready to go back for more, take your smoothie out of the freezer for an hour or so, let it melt a bit so that it slides easily out of the storage container and back into your blender. Add a bit more liquid so it isn’t too thick, and blend away. Whether you’re working with frozen fruits or figuring out how to add protein to smoothies, reblending frozen packs gives you a chance to experiment.

Freezing tip #3:  Don’t wait toooo long. Oxidation and water crystals are part of the frozen world. They’re no big deal unless you allow that process to go on for too long, where it can turn your ingredients mushy, and do all the things that crystals do over time. 

We’re storage-friendly

One of the great parts about ordering from Daily Harvest is that we already figured storage into our game plan. You can buy multiple, ready-to-go smoothies, keep them frozen until it’s time to blend ‘em, then add some liquid, give it a whirl, and  wow, that was fast, fresh, and tastes amazing.

Smoothie #1: Ginger + Greens is a great example of a pre-frozen smoothie you can grab and blend and drink in minutes. We balance avocado, flax seeds, and apple cider vinegar with organic bananas, spinach, dates, ginger, and more. Mmm, frozen, zingy and oh-so-nutritious. 

Smoothie #2:  Blueberry + Hemp. Want something really different from the norm? Try our amazing blueberries, kale, figs, walnuts and hemp seeds, all swirled together in the kind of feel-good, taste-good combo that lets you know you’re getting everything you want (and need) from your smoothies. 

Ordering and storing

So, there you have it, some quick tips for storing your Smoothies, and some info about ordering and storing pre-made smoothies ready to go when you want them. 

And, remember, smoothies aren’t just a breakfast thing, they’re an all-day, any day thing. Keep experimenting with all the different varieties and methods that make smoothies great. We do, and it’s a lot of fun. We promise!