This mango strawberry smoothie recipe has become our morning salvation during busy school days. After experimenting with countless fruit combinations in our kitchen, Max and I discovered that the sweet tropical flavor of mango perfectly balances the bright tanginess of strawberries. The result? A refreshing, nutrient-packed smoothie that takes just 5 minutes to make and keeps us energized until lunchtime. It's the perfect tropical fruit smoothie for breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up!
Why You'll Love This Mango Strawberry Smoothie
This mango strawberry smoothie has become a staple in our home for good reason – it's versatile, nutritious, and absolutely delicious:
Every time I make this smoothie with Max, I'm reminded how simple food can bring so much joy to our morning routine. What started as a way to use up extra fruit has become our favorite breakfast tradition. Max loves measuring and adding the ingredients while I supervise the blending (though he's lobbying for that job too!).
What makes this mango strawberry smoothie special is how customizable it is while still maintaining that perfect balance of flavors. Need more protein? Add Greek yogurt. Going dairy-free? Substitute almond milk. Want a complete breakfast? Blend in some oats. The mango-strawberry combination creates such a solid flavor foundation that it works beautifully with countless variations.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Mango Strawberry Smoothie
- Mango Strawberry Smoothie Ingredients
- How to Make Mango Strawberry Smoothie
- Substitutions
- Mango Strawberry Smoothie Variations
- Equipment For Mango Strawberry Smoothie
- Storage Tips
- Top Tip
- What to Serve With Mango Strawberry Smoothie
- FAQ
- Ready for Refreshment Any Time of Day!
- Related
- Pairing
- Mango Strawberry Smoothie
Mango Strawberry Smoothie Ingredients
The Fruit Stars:
- Mangoes
- Strawberries
- Half a banana
The Liquid Base (choose one):
- Regular milk
- Almond milk
- Coconut milk
- Orange juice
Optional Power Boosters:
- Greek yogurt
- Chia seeds
- Honey or maple syrup
- Ice cubes
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Mango Strawberry Smoothie
Fruit Prep:
- Wash strawberries and remove stems (Max's job)
- Peel and dice mango if using fresh (my job, but Max supervises)
- Peel banana and break into chunks
- If using all fresh fruit, add 4-5 ice cubes for thickness
The Perfect Blend:
- Add liquid base to blender first (this helps the blades move freely)
- Add soft fruits next (banana, fresh berries)
- Add frozen fruits last
- Pulse a few times to break up larger pieces
- Blend on high for 30-60 seconds until smooth and creamy
Serving Suggestions:
- Pour into glasses immediately
- Garnish with a fresh strawberry slice or mango chunk if feeling fancy
- Add a straw and enjoy!
Quick Clean-Up:
- Rinse blender immediately (dried smoothie is much harder to clean)
- Fill halfway with warm water and a drop of dish soap
- Blend for 10 seconds and rinse (Max loves watching this "self-cleaning" trick)
Substitutions
Fruit Alternatives:
- Mangoes → Peaches (fresh or frozen)
- Strawberries → Raspberries or mixed berries
- Banana → Avocado (for creaminess without the banana flavor)
- All fresh fruit → Add ½ cup ice for thickness
Liquid Switches:
- Regular milk → Oat milk (our current favorite dairy alternative)
- Almond milk → Soy milk or cashew milk
- Coconut milk → Coconut water (for lighter calories)
- Orange juice → Pineapple juice (for tropical vibes)
Dietary Adjustments:
- Lower sugar → Use less banana, more strawberries
- Higher protein → Add 2 tablespoon nut butter
- Vegan version → Plant milk + plant protein powder
- Paleo friendly → Coconut milk + no added sweeteners
Mango Strawberry Smoothie Variations
After making this basic recipe dozens of times, Max and I started getting creative with fun variations. These are our favorite flavor combinations that have become regular requests in our kitchen:
Tropical Paradise:
- Add ¼ cup pineapple chunks
- Use coconut milk as the base
- Sprinkle with toasted coconut flakes
- Max calls this his "vacation smoothie"
Green Machine (sneaky veggies):
- Add a handful of baby spinach (you can't taste it!)
- Include ¼ avocado for extra creaminess
- Use almond milk as the base
- A great way to add veggies without complaints
Berry Blast:
- Add ¼ cup blueberries or mixed berries
- Use a splash of pomegranate juice with milk
- Add a teaspoon of lemon zest
- Creates a beautiful purple-pink color kids love
Breakfast Boost:
- Add ¼ cup uncooked oats (they blend right in)
- Include 1 tablespoon nut butter
- Use milk as the base
- This keeps Max full until lunchtime on school days
Equipment For Mango Strawberry Smoothie
Must-Have Tools:
- Blender (standard or personal-size both work great)
- Measuring cups (though Max prefers to eyeball it now)
- Sharp knife for cutting fresh fruit
- Cutting board
- Drinking glasses or to-go cups
Nice-to-Have Extras:
- Reusable straws (Max insists these make smoothies taste better!)
- Airtight containers for freezing fruit
- Insulated to-go cups for busy mornings
- Fun garnishes like paper umbrellas for weekend "smoothie parties"
Storage Tips
Quick-Drink Timeline:
- Fresh smoothie: Best consumed immediately
- Refrigerated: Good for up to 2 hours (stir before drinking)
- Separated smoothie: Just give it a quick stir or shake
Meal-Prep Solutions:
- Freezer fruit packs: Portion fruits into baggies ready to dump and blend
- Overnight smoothie: Make ahead and store in airtight container (will separate but can be stirred)
- Smoothie cubes: Freeze leftover smoothie in ice cube trays for quick blending later
Top Tip
After making hundreds of mango strawberry smoothie over the years, Max and I discovered one unexpected trick that completely transformed our morning blend. It happened by pure accident one day when we were out of ice and our fruit wasn't frozen.
The secret? Freeze your milk or plant milk in ice cube trays!
When Max requested a mango strawberry smoothie one morning and all our fruit was fresh, I panicked until I remembered the little milk cubes I'd frozen for another recipe. We tossed them in with our fresh fruit and were amazed by the results - a perfectly thick, creamy mango strawberry smoothie without watering down the flavor like regular ice cubes do.
Now we always keep a tray of frozen milk cubes ready to go. They add that perfect thick, milkshake-like consistency while actually enhancing the flavor instead of diluting it. As Max says, "They're like magic cubes that make everything yummier!" For our dairy-free friends, we do the same with coconut milk or almond milk with equally amazing results.
This simple trick has rescued countless mango strawberry smoothie mornings and impressed many playdate parents who wondered how our smoothies always turn out so perfectly creamy!
What to Serve With Mango Strawberry Smoothie
Finding the perfect pairings for our mango strawberry smoothie has become a fun weekend activity with Max. Through many breakfast experiments, we've discovered that balancing the fruity sweetness of the smoothie with something savory or protein-rich creates the most satisfying meal. For quick weekday breakfasts, we love pairing our smoothie with whole grain toast spread with almond butter (Max's absolute favorite) or a small bowl of Greek yogurt topped with granola and a few fresh berries. On days when we need extra staying power, I'll make mini egg and veggie frittatas the night before that reheat quickly while I blend our smoothies.
For afternoon snack time, the smoothie pairs wonderfully with a small handful of trail mix (we make our own with nuts, seeds, and a few dark chocolate chips), some whole grain crackers with a bit of cream cheese, or fresh veggie sticks. The combination of the fruit-packed smoothie with something a bit more substantial helps keep energy levels steady until dinner, which is especially important on days when Max has after-school activities.
FAQ
Do mango and strawberry go together in a smoothie?
Absolutely! Mango and strawberry create a perfect flavor balance in smoothies. The sweet, tropical notes of mango complement the bright, slightly tangy taste of strawberries. After years of smoothie making, this combination remains our family favorite because it tastes amazing while providing a variety of nutrients.
What fruit blends well with mango?
Mango pairs beautifully with strawberries, bananas, pineapple, and peaches for tropical blends. For unexpected but delicious combinations, try mango with blueberries, kiwi, or even avocado (which adds creaminess). Max's favorite combination remains mango-strawberry-banana, which creates the perfect balance of flavors and texture.
Which fruit combination is best for smoothies?
The best fruit combinations balance sweetness, acidity, and creaminess. Mango-strawberry-banana is our go-to, but berries with banana, pineapple with coconut, or apple with berry blends work wonderfully too. The key is including at least one naturally sweet fruit and one creamy component (like banana or yogurt) for the best texture.
What fruits go well with strawberries in smoothies?
Strawberries blend beautifully with bananas, mangoes, peaches, and other berries. For our family smoothies, I always include strawberries for their vibrant color, vitamin C content, and flavor that Max loves. When using strawberries, you usually need less added sweetener since their natural sweetness and slight tartness creates a refreshing balance.
Ready for Refreshment Any Time of Day!
Now you're equipped with all the secrets to create the perfect mango strawberry smoothie – from ingredient combinations to blending techniques to our special frozen milk cube trick. This versatile recipe has become the cornerstone of our family's healthy eating habits, proving that nutritious choices can be absolutely delicious and kid-approved.
Looking for more refreshing drinks to enjoy? Our Easy Blueberry Lemon Drop Martini is perfect for adult gatherings when the kids are in bed (a delicious grown-up treat after a day of making kid-friendly smoothies). For family-friendly options, try our Easy Blue Raspberry Lemonade that's become another staple at our summer gatherings – it pairs perfectly with this smoothie for a colorful drink spread that impresses guests of all ages!
Rate this recipe and join our growing community of healthy food explorers!
As Max likes to say, "The best smoothie is the one that makes your tummy happy!" Trust your taste buds and have fun experimenting - sometimes the most delicious discoveries happen by happy accident, just like our frozen milk cubes!
Related
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Mango Strawberry Smoothie
Mango Strawberry Smoothie
Equipment
- Blender (Standard or personal-size works well)
- Measuring Cups (Optional if eyeballing)
- Sharp knife (For cutting fresh fruit)
- Cutting board (For prepping ingredients)
- Glasses or cups (For serving)
Ingredients
- 1 cup Strawberries - Fresh or frozen, stems removed
- 1 cup Mango chunks - Fresh or frozen
- ½ Banana - Adds natural sweetness and creaminess
- 1 cup Milk - Or almond/coconut/orange juice
- ½ cup Greek yogurt - Optional, for added protein
- 1 tablespoon Chia seeds - Optional, for fiber and omega-3s
- 1 teaspoon Honey - Or maple syrup, optional sweetener
- 4 Ice cubes - Optional if using fresh fruit
Instructions
- Wash and prep fruit: stem strawberries, peel and dice mango, peel and break banana into chunks.
- Add milk (or liquid of choice) to the blender first.
- Add banana, strawberries, and mango (use frozen fruit last if mixing fresh and frozen).
- Add optional ingredients: yogurt, chia seeds, honey, and ice cubes.
- Blend on high for 30–60 seconds until smooth and creamy.
- Pour into glasses, garnish if desired, and serve immediately.
- Clean blender right away by blending warm water and a drop of dish soap, then rinsing.
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