Cherry Mango Smoothie

The dairy-free smoothie combines frozen mangoes, frozen cherries, orange juice, and spinach (optional) for a delicious healthy treat.  It’s naturally vegan and gluten-free!  For more dairy-free smoothies try blackberry strawberry smoothie, cucumber apple smoothie, or tropical island green smoothie.

The cherry mango smoothie recipe contains no bananas and uses frozen mango to help thicken it.  For another quick and easy smoothie recipe without bananas, try a blueberry raspberry smoothie, a mango kiwi smoothie, or a pineapple and peach smoothie.

Recipe features

• It can be made in minutes using frozen fruit!
• No banana!
• Kid-friendly and for the whole family!
• Add fresh spinach to increase your daily greens!
• The delicious smoothie uses simple ingredients!
• A refreshing snack that combines cherries and mangoes!

Ingredient notes and substitutions

The mango cherry smoothie recipe uses simple ingredients but please see the recipe card below for the full recipe and exact measurements.

Mango - I opt for frozen mango; it’s already ripe and cubed.  If you use fresh mango, you may want to reduce the liquid and add a little ice to chill. For more mango recipes, try a refreshing dragon fruit mango smoothie, cucumber mango smoothie, mango agua fresca, or a strawberry mango banana smoothie.

Cherries - I opt for frozen dark sweet cherries, they’re already pitted and have no stems.  Frozen fruit will chill the smoothie and thicken it.  If you use fresh cherries the smoothie will be thinner and not chilled.  Remove the cherry pits and stems if you use fresh cherries.

For more recipes with frozen cherries, try cherry chia seed pudding, cherry overnight oats, or cherry nice cream.

Orange juice - The orange juice can be substituted with a peeled fresh orange.  Use a fresh large orange instead of orange juice.

Water - The recipe calls for 1 cup of water along with ⅓ cup of orange juice with the frozen mangoes and cherries.  Adding 2 cups of fresh spinach will thicken the smoothie, add an extra ½ cup of water to thin out if needed.  Coconut water can also be used instead of water.

Spinach - Fresh spinach is optional in the mango cherry smoothie, but it’s an easy way to add greens to your diet.  If you do, be warned that the color changes to brown.  Not exactly the most appealing color for a smoothie, but it does taste the same.  If anything, the fruity flavors may be slightly mellowed out since you’re adding more ingredients. For another dairy-free smoothie with spinach, try a blueberry and pineapple smoothie.

Tips

• This smoothie is sweet enough for me but if you prefer it sweeter try adding a soft pitted date.
• For a thinner mango cherry smoothie, add more water.  For a thicker smoothie, add more frozen fruit or use less water.
• If you are using all fresh fruit it won’t be as thick.  Try adding ice cubes to make it cold (this may dilute the smoothie). 

Variations

• The easy smoothie recipe can be customized to suit your preferences.  Here are just a few suggestions.
• Instead of plain water, use coconut water.
• Use kale instead of spinach.  Remove the stem and tear the leaves into bite-size pieces.  Kale can be more difficult to blend, so add it to the blender along with the liquid and blend until smooth.  Then add the rest of the ingredients.
• Reduce the water and orange juice and make the cherry mango smoothie into a smoothie bowl.  Then top it with chia seeds, fresh fruit, coconut flakes, and oil-free granola.  Start with a mix of 3 tablespoons of water and orange juice, then add more liquid until you get a thick smoothie bowl texture. A high-powered blender with a tamper stick works best to make smoothie bowls.
• To make it less sweet, use more greens or reduce the recipe's suggested amount of fruit.  The orange juice can also be substituted with water or coconut water.
• Instead of mango try frozen ripe bananas or frozen peaches.
• Use a mix of sweet and tart cherries.

How to make a mango cherry smoothie

Place the frozen mango chunks, frozen cherries, water, and orange juice in a blender and blend until smooth.  If you’re adding fresh spinach, add an extra ½ cup water to thin out if needed.  

The smoothie without the spinach is a vibrant color, but when you blend in the spinach it turns to a brown color.  The color will change, but it will mostly taste the same.  If anything the fruity flavors may be slightly mellowed out since you’re adding more ingredients.

Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Serving suggestions

Smoothies tend to be delicious but not very filling.  I use them as an afternoon snack and not as a main meal.  To enjoy this smoothie as a meal, try pairing it with vegan avocado toast, vegan toast, dairy-free overnight oats, or plant-based granola.

Storage

The cherry and mango smoothie is best served immediately, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.  Consume within 24 hours.  If there is any liquid separation, stir it back in.  

Leftover smoothies can also be frozen in ice cube trays for later.  Add the ice cubes to a blender along with water or dairy-free milk, or add them to help flavor a new smoothie.

Frequently asked questions

Related recipes

• Tropical island green smoothie
• Arugula smoothie
• Cucumber and apple smoothie
• Kale and beet smoothie with frozen berries
• Strawberry mango and banana smoothie

I hope you enjoy the dairy-free smoothie!  If you did feel free to rate the recipe and leave a comment.