The Pear and Strawberry Smoothie is a delightfully refreshing drink that combines the subtle sweetness of ripe pears with the bright, tangy flavor of strawberries. This unexpected pairing creates a perfectly balanced smoothie that’s naturally sweet without being overpowering. The pear adds a gentle, honey-like flavor and creates an incredibly creamy texture, while the strawberries bring vibrant color and a burst of fruity freshness. This smoothie is packed with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, making it a nutritious choice for breakfast, a midday snack, or post-workout refreshment. It’s light enough to enjoy any time of day yet satisfying enough to keep you going. The beautiful pale pink color and smooth, velvety texture make this smoothie as lovely to look at as it is to drink.
Serving Quantity: 2 smoothies
Cooking Time: 5 minutes
1. Ingredients
- 2 ripe pears, cored and chopped
- 1 and 1/2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries
- 1 ripe banana, peeled and sliced
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla)
- 1/2 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
- Sliced strawberries for garnish
2. Nutrition Information Per Serving
- Calories: 295
- Protein: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fat: 4g
- Fiber: 8g
- Sodium: 75mg
3. Choose and Prepare the Pears
Select ripe pears that yield slightly when gently pressed near the stem. Ripe pears are sweeter and blend more smoothly. Anjou, Bartlett, or Bosc pears all work wonderfully in smoothies. Wash the pears thoroughly, then cut them into quarters. Remove the core and seeds, but you can leave the skin on as it contains lots of fiber and nutrients. Chop the pears into chunks about an inch in size.
4. Prepare the Strawberries
If using fresh strawberries, wash them under cold water and remove the green hulls and stems. Cut any large strawberries in half. If using frozen strawberries, you can add them directly to the blender without thawing. Frozen strawberries will create a thicker, more frozen smoothie texture similar to a milkshake.
5. Freeze for Better Texture
For the creamiest, thickest smoothie, freeze your prepared pear chunks and banana slices for at least 2 hours or overnight before blending. This creates that perfect frosty texture without needing to add too much ice, which can water down the flavor. If you’re in a hurry, you can use fresh fruit and just add more ice cubes.
6. Add the Fruit to the Blender
Place the pear chunks in the blender first since they’re the firmest ingredient. Add the strawberries and banana slices on top. Starting with the firmest ingredients at the bottom helps the blender blades catch everything more easily and creates a smoother blend.
7. Add the Yogurt and Liquids
Spoon the Greek yogurt into the blender. Greek yogurt adds creaminess, tanginess, and protein that makes this smoothie more filling. Pour in the milk of your choice. Almond milk, oat milk, or regular dairy milk all work beautifully. Add the honey or maple syrup for sweetness and the fresh lemon juice, which brightens all the fruit flavors.
8. Add the Flavorings
Add the vanilla extract for depth and warmth. If using cinnamon, add it now. The cinnamon is optional but it adds a lovely subtle spice that complements both the pears and strawberries beautifully without being overwhelming.
9. Add the Ice
Drop in the ice cubes last. If you’ve frozen your fruit, you may only need half a cup of ice or none at all. The ice helps create that perfect thick, cold consistency and keeps your smoothie refreshing.
10. Blend on Low Then High
Start your blender on the lowest speed to break up the larger chunks of fruit and ice. Let it run for about 10 seconds, then gradually increase to the highest speed. Blend for 45 to 60 seconds until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy with no visible chunks or ice pieces. You should see a uniform pale pink color with no streaks.
11. Check and Adjust Consistency
Stop the blender and check the thickness. The smoothie should be thick enough to coat a spoon but still thin enough to drink through a straw. If it’s too thick and the blender is struggling, add more milk a tablespoon at a time and blend again. If it’s too thin, add a few more ice cubes or some frozen fruit and blend until you reach the desired consistency.
12. Taste and Adjust Flavors
Taste your smoothie and adjust if needed. If it’s not sweet enough, add a bit more honey and blend briefly. If the pear flavor is too subtle, you can add a few drops of pear nectar or juice if you have it. If you want more strawberry flavor, add a handful more strawberries and blend again.
13. Serve Immediately
Pour the smoothie into two tall glasses, dividing it evenly. The color should be a beautiful soft pink with a smooth, velvety appearance. Smoothies are always best enjoyed right away while they’re still cold and the texture is perfect.
14. Garnish and Enjoy
Garnish each glass with a fresh mint sprig tucked into the smoothie and a sliced strawberry on the rim. You can also add a thin slice of fresh pear for an elegant touch. Serve with a wide straw that can handle the thick consistency, and enjoy immediately.
15. Tips for Success
The ripeness of your pears makes a huge difference in this smoothie. Underripe pears will be grainy and less sweet, while perfectly ripe pears create a smooth, naturally sweet base. To ripen pears quickly, place them in a paper bag with a banana for a day or two. Leaving the pear skin on adds fiber and nutrients, but if you prefer a perfectly smooth texture, you can peel the pears before blending. The skin won’t affect the taste but may create tiny flecks in the finished smoothie. If you don’t have Greek yogurt, regular yogurt works fine but the smoothie will be slightly thinner and less protein-rich. For a dairy-free version, use coconut yogurt or silken tofu for creaminess. Frozen fruit creates the best thick, frosty texture, so keep bags of frozen strawberries in your freezer for smoothie emergencies. You can also freeze overripe bananas and pears that are about to go bad. The lemon juice is important as it prevents the pears from browning and adds brightness that balances the sweetness. Don’t skip it even though it seems like a small amount. For extra nutrition, add a handful of fresh spinach or kale. The fruit flavors are strong enough that you won’t taste the greens, and the color will just be slightly darker pink. Add a tablespoon of chia seeds, flax seeds, or hemp seeds for extra omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. They blend in seamlessly and boost the nutritional value. A scoop of vanilla or unflavored protein powder turns this into a complete meal replacement that will keep you full for hours. For a grown-up version, add a splash of pear liqueur or vanilla vodka. This makes a delicious dessert smoothie for entertaining. If your smoothie separates after sitting, just give it a quick stir or shake before drinking. This is natural and doesn’t mean anything is wrong. You can make smoothie packs by portioning the fruit into freezer bags ahead of time. When you’re ready for a smoothie, just dump the frozen fruit into the blender with the liquids for ultra-fast preparation. Pear and strawberry also pair beautifully with other fruits like raspberries, blueberries, or peaches if you want to experiment with variations.
