Imagine a scenario where you overhear a conversation on the newest homemade smoothie recipe; you crave for it, but then, you do not have a blender. What will you do?
Blenders are only a technological invention created to make work easier. Therefore, you can definitely make a smoothie even without a blender.
If you are curious about how to blend without a blender, this article is all you need. Read on!
Read More: How to make a smoothie thicker
How To Blend Without A Blender
In 2021, most ingredients that we blend were also being pureed in the pre-technological era. When blending without a blender, the most important factors to consider are; What results/consistency do you want to achieve? What ingredients are you going to use? Then you can be able to gather the right tools.
Ordinary kitchen utensils can do the work a blender does. What differs is the process used to achieve the desired results.
Wondering how to blend without a blender? What recipes can be made without a blender? What tools can substitute a blender? Read on!
Read More: Can you make smoothies in a food processor?
How To Make A Smoothie Without A Blender
Almost all the ingredients that go into a smoothie can be blended without a blender. Ordinary smoothies consist of fruits, vegetables, liquids such as milk, and crushed ice(optional).
The secret to blending the perfect smoothie without a blender is to use very soft vegetables, vegetable purees, smooth textured flavors, and ripe fruits. See details next.
Use Soft Vegetables
If you are making a smoothie with vegetables as part of the recipe, consider using soft vegetables that will be easy to cut and crush with an ordinary kitchen utensil.
Examples of soft vegetables include:
- Spinach
- Lettuce
- Baby spinach
Use Vegetable Puree
Vegetable puree is a perfect smoothie ingredient if you want to stay full for a long time. Pureed vegetables are good at thickening your smoothie and brighten it up.
Pureeing does not need a blender. Boil the vegetables until they are overcooked and mash them using a potato mash. Add water to achieve a good consistency.
Examples of pureed vegetables include:
- Pumpkins
- Potatoes
- Butter squash
- Carrots
Use Soft & Very Ripe Fruits
I know you will argue that most fruits are soft; therefore, you can crush any fruit without a blender. Wrong!
Some fruits, such as apples, are hard to smash, and you will only achieve a smooth consistency with a blender at hand.
Substitute hard fruits with soft fruits, especially when they are very ripe, to achieve a smooth consistency when blending a smoothie without a blender.
Examples of soft and ripe fruits include:
- Strawberries/raspberries/blueberries
- Bananas
- Kiwi
- Avocados
- Mangoes
- Peaches
- Oranges
Use The Right Tools
Which is the right tool to blend, if not a blender? Relax! There are too many utensils lying around your kitchen that you can use to blend a smoothie without a blender.
If your kitchen utensils have a firm surface, then you can successfully prepare a smoothie for you and your loved ones.
Equipment you may need:
- Sharp & strong knife
To chop ingredients such as baby spinach, boiled potatoes, bananas, etc., into tiny pieces.
- Potato mashers
To mash the chopped ingredients such as potatoes, fruits.
- Strong spoons
To crush soft ingredients in a contained area.
- Rolling pins
To crush stubborn ingredients.
- Pestle and Mortar
To crush and grins chia seeds and nuts manually.
- Whisk/Mixer
To puree the ingredients into the desired consistency.
- Sieve
To Push the pureed fruits and vegetables for a smooth consistency.
You can be creative with other kitchen utensils in your house to help you achieve the desired results.
Read More: Is Naked Juice Healthy? Benefits & Downsides
Use Smooth Textured Powder Flavors Or Liquid Flavors
You sure do not want a flat-tasting smoothie, even if you are blending without a blender. Maybe you love the taste of cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, garlic, or chocolate in your smoothie.
Using chocolate chippings or garlic may add unnecessary texture to your smoothie. It is best to use liquid or smooth textured flavors for a smooth sweet or piquant smoothie.
Examples of liquid/smooth textured powder flavors
- Cocoa powder
- Vanilla essence
- Match powder
- Nutmeg
- Cinnamon
- Turmeric
Read More: How to juice without a juicer
How To Blend A Smoothie Step By Step Without A Blender
Now that we have looked into the best ingredients and tools to use in your blender-less smoothie recipe, it is now time to make a smoothie.
- Pour your desired fruits and vegetables into a strong bowl or chopping board and mash them.
- Add yogurt and any other thickener into the bowl and stir the mixture.
- Add other liquids and smoothie ingredients such as sugar into the bowl.
- Take your hand-held mixer and stir while adding more liquids until you achieve the desired consistency.
- Take a glass jug and place a sieve on top.
- Pour the pureed smoothie into the jug through the sieve to eliminate any hard parts.
- Take a glass and pour yourself a soft smoothie made without a blender.
Fun Factor: If you had given your forgetful friend your blender and they are yet to return it, why not surprise them with a bottle of this smoothie labeled “hand-made.” Catch their reaction!
How To Make An Extra Foamy Or Frosty Smoothie Without A Blender
Ice cubes play a significant role in adding foaminess into a smoothie. You might be concerned about how to achieve this effect without a blender. It is simple. Read on!
All you need is to pick your ice cube and add them to a transparent glass jar.
Add the smoothie you have already prepared without a blender into the jar.
Seal the jar and shake the smoothie until the smoothie starts to get foamy and cold.
Pour your foamy ice-cold smoothie into a glass and enjoy with zero electricity bills to worry about!
For a Frosty Smoothie
Crush ice-cubes using pestle & mortar.
Pour your smoothie into a glass, add the crushed ice into your smoothie & enjoy your frosty smoothie!
Read More: How to make crushed ice
How to Blend Without a Blender: Final Thoughts
Many reasons could be behind you not having a blender, but there is absolutely no reason for not enjoying a smoothie regardless of the situation.
To blend a smoothie without a blender, use soft fruits and vegetables and smooth textured flavors in your smoothie alongside the right tools in your kitchen.
You can make almost any blended beverage at home with ordinary kitchen utensils. All you need is to get creative and, most importantly, to be patient for you to achieve the desired results.