3-Ingredient Protein Smoothie
This is my formula for an easy protein-rich smoothie EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

It’s thick, creamy, and naturally sweet without any added sugar, thanks to a simple trio of ingredients—Greek yogurt, frozen berries, and your milk of choice. With just one quick blend, you get a delicious, nourishing drink that’s perfect for breakfast, post-workout fuel, or an afternoon pick-me-up. It’s on repeat in my house!
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Fuel for your day: Greek yogurt packs in high-quality protein to keep you feeling full and satisfied, whether you’re heading out the door or powering through a busy morning.
- Naturally sweet: Frozen berries bring a juicy, refreshing sweetness with zero added sugar—just pure, fruity goodness. (I also opt for no-added-sugar Greek yogurt flavored with stevia or monk fruit—see more about that in the notes below!)
- Super duper easy: Three ingredients, one blender, and less than a minute to whip up a thick, creamy smoothie that tastes like a treat.
- Health-promoting: Loaded with antioxidants and fiber from the berries; this smoothie can help fight oxidative stress and support overall health—because delicious and nutritious should always go hand in hand, am I right?!


I’ve come to the conclusion recently that Greek yogurt may be my BFF (Best Food Forever). It’s one of the most versatile ingredients I keep stocked in my fridge at all times, and I find myself reaching for it daily. Sometimes I use a flavored variety for a sweet spin, and other times I stick with the plain, unflavored version for its tangy versatility in recipes. Whether it’s blended into smoothies, swirled into oatmeal, dolloped onto tacos or baked potatoes, or used as a base for creamy dressings and dips, it’s an easy way to add a boost of protein to so many things!
When it comes to choosing a Greek yogurt, I always opt for brands with no added sugar—especially when using flavored varieties in recipes like this smoothie. Look for options sweetened with stevia or monk fruit for a dose of sweetness without the impact on blood sugars or insulin response. But for dips, dressings, and other savory dishes, plain Greek yogurt is my go-to. Like I mentioned, it’s rich, tangy, and incredibly versatile. If you prefer to use plain Greek yogurt in this smoothie, you absolutely can—you just may want to add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup to balance out the tartness. Although, the sweetness from the berries may be enough.

And because I love a good customization, feel free to put your own twist on this smoothie. You can swap the Greek yogurt for a scoop of flavored protein powder if that’s more your style. When it comes to fruit, anything goes—stick with a single fruit like frozen blueberries or try fun combos like frozen mango and strawberries or half a banana with frozen berries. And if you want to sneak in even more nutrition, toss in a tablespoon of chia seeds or ground flaxseed for extra fiber and plant-based omega-3s… or stir in a little nut butter (or peanut butter powder) to bolden the texture, add more protein, and infuse a slight nutty flavor. No matter how you mix it, this smoothie is easy, satisfying, and totally delicious.

Love Strawberry Shortcake? Me too! Here’s a fun Strawberry Shortcake Smoothie rendition made with strawberries and strawberry-flavored Greek yogurt… it’s so creamy and tastes like dessert in a glass.
If smoothies aren’t your thing—and you prefer to eat your breakfast with a spoon, I’ve got plenty of other easy, protein-packed options. My Protein Oatmeal Bowl and PB and Berry Breakfast Bowl come together in minutes, loaded with satisfying ingredients to keep you full and energized. And if you’re looking for some extra morning fun, my Breakfast Banana Split will hit the spot. Imagine layers of yogurt, fresh fruit, and crunchy toppings for a wholesome take on the classic treat!
Try my Longevity Smoothie!

3-Ingredient Protein Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 ½ to 2 cups frozen mixed berries
- 1 single-serve container berry or vanilla-flavored Greek yogurt*, about ¾ cup
- ¾ cup almond milk, or milk of choice
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.

Love these recipes because they are so easy and nutritious.
Love the fact that I can make them quickly and beyond my way. Especially like the banana muffin one as I have a niece who cannot have eggs and this will be perfect for her.
Hi Madeline! I’m always striving for quick, easy, healthy and delicious! Hoping you (and your niece) enjoy both recipes… I’m grateful to have you as part of my wellness community!
Hello there this is Ismail Magued I live in Cairo egypt I was in Canada
I think this should be an amazing awesome tasty smoothie. I am going to try to prepare this smoothie
Hi Ismail! So happy you’re here and trying my recipes… all the way from Egypt!
I made this with frozen strawberries and 1 ripe banana for the sweetness plus 1 tbsp honey. Plain Greek yogurt and milk. It is delish. Thank you for the easy healthy recipes.
Hi Jill, so glad you enjoyed Joy’s smoothie recipe—your version sounds delicious! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us!
—Donna
Joy and Team, This is a question rather than a recipe rating. I’ve recently heard that combining bananas with berries as in a smoothie will inhibit bioavailability of the flavenols in the berries. Is this proven with reputable studies? If that is true it can certainly change one’s smoothie game. I’m looking forward to trying these recipes! Thank you.
Hi Susan, thanks so much for your thoughtful question! Yes, it’s true that adding banana to smoothies can interfere with the absorption of flavanols from other fruits or vegetables, including berries, according to two small, published studies. If your goal is to increase your intake of flavanols, you may want to omit the banana when whipping up a smoothie. Instead, you can include an alternative ingredient that will deliver natural sweetness and a creamy texture but is also low in polyphenol oxidase (PPO), the enzyme responsible for destroying flavanols. Some options: mango, pineapples, oranges or yogurt. Hope this info helps and wishing you lots of delicious, healthy smoothie combinations!
—Donna
Quick and packed with good nutrition.
Hi Suzanne, thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts with us, and we’re so glad you enjoyed the smoothie!
—Donna
Hi Joy. I tried your recipe for the 3 ingredient smoothie. It tasted GREAT!! I will make it every day!!
Thank you very much!!
Linda Fraser
Hi Linda, so glad this recipe is a keeper! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us—we’re grateful to have you as part of our community!
—Donna
I make this often with frozen fruit, vanilla Greek yogurt, and water. It is so refreshing. I love your recipes!
Thanks so much, Karma!! It’s so easy to mix up the ingredients depending upon what you have in the house. I’m so glad you’re here and appreciate your kind words!!
I love this smoothie, I make it all the time, it’s comforting, delicious, and yummy
Hi Sandy! It’s on repeat in my house, too…. so thrilled you’re enjoying it!!
Delicious! I made it a meal and added some sliced almonds. Very tasty and satisfying.
Hi LuSe, so glad you enjoyed the smoothie, and we truly appreciate you taking the time to leave a rating and comment! 🙂
—Donna
Great recipe, as I’m just starting out on my healthy. Should I use non-fat or full fat Greek yogurt? I hear different things about what is easiest for our bodies to digest.
Hi Brooke! I recommend using a nonfat or 2% low-fat Greek yogurt (not full fat)… as this will automatically slash the calories and saturated fat in your smoothie. Plus, you cannot taste the difference and you’ll still be reaping the same protein and calcium benefits.
So good!! Used vanilla non-fat yogurt and a 2 cup mixture of frozen blueberries & cranberries. Also added 1T chia seeds per your suggestion.
Hi Jill, we’re so glad you enjoyed the smoothie, and thanks for stopping by to let us know! We’re grateful to have you as a member of our community!
—Donna
Soooooo delicious! Thanks for creating this awesome smoothie.
Hi Jeanne, so glad you enjoyed the smoothie and thanks for sharing your feedback!
—Donna
I love making smoothies I especially like a version of yours too
Hi Veronica! I’m a fellow smoothie gal… so happy you enjoy making this simple version. It’s on repeat in my house!
Delicious and healthy. I like the versatility of this recipe using any combination of fruits.
Hi Sharon, we’re so glad you enjoyed the recipe and you’re experimenting with different fruits to create your own delicious spins! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
—Donna
Made with non fat strawberry greek yogurt, fresh blueberries, frozen strawberries and original almond milk…..SHEER HEAVEN….love this one, was going to go crazy and add a little spinach but wanted to try the base recipe first…..simple, satisfying….thank you!!
Hi Jennifer, so happy you enjoyed the smoothie…and now that you have mastered the original recipe, you can try different spins and flavor directions! Add a little spinach or kale (like you mentioned), chia or flax seeds, different types of berries, avocado, oats, vanilla extract or cinnamon. There are so many fun and delicious ways to make it your own!
—Donna
Taste is good!
I add about 3 oz of firm tofu for extra creamy instead of nut butter which still adds a small amount of fat, much more protein a load of calcium.
Great idea on the tofu, Debra!
My son said it’s delicious
Hi Jules, yay—we’re so glad your son enjoyed the smoothie! Thanks for sharing the love!
—Donna
I have tried a few different smoothie recipes and this one tastes the best by far. I use nonfat plain greek yogurt (chobani) and add a tsp or two of maple syrup and a scoop or two of vanilla protein powder for an added boost. Awesome! A lot healthier than alternatives.
Hi Christine, thanks so much for sharing your experience. Your version sounds delicious and we’re so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
—Donna
this is way better than the previous smoothies that I have made.
So glad you enjoyed it, Ariel!
I’ve never been able to find a smoothie recipe I truly loved—until now.
This one completely changed that. I used plain Greek yogurt, added a tablespoon of honey (though honestly, it didn’t even need it), and swapped the milk for ¾ cup of my organic vanilla protein drink. The result? Absolutely amazing. It was rich, creamy, and tasted like a treat, yet was filling and packed with fiber and protein.
This is going straight into my regular rotation.
Christine, you just made my day! I’m so happy this smoothie won you over…and I love your personal swaps. Cheers to it becoming a new regular in your rotation!!
I have a question here. I have allot of kiwis. My question is can you add kiwi to a smoothie. Never try it.
Hi Donna! Yes—you can definitely add kiwi to a smoothie (yum!). Just peel off the fuzzy skin first….either slice off the ends and run a spoon around the inside to scoop out the fruit, or use a veggie peeler to remove the skin. Then toss the bright green flesh into your blender. It’ll provide a sweet-tart taste and a boost of vitamin C!
Can we cut down sugar content?
Hi Marlene! The sugar in this recipe mainly comes from the berries (so it’s all natural fruit sugar). To keep it lighter, you can use unsweetened almond milk or skim milk, and choose a flavored Greek yogurt that’s sweetened with monk fruit or stevia (like Oikos Triple Zero). That way, you’ll still get plenty of flavor and creaminess without any added sugar. — Eliza (Team Joy)
Where those 22 grams of sugar coming from
Hi Stach, The 22 grams of sugar come mostly from the fruit (natural sugar from the berries). To lower it, try using unsweetened almond milk or skim milk, and opt for a Greek yogurt sweetened with monk fruit or stevia (like Oikos Triple Zero). You’ll still get all the flavor and creaminess without extra added sugar. — Eliza (Team Joy)
Love this shake. Have it often
Hi Renuka! So glad this shake is a regular in your rotation! Love hearing it’s become a go-to for you. Enjoy! — Eliza (Team Joy)
I love all of your recipies
Hi Barbara! Thank you so much for your nice note!! Joy so appreciates it 🙂 — Eliza (Team Joy)
Can I mix cottage cheese with the yogurt?
Hi Rita, Joy hasn’t tried that combo herself, but bets it’ll be delicious! Just keep in mind that depending on how much cottage cheese you add, it may mellow out the berry flavor a bit. The sweetness and fruity taste come from both the berries and the flavored yogurt, so if you use less yogurt, it just won’t be quite as sweet.— Eliza (Team Joy)
I would to have your recipes please
Hi Arella — which recipes do you need? I’m here to help you!
Joy’s recipes are easy to make and delicious !
Thanks, Bernadette! So glad you love Joy’s recipes. Easy and delicious are the goal! — Eliza (Team Joy)
Delicious, but shouldn’t the protein be higher than the calories? That is what some nutritionist had told me.
Great question, Carol — and nope! Protein doesn’t need to be higher than the calories.
Remember: protein is measured in grams and calories are energy from protein + carbs + healthy fats. Even in a high-protein smoothie, you’ll still have calories from fruit, yogurt/milk, nut butter, seeds, etc.
A better goal is to include a solid protein source with each meal so it keeps you satisfied — which this smoothie does! And I’m sooo glad you enjoyed it!
How to lower sugar content in this smoothie recipe.
Hi Dottie! All of the sugar is coming “naturally” from the berries and yogurt. If you use a no-added-sugar flavored yogurt (like Oikos Tripe Zero) there will not be any added sugar in this smoothie at all. Also, it’s filled with protein and fiber, which helps steady blood sugar levels. If you try it, I’m hoping you enjoy it!
Full of flavor and protein to keep you satisfied until lunch!
Hi Janice! So glad you love this smoothie recipe! And that it keeps you satisfied 🙂 — Eliza (Team Joy)
Sounds easy,
excited and cant wait to start eating healthy
Hi Marnita! You’ve got this!!! So glad that we’re a part of your journey to eating healthier! — Eliza (Team Joy)
Loved it. Great choice for breakfast. Thank you
Hi Linda, so happy you enjoyed this smoothie!! xx
Hi Joy!
I just love your breakfast recipes! They are quick, cost effective and delicious! I have made your jumbo pancake, avocado toast, and this morning, just made the protein oatmeal bowl!
It is so nice to have healthy breakfast options every morning.
Your awesome, thank you!
Hi Jane! Oh wow—this absolutely made our day! Thank you so much for taking the time to share this. We’re thrilled to hear you’re enjoying this awesome breakfast lineup! Joy’s goal is always exactly what you described: easy, affordable, nourishing, and genuinely delicious! Here’s to many more JOY-filled breakfasts ahead! — Eliza (Team Joy)
Love this recipe! Yummy!❤️
So happy you enjoyed this smoothie, Delores!