Recipe Overview
Healthy cooking doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, often the simpler it is, the better it tastes. In Healthyish, Test Kitchen editor Rebecca Firkser shares nourishing, craveable recipes that you can pull off in 10 ingredients or fewer. This 3-ingredient (plus water!) smoothie is the antithesis to those overpriced, supplement-heavy $22 drinks seen on social media. The key to an actually filling smoothie that isn’t overly tangy from cottage cheese or chalky with protein powder is —relatively mild in flavor, yet rich and well-seasoned, the hero ingredient is also packed with protein. And when blended, its polarizing lumpy texture totally disappears and helps thicken the smoothie. Creamy from the cottage cheese and sweet-tart with mixed berries, all you need is water to help everything blend smoothly. (Of course, if you have unsweetened coconut water, its lightly sweet flavor and additional boost of nutrients are a very welcome swap.) Almond butter offers an earthy nuttiness without totally overpowering the smoothie’s flavor—for more, use cashew butter, or try cashew for something more mild. (And those with nut allergies are in luck: Swap in sunflower seed butter or 1 Tbsp. tahini.) For a sweeter smoothie, toss in a pitted date or a drizzle of pure maple syrup or honey. And because we can’t deny the power of an Instagram-worthy smoothie, try swirling the inside of your glass with a bit more nut butter.
Ingredients
- 2½ cups frozen mixed berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and/or blackberries)
- 1 cup filtered water or unsweetened coconut water
- ¾ cup whole milk or 2% cottage cheese
- 2 Tbsp. unsweetened almond butter
Need to make a substitution? Ask AI for guidance.
Preparation
Blend 2½ cups frozen mixed berries, 1 cup filtered water or unsweetened coconut water, ¾ cup whole milk or 2% cottage cheese, and 2 Tbsp. unsweetened almond butter in a blender until smooth. Divide smoothie between 2 glasses. Total time: 5 minutes. Yield: 2 servings.
Tips and Variations
Substitutions
For the almond butter, you can substitute cashew butter for a stronger nutty flavor, or use sunflower seed butter or 1 Tbsp. tahini for a nut-free option. For a sweeter smoothie, add a pitted date or a drizzle of pure maple syrup or honey. If you have unsweetened coconut water on hand, it makes a great substitute for filtered water, adding sweetness and nutrients.
Presentation
To make an Instagram-worthy smoothie, swirl the inside of your glass with a bit more nut butter before pouring the smoothie. This adds visual appeal and a hint of extra flavor.
Recipe from Bon Appétit, published July 2, 2026. Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton, Prop Styling by Alexandra Massillon.