2 Easy Milk Kefir Smoothie Recipes (Gut Healthy!)
Milk Kefir is a fermented milk drink that is beaming with gut healthy bacteria. We prefer to drink ours as milk kefir smoothies. Here are my 2 favorite variations of smoothies that are not only delicious but incredibly healthy!
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I love making smoothies from milk kefir because it is so creamy and a bit effervescent for a uniquely tasty drink!
What is Milk Kefir?
Milk kefir is made by pouring milk over kefir grains. When left on the counter at room temperature for about 24 hours, the milk becomes thick and creamy with a tangy flavor.
Every 24 hours or so, you will strain the milk and place the grains into another jar of milk.
It’s actually very easy to make and maintain. I purchased milk kefir grains from Amazon (Milk Kefir Grains) and they were very easy to activate and have grown exponentially.
You will only need milk (dairy) and kefir grains to have a perpetual supply of milk kefir.
Why use Milk Kefir in smoothies?
Kefir is a probiotic rich drink that helps balance the beneficial probiotics and bad bacteria in your gut. Probiotics is a trendy word, but, it is extremely important to take care of your gut health.
Drinking Kefir everyday is a great way to make sure things are in check and working properly. The benefits of kefir are many and is an easy way to give a boost to your immune system.
When making your healthy smoothie recipe from kefir, the skies the limit as far as flavor combinations. You can use frozen fruit, fresh fruit, greens, collagen powder, flax etc…
The main goal is to make it to your taste so that you are more apt to drink it everyday for the great health benefits.
Healthy kefir smoothies are a great addition to your daily diet!
If you are brand new to Milk kefir and want to make your own kefir smoothie, START HERE!
My 2 favorite variations of Healthy Kefir Smoothies
Frozen berry kefir smoothie
In a blender, add 1 cup of milk kefir. Add 1 tablespoon of honey or maple syrup. You can opt to leave the sweetener out if you wish. Add 1 tablespoon of ground flax and 1 cup of frozen berries of your choice.
Blend on high for 1 minute. Enjoy!
Pumpkin spice kefir smoothie:
In a blender, add 1 cup of milk kefir. To this, add 2 tablespoons of pumpkin puree and 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice.
Add 1 tablespoon of honey or maple syrup (optional). Add 4-5 ice cubes and blend on high for 1 minute.
This variation is my favorite for flavor.
You can play around with the flavors you prefer.
Milk kefir has a tangy flavor and is slightly effervescent.
How to make and maintain milk kefir:
Milk Kefir is remarkably easy to start and keep.
When you first receive your grains, you want to put them in a clean pint sized mason jar. Pour milk over the grains and fill the jar.
Cover loosely with lid that is ajar a bit. Let them sit at room temperature for up to 48 hours.
After the first 48 hours, strain the milk from the grains using a fine mesh strainer. This batch of milk can be discarded, composted, or fed to the farm animals.
Next, in a clean quart sized mason jar, repeat the process. Add the grains and pour the milk over them filling the jar. This time, let the milk sit at room temperature for around 36 hours.
When you see the slightest separation at the bottom of the jar, it’s time to strain the kefir.
Place a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl and pour the milk kefir over the strainer. Using a rubber spatula, gently press the kefir through the strainer.
What’s left behind will be your grains. At first there are only a few globules of grains, however, this will continue to grow with each batch.
Repeat the process above to start the next batch of kefir.
Store your strained kefir in the refrigerator with a tight lid for up to 10-14 days.
If you want to put your grains on a break, simply put them in a pint jar, cover with milk, place a tight fitting lid on and place in the fridge immediately. This will slow the fermentation process and allow you some flexibility in making your kefir.
Milk kefir smoothie recipe variations
Add pineapple chunks and shredded coconut for a summer treat!
Combine milk kefir with a ripe banana and 1 cup of crushed ice for a super sweet smoothie with a super creamy texture.
For a green smoothie, add 2 handfuls of your choice of greens, 1 tbsp of chia seeds, and a tablespoon of honey.
Storage
Milk kefir smoothies are best served fresh, however you can store the prepared smoothie in the fridge for 1-2 days before consuming.
Homemade kefir will last in the fridge for up to 2-3 weeks. I make a lot ahead so I can use it in my baking as well as for my smoothies.
The only thing they have in common is that they are fermented drinks. Water kefir grains feed off of sugar and milk kefir grains feed off of dairy milk.
Yes you can definitely make healthy milk kefir with raw milk.
