A high protein smoothie that tastes just like Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia. Delicious and nutritious and full of cherry vanilla flavor.

Confession: The only Ben & Jerry’s flavor I’ve ever tasted is Cherry Garcia.

Fact: This smoothie tastes just like it.

Cherry Almond Vanilla Smoothie
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If you’re anything like me you have 5 pounds of cherries sitting in your fridge, you’ve been too busy at lunch time to think of putting together much more than a smoothie and yet you want something that fills you up.

If that’s your dilemma, this is your solution.

Cherry Almond Vanilla Smoothie

I have been in love with the cherry and almond combination ever since trying Ashley’s buckwheat bake months ago.

Having 5 pounds of cherries in your fridge seems like a good occasion to recreate that flavor in smoothie form, no?

Cherry Vanilla Smoothie

It’s high in protein and filling. The only thing missing is some vegetables, otherwise it’d be a complete meal.

I thought about throwing in some spinach for that reason alone but, I really hate what spinach does to the otherwise beautiful color of a fruit smoothies.

Plus, fruit > spinach in the summer when cherries are in season in my opinion. Save the leafy greens for winter when you need a cold busting smoothie.

Cherry Vanilla Smoothie

I actually left this smoothie kind of chunky instead of blending it to a smooth consistency. With the pitted fresh cherries and whole almonds, I kind of wanted a “chew factor” to the smoothie.

Chewing my drink also makes it feel more like a meal than a snack and that hopefully means I won’t be raiding the pantry an hour after.

Cherry Almond Smoothie

So, if you have cherries on hand, I suggest you make this and if you don’t, I suggest you go buy some cherries.

4.57 from 23 votes

Cherry Vanilla Almond Smoothie

Servings: 1 serving
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
A high protein smoothie that tastes just like Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia. Delicious and nutritious and full of cherry vanilla flavor.

Ingredients 

  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 almond milk
  • 1 cup pitted cherries
  • 2 tablespoons whole almonds
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla protein powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1/2 cup ice

Instructions 

  • Put all ingredients into blender and pulse if you want a textured/chunky consistency like the ice cream. If you want it smoother, just blend until smooth.

Nutrition

Serving: 1SERVINGCalories: 382kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 28gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 155mgFiber: 10gSugar: 25g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
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What’s your favorite Ben & Jerry’s flavor? Obviously, cherry garcia for me since it’s all I’ve ever had!

Or, favorite ice cream flavor in general? I’m usually a mint chocolate chip fan but, the mint can’t be too “fake” tasting.

Founder and Writer at Running to the Kitchen | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.

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25 Comments

  1. I found myself in a similar situation a few months ago with a heap of cherries and no idea what to do with them. I ended up making a cobbler, but next time I will remember this smoothie recipe. And I agree, I like the chew-factor with cherries.

  2. I just remembered I have like 6lbs of cherries in my fridge! Awesome!!

    Cherry Garcia is a delicious flavor…my favorite is the brownie froyo. I pick out all the brownies and give the ice cream to Mike.

  3. The color of that smoothie is so pretty! Gotta love that shade of pink :)
    If you were to try another B and J flavor, I would suggest Half-Baked: chocolate fudge brownie and cookie dough mixed into vanilla ice cream… I mean how the heck can you go wrong with something like that?!

  4. LOVE the color of that smoothie! I’ve been on a PB and banana smoothie kick for the past few weeks but would love to try that and get a PINK smoothie :) Only dairy-free ice cream I eat is So Delicious coconut milk brand. I can’t handle real ice cream, but I really like the chocolate coconut milk kind!

  5. Ooh that looks yum! I think my favourite ice cream flavour would have to be the haagen daz pralines and cream or maybe peanut butter! :)

  6. Oh my gosh – LOVE that second photo! Is it sad that I have a hard time choosing between what I love more in your posts – your recipes or your pictures?! ;)

  7. Gina your recipe looks great and the photography is just sooooo pretty, too!!! Lovely!