Drinking smoothies can be a delightful and nutritious part of your daily routine. For many, finding ways to streamline the smoothie-making process, especially during a hectic morning, can be a game-changer.
One effective method is to prep smoothie ingredients ahead of time and freeze them. This not only saves time but also ensures you have a refreshing and cold smoothie at a moment's notice.
But with various options available, from glass to plastic and silicone, selecting the right containers for freezing smoothie ingredients becomes crucial.
Let's explore how to meal prep smoothies effectively and rank different types of containers based on their utility, durability, and environmental impact.
How to Meal Prep Smoothies
Meal-prepping smoothies involve selecting your preferred fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, and add-ins, then portioning and storing them in the freezer until you're ready to blend.
The key to effective smoothie prep is organizing ingredients into single-serving portions, making it easy to grab, blend, and go.
It’s all about convenience and finding ways to cut down on the effort it takes to wash and chop ingredients. This approach not only simplifies your morning routine but also minimizes waste by preserving the freshness of your ingredients.
Want a run-down on everything that goes into making the perfect smoothie?
Check out our How to Make a Smoothie Guide.
Why You Should Freeze Ingredients
While storing fresh smoothie ingredients in the fridge is an option, freezing them offers distinct advantages. Freezing extends the shelf life of your ingredients, reducing food waste and saving money in the long run.
Moreover, using frozen ingredients directly in your smoothies contributes to a thicker, more satisfying texture and ensures your drink remains cold and refreshing without the need for additional ice, which can dilute the flavor.
The Best Options for Making Smoothie Packs
When it comes to storing smoothie ingredients in the freezer, the ideal container should be durable, air-tight, and environmentally friendly. Here’s how different storage options rank:
Silicone
Silicone bags or trays are the top choice for freezing smoothie ingredients. They're reusable, flexible, and seal tightly, keeping air out and preventing freezer burn.
Silicone is also microwave and dishwasher-safe, making it a versatile, convenient, and sustainable option for smoothie prep.
Smootheeze freezer trays
We love smoothies and weren’t satisfied with the storage containers available in the market. So we created what we feel is the best option for freezing smoothie ingredients. Check out the Easy Freeze Banana Tray along with the 1/2 cup Smoothie Cube Freezer Trays.
- Easily freeze a single banana so you don’t end up with one big sticky mess when you want to make a smoothie.
- Use the Smoothie Cube tray to freeze any ingredient you can think of in 1/2-cup portions.
- The 100% silicone trays eliminate single-use plastic from your smoothie routine.
- The air-tight lid keeps out ice crystals and freezer burn.
- The low profile and uniform size makes for easy stacking and storing in your freezer.
- We use high-quality silicone safe for food that can last decades with proper care.
Silicone Bags
Reusable silicone bags are another option great for storing a wide variety of food and leftovers.
- They also reduce the need for single-use plastic and are well-suited to making custom smoothie packs.
- The biggest downside compared to Smootheeze is that they don’t store neatly in the freezer.
- Plus, you’ll need to purchase a lot of them to prepare as many recipe variations as you can with Smootheeze.
- There are a lot of options out there with questionable quality. Be sure to do your research to find food-safe products that don’t have dangerous fillers.
Glass
Glass containers are another excellent sustainable container choice but are best for freezing prepared smoothies as opposed to ingredients. The main reason is that it's quite difficult to remove frozen ingredients from a glass container. You'll need to let it thaw first which takes extra time–and who has that? They also don't absorb odors or colors, ensuring your prepared smoothies remain fresh and uncontaminated.
- When using glass jars and containers, you have to be mindful of how full you fill them. Overfill them and the glass will break when the liquids freeze and expand.
- They are difficult to organize in the freezer since some don’t stack neatly and are prone to breaking if they collide with other objects.
While glass is heavier and can be prone to breaking, it's an eco-friendly alternative to plastic that's also easy to clean and maintain. Go for mason jars with metal lids for a completely plastic-free option.
Plastic Containers
If you search for freezer containers on Amazon, you’ll find a plethora of items that include plastic. There are a few issues that make this less-than-ideal:
- Glass containers with locking plastic lids are still a no-go for environmental and durability reasons.
- Many silicone freezer trays come with plastic lids as well. The issue is that all plastic parts will eventually crack or break apart.
Plastic tupperware-style containers are lightweight and reusable, making them a popular choice for freezing smoothie ingredients. While they are better than single-use items, plastic containers have a shorter life span than silicone or glass.
Plastic will weaken and break down over a few years. Especially with prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, plastic will crack and become useless.
When going with plastic, it's essential to choose BPA-free containers to avoid potential chemical leaching. Although not as sustainable as glass or silicone, they're a practical option for those on a budget.
Single-Use Plastic Bags and Wraps
While convenient, single-use plastic bags and wraps are the least favorable option due to their environmental impact. They can be useful for those in a pinch but try to opt for reusable alternatives whenever possible.
Can You Freeze Finished Smoothies?
Yes, freezing finished smoothies is another excellent way to prep in advance. Pour your blended smoothie into tumblers or jars, then freeze. This method is perfect for those who want to take a smoothie on the go.
Remove them from the freezer and put them in the refrigerator the night before so your smoothie is ready to drink in the morning. You can also take them directly from the freezer with you to work for a still-cold lunch or snack.
Here’s another make-ahead smoothie hack. Streamline prep and batch prep smoothies by blending up whole recipes ahead of time and portioning them out into individual servings.
- Follow your favorite smoothie recipe but double or triple the amounts
- Combine all of the fresh ingredients and add-ins in a blender
- Add just enough water to ensure everything blends together smoothly
- Divide the mixture equally among containers like our Smootheeze trays
- Freeze until you’re ready to drink a smoothie
- Pop out one serving (about 1-2 cups) into your blender with 1 cup of your liquid base of choice. Blend and enjoy
Ready to blend up some magic?
Check out The Ultimate Collection of Timeless Smoothie Recipes
and take your smoothie game to the next level!
Smootheeze Outranks the Competition
Choosing the right containers for freezing smoothie ingredients not only makes meal prep easier but also contributes to a better smoothie experience. By selecting durable, air-tight, and environmentally friendly options, you can enjoy delicious, nutritious smoothies any day of the week with minimal effort.
We might be a little biased in ranking Smootheeze at the top, but our products were created out of necessity.
We went in search of the best container to freeze our smoothie ingredients and couldn’t find it. So we made our silicone freezer trays to create a hassle-free experience to prep smoothies that prioritizes ease and convenience without sacrificing sustainability.
Happy blending!
Explore More Smoothie-Making Tips
- To Freeze or Not to Freeze Smoothie Ingredients, That is the Question
- Breakdown of My Favorite Liquid Bases for Smoothies
- I Discovered the Easiest Way to Freeze Bananas
- How to Make Deliciously Thick and Creamy Smoothies
- Here’s How I Choose the Best Fruits for Smoothies
- Here’s My Easy Trick for Including More Leafy Greens in Smoothies
