From the roundup: 12 Easy Non Alcoholic Drink Recipes: Mocktails, Smoothies, and Lemonades

This pineapple turmeric smoothie is one of the few things I make on a weekday morning that actually keeps me full until lunch. Frozen pineapple, banana, a spoonful of yogurt, and a teaspoon of turmeric go into the blender, and two minutes later it is done. No cooking, no waiting, no dishes beyond the blender jar.

The turmeric does two things: it turns the whole drink a deep golden color, and it adds a subtle earthy note that makes this taste less like a standard fruit smoothie. You will not taste the black pepper at all, but it is worth adding because it helps your body actually absorb the turmeric. One thing I learned the hard way: open the turmeric over the sink, not over your light-colored countertop. That stuff stains fast.

This makes two generous servings, so it works well if you have a kid who will drink a smoothie for breakfast or if you want one now and one in a jar for a few hours later. Drink it fresh if you can, the color and texture are both best right out of the blender.

Why you will love this

Ready in five minutes flat, start to finish, with zero cooking
Filling enough to count as breakfast thanks to the banana, yogurt, and coconut water together
The turmeric and black pepper combo is intentional: the pepper helps absorption and you truly cannot taste it
Easily dairy-free with one simple yogurt swap, no other changes needed
Frozen pineapple means you can make this any time of year without worrying about ripe fruit

Tips for success

Put the liquid in first: adding the coconut water and yogurt to the blender before the frozen fruit helps the blades pull everything down and keeps the motor from straining.
Wear an apron before you open the turmeric. It stains fabric, plastic blender lids, and grout permanently. Keep a damp cloth right next to the blender and wipe spills before they dry.
Taste before you add honey. Pineapple varies a lot in sweetness depending on the brand and how long it has been frozen. Many batches need no sweetener at all, so taste first.
Do not let it sit more than about 20 minutes before drinking. The banana starts to oxidize and the texture thins out as it warms. Pour it fresh and drink it soon.

Common questions

Can I use fresh pineapple instead of frozen? Yes, but add a handful of ice cubes to keep it thick and cold.
My smoothie came out watery: the yogurt is doing a lot of the thickening work here, so make sure you are measuring a full half cup and not skimping.
Can kids drink this? Mine do, though I skip the turmeric in their portion if they are going through a phase of refusing anything that looks different.
No coconut water on hand: plain water or unsweetened almond milk both work, the flavor will be slightly less tropical but the texture holds up fine.

Substitutions

For a fully dairy-free or vegan version, swap the plain yogurt for coconut yogurt in the same amount. It blends smoothly and keeps the creamy texture. If you do not have coconut water, plain water or unsweetened almond milk are fine substitutes. The banana adds most of the sweetness and body here, but if you are out, half a ripe avocado will give you a creamy texture without the sweetness.

If you do not have ground turmeric, just leave it out rather than substituting something else. The smoothie is still good without it, just less interesting. Fresh ginger, about a half-inch piece, is a nice addition if you want a little more warmth alongside the turmeric.

Make-ahead and storage

The easiest prep-ahead move is to portion the frozen pineapple, banana pieces, turmeric, and black pepper into individual zip-top freezer bags and keep them in the freezer for up to three months. On a busy morning, dump one bag into the blender, add the coconut water and yogurt, and blend. That is genuinely all the prep you have to do.

If you have leftover blended smoothie, seal it in a jar and refrigerate for up to 12 hours. Shake it well before drinking because it separates as it sits. The color will dull a bit and the texture will thin slightly, but it is still worth drinking. I would not try to freeze the blended smoothie, the texture gets grainy once it thaws.

Brittany Stage