Pear Smoothie with Vanilla, Honey, and Lime Zest
A refreshing pear smoothie prepared with kefir, lightly sweetened with honey, and a touch of lime zest for brightness.
Fall is full of so many wonderful foods, but there is one that I just can’t live without at this time of year. This simple pear smoothie takes full advantage of my favorite fall fruit: Bartlett pears!
They are my absolute favorite snack and I can easily eat three or four of them in a day. I pick up one or two of those Trader Joe’s bags (the organic ones are such a steal and at least, in my experience, always reliable!) every single week, and am always left wanting more.
I have a confession. With the exception of a pear frangipane tart or this spiced almond pear cake, I generally prefer pears in fresh form.
They taste wonderful when enjoyed fresh and shine particularly well in this healthy and filling pear smoothie!
Hopefully you’re not opposed to drinking smoothies in the fall!
This smoothie is kept simple with just a few ingredients. Kefir is my all-time favorite dairy choice for smoothies! It has the tartness and tang of yogurt, but offers a much thinner consistency, making it perfect for blending. It is available in most grocery stores, but feel free to substitute it with plain yogurt (and a splash of water) if you prefer.
A drizzle of honey adds sweetness and the lime zest adds brightness! To up the health factor, I like to add hulled raw hemp seeds to almost all of my smoothies. They are almost indistinguishable in taste, but full of protein and omega fatty acids.
Pear Smoothie with Vanilla, Honey, and Lime Zest
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup (240 mL) kefir or substitute with yogurt
- 1 large ripe Bartlett pear cored and cut into large chunks
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
- 1 teaspoon pure honey
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- zest ½ lime
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in the container of a high-powered blender, such as a Vitamix. Blend until very smooth. Serve.
33 Comments on “Pear Smoothie with Vanilla, Honey, and Lime Zest”
Oh my I was skeptical but it was sublime! Used my homemade kefir and a lemon instead as I had no lime.. Way better than my usual berry and banana!!
Wow! The combination of pear and lime is like a new fruit! So good and not too sweet! Definitely adding this to my smoothie recipes.
We’re in deep Fall here, but I still crave a smoothie every day–especially after a sweaty workout. I love frozen pears in place of bananas as the thickening agent in smoothies. The vanilla and lime in yours sounds so delicious. I’m a pears raw-only girl for the most part too 😉
I recently just taste-tested the pears at our local market when the produce guy saw me spending WAY too much time trying to pick our pears. The winner? Bartlett pears – definitely.
This smoothie sounds like the most delicious of desserts in healthy form. I can picture every flavor note and now I’m salivating.
I’m actually not usually a big fan of pears (it’s a texture thing) but maybe smoothies would help abolish my aversion. I think so.
I think so too! 🙂
Yum! I haven’t seen a smoothie with fresh pears before and looooove the looks of this. Definitely need to try. I’m crazy for Bartlett pears too!
Kefir or yogurt are very healthy and so packed with flavors. This is a delicious smoothie!
This smoothie looks like heaven. I can’t wait to give this a try. Thanks for sharing this
Well this looks delicious. I have yet to make a pear smoothie this fall, but this may be my first! Yum 🙂
I love pears! Though I’m not always that fond of them in baked goods either… They turn so mushy most of the time 🙁 And I always find it so hard to come up with nice smoothies during the colder months – what a great recipe!
Right?! I am so glad I am not alone in this! I have a hard time coming up with winter smoothies too, but now I’m determined to share more of them. Thanks Nora!
I can’t get enough pears this time of year! Although, I must say, I like them in any way, shape or form. I even will (gasp) eat them from the can. I know, it’s horrible, but sometimes its the only option when they aren’t in season! (At least that’s what I tell myself.) Love this smoothie!
Ok, I’m totally guilty of doing that on occasion too. I used to love those! I DO love poached pears!
It’s been a while since I made a smoothie. Maybe it’s because I left my blender when I was moving :(. Do you think I can make this in my food processor?
Smoothies are a year round deal as far as I am concerned. Just like soup. You just fit the drink or soup to the season. I love pears too. This is the perfect time of year to get the good ones. This looks delish!
I totally agree with you! 🙂 Thanks Carol!
Mmm the flavors in here sound absolutely perfect for a smoothie!!
Thank you!
Kefir is my favorite! I used to drink the strawberry all by itself. I had no idea TJ’s was a mecca for bartlett pears. Seems like I need to journey over now…
I can drink it all by itself too! I love it! Thanks Sarah!
Beautiful pears! Lucky for me, I am a huge fan of anything with pears and would love to start the day with this smoothie. I love that you added hemp seeds too!
Thanks Ashley!! Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!
Ohhhhh the pears. So dang good! I also buy several bags at TJ’s, and I juice them. So good!
Oooh! Fresh pear juice! That sounds amazing!
Oh wow. These look heavenly. I just bought a bunch of bartletts yesterday!
Nice!! Thanks Erica!
Pretty sure it was fate that made me buy a giant bag of Barltetts yesterday! I also really puzzled as to why I have never added pears to my smoothies yet. This needs to happen tomorrow morning!
Oh yay! I hadn’t before this one either! What the heck?!
Smoothie perfection! The kefir and pear combination is brilliant. Added to my to-do list: 1) buy pears, 2) make smoothie.
Thanks Lindsey!!! I don’t know why I haven’t put pears in my smoothies before now!
So I have a confession, I am not huge on pairs. I know, I am sorry, BUT I have to say that your pairs look kind of delicious. Maybe I am not trying the right varieties?? Regardless, this healthy smooth look great!
Get Bartletts! They are the best.