Strawberry Cottage Cheese Smoothie (High Protein!)

5 from 1 vote

Creamy and high in protein (up to 31g), this strawberry cottage cheese smoothie is made with no added sugar—an easy, healthy breakfast or post-workout snack!

A glass of pink smoothie with a clear straw, surrounded by fresh strawberries and whole lemons. A striped cloth napkin and spoon are in the background on a light marble surface.

Start your day with this easy 3-ingredient healthy strawberry cottage cheese smoothie and enjoy a high-protein breakfast.

Why Is This Cottage Cheese Smoothie So Good?

  • 30g+ of protein: Depending on your cottage cheese and milk choice, it packs between 29–31 grams of protein.
  • No banana needed: Skip the banana and still get a naturally creamy texture.
  • Customizable sweetness: Add your favorite sweetener, or leave it out.
  • Simple ingredients: Just strawberries, cottage cheese, milk, and a few extras.
  • Totally flexible: Mix in chia seeds, nut butter, protein powder, or even greens.
  • Meal prep–friendly: Make it ahead and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

How to Make a Strawberry Cottage Cheese Smoothie

Watch the full video recipe to learn how to make this easy, creamy smoothie with cottage cheese and strawberries (no banana).

Prefer the written recipe? Scroll down to the recipe box 👇

Strawberry Cottage Cheese Smoothie Ingredient Notes

A top view of three bowls on a white surface. One contains strawberries, another has cottage cheese, and the third holds milk. Each bowl is labeled with text indicating its contents.
  • Strawberries: Use either fresh or frozen strawberries. Frozen will make your smoothie colder and thicker, while fresh gives a lighter, juicier texture.
  • Cottage Cheese: This is the secret ingredient that makes the smoothie creamy and full of protein. Use full-fat for a rich texture, or low-fat/fat-free for a lighter version.
  • Milk of Choice: Any milk works here—almond, oat, soy, coconut, regular dairy or even water for ligher version.

Got Extra Cottage Cheese? Try These Recipes:

If you’ve got extra cottage cheese in your fridge, here are a few more delicious ways to use it:

Pro Tips

I’ve made this healthy strawberry smoothie with cottage cheese more times than I can count, and these tips guarantee a foolproof result:

  • Use fresh strawberries for a lighter, juicier smoothie with a more vibrant flavor—especially when strawberries are in season, it’s the perfect way to enjoy them at their peak.
  • Use frozen strawberries for a thicker consistency without needing banana.
  • Blend thoroughly: Cottage cheese can be lumpy, so make sure to blend until completely smooth—at least 30–60 seconds.
  • Adjust sweetness at the end: Taste first before adding sweetener. Some strawberries are sweet enough on their own!
  • Want a thicker smoothie? Use less liquid, use frozen strawberries, add frozen banana, avocado, and a scoop of protein powder.

Trust me, this is one of those smoothie recipes my audience always loves—whether for a post-workout, weight loss meal, or just a quick breakfast on the go.

A glass jar filled with pink smoothie, covered by a wooden lid and clear straw, sits on a white surface. Strawberries are scattered around, and a lemon is placed in the background.

Substitutes and Variations

This strawberry cottage cheese smoothie is super flexible. Here are some fun and functional swaps:

  • No Cottage Cheese? Use Greek yogurt, ricotta, or silken tofu for a similar protein boost.
  • No Milk? Water works for a lighter version. You can also try plant-based options like oat milk, almond milk, or soy milk.
  • Low Sugar or Sugar-Free: Keep it plain or add stevia or monk fruit to keep it low-carb and sugar free.
  • Strawberry Swaps: No strawberries? Try blueberries, raspberries, mango, or a mix of frozen berries.
  • Add-ins: Toss in a scoop of protein powder, chia seeds, a spoonful of peanut butter, some flaxseeds, or even a handful of spinach for extra nutrients.

Delicious Add-Ins to Customize Your Smoothie

One of the best things about this strawberry cottage cheese smoothie is how easy it is to customize. Whether you’re looking to boost nutrition, add texture, or change the flavor profile, these healthy smoothie add-ins make it fun and functional. Here are some of my favorite ways to level it up:

  • Nut or Seed Butter: Add 1–2 tablespoons of almond butter, homemade peanut butter, or cashew butter for a richer, creamier smoothie and an extra 3–6g of protein. It also makes it more satisfying!
  • Chia Seeds or Flaxseeds: Toss in a teaspoon or two to boost fiber, omega-3s, and protein. Bonus: chia seeds help thicken the smoothie if you let it sit for a few minutes.
  • Protein Powder: Vanilla, strawberry, or unflavored protein powder works best here. One scoop adds around 15–20g of protein—perfect for turning this into a serious post-workout shake.
  • Hemp Seeds: Add 1–2 tablespoons of hemp hearts for a nutty taste and around 3g of protein per tablespoon.
  • Rolled Oats: Want a more filling, breakfast-style smoothie? Add 2–3 tablespoons of rolled oats. They’ll add fiber, some extra protein, and help thicken the drink.
  • Fresh Herbs or Spices: Try a few mint leaves, a touch of cinnamon, or a tiny piece of fresh ginger for extra freshness and flavor.

How to Store

This smoothie is best enjoyed fresh, but here are a few tips if you want to save it:

  • Fridge: Store in an airtight container or a mason jar for up to 24 hours. Shake or stir well before drinking.
  • Freezer: Not recommended—freezing changes the texture of dairy-based smoothies.
  • Meal Prep Tip: Blend everything ahead of time and store it in the fridge for your next post-workout snack or breakfast.
A glass of pink strawberry smoothie with a clear straw is surrounded by fresh strawberries and lemons on a light gray surface. A few scattered strawberries and two whole lemons add a colorful contrast.
A glass of pink strawberry smoothie with a clear straw is surrounded by fresh strawberries and lemons on a light surface.

Strawberry Cottage Cheese Smoothie

This strawberry cottage cheese smoothie is creamy, protein-packed, and perfect for breakfast or post-workout—ready in minutes and no banana needed
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 1
Calories 246 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup (150 g) Strawberries fresh or frozen
  • 1 cup (225 g) Cottage cheese
  • ¼ cup (60) Milk of choice (see notes)
  • 1-2 teaspoons Sweetener of your choice optional
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract optional

Instructions
 

  • Prepare your ingredients: If using fresh strawberries, remove the stems and rinse them. For frozen strawberries, no need to thaw—just toss them in.
  • Blend: Add strawberries, cottage cheese, milk, vanilla extract (if using), and sweetener (if using) to a blender.
  • Process until smooth: Blend on high speed for about 30–60 seconds, or until completely smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides if needed.
  • Taste and adjust: Taste your smoothie. Add a little more sweetener or a splash of milk to thin it out if desired.
  • Serve: Pour into a glass and enjoy right away while it’s cold and fresh.

Video

Notes

Milk options: Use any milk you like—dairy, almond, oat, soy, or coconut. For a lighter version, water also works well.
Cottage cheese: Any type (full-fat, low-fat, or fat-free) works. You can also use Greek yogurt, ricotta, or silken tofu as a substitute.
Sweetener: I prefer my smoothie sugar-free, but you can sweeten it with 1–2 tsp of honey, maple syrup, agave, stevia, or date syrup.
Mix-ins: Customize your cottage cheese smoothie with vanilla extract, chia seeds, mint leaves, nut butter, flaxseeds, or a scoop of protein powder.
Storage: Best fresh, but can be stored in the fridge (airtight container) for up to 24 hours. Shake before drinking.
Serving size: This recipe makes one large glass of smoothie or 2 medium glases. 
Consistency: This smoothie is pretty thin and drinkable, if you prefer a thick smoothie, use frozen strawberries, use less liquids or add a frozen banana.

Nutrition

Calories: 246kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 31gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 942mgPotassium: 514mgFiber: 3gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 226IUVitamin C: 85mgCalcium: 236mgIron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically generated and thus we can not guarantee it is 100% accurate.
Keyword high-protein

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen strawberries in a cottage cheese smoothie?

Yes! Frozen strawberries work perfectly and help create a thicker texture without needing a banana.

What can I substitute for cottage cheese in a strawberry smoothie?

You can use Greek yogurt, ricotta cheese, or silken tofu for similar creaminess and protein.

Is this a good smoothie for weight loss?

Definitely. It’s high in protein, low in sugar, and very filling—making it great for weight loss or post-workout recovery.

Is this a low sugar strawberry smoothie?

Yes, this smoothie is naturally low in sugar and can be made sugar-free by skipping sweeteners or using options like stevia.

2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Brilliant recipe! can I use blueberries instead of strawberries?

    April 14, 2025
    1. Yes, you can. Same amount.

      April 14, 2025
5 from 1 vote

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