Edamame Adds A Protein Punch To Smoothies Without Altering The Flavor

Smoothies are nutritious, refreshing, and full of flavor. The only downside is that they are not always satisfying enough to hold you over from one meal to the next. Many people have tried to remedy this shortcoming with the addition of protein powder; however, these powders often have a strong flavor, like chocolate or vanilla, and can even leave behind a silty texture on your tongue. If you want to give your smoothies a filling boost of protein without impacting their taste, consider using edamame instead.

Edamame is a protein powerhouse. One cup of these beans contains about 18 grams of protein, which equates to more than a third of the daily suggested protein intake. They also have an entire day's worth of folate, a vitamin which helps transform carbohydrates into energy. Overall, they are a great ingredient for helping to turn smoothies into high-quality fuel. As an added plus, they also blend well into smoothies, adding thickness without much other texture. While they do have a slightly vegetal flavor, it is extremely mild. In combination with other smoothie ingredients, it's unlikely you will be able to taste that it is in the drink at all.

Blending edamame into your smoothie is very straightforward. You can either buy edamame pods and shell them or purchase pre-shelled edamame for added convenience. For a single serving smoothie, we recommend adding between ⅓ to ½ of a cup of beans along with your other solid ingredients. Next, add your liquid and blend until fully combined and smooth. It is worth noting that if you are adding edamame to an existing recipe, you may want to reduce the measurements of the other solid ingredients or increase the measurements of liquid ingredients included in order to maintain a drinkable consistency.

Considering its neutral flavor, edamame can work well in a wide variety of smoothie recipes. We recommend starting out by incorporating it into smoothies that already contain many fruits or vegetables, such as this avocado blueberry smoothie or a green smoothie. If you like what it brings to the table, you can then progress to adding it in more creative ways and with more unusual flavors. If you are not able to eat soy, don't worry — we have plenty of other protein-boosting tips for you. Check out these other ways to add beans to smoothies.