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This Strawberry Kefir Shake is super thick – almost a soft serve consistency! Using frozen berries or fruit as part of the ice gives it a great texture without being bland and icy. Use this recipe as the perfect kefir shake base for all kinds of flavor creations! In the recipe notes you’ll find out how to make this shake a THM S (low carb), THM E (low fat), or THM Fuel Pull (low carb and low fat).
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The perks
- This strawberry kefir shake is tart from the kefir with lots of fresh strawberry flavor!
- It’s super refreshing – bring on your worst, Summer!
- This shake is great on its own as a light meal or snack, but it would also be an excellent way to round out a THM E meal and fill you up! Protein, bulk from all the liquid/ice, and glucomannan (if you choose to add it) will all help with this.
Kefir and how it affects nutrition and THM fuel types
The type of kefir you use will determine the fuel type of the shake base.
- Double fermented low fat kefir = THM Fuel Pull
- Double fermented full fat kefir = THM S
- Regular single fermented low fat kefir (like most store bought kefir) that has not been double fermented will give you a THM E.
CLICK HERE to find out more about double fermenting kefir. Double fermentation basically just reduces the carbs in the kefir.
The nutrition and allergy info in the recipe are for the basic recipe without add-ins, but since it’s so hard to quantify how much fermentation affects the carb count of the kefir (especially if you double ferment your kefir), I’ve just used the nutrition info from low fat store bought single fermented kefir (the THM E option) in my calculations. The actual carb counts are likely much lower, especially if you double ferment your kefir. Serene uses 2 cups of double fermented kefir in the Yuck Yum Bitty recipe in Trim Healthy Table, so my basic kefir shake recipe falls well within THM S/FP guidelines.
Here are two articles on the subject that you may want to check out:
The pictures in this post are of the basic Fuel Pull strawberry recipe without add-ins.
Flavor suggestions
This is a great basic kefir shake recipe that can be modified to make so many flavors!
- Raspberries would be a great Fuel Pull option to replace the strawberries.
- Fruits like mango, peaches, or cherries are great for a THM E shake!
- Combinations like strawberry pineapple, strawberry banana, and strawberry mango would also be great THM E options.
NOTE: You may need to adjust the sweetener up or down depending on the sweetness of the fruit or berries you’re using.
Keep it frozen!
I’ve tried using fresh strawberries in this shake instead of frozen, but the texture isn’t right. Do yourself a favor and use frozen berries or fruit! That’s the secret to giving this shake such a great thick texture without being bland and icy!
It’s like having soft serve ice cream for lunch, and y’all know I’m all about that.
Invest in a good blender
A good blender really makes all the difference in a good shake. I love my Vitamix blender! It comes with a tamper that really comes in handy when making this strawberry kefir shake, since the shake is so thick.
Mango kefir shake for two
I made a double batch of this shake using frozen mango chunks instead of strawberries for my husband and me to share for lunch one day. It was absolutely delicious! I didn’t add any glucomannan, and I used 1/4 teaspoon of THM Pure Stevia Extract Powder and no Sweet Blend for sweetening since mango is sweeter than strawberries are.
Making a larger batch works just fine and is perfect for sharing! You can use basically any fruit or berries as long as they’re frozen. (The fuel type may change depending on what you use.) Leaving the glucomannan out works fine in this shake since it’s so thick and creamy already.
This version was a THM E because I used fruit instead of berries, even though I used double fermented low fat kefir (the Fuel Pull kefir option).
You may also enjoy:
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STARTING THM
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MY RECIPE INDEX
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RECIPE INDEX BY FUEL TYPE/ALLERGY/THEME
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Strawberry Frozen Kefir
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Sweet Cherry Kefir Shake
Strawberry Kefir Shake
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 3 cups (1 serving)
Description
This Strawberry Kefir Shake is super thick – almost a soft serve consistency! Using frozen berries or fruit as part of the ice gives it a great texture without being bland and icy. Use this recipe as the perfect kefir shake base for all kinds of flavor creations! In the notes below you’ll find out how to make this shake a THM S (low carb), THM E (low fat), or THM Fuel Pull (low carb and low fat).
Ingredients
Basic THM Fuel Pull Strawberry Kefir Shake:
- 1 cup plain double fermented low fat milk kefir
- 1 cup frozen sliced strawberries
- 6 ice cubes (to desired thickness)
- ½ teaspoon THM Super Sweet Blend
- 1/8 teaspoon THM Pure Stevia Extract Powder
- Pinch of salt (to bring out the sweetness)
- ½ teaspoon glucomannan (scant) optional
Optional additions (to taste):
- spinach (FP)
- cream cheese (S)
- sugar free chocolate chips or 85% dark chocolate (S)
- cocoa powder (FP)
- natural peanut butter (S)
- defatted peanut flour (FP)
- cardamom (FP)
- almond extract (FP)
- fresh strawberry chunks (FP)
- collagen for extra protein (FP)
- squirt of Reddi-wip on top (FP)
Instructions
- Add all the strawberry kefir shake ingredients to a blender, adding the glucomannan right before blending so it doesn’t clump. Blend until smooth. Let the shake sit in the blender for 30 seconds, then blend again to get an even nicer consistency. I use a Vitamix blender and a tamper to make this shake because it’s pretty thick. A good blender makes all the difference for a good shake!
- Feel free to adjust the sweetness and thickness of the shake as desired. The combination of Sweet Blend and stevia was perfect for me, but a lot of people like more sweetener than I do. The shake is almost a soft serve consistency, so you can leave out some of the ice if you want a thinner shake.
Notes
Additions: leave the shake plain or jazz it up with some of the additions listed. Some additions should be blended in completely (like spinach or cocoa powder) while others (like strawberry or chocolate chunks) might be better just pulsed a few times to get the texture you want. Check out the kefir note to find out how the type of kefir you use will affect the THM fuel type of the shake base. Fuel Pull additions can be added to any type of shake base. S additions can be added to an S or FP base. If you add an S addition to the Fuel Pull shake base, the shake will become an S. Adding S additions (fats) to an E (carbs) shake base will give you a THM Crossover.
Kefir: the type of kefir you use determines the fuel type of the shake base. Double fermented low fat kefir will give you a THM Fuel Pull. Double fermented full fat kefir will give you a THM S. Regular single fermented low fat kefir (like most store bought kefir) that has not been double fermented will give you a THM E. CLICK HERE to find out more about double fermenting kefir. It basically just reduces the carbs in the kefir.
Berries/fruit: the strawberries (or whatever berries or fruit you choose to use) need to be frozen. This is what gives the shake such a great thick texture without being bland and icy!
Sweetener: feel free to use your favorite low glycemic sweetener to taste in place of the THM Super Sweet Blend and THM Pure Stevia Extract Powder. I find that stevia pairs well with the flavors of fruit/berries and kefir and it’s very economical because it’s so super concentrated!
Glucomannan: I’ve tried this shake with and without glucomannan and it’s good both ways. Glucomannan adds thickness and creaminess and also makes you feel full longer. This shake is plenty thick on its own without the glucomannan so it’s not absolutely necessary in this recipe. Xanthan gum can typically be substituted for glucomannan in equal amounts.
This is a great basic kefir shake recipe! Raspberries would be a great Fuel Pull option to replace the strawberries. Fruits like mango, peaches, or cherries are great for a THM E shake! Combinations like strawberry pineapple, strawberry banana, and strawberry mango would also be great THM E options. You may need to adjust the sweetener up or down depending on the sweetness of the fruit or berries you’re using.
Allergy info: (for shake without add-ins) gluten free, egg free, nut free
The nutrition info is calculated for the basic recipe without add-ins, but since it’s so hard to quantify how much fermentation affects the carb count of the kefir (especially if you double ferment your kefir), I’ve just used the nutrition info from low fat store bought single fermented kefir (the THM E option) in my calculations. The actual carb counts are likely much lower, especially if you double ferment your kefir. Serene uses 2 cups of double fermented kefir in the Yuck Yum Bitty recipe in Trim Healthy Table, so my basic kefir shake recipe above falls well within THM S/FP guidelines.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Category: shake
- Method: blender
- Cuisine: THM S (low carb), THM E (low fat), and THM Fuel Pull (low carb and low fat) options, sugar free
Keywords: trim healthy mama, gluten free, egg free, nut free, easy, double fermented, 5 ingredient, no special ingredients
You can pin this recipe here:
This was great! I used a combo of frozen strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries. Added the almond extract. Perfect.
★★★★★
Such a great FP with a thick texture, a little tart but still has sweetness!! It is like eating soft serve ice cream!! Love it!!
★★★★★
I made this tonight with homemade lowfat kefir, fresh spinach, frozen mixed berries, and the remaining ingredients including the gluccie! WOW! Delicious! Thank you so much!
★★★★★
This was a fabulous FP addition to an S meal that needed a little more and my body was craving fruit. I made the base recipe and added in a Tlb. Baobab in a half a teaspoon of maca powder. Delicious and refreshing!!
★★★★★
Wow!!! This is excellent. I’ve been making strawberry kefir smoothies but yours is even better!
★★★★★
I have been making the strawberry Kiefer shakes. Delicious! My two year old gr granddaughter loved it..drank half of it.😆😆 I agree what Debbie says about the tangy taste. Love it.
I have your two cook books. Thank you for sharing your recipes.
This is delicious!! I’d read about and seen recipes using Kefir but never tried it. Saw this recipe and decided to give it a try. Followed the recipe as written. So creamy and the slight tangy taste is a welcome change from my usual sweet shakes. Thanks for sharing.
This is so good! I used Clementines, more sweetener, pinch Celtic sea salt, T. Vanilla protein and T. baobab. Tasted like an orange Julius.
★★★★★
That sounds delicious!
Excellent recipe. Thank you! I added some cocoa to my strawberry kefir shake…hit the spot!
★★★★★
Yay! So glad you liked it!
Thank you for this recipe! perfect timing, as I just started using/making kefir this week after a friend gifted me with some starter. I’m new at this….. but excited to incorporate it into my diet!
You bet! I hope you enjoy it!
You do such beautiful photography with all your posts, Briana! It makes everything look so appetizing and inviting! I just wanted to say that I appreciate all you do and the effort and energy your pour into it. Your labors are not in vain in the Lord!
Thank you so much, Cheryl!
I just bought kefir for the first time today (usually the stores here only have the sugary kind but today Aldi had plain low fat! Yay!) so the timing if this recipe is perfect! Can’t wait to try it!