I love drinking pretty things.
Fancy co*cktails, cappuccinos with foam art, and bright green matcha lattes – I’m a sucker for them all.
And this blueberry kefir? It definitely falls into the pretty category with its soft, almost violet color.
But unlike those other drinks listed above, this one is easy and inexpensive to make at home.
In fact, all you need are three ingredients: homemade kefir, frozen blueberries, and a little sweetener. That’s it!
For those who aren’t already familiar, kefir is a fermented milk drink that’s packed full of beneficial probiotics.
From helping with anxiety and depression to aiding weight loss and helping to alleviate digestive issues, probiotics are beneficial bacteria that live in our guts, yet they can have beneficial effects throughout the body.
While yogurt is another good source of probiotics, kefir is actually a more potent source as it has a higher total number and diversity of probiotics.
As with other milk-based products, it is an excellent source of calcium and vitamin K, both of which play essential roles in keeping our bones healthy and protecting against loss of bone mass.
However, because it’s fermented, it doesn’t have the same amount of lactose as regular milk and may be tolerated by those with mild or moderate lactose intolerance.
So, what does it taste like?
In terms of texture, this is a drink that is thicker than milk, yet thinner than yogurt.
Flavor-wise, it has a similar tanginess to yogurt. While that tang works when added to smoothies or substituted for buttermilk, to drink it on its own, I prefer a little added flavor.
Unlike store bought options that are packed full of sugar, thickeners and other ingredients, this homemade blueberry version gives you full control over how much sugar is added.
If you like the tang of this fermented beverage, you can skip adding the ¼ cup of sugar, or simply reduce it to 1 or 2 tablespoons.
And speaking of blueberries, they add another nutritional punch thanks to their impressive amount of disease-fighting antioxidants.
If you don’t have a few jars full of the homemade stuff already in your fridge, be sure to check out our helpful tutorial How to Make Homemade Kefir first for all the tips, tricks, and necessary steps for making your own.
Briefly, you’ll need to combine 1 tablespoon of live kefir grains with 4 cups of whole milk in a glass jar and let it ferment for 24 hours. Strain out the starter grains and you have your homemade probiotic-rich fermented milk beverage, ready to be blueberry-ized!
Of course, you don’t have to limit yourself to just blueberry! Feel free to use any type of frozen fruit that’s in your freezer. Personally, I think frozen cherries would be perfect for the summer – plus, talk about a pretty colored beverage!
Fresh fruit also makes a delicious addition to this beverage in a variety of flavors, depending on whatever’s currently available at your grocery store or farmers market.
To make these meal-prep friendly, store individual servings in resealable jars that you can grab on your way out the door in the morning. This way, there’s no waking up your family or roommates with the sound of a blender.
For a balanced meal, pair a cup of this tasty fermented beverage with a handful of nuts. Again, this is super easy to prep the night before.
This recipe is so easy, made with minimal ingredients, and it can be prepared ahead of time. There’s no more need to spend money on a bottle of the premade stuff from the store!
Homemade Blueberry Kefir
- Author: Kelli McGrane
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Healthier than store bought, this three-ingredient homemade blueberry kefir is rich in probiotics and makes for a healthy snack or breakfast.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups homemade kefir
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar, or sweetener of choice
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour into four individual-sized or two pint-sized containers and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Probiotic
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: Beverage
Keywords: kefir, blueberry, smoothie
Cooking By the Numbers…
Step 1 – Measure Ingredients
Measure out all of your ingredients.
Fresh blueberries can be used in place of frozen, but note that the resulting beverage won’t be as thick.
Step 2 – Blend
Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth.
Step 3 – Enjoy or Store
Pour into two pint-sized or four individual containers and enjoy immediately, or store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Before drinking, just give the drink a little shake if it looks like it has separated.
Substitute Kefir in Your Favorite Smoothie Recipes
If you think this recipe sounds a lot like a smoothie, I’d have to admit that you’re definitely onto something.
Once you’ve started making your own kefir, you’ll find your fridge can fill up fast with jars of it.
While making this recipe is one possible use, another easy way to enjoy it is by substituting it for milk or yogurt in your favorite smoothie recipes.
You’re already halfway there with the fermented drink and blended fruit. Why not add some kale, spirulina, and maybe a little ice as well?
Tired of the same old combinations? Here are a few Foodal favoritesto try out this nutritious smoothie substitution:
- Easy and Healthy Chocolate Banana Smoothie
- The Best Blueberry Orange Banana Smoothie
- Strawberry Mango Smoothie
- Chocolate Banana Kefir Smoothie
Have you made your own flavored kefir? We’d love to hear your flavor ideas! Share in the comments below, and make sure give this recipe a five-star review after you’ve tried it to let other readers know how much you loved it!
Photos by Kelli McGrane, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Originally published by Shanna Mallon on April 20, 2012. Last updated: December 27, 2022 at 12:07 pm.
Nutritional information derived from a database of known generic and branded foods and ingredients and was not compiled by a registered dietitian or submitted for lab testing. It should be viewed as an approximation.
The written contents of this article have been reviewed and verified by a registered dietitian for informational purposes only. This article should not be construed as personalized or professional medical advice. Foodal and Ask the Experts, LLC assume no liability for the use or misuse of the material presented above. Always consult with a medical professional before changing your diet, or using supplements or manufactured or natural medications.
About Kelli McGrane, MS, RD
Kelli McGrane is a Denver-based registered dietitian with a lifelong love of food. She holds undergraduate and master’s degrees in nutrition science from Boston University. As a registered dietitian, she believes in the importance of food to nourish not only your body, but your soul as well. Nutrition is very personal, and you won’t find any food rules here, other than to simply enjoy what you eat.
