This Tropical Papaya Detox Smoothie is made with ripe, juicy papaya and blended with frozen mango, pineapple, coconut shavings, and turmeric powder. It’s a delicious antioxidant-rich smoothie that’s vegan and naturally gluten-free!
If you love papaya, you’ll definitely want to check out my Moringa Papaya Smoothie or No-Churn Papaya Ice Cream next! For more health-enhancing drinks try this Spirulina Smoothie or Adrenal Boosting Drink next!
The Smoothie Series continues with this Tropical Papaya Detox Smoothie! It is peak papaya season which means this beautiful, large, juicy fruit will start showing up more at your local farmers market and grocery store.
Are you wondering what goes well with papaya in a smoothie? Smoothies are typically prepared with dairy but this dairy-free beverage manages to be just as creamy and filling with the inclusion of coconut milk. Skip the refined sugar and additives and opt for a natural sweetener like dates.
What is Papaya?
Papaya is a tropical fruit apart of the Caricaceae plant family. The outside of papaya is green when unripe and turns yellowish-red when it is ripe and ready to be eaten raw. It is important to note that unripe papaya should not be consumed raw and is best used for cooking.
Papaya Smoothie Benefits
Papaya has numerous health benefits. Not only is it juicy and delicious, but it is incredibly nutritious as well.
- An antioxidant powerhouse! It helps to reduce oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, lower disease risk in the body, and lower LDL “bad” cholesterol levels.
- Loaded with Vitamin C and Lycopene, which help improve heart health, boost the immune system, and is also amazing for your skin, reducing signs of aging.
- High in Fiber and helps to improve digestion and relieve constipation.
Coupled with ground turmeric, this smoothie is a robust antioxidant-rich smoothie that is out of this world! Turmeric is also lauded for its high nutritional value! It has quickly become my favorite spice to use and for good reason! Turmeric reduces oxidative stress, improves brain function, lowers the risk of heart disease, and reduces inflammation.
When is a Papaya Ripe?
Remember, when eating papaya raw you want to make sure it is ripe. You can tell it is ripe when the green flesh of the papaya has turned yellowish, orange or red, and soft to touch.
How Do I Pick Out My Papayas?
When I pick out papaya I choose one that is green and let it sit on my countertop for a few days. It’s easy to notice the change in color, which indicates when you can cut into this beautiful fruit! Once the outside of the papaya turns yellow it is ready to eat! When papaya is ripe, it is sweet and enjoyable!
How to Cut a Papaya
1. Cut the papaya in half, lengthwise
2. Using a spoon, scoop the seeds out of the papaya and discard them.
3. To cut cubes: cut a grid pattern into the papaya. Then using a spoon, scoop out the papaya cubes.
Tips for Making this Tropical Papaya Smoothie
- If you are new to using turmeric in drinks, use less until you become more accustomed to the flavor. Start with ¼ tsp for the first time. The next time you make this smoothie add ½ tsp and see if you enjoy the difference.
- Coconut Milk tastes perfect in this smoothie, but Almond Milk or Oat Milk (try my homemade recipe) is a great substitute if you do not have coconut milk on hand. (To note: the coconut milk used for this recipe is not the canned version. It is Coconutmilk Beverage. Here is an example)
- You can store this smoothie in an airtight mason jar and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Smoothies are best when you drink immediately after preparing.
I hope you enjoy this Tropical Papaya Detox Smoothie Recipe!
If you try the recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments below! Take pictures, tag #goodfoodbaddie, and share them with me on Instagram! I love seeing my recipes come to life in your kitchen.
More Healthy Smoothies and Drinks To Try!
- Chocolate Raspberry Sea Moss Smoothie
- 16 Healthy Superfood Smoothies To Jumpstart Your Day
- Beet Ginger Smoothie
- Hydrating Apricot Smoothie
- Watermelon Chocolate Smoothie
- Tropical Guava Smoothie Recipe
- Easy Frosé Recipe (Frozen Rosé)
Tropical Papaya Detox Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups Coconut Milk, plus more as needed (or non-dairy milk of choice)
- 1/2 Large Papaya, cut into cubes (about 2 1/4 cups)
- 1 1/2 cups Frozen Mango
- 1 cup Frozen Pineapple
- 2 tbsp Unsweetened Coconut Shavings plus more as desired
- 2 Medjool Dates, pits removed (or 1 tbsp maple syrup/agave)
- 1/2 tsp Ground Turmeric, optional
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients into a high-powered blender and blend until smooth.
- If your smoothie is thicker than you’d like, add more non-dairy milk. If you would like your smoothie thicker, add more frozen fruit or ice and blend until you reach your desired consistency.Â
I’m always looking for different ways to use the turmeric in my pantry. I’m definitely trying this recipe soon.
Never knew papaya had so many amazing benefits! Now I’m gonna have to whip one of these up!
I have to try this smoothie!!
I have this weird aversion to papaya. It tastes funny to me, but my family loves it. This recipe allowed me to enjoy papaya for the first time.
Thanks!
I hope you like, Marta! Let me know what you think! 🙂
Adding papaya to the grocery list. Definitely trying this week.
YES! I hope you enjoy! 🙂
I can’t wait to try this smoothie! The benefits of papaya are so amazing!
This smoothie recipe is right on time as the temperatures are heating up! It looks so delicious and the perfect excuse to use papaya.
This looks delicious. Can’t wait to try it!
Such a perfect treat to enjoy this summer! Papaya is such an underrated fruit. I love your idea to turn this into a smoothie.
It’s holiday because of COVID in India, and I’m at my home. So, tried it using my hand blender. And, all has gone pretty well. Now, I’m just enjoying it. Thanks for sharing pretty awesome stuff.
So glad you liked!
So sweet and tasty! Made it today and my toddler and I loved it! I used almond milk in mine because that’s what I had in my fridge. Will definitely be making this on a regular basis now. Thank you for this recipe!
Hi Jess! I am happy you and your little one enjoyed the smoothie recipe! This is one of my favorites! 🙂
This is my favorite morning smoothie! Thanks for the recipe!
I’m so glad you like!
Great smoothie recipe! So many great flavors.
Hi Angela! I am so glad you like. THanks for leaving a review!
Looks delicious!
Hi Rob! It is so delicious! One of my favs
I love the tropical flavors here!
This is great
This is great! I love papaya. Thank you for sharing!
Oh I love papaya! Not sure why I have never thought to put it in a smoothie!
I Love papaya too! Smoothies are one of my fav ways to enjoy papaya 🙂
This is so delicious and refreshing!
Hi Alexandra! I am glad you like!
A great tropical way to start my day!
A Tropical start indeed! 🙂
Loved the flavors in this tropical smoothie!
Perfect detox smoothie recipe!
Thanks Leslie!
This Tropical Papaya smoothie looks yumm.
Tastes great. Especially love the sweetness the dates add.
Hi Tracy! I’m glad you liked the recipe. Dates are my favorite sweetener! Thanks for leaving a review 🙂
I’d recommend less coconut milk and I didn’t need to add any dates or maple syrup, it was already sweet with just the mangoes, papaya, and pineapple.
Made a whole blender of smoothie.
Hi Lauren, thanks for the feedback! The recipe card does say that it makes 2 16-ounce smoothies, which is 32oz- a whole blender’s worth. With any smoothie recipe, you should always adjust the size, sweetness, liquid (to reach your preferred consistency), and any other factor to your desired tastes and preference. Thanks for trying the recipe.