Turmeric Lassi recipe with fresh ginger, lemon, banana, and honey for a delicious and nutritious creamy beverage.
Have you ever tried a lassi?
If you enjoy smoothies or yogurt, you’ll love lassis!
What Is A Lassi?:
A lassi is a creamy beverage that originates from India. It is typically a mixture of yogurt (or buttermilk) and spices, and sometimes fruit. Mango lassis are very popular at Indian restaurants in the United States.
The difference between a lassi and a smoothie is this: In a smoothie, fruit plays the leading role.
In a lassi, yogurt plays the leading role. Both are beverages. Both may or may not have fruit. But yogurt (or kefir) has to have the majority stake in a lassi, and a lassi does not have to include fruit. Smoothies have to be fruitful but do not have to contain yogurt. We’ve got rules and reputations to protect. Word.
So during one of my recent pinterest sessions, a photograph of a turmeric lassi flew right by my eyeball and I had to chase it down with light speed agility so that I could pin that sucker down.
Because pictures fly by you on pinterest. So fast. On the reg.
Health Benefits of Turmeric:
Here’s why I am so interested in the turmeric lassi: turmeric has an insane amount of health benefits.
First and foremost, it is known to fight and prevent cancer cell growth. It is also an anti-inflammatory, which also helps ease skin ailments such as psoriasis.
Turmeric has been known to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s, is an antioxidant, and is also a natural pain killer. Turmeric is a major thing right now and if it doesn’t live in your spice cabinet yet, it probably should.
Ginger is an anti-inflammatory (just like turmeric) and is known to be a digestive aid, ease nausea, and is a natural antibiotic. Bananas taste great, the end. Honey is a superfood and also a natural antibiotic. Blend up these little babies and holy healthy ramalamadingdong!
There’s so much about this lassi that I want to hug.
I loved this thing so much, there is another version of it in my cookbook, Delicious Probiotic Drinks.
Similar. Different. But pretty much the same thing. With different ingredients. And awesome.
Recipe Adaptations:
- Use coconut milk yogurt to make a dairy-free lassi
- Replace the banana with 1/2 to 1 cup of frozen mango for a mango lassi.
- If you’re familiar with the flavor of turmeric, you can add up to 1 teaspoon to the lassi. If you have less experience with turmeric, start with 1/4 teaspoon and work your way up, as turmeric has a very distinct flavor.
You can adjust the amount of turmeric up or down, but if you follow the recipe below, you’ll get sweet, creamy, lemon ginger flavor with a little bite on the back end from the ginger.
You’re still stuck on “back end,” aren’t you, you little ruffian?
That’s alright, here’s what you need for the heat:
Turmeric Lassi
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain kefir or plain yogurt*
- 1 frozen banana**
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger grated
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric**
- 2 teaspoons honey to taste
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a high powered blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy immediately!
I have never had any drink like this, but I am loving those flavors!! Plus, for some reason I like the word Lassi! It sounds fun, so I need to make this!
You know what’s scary-scary? The thought that our brains work a lot in the same way. I see the word Lassi and all I can think is “Lassie, come home”. I’m intrigued by all of the anti-oxidants components and anti-inflammatory ingredients (which drives a certain daughter nuts). Can’t wait for your cookbook to come out. In the meantime, I’ll make this for lunch and then live forever and be able to write weird things on blogs for years!
LOL, we really are connected at the brain, that’s pretty funny! Yup, it’s definitely a tasty drink and while I’m not altogether sure just how large my anti-inflammatory needs are at the moment, I like to think the lassi’s doing great things for my body 😉 Hope you had a great weekend!
Oh lordy, this is getting freaky. I think you are totally the daughter she didn’t realize she had.
Not that I thought of the dog when I read lassi or anything…*cough*
Sounds like we need to have a family reunion! 😉
You know, I trust that everyone’s body has some sign of inflammation – even something as small as a pimple, or a rash. Our atmosphere has pollutants that the body has to process, which can raise the level that our body has to work to cleanse. The whole notion is giving the body the nutrients it needs to fight disease – whether you have signs of it or not. Why wait until something goes wrong? And sadly, that is how most of us find ourselves… we don’t know we are sick until a Sign shows up. In the meantime, our body does what it can do to survive – it is Made so well in repairing itself. But even that can wear down over time. It’s not until you get older, for many…that you realize that “hey, I need to do something”! Good news, is that the body responds very well to the Good Stuff needed. This is something I’ve started learning over the past few months. There is so much good information out there, you just have to do your research. 🙂 Thank God, I’m learning too! Juliana
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment, Juliana! I definitely wish more people took the preventative approach to food, too! It’s hard to see people close to you charging through life without taking the time to stop and research what they’re doing to their body. I guess that’s the product of a society that constantly stays busy and is always looking for a quick fix rather than a long-term solution. It worries me to think that the people close to me who don’t pay a whole lot of attention to their diet will one day have a wake-up call and have to retrace their steps. For now, we can do our part in educating our loved ones on how to cook a simple yet healthy meal. One step at a time! 🙂 Thanks again and best of luck!! xoxo
Good to know the difference between lassis and smoothies! The Indian restaurant near me has super tasty lassis, but it’s hard to justify eating one while I’m already shoveling a huge bufffet of food in my mouth. Thanks for the recipe, can’t wait to try it out.
Julia, this sounds so stinking good! Love the ginger and turmeric going on in here!
Thanks deary! I think you’d love it!!! Hope you had a fun weekend!
I have never had lassi with turmeric! I am very curious to try this out.
I had no idea that was the difference between a smoothie and a lassi! In any case, I want like a gallon of this to sip on all day long. It sounds delish!
So, I am a total weirdo and have never tried a lassi. Oh the horror! Must try this turmeric lassi ASAP!!
Now that you got me thinking about it, I have only had mango lassis and nothing else. I only thought of mangoes when someone mentioned “lassi”…well, okay, and Lassie, my favorite black and white show ever…but I’m stoked about this turmeric and all it’s crazy health qualities. It DOES in fact live in my spice cabinet, spending its days hoping I will use it in something liquidy with ginger and yogurt, I bet. Yum.
Honestly, the tumeric has thrown me for a loop. I’ve not had it in a drink; but since I love all the other ingredients, and because I trust your judgement Julia, I’ll give it a shot!
haha you crack me up! Sayonara smoothie, bring on the lassis 🙂
I’ve never had a lassi like this and this sounds deliciously fun. Your writing made me laugh so much today!
Thanks Nik! This was actually the first lassi I had ever made, so I’m new to the drink too! Let me know if you try ‘er out! 🙂
This is my breakfast tomorrow. Thank you!!!!
Yippy!!! Let me know how you like it!
I have been drinking Lassi for as long as I can remember. In India, people mostly drink it plain as in yoghurt and sugar at home. And restaurants have a few versions of mango, strawberry and saffron. The flavours you have added are unique and looks stunning. The Lassi Gods would be proud of you.
Just made this for breakfast and I loved it! I added chia seeds for a little bulk. The flavors are divine–turmeric is my go-to spice these days, so I was happy to get the big boost that this smoothie offers. Will definitely be making again (like probably tomorrow morning). Also a great use for my overabundance of homemade kefir. Thanks for a great recipe!
Everything is very open with a very clear clarification of the issues.It was truly informative.
Your website is extremely helpful. Thank you for sharing!
A very unhealthy drink. Lemon and lassi mixture makes an adverse effects on health. However ginger and haldi powder is good. Omit lemon.
Could you elaborate on how lemon and “lassi mixture” creates adverse effects on your health? I’ve made this drink multiple times and have never had any problems.
I can explain a little here! Lassi comes from Ayurveda, and ayurveda advises against combining lemons and yoghurt together. This may not cause adverse effects immediately, but will cause a build up of toxins or “ama”, and would disrupt your digestive fire- “agni”. So, I would recommend this recipe without the banana and lemon. That way, you would actually have a healing drink instead of one that may cause further difficulties down the road. Hope that helps a little!
YOU are hysterical! I just made your ginger carrot smoothie – love it! Then I looked at the Turmeric lassi recipe – I just love reading your “commentaries” – can’t help but laugh and enjoy! going to definitely be following you, and did I see you have a cookbook, or it’s in the works? Gotta check that out, man.
Wow! I just made a vegan version of this with coconut yogurt and stevia. So much flavor. It’s not like anything I have ever had before. I’m in love with this little lassi! Thank you for posting this recipe.
What a great idea! I had been meaning to whip up a lassi using an almond milk or coconut milk yogurt and am so happy you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for the feedback! 😀
This sounds like such a gut-healthy drink! Probiotics and turmeric sounds amazing. Definitely want to try making this one at home to be sure the family and my stomach health is in tip top shape!
you need some fat and some black pepper to get the benefits of turmeric, so use a full-fat milk yogurt or kefir, or somethign like coconut milk with a good fat content, and add a couple of grinds of black pepper – it should work fine with the ginger and stuff, and will maximise the benefits.