Simple Strawberry Milkshake

Here is my favorite strawberry milkshake recipe, creamy and smooth with fresh strawberries, vanilla ice cream, and just a splash of milk to bring it all together.

This strawberry milkshake is what my kids ask for most during hot summer afternoons. I often make a double batch because they disappear so quickly. Nothing beats a cold milkshake on a warm day, right?

What Kind of Ice Cream Should I Use?

For a classic strawberry milkshake, regular vanilla ice cream is your best bet – either French vanilla or regular vanilla will work great. The main thing to keep in mind is that premium ice creams (with less air whipped in) will give you a thicker, creamier shake than budget brands. If you’re using a premium brand, you might need to add a splash more milk to get the right consistency. Let your ice cream sit out for about 5 minutes before making your shake – it should be just soft enough to scoop but not melting. And while low-fat ice cream will work, full-fat varieties will give you that classic milkshake texture we all know and love.

Options for Substitutions

This milkshake recipe is pretty flexible and you can make several swaps based on what you have at hand:

• Vanilla ice cream: While vanilla ice cream gives the best classic taste, you can use strawberry ice cream for an extra berry boost. Non-dairy alternatives like coconut milk ice cream or almond milk ice cream work too, just note the shake might be slightly less creamy.
• Frozen strawberries: Fresh strawberries work just as well – just add 2-3 ice cubes to keep the shake cold. You can also use other frozen berries like raspberries or a mixed berry blend for a different flavor profile.
• Milk: Any type of milk works here! Try whole milk, 2%, or plant-based options like almond, oat, or coconut milk. Just remember that whole milk will give you the creamiest results.
• Whipped topping: Regular whipped cream is a perfect swap for whipped topping. Or skip it altogether – the milkshake is still great without it. For a dairy-free option, coconut whipped cream works well too.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest mistake when making strawberry milkshakes is using completely frozen strawberries, which can leave you with an icy, chunky texture – letting them thaw for about 15-20 minutes creates the perfect consistency and releases more natural sweetness.

Another common error is adding too much milk at once, which can make your milkshake too thin and runny – start with less milk than you think you need (about 1/4 cup) and gradually add more until you reach your desired thickness.

The order of blending matters too: always start by pulsing your strawberries first, then add the ice cream, and finally drizzle in the milk while blending on low speed – this method prevents over-blending which can make your milkshake too thin and melted.

For the smoothest results, make sure your ice cream is slightly softened (about 5 minutes at room temperature) before blending, as rock-hard ice cream can strain your blender and leave unwanted chunks.

What to Serve With Strawberry Milkshakes?

A strawberry milkshake makes a perfect dessert or sweet afternoon treat, and there are lots of fun ways to serve it! I like to pair milkshakes with salty snacks like french fries or potato chips – the sweet-and-salty combo just works. For a fun dessert spread, serve your milkshakes alongside some chewy chocolate chip cookies or brownies that people can dunk right into the shake. If you’re hosting a casual get-together, set up a little milkshake bar with different toppings like sprinkles, chocolate chips, and extra whipped cream so everyone can customize their drink.

Storage Instructions

Keep Cold: Your strawberry milkshake is best enjoyed right after making it when it’s perfectly creamy and cold. If you need to store it for a short while, pour it into a sealed container and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 hours, though the texture might change a bit as the ice cream melts.

Make Ahead: Want to prep ahead? Keep your strawberries frozen and ice cream in the freezer until you’re ready to blend. This way, you can whip up fresh milkshakes whenever the craving hits. The ingredients will stay good in the freezer for several weeks.

Serve: If your stored milkshake has separated a bit, just give it a quick stir or another brief blend to bring it back to life. Add an extra scoop of ice cream if needed to maintain that thick, creamy consistency we all love in a milkshake.

Preparation Time	5-10 minutes
Cooking Time	0 minutes
Total Time	5-10 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 800-900
• Protein: 10-15 g
• Fat: 40-50 g
• Carbohydrates: 100-110 g

Ingredients

• 3 cups vanilla ice cream
• 1/2 cup mostly thawed sweetened frozen strawberries, sliced
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup whipped topping

Step 1: Add Ice Cream, Milk, and Strawberries to Blender

• 3 cups vanilla ice cream
• 1/2 cup mostly thawed sweetened frozen strawberries, sliced
• 1/2 cup milk

Place the 3 cups of vanilla ice cream in a blender.

Add the 1/2 cup of mostly thawed, sliced, sweetened frozen strawberries and pour in the 1/2 cup of milk.

Layering the ingredients like this helps everything blend more smoothly.

Step 2: Blend Until Smooth

• ice cream, strawberries, and milk mixture from Step 1

Blend all the ingredients on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and evenly incorporated.

If needed, stop and scrape down the sides of the blender to ensure everything mixes well.

I like to blend a few extra seconds for an ultra-creamy texture.

Step 3: Top with Whipped Topping and Serve

• 1/4 cup whipped topping

Pour the milkshake into a glass and top generously with the 1/4 cup of whipped topping.

Serve immediately and enjoy your creamy strawberry treat!