20 Delicious Protein Shake Recipes

Upgrade your protein shake and use protein powder to make delicious, fitness-boosting combos.

Protein Shake Recipes

Breakfast protein shake

The yogurt and protein powder increase the protein content, while the pineapple and blueberries are packed with antioxidants and other health-boosting compounds.

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup pineapple, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup blueberries
• 1 scoop of protein powder
• A handful of cashew nuts
• A pinch of cinnamon Water, to taste

Pre-workout protein shake

Coconut water is high in other electrolytes to aid hydration and muscle contractions.

• ½ a banana
• A handful of porridge oats
• 1 scoop protein powder
• 1tbsp flaxseeds
• 1.5 cups coconut water
• Vanilla

Chill all the ingredients in the fridge, blend them until smooth, then sprinkle some desiccated coconut on top and drink immediately.

Recovery protein shake

After a hard training session your body is crying out for high-quality protein to repair damaged muscle tissue so it can grow back bigger and stronger. But your body needs more than just protein to recover quickly. “In addition to plenty of muscle-building protein, this citrusy and refreshing smoothie also contains vitamin A-rich carrots to help support your immune system which can be weakened by long and intense training,” says chef Dee Chauhan.

• ½ a carrot, peeled and sliced
• ½ an orange, peeled and chopped
• ¼ of a cantaloupe melon, peeled and chopped
• 1 scoop protein powder
• 1/2 cup cashew nut milk
• 1/4 cup water
• A handful of ice

Fat loss protein shake

The key to losing weight is to reduce your calorie intake while still eating enough essential vitamins and nutrients, and drinking plenty of water. This smoothie is packed with healthy compounds, but it’s also got protein.

• A handful of basil leaves
• A handful of spinach leaves
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1 lime, peeled
• 2 celery sticks, sliced
• 1 green apple, sliced
• ¼ tsp matcha green tea powder
• ¼ tsp spirulina
• 1 scoop protein powder
• Vanilla
• 4 ice cubes
• Water, to taste

Muscle-building protein shake

Aiming to build muscle mass? Then you need to be eating more of the right kind of calories from carbs, fats and protein, which will give your body the energy surplus it needs to add size faster. “Upping your calorie intake with healthy ingredients is crucial if you’re trying to add size, which is why this smoothie features nutritious and calorie-dense ingredients like dark chocolate and coconut milk – as well as a good serving of fast-acting protein,” says nutrition specialist Scott Baptie.

• 1oz (about 2 Tablespoons) dark chocolate (85% cocoa)
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 1 scoop protein powder
• Pinch of cinnamon
• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup oats, soaked in 1/2 cup of water for five to ten minutes

Super strawberries

One regular strawberry contains 20% of your RDA of recovery-improving vitamin C, which is why this recipe contains five.

• 1 scoop of protein powder
• 5 strawberries, stalks removed
• 1.5 cups milk
• 1tsp vanilla extract
• Water, to taste

Power latte

Trade your normal morning coffee for a bonus hit of calcium-heavy almond milk and insulin-regulating cinnamon.

• 1 scoop of protein powder
• 1/2 cup chilled coffee
• 1 1/4 cup almond milk
• 1tsp cinnamon
• Vanilla
• Water, to taste

Punchy chocolate peanut

Like liquid Snickers in a glass (but a lot healthier) with high levels of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.

• 1 scoop of protein powder
• 1 1/3 cup milk
• 1tbsp peanut butter
• 2tsp cocoa powder
• Water, to taste

Fruit fusion

Winter’s the best time of year to enjoy seasonal citrus fruits, when their levels of health-boosting vitamin A are highest.

• 1 scoop of protein powder
• 1 orange, peeled
• 1 1/3 cup pineapple juice
• 1 banana, sliced
• Water, to taste

Berry blast

Berries are the ultimate low-fructose fruit – perfect if you’re trying to lose weight.

• 1 scoop of protein powder
• Handful of blueberries
• Handful of strawberries
• Handful of raspberries
• 1 cup milk
• Water, to taste

Energy banana

One banana contains 25% of your RDA of brain-boosting vitamin B6.

• 1 scoop of protein powder
• 1 2/3 cup coconut milk
• 2 tsp honey
• Vanilla
• 1 banana, sliced
• Water, to taste

Blue flu fighter

A potent antioxidant cocktail that will help stave off illness in the depths of winter.

• 1 scoop of protein powder
• Handful of blueberries
• Handful of strawberries
• Handful of blackberries
• 2 tsp manuka honey
• Water, to taste

Healthy honey

Keep winter bugs at bay with manuka, a honey with anti-bacterial properties.

• 1 scoop of protein powder
• 2 tsp manuka honey
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 2/3 cup coconut water
• Water, to taste

Green and lean

Not a fan of greens? Try mixing your kale with delicious vitamin K-rich blueberries.

• 1 scoop of protein powder
• Handful of kale
• Cocoa powder
• 1 tsp flaxseed oil
• Water, to taste

Big breakfast

This morning milkshake has four different sources of bulk-building protein.

• 1 scoop of protein powder
• Handful of porridge oats
• 1 tbsp Greek yogurt
• Vanilla
• 1 2/3 cup almond milk
• Water, to taste

Great grape

The grapes are a great source of vitamin C, potassium and manganese and the berries contain plenty of antioxidants, while chia seeds deliver an extra hit of protein.

• 2 scoops protein powder
• Handful of purple grapes
• Handful of blueberries
• 1 tsp dry chia seeds
• 1/2 cup of water
• Vanilla

Oat-some energy

Anything with bananas and oats is going to be packed with energy making this the perfect pre-workout, energy boosting concoction. As well as energy this shake will help to prevent muscle cramping and sustain your blood sugar too. 

• 2 scoops protein powder
• 2 tbsp of rolled oats
• 2 bananas
• 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk
• 1/2 cup of cold water
• ¼ tsp of cinnamon
• 1 tsp of honey
• 4 ice cubes

Chocolate and peanut butter

Who doesn’t like chocolate and peanut butter together? As well as being a decadent mixture of two milkshake favorites, this recipe is actually good for you. The peanuts are full of good stuff including protein, folate, vitamin E and manganese.

• 2 scoops of protein powder
• 1 banana
• Cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp of good-quality peanut butter (the less sugar the better)
• 1 cup of milk
• Ice cubes to taste

Peachy green

A nutrient-rich breakfast smoothie. It’ll come out green and may look fairly unappetizing but it will start your day off the right way with a hearty serving of fruit, veg and protein.

• 2 scoops protein powder
• Handful of frozen pineapple
• ½ a banana
• 2 handfuls of kale
• ½ a frozen peach
• Vanilla
• 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk

Great Protein Shake Ingredients

Blueberries

Fresh berries sweeten the shake and provide you with antioxidants, which reduce your risk of cancer by mopping up free radicals. Their high fiber content also staves off hunger – and therefore unnecessary snacking – for longer.

Strawberries

These are a great source of manganese, a mineral that controls blood sugar levels and reduces the urge to snack. This helps to ensure you don’t undermine all your hard work in the gym with poor food choices as soon as you get out of it.

Nuts

Chucking some nuts into the blender won’t just give you an extra protein kick. Brazil nuts, for example, are packed with cancer-fighting selenium and zinc, while cashews are rich in iron, which is vital for energy.

Peppermint Oil

The concentrated essence of the sweet herb contains omega 3 fatty acids, thought to improve blood circulation and reduce your risk of a stroke. It can also relieve stomach ache and indigestion.

Oats

Not just for your porridge bowl. Oats are a low-GI source of carbohydrates that will help replenish your muscles with glycogen so they recover and grow bigger faster. They also provide a generous dose of zinc for healthy immune function, magnesium to help your muscles relax after training and dietary fibre to aid with digestion and help remove cholesterol.

Banana

Adding a banana to your blender when making a post-workout shake can do wonders for your physique because they’re an excellent source of vitamin B6, which plays a central role in the metabolism of the fats, carbs and protein you eat. A medium banana contains more than one-third of your daily recommended intake of this vital B vitamin, which is also involved in neurotransmitter synthesis and gene expression.

Ground cinnamon

Adding this spice will keep your blood sugar levels stable, a key consideration when trying to add muscle and lose body fat. Indeed, a study published in the Journal Of Nutritional Science And Vitaminology found cinnamaldehyde, a compound in cinnamon, is involved in the metabolism of fatty visceral tissue (ie your beer belly). So more cinnamon could help reduce the size of your waist.

Peanut butter

Adding a dollop of organic peanut butter(or other nut butter) – as long as it’s low in added salt or sugar – will (a) transform the taste of your post-workout shake and (b) increase your intake of quality fats, which your body needs for better hormone production, including muscle-building testosterone. Most nut butters are also high in the antioxidant vitamin E, which combats cellular damage caused by training.

Written by Coach Staff for Coach and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.