Not a bodybuilder? Enjoy a protein smoothie anyway! Our bodies need protein for healthy skin, hair, bones, and heart. Plus a protein-packed breakfast can prevent overeating, and a dose of protein after resistance training helps build and repair muscle tissue (especially when you consume a blend of proteins).Soy-dairy protein blend and whey protein ingestion after resistance exercise increases amino acid transport and transporter expression in human skeletal muscle.Reidy PT, Walker DK, Dickinson JM. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 2014, Apr.;116(11):1522-1601.
The secret to mixing something up you'll look forward to sipping is striking the right balance between protein sources (such as Greek yogurt, protein powder, and peanut butter) and sweet and/or savory add-ins—something all of the recipes below have nailed. These recipes also have eight or more grams of protein, are derived from whole food sources with minimal ingredients, and make us drool a little bit. Bottoms up!
Breakfast
1. Coffee Java Protein Shake
Photo: Pick Fresh Foods
Protein source: protein powder
Enjoy a breakfast of coffee, chocolate, and protein—all from the same cup. Caffeine pairs with protein for an exceptional energy boost.
2. Strawberry Orange Smoothie
Photo: Peanutbutter and Peppers
Protein source: Greek yogurt
Take a (sort-of- not-really) vacation when sipping this tropical smoothie. It calls for Greek yogurt and coconut milk, strawberries, and orange juice.
3. Kale, Berry, and Açai Power Smoothie
Photo: Deliciously Ella
Protein source: flaxseeds, chia seeds, hemp protein powder
Green smoothie ingredients sometimes get a bad rap, but banana and berries mask the bold taste of kale in this recipe. Bonus: The tablespoon of açai powder may help boost energy, while cinnamon helps reduce inflammation.
4. Roasted Strawberry Protein Smoothie
Photo: JoLynneShane
Protein source: cottage cheese
For a serious flavor boost, roast strawberries before tossing them into this blend. The creamy cottage cheese is a tasty alternative for those not partial to Greek yogurt’s tangy flavor profile.
5. Mexican Frozen Hot Chocolate Protein Smoothie
Photo: Steph's Bite by Bite
Protein source: Greek yogurt, protein powder,
This recipe is served cold, but it'll taste just as good if you heat it up. Plus it makes a (healthy) meal out of classic hot chocolate, working in greek yogurt, oats, protein powder and unsweetened cocoa powder.
6. Classic Green Monster Smoothie
Photo: Oh She Glows
Protein source: peanut butter, chia seeds, protein powder
Holy nutrients, Batman! The spinach alone serves up vitamins A, C, and K, fiber, magnesium, and calcium. Allergic to peanuts? Try one of these tasty peanut butter alternatives.
7. Almond Coconut Mocha Protein Smoothie
Photo: The Gold Lining Girl
Protein source: almonds, protein powder
Switch up a savory breakfast when opting for this sweet, still-healthy smoothie. Almonds and spices deliciously complement the crazy-versatile coconut oil.
8. Peanut Butter Oatmeal Smoothie
Photo: Chef Savvy
Protein source: Peanut butter, soy milk
All the fixings of a healthy breakfast—peanut butter, banana, and oats—but with a creamy taste of a milkshake. Need we say more?
9. Raspberry Almond Chia Smoothie
Photo: Delightful E. Made
Protein source: Greek yogurt, almonds, chia seeds
Raspberries, almonds, and honey make busy mornings nice (and full of antioxidants). The best part: This recipe takes only five minutes to make.
10. Oatmeal Cookie Protein Shake
Photo: Laurenda Marie
Protein source: oats, almonds, almond milk
Don't let the name fool you, this "oatmeal cookie" smoothie still has a great nutritional quality with almonds, almond butter, and whole oats.
11. Strawberry Banana Smoothie With Chia Seeds
Photo: Garden of Vegan
Protein source: chia seeds
Don’t fix what isn’t broken, right? Bland but nutrient-packed chia seeds sneak protein into the classic strawberry-banana smoothie combo.
12. Spinach, Kiwi, and Chia Seed Smoothie
Photo: Nina Cherie
Protein source: chia seeds
A green smoothie that tastes anything but. Bananas sweeten it up, while tart kiwis keep it from feeling too much like dessert.
13. Blueberry Mango Smoothie
Photo: Pick Fresh Foods
Protein source: Greek yogurt, flax
Really, you can sip this smoothie anytime—but the fresh taste of antioxidant-rich blueberries and mango is a convincing reason to get out of bed in the morning.
Lunch
14. Papaya Ginger Mint Smoothie
Photo: PopSugar
Protein source: Greek yogurt
Thanks to its high fiber content, papaya has been shown to promote digestion, says nutritionist Michelle Davenport, Ph.D. So if breakfast isn’t sitting well with your stomach, stick to this smoothie Rx. Bonus: It also includes ginger.
15. Mean Green Hemp Protein Smoothie
Photo: The Quirky Princess
Protein source: hemp, protein powder, wheatgrass powder
A sugar hack for smoothies? Pitted dates. They’re a natural, fiber-filled sweetener that will satisfy a sweet tooth without added sugars (they also break down easier in a blender when soaked beforehand).
16. Green Warrior Protein Smoothie
Photo: Oh She Glows
Protein source: hemp hearts
A quarter cup of hemp hearts—seeds similar to sunflower seeds and pine nuts—provides about 15 grams of protein, almost 3 grams of fiber, and may help to prevent hypertension, Davenport says. Mixing them with bananas and apples makes for a sweet, creamy sip.
17. Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie
Photo: Old House To New Home
Protein source: peanut butter, protein powder
It’s peanut-butter-jelly time! Berries, peanut butter, oats, and protein powder give the bread (and taste buds) a break.
18. Vanilla Matcha Avocado Smoothie
Photo: Choosing Raw
Protein source: vegan protein powder
So, those amazing benefits of green tea? Get them by sprinkling a half teaspoon of matcha powder—finely ground green tea—into this smoothie.
19. Blueberry Banana Protein Smoothie
Photo: Amy's Healthy Baking
Protein source: Greek yogurt
Here’s a sunny twist on a staple breakfast. But feel free to break this recipe’s rules by adding whatever fruit or greens you have on hand.
Snacks
20. Strawberry-Banana Quinoa Smoothie
Photo: Noble Pig
Protein source: Greek yogurt, quinoa, chia seeds
Not only is it a complete protein, but quinoa is a prime source of fiber, iron, and magnesium. And its taste is cleverly paired with other smoothie ingredients, including strawberries, bananas, and vanilla almond milk.
21. Dark Chocolate Peppermint Protein Shake
Photo: Fit Foodie Finds
Protein source: protein powder
Between the dark chocolate protein powder and the cocoa powder, chocolate lovers are going to want this drink morning, noon, and night. Which is fine, since dark chocolate is high in antioxidants and can help regulate stress.
22. 3-Ingredient High Protein Cantaloupe Smoothie
Protein source: cottage cheese, whey protein powder
Fruit salads are a great snack—almost as great as this creamy mix of cantaloupe chunks, cottage cheese, and whey protein.
23. Cherry Almond Smoothie
Photo: Sweat with Bec
Protein source: PB2, flaxseeds, protein powder
Put a craving for cherry ice cream on, well, ice when sipping this cherry smoothie instead. Cherries are also an anti-inflammatory, so this snack choice is pretty painless. (Get it?)
24. Honey Banana Smoothie
Photo: Protein World
Protein source: Greek yogurt, almond milk
Want to get back to smoothie basics? This recipe does the trick by using only six ingredients (though there’s plenty of room to add cacao nibs).
25. Chocolate Espresso Smoothie
Photo: Laurenda Marie
Protein source: protein powder
Order up! This latte-like smoothie skips the sugar and uses greenish bananas and chocolate protein powder instead.
26. Razzle Dazzle Pineapple Smoothie
Photo: Peanut Butter and Peppers
Protein source: protein powder
If you like piña coladas... then spring for this smoothie! Pineapple, coconut milk, and raspberries mimic the signature cocktail’s taste, while protein powder ramps up nutrition. Tiny drink umbrellas optional.
27. Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
Photo: A Sweet Peach Chef
Protein source: peanut butter, whey protein powder
Treat yo’self to a creamy, candy-inspired smoothie that fuels both muscles and taste buds (and is way more nutritious than a Reese’s).
Post-Workout
28. Carrot Cake Protein Smoothie
Photo: Wam Vanilla Sugar
Protein source: Greek yogurt, protein powder
For a dessert that won’t undo a workout, blend carrot juice, almond milk, two bananas, and sugar’s healthy swap, cinnamon. Then sip. Aaaahh.
29. Green Vanilla Almond Post-Workout Shake
Photo: Shape
Protein source: almond butter, protein powder
Milkshakes can go green too—and this one excerpted from Clean Green Drinks gets rave reviews. The sweetness of the banana, coconut milk, and vanilla protein powder overpowers the spinach flavor while keeping things healthy.
30. Berry, Pomegranate and Acai Smoothie
Photo: The nOATbook
Protein source: Greek yogurt
Keep recovery simple with apple juice, berries, pomegranate juice and Greek yogurt. Not only are they tasty, but pomegranates have high contents of vitamins C and K, fiber, and antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties, Davenport says.
31. Chocolate Strawberry Almond Protein Smoothie
Photo: The Healthy Family and Home
Protein source: almonds, maca powder, hemp, protein powder
This chocolatey smoothie is nutrient-packed. Chocolate sweetens up the action, while almonds bring protein and fiber and strawberries pack the antioxidants.
32. Peach Hemp Protein Smoothie
Protein source: hemp protein powder
Sit back and unwind with this refreshing, fruity smoothie that’s basically fro-yo in a glass (but with non-dairy, delicious hemp milk instead of moo juice). You’re welcome.
33. Orange Mango Recovery Smoothie
Photo: Running on Real Food
Protein source: protein powder, cashews
After protein, super spice turmeric is what sets this recovery smoothie apart. The spice is an anti-inflammatory that’s also high in antioxidants.
34. Spinach Banana Smoothie
Photo: Garnish with Lemon
Protein source: Greek yogurt, almond butter, protein powder
Handfuls of puréed spinach may not sound appetizing (unless you’re Popeye), but a ripe banana sweetens the taste. Cheers to sipping down vitamin A and iron from the spinach without tasting it.
A Primer on Protein Powders
If you’ve already locked down your favorite smoothie recipe on account of particular tastes and/or food allergies, you can always just scoop in protein powder for an added boost. When choosing a powder, the brand and nutritional profile are the two most important things to consider, Davenport says. Protein supplements are not regulated by the FDA, so research safe brands before purchasing.
It’s also key to note how you’re using the protein powder—whether it’s to replace a meal or recover from a workout. “Whey, milk, casein, and egg protein all absorb differently, and you want to get the maximum absorption with each meal,” says Jeff Thomas, director of nutrition at Creative Edge Nutrition. Don’t worry non-animal-protein eaters: There are plenty of plant-based options for you, including rice, pea, hemp, and soy protein.
Research can also help you navigate the options on the supplement shelves. Our bodies may be better able to utilize whey and egg proteins better than soy protein, Davenport says, while whey and rice proteins may perform equally in terms of increasing power and strength. The bottom line? Choose the most unprocessed form of the source that best suits your needs.