The 12 Best Protein Shake Recipes for Muscle Gain

Protein shakes are a gym-goer’s greatest good friend: they’re a tasty, handy, and reasonably priced technique to simply nail your day by day protein wants.

That stated, the outdated protein powder + water combo can get stale after a couple of months. Plus, when you’re attempting to realize muscle, mixing protein powder into shakes is a scrumptious and environment friendly technique to enhance your day by day calorie consumption. 

And that’s the place high-protein shake recipes change into clutch.

Good protein shake recipes provide you with countless taste choices, so that you by no means get tired of an important macronutrient. What’s extra, they’re additionally a scrumptious technique to squeeze in additional fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds into your weight loss program, which offer vital nutritional vitamins and minerals vital for sustaining optimum well being. 

On this article you’ll study why you want protein to realize muscle, what so as to add to a protein shake to make it style nice, 12 premier protein shake recipes, together with the greatest protein shake recipes for muscle or weight achieve, the greatest protein shake recipes for weight reduction, and extra!

Why You Want Protein to Achieve Muscle

A protein is a large molecule made up of chains of smaller compounds generally known as amino acids. 

You possibly can consider amino acids because the “constructing blocks” of muscle proteins—with out the requisite amino acids, the physique can’t assemble new muscle protein, and thus you’ll be able to’t get greater or stronger.

The first motive to eat protein, then, is to supply your physique with ample amino acids to proceed constructing and repairing your physique.

As you’ll be able to think about, common weightlifting and train increases the physique’s demand for protein, however ample protein consumption is vital among the many sedentary as nicely.

If sedentary people don’t eat sufficient protein as they age, they lose muscle sooner. And the sooner they lose muscle, the more likely they’re to satisfy an premature demise. 

A great rule of thumb is that you simply wish to eat about 0.8-to-1 gram of protein per pound of physique weight per day to assist muscle development. You additionally wish to guarantee a lot of the protein you eat comes from high-quality sources, which include an abundance of important amino acids (these most concerned within the muscle-building course of). 

On the subject of protein powders, among the highest-quality proteins are whey, casein, and pea or rice.

What to Add to a Protein Shake

After a number of months of consuming the identical taste, even essentially the most scrumptious protein powders can get boring. That’s why it pays to have a couple of plant or whey protein shake recipes up your sleeve to interrupt the monotony.

Right here’s a listing of the greatest issues to place in a protein shake that’ll preserve the style and texture of your shakes recent and toothsome: 

• Protein powders corresponding to, whey protein powder, casein protein powder, and plant-based protein powder
• Dairy merchandise corresponding to Greek yogurt, skyr, quark, cow’s milk, and cottage cheese
• Sweeteners corresponding to stevia, agave nectar, maple syrup, and honey
• Plant-based milk corresponding to almond milk, cashew milk, coconut milk, and oat milk
• Nut butters corresponding to peanut butter, almond butter, and cashew butter
• Seeds and cereals corresponding to hemp seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, and old school oats
• Fruit corresponding to banana, strawberry, mango, and avocado
• Flavorings corresponding to vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and cocoa
• Spices and seasonings corresponding to nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt
• Toppings corresponding to nonfat whipped topping, sprinkles, and desiccated coconut
• Espresso
• Ice 

The 12 Greatest Protein Shake Recipes for Muscle Achieve

Whether or not you’re searching for one thing that’s low-calorie, high-calorie, vegan, or simply mouth-wateringly scrumptious, you’ll discover a recipe (or 5) that you simply wish to strive on this record of the 12 greatest protein shakes for muscle achieve.

The directions on the right way to make all of those shakes are the identical: chuck all of the substances in a blender and mix them till easy. Simple! 

(Oh, and when you’d like extra scrumptious, high-protein recipes, try The Shredded Chef cookbook, which incorporates ​​125 “health pleasant” recipes for constructing muscle, shedding fats, and staying wholesome).

1. Cinnamon Banana Bread Protein Shake

Banana protein shake recipes are an excellent go-to while you don’t have time to cook dinner a well-balanced breakfast, as a result of the starch within the bananas retains you fuller for longer and provides the shake a thick, creamy, milkshake-like texture. This one mimics the flavour of baked items with cinnamon, almond butter, and honey.

Serves 2

Components

• 2 small bananas, frozen
• 1 cup unsweetened cashew or almond milk
• 1/4 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• 1 1/2 scoops Cinnamon Cereal Whey+ protein powder (or related)
• 1 tablespoon almond butter
• 1/2 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon floor cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Dietary Information (Per Serving)

Energy: 282

Protein: 25 grams

Carbs: 34 grams

Fats: 6 grams

2. Peanut Butter Protein Shake

Peanut butter is an effective supply of protein, but it surely’s additionally excessive in fats and energy, which implies slathering some on toast isn’t at all times sensible when you’re on a weight-loss weight loss program. This peanut butter and chocolate protein shake for weight reduction is a greater technique to go as a result of it satisfies your cravings for peanutty goodness and it’s comparatively low in energy and better in protein than the peanut butter concoctions most individuals devour.

Serves 2

Components

Diet Information (Per Serving)

Energy: 240

Protein: 22 grams

Carbs: 20 grams

Fats: 9 grams

3. Darkish Chocolate Peppermint Protein Shake

That is one among my all-time favorite chocolate protein shake recipes as a result of it takes all of the flavors of a marshmallow-topped ​​peppermint sizzling cocoa, and places them right into a protein-packed shake that’s good for dessert.

Serves 1

Components

• 1 massive banana, frozen
• 3 massive ice cubes
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 scoop Mint Chocolate Whey+ protein powder (or related)
• 2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• Pinch of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

Diet Information (Per Serving)

Energy: 297

Protein: 32 grams

Carbs: 41 grams

Fats: 5 grams

4. Cake Batter Protein Shake

Having a tough time saying no to everybody else’s birthday cake on the workplace? Indulge on this sippable model as a substitute. There’s no icing, however you’ll be stunned how a lot this vanilla protein shake recipe satisfies your cake cravings, and because it has protein as a substitute of straightforward carbs, it’ll fill you up as a substitute of weighing you down. It’s additionally an ideal recipe for Birthday Cake Whey+!

Serves 2

Components

• 1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• 1 cup nonfat whipped topping
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoon agave nectar
• 1 scoop Birthday Cake or French Vanilla Whey+ protein powder (or related)
• 1/2 cup ice cubes
• 1 teaspoon rainbow sprinkles

Diet Information (Per Serving)

Energy: 259

Protein: 25 grams

Carbs: 30 grams

Fats: 1 gram

5. Strawberry-Mango Protein Shake

When you’re searching for recent, fruity, and wholesome protein shake recipes, this strawberry mango layered fruit smoothie is a gem. It additionally works with just about any two-fruit mixture you’ll be able to consider, so be at liberty to experiment (banana-pineapple and blackberry-watermelon are two of my favorites).

Serves 3

Components

• 2 cups mango chunks, frozen
• 2 cups strawberries, frozen
• 2 teaspoons maple syrup
• 1 1/3 cup entire plain yogurt
• 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk
• 1 scoop Strawberry Banana Whey+ protein powder (or related)

Diet Information (Per Serving)

Energy: 299

Protein: 14 grams

Carbs: 36 grams

Fats: 12 grams

6. Espresso Protein Smoothie

Flip your morning espresso into breakfast with this weight-loss protein shake recipe. It’s an effective way to benefit from the perks of espresso—together with increased metabolic fee and improved bodily efficiency—all whereas getting a serving of protein.

Serves 1

Components

Diet Information (Per Serving)

Energy: 218

Protein: 35 grams

Carbs: 13 grams

Fats: 2 grams

7. Aloha Bliss Pineapple Protein Smoothie

Flip your post-workout protein shake right into a style of trip with this fruity protein smoothie. It may not allow you to escape the workweek, but it surely’ll do one thing about your cravings for piña coladas.

Serves 3

Components

• 2 scoops French Vanilla Whey+ protein powder (or related)
• 1 20-ounce can pineapple chunks in juice
• 1 mango, peeled and chopped
• 1 banana, frozen
• 1 cup nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt
• 1 cup lite coconut milk
• 1/2 cup unsweetened orange juice
• 1 cup ice

Diet Information (Per Serving)

Energy: 349

Protein: 27 grams

Carbs: 55 grams

Fats: 5 grams

8. Peach Cobbler Protein Shake

Flip your favourite summer season dessert right into a wholesome technique to cool off with this low-calorie protein shake recipe. It doesn’t style fairly as indulgent as ice cream, but it surely has half the energy and ten occasions the protein. That’s a good commerce while you’re nonetheless capable of get pleasure from recent peaches and cream—not heavy cream, after all, however low-fat cottage cheese.

Serves 1

Components

• 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
• 1 scoop French Vanilla Whey+ protein powder (or related)
• 1/2 cup peaches
• 1/2 teaspoon floor cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (or butter extract)
• 2 packets stevia
• 1/2-to-1 cup water
• 1 cup ice
• 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum (non-compulsory)

Dietary Information (Per Serving)

Energy: 217

Protein: 41 grams

Carbs: 14 grams

Fats: 1 gram

9. Strawberry Cheesecake Shake

When you run out of protein powder or wish to stick with entire meals as a substitute, this strawberry cheesecake shake with cottage cheese is likely one of the greatest selfmade protein shakes for muscle achieve.

Serves 1

Components

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1/3 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup strawberries, frozen
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Stevia to style

Dietary Information (Per Serving)

Energy: 164

Protein: 11 grams

Carbs: 18 grams

Fats: 5 grams

10. Cinnamon Roll Protein Shake

When you’re searching for protein shake recipes for weight reduction, look no additional than this cinnamon roll protein shake. ​​It makes use of egg white, almond milk, cinnamon, and maple syrup to recreate the essence of a Cinnabon. However as a substitute of a whopping 880 energy per pastry, this cinnamony shake provides as much as lower than 200 energy but has 33 grams of protein.

(With solely seven grams of carbs, it’s additionally among the finest low-carb protein shake recipes, too.)

Serves 1

Components

• 3 tablespoons liquid egg whites
• 3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1 scoop Cinnamon Cereal Whey+ protein powder (or related)
• 1/4 teaspoon floor cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
• 1 small scoop stevia
• 1 cup ice

Dietary Information (Per Serving)

Energy: 189

Protein: 33 grams

Carbs: 7 grams

Fats: 2 grams

11. Chocolate Hazelnut Protein Shake

If there’s one cocoa combo that challenges chocolate+peanut butter, it’s chocolate+hazelnut. This model contains half a banana and a handful of hazelnuts for taste, and a mixture of hemp, flax, and chia seeds for a giant dietary enhance.

The ultimate outcome doesn’t style precisely like Nutella, but when that’s the flavour you’re after, you’ll be able to at all times add a tablespoon of the hazelnut chocolate unfold to the recipe. Doing so provides round 100 energy and makes this a wonderful protein shake recipe for weight achieve.

Serves 1

Components

• 1 cup ice
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1/4 cup hazelnuts
• 1/2 banana
• 1 scoop Dutch Chocolate Whey+ protein powder (or related)
• 1 teaspoon shelled hemp seeds
• 1 teaspoon flax seeds
• 1 teaspoon chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon floor cinnamon

Dietary Information (Per Serving)

Energy: 525

Protein: 39 grams

Carbs: 38 grams

Fats: 27 grams

12. Avocado Mint Protein Smoothie

Assume you’ve tasted each doable fruit smoothie mixture? Assume once more. This avocado mint protein shake recipe with vanilla powder comprises a singular mix of creaminess and freshness that’s good for livening up your protein shake rotation. Bear in mind, although, this one’s excessive in energy, so it’s greatest suited to individuals searching for weight achieve protein shake recipes.

Serves 1

Components

• 1 cup sliced banana, frozen
• 1/2 avocado, peeled
• 3 dates, pitted
• 4 leaves recent mint
• 1 tablespoon darkish chocolate chips
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 scoop French Vanilla Whey+ protein powder (or related)

Dietary Information (Per Serving)

Energy: 525

Protein: 39 grams

Carbs: 38 grams

Fats: 27 grams