Delicious Protein Shake Recipes
Building muscle and getting your body into the ultimate shape is not all hard work, it can be tantalising too! If you take your training seriously, then you are probably already mixing protein powder with milk or water to help you pack on the muscles and protect your body from weightlifting injuries. And this is where we step in. We’d like to help you take a bland drink and turn it into a full-on tasty meal that’s loaded with all the proteins, vitamins and minerals you need to stay healthy and energised. We’re talking shakes and smoothies here.
Pre-packaged protein shakes you make in your protein shaker, bought from sports shops and grocery outlets, often contain an overload of sugar and preservatives. Here at Instash, we prefer to go the fresher and more flavourful route. We’ve listed some of our favourite recipes, in no particular order, and hope to encourage you to blend together your own protein-powered meals. For each recipe, place the ingredients in the order listed and blend until smooth.
Very Berry Super Shake
You can never go wrong with a handful of ripe berries. With their naturally sweet taste and juices that are super-rich in antioxidants, this treat will definitely call for seconds. The Very Berry Super Shake goes down well for breakfast, as a snack or even as a dessert after a more solid meal. And apart from protein and antioxidants, it’s also packed with healthy fats, fibre, probiotics, and Phyto-nutrients.
Blend the following ingredients together:
- 1.5 cups of water
- A handful of spinach, shredded
- 2 full cups of frozen mixed berries
- 1/2 cup of plain yogurt
- 2 full scoops/servings of vanilla protein powder
- A handful of walnuts
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
Avocado Mint Protein Smoothie
If you’re looking for a quick lunchtime meal replacement that will fill your gut and give you the energy you need to get through the rest of the day, then grab yourself some Avos and go green! This smoothie is also perfect for replenishing your body after an intense workout and includes a good balance of natural sugars and healthy fats.
Blend the following ingredients together:
- One large banana, frozen and sliced
- ½ an avocado, sliced
- 3 pitted dates
- 4 fresh mint leaves
- A tbsp of dark chocolate chips
- 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk
- One scoop of vanilla protein powder
Better Than Apple Pie
If it’s a dessert you’re craving, then we are certain your taste buds will be satisfied with this delectable smoothie that tastes just like apple pie, but without all the calories! With 58 grams of protein and other minerals and vitamin-rich ingredients, the Better Than Apple Pie will have you flexing your muscles as you snub carb-loaded desserts in preference for a much healthier option.
Blend the following ingredients together:
- 1 and ½ cups of water, milk, or yogurt
- 2 scoops vanilla protein powder
- 1 apple, core removed and sliced into wedges
- 1 cup of spinach
- 2 tbsp of almonds
- ¼ cup of uncooked oats
- A handful of ice cubes
- A dash of cinnamon
Blueberry Pumpkin Pie Protein Shake
This one’s for those who dare to experiment and try out new flavours. While the mixture of blueberries and pumpkin might not sound appealing to some, the result is a very tasty blend of sweet and savoury – a nice break from the classic shake. Apart from giving you a good fix of protein, this blend is also an immune booster and will be a good “pick me up” if you feel the onset of a cold.
Blend the following ingredients together:
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 tablespoon of cashew butter
- ½ a scoop of vanilla protein powder
- A pinch of ground cinnamon
- A pinch of ground nutmeg
- A dash of ground cloves
Chocolate, Peanut Butter, and Banana Shake
This one’s for the peanut butter lovers. A smooth blend of banana, chocolate protein powder and banana perfectly conceals the fact that this particular shake is also loaded with iron-rich spinach! If your workout calls for a rewarding treat, then your body will thank you for this low-calorie drink. There’s simply no need to give up your sweet tooth!
Blend the following ingredients together:
- 1 and ½ cups of water, milk, or yogurt
- 2 scoops chocolate protein powder
- 1 banana, sliced
- 1 cup of spinach, shredded
- 2 tbsp of natural peanut butter
- 1 tbsp cacao nibs or dark cocoa powder
Strawberry Banana Shake
This is a traditional go-to shake that’s easy on the gut as well as on the pocket. The strawberry banana shake uses healthy fats to make a filling meal replacement and the added flaxseed will give you a good portion of the fibre you need for the day. This protein drink can be rustled up in no time and is ideal for consumption both pre and post workout.
Blend the following ingredients together:
- 1 and ½ cups of milk or yogurt
- 2 scoops of strawberry protein powder
- 1 banana, sliced
- A cup of frozen strawberries
- A cup of shredded spinach
- 2 teaspoons of ground flax
Strawberry Cheesecake Shake
Got some leftover strawberries? Then why not treat yourself to a delectable cheese-cake flavoured smoothie. This shake is pure bliss and because of the cottage cheese, there’s no reason to add any protein powder – it’s loaded with the nutrient as is! This is an extremely filling meal that’s likely to curb your sweet tooth and give you the energy you need for even the most strenuous workouts.
Blend the following ingredients together:
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/3 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup of frozen strawberries
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- Stevia to taste (or you can use Xylitol)
Tropical Power Shake
If you like Pina Coladas…and dancing in the rain (or more like lifting weights at the gym), then you’re really going to like this protein-laden tropical power shake. In this recipe, the spinach and pineapple blend beautifully to give the drink a vibrant and healthy-looking colour while tasting delectable and tropical.
Blend the following ingredients together:
- 1 and ½ cups of water, milk, or yogurt
- 2 scoops of vanilla protein powder
- ½ a banana, sliced
- 1 cup of diced pineapple
- 1 cup of spinach, shredded
- 1 tbsp of ground flax
- 2 tbsp of unsweetened coconut flakes
- ½ cup plain yogurt
Chocolate Cherry Shake
When these tiny balls full of fruity flavour come into season, then it’s definitely time to take advantage of them. One way to put cherries to good use is to blend them with chocolate to make a delicious dessert-tasting shake. You might also be interested to know that many studies suggest that cherries can ease soreness, which makes them the perfect go-to fruit post workout.
Blend the following ingredients together:
- 1 and ½ cups of water, milk, or yogurt
- 2 scoops of chocolate protein powder
- 2 cups of sweet and soft pitted cherries
- 1 cup of spinach
- 1 tbsp of walnuts
- 1 tbsp ground flax
- 1 heaped spoon of cacao nibs
Peach Cobbler Protein Shake
If you’re looking for something to energise you and make you “peachy keen” for your next workout, then why not turn one of your favourite summer-time puddings into a shake! With less than 217 calories, this sweet drink is full of healthy fats and proteins. It’s also quite the refreshing drink that will quench your thirst on a hot and demanding day.
Blend the following ingredients together:
- 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
- 1/2 cup fresh peaches
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 stevia packets
- ½ water
- A handful of ice cubes
Superfood Shake
If you find that your body is sore and tired, then we can highly recommend this Superfood shake! While it might not be the tastiest on the list, it’s definitely not awful. Packed with deep coloured fruit and vegetables that are rich with nutrients, this blend helps with muscle recovery while giving you a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals.
Blend the following ingredients together:
- 1/2 a cup of frozen cherries
- 1 cup of water
- 1/2 cup diced beets, raw
- 1/2 cup of frozen strawberries
- 1/2 cup of frozen blueberries
- 1 small banana, sliced
- 1 scoop of chocolate whey protein
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
Chocolate Hazelnut Protein Shake
You can never go wrong with a classic chocolate shake, but add a handful of hazelnuts and some superfoods and then you’ve got a drink that will give Nutella a run for its money. And if you don’t mind the added calories, you can finish this recipe off with a tablespoon of your favourite chocolate spread to make it a delectable muscle-building meal!
Blend the following ingredients together:
- 1/2 cup of crushed ice
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/4 cup hazelnuts
- 1/2 banana, sliced
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- 1 tsp. shelled hemp seeds
- 1 tsp. flax seeds
- 1 tsp. chia seeds
- 1 tsp. acai powder
- 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
Coconut Almond Smoothie
Coconuts are great for boosting our metabolisms and they are also an energising food source. So, grab yourself some coconut flakes and get your body pumping into action. Not only does this drink taste delicious, but it also smells amazing too – reminds us of hot summer days on the beach!
Blend the following ingredients together:
- 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder
- 1 tablespoon of raw coconut flakes
- 1 cup of Almond milk
- 1 heaped tablespoon of almond butter
- 1½ cups water
- A handful of ice cubes
Orange Creamsicle
If you are looking for a tantalising burst of citrus sensations, then add this smoothie to your list of both pre and post workout meal replacements. This is one refreshing drink that will leave you hydrated and feeling full, like you’ve just had a three-course meal! The next time you find yourself lounging around the pool, why not blend yourself up one of these orange-tasting creamsicles!
Blend the following ingredients together:
- A heaped scoop of vanilla protein powder
- 1 orange, peeled
- ¼ orange rind
- A handful of walnuts
- 2 heaped teaspoons of flaxseed meal
- A cup of water
- ½ cup of orange juice
- A handful of ice cubes
Cookies & Cream Protein Milkshake
Indulge yourself with pure decadence. While this might not be the best shake for those who are trying to lose weight (lots of calories in this one), it is loaded with protein and is the perfect substitute for other desserts. And with a dollop of cream on top for good measure, it will look just like the chocolatey shakes they serve at restaurants.
Blend the following ingredients together:
- 1 cup of fat-free cottage cheese (full-fat optional)
- 1 cup of skim milk
- 3 Oreo cookies
- 1 tsp. Stevia
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
The Green Monster
If you battle to get a good portion of greens down in a day, then this monster of a smoothie will help you to drink them all in one go – while making them taste better too. The Green Monster is just that, a blend of powerful greens that will bring out the hulk in you as you fill your gut with nature’s finest.
Blend the following ingredients together:
- 1 cup of water
- 2 kale stalks
- 1 cup of green seedless grapes
- ½ a cup of frozen mango chunks
- 1 grated lemon rind
- 1/2 an avocado
- A handful of ice cubes
Caffeine Kick
If you are in a rush to get out the door in the mornings but still need something to give you the fuel that you’ll need to get you through the next couple of hours, then we suggest you rustle yourself up one of these babies. The Caffeine Kick is quick to prepare, fills your stomach, and gives you enough energy to make it through a morning at work or through a good training session.
Blend the following ingredients together:
- 1 Tbsp. of grass-fed gelatine
- 1 Tbsp. ground chia seeds
- 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
- 1/4 avocado
- 1/2 cup warm brewed coffee
- 1 Tbsp. almond butter
- 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 Tbsp. raw honey
- Sprinkle of cinnamon
Watermelon Wonder
Refreshing, rejuvenating, and oh so good! This cocktail of summer-time fruits will go down well any time of the day and will give you the ultimate dose of protein too. You could also always serve this shake without the protein powder, making it an ideal drink for entertaining during hot and sweltering summer days.
Blend the following ingredients together:
- 1 cup of watermelon, seeds removed
- 2 teaspoons of lemon juice
- 1/2 cantaloupe
- 1 banana
- 1/4 cup pineapple
- A handful of ice blocks
- 5 fresh basil leaves
Banana Chai Protein Shake
Banana’s are the best snack to fall back on when you quickly need to fill that hole in your stomach and give yourself a little energy at the same time. With this Banana and Chai Protein shake, you’ll curb hunger and protect your muscles all at the same time. Go bananas!
Blend the following ingredients together:
- 1 cup of Chai-infused water
- 1/2 banana, frozen
- 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1/3 cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt
- 1/3 cup low-fat milk
- A handful of ice cubes
- Sprinkle of cinnamon, for garnish
Matcha Madness Smoothie
We’ll end our list of awesome protein shakes off with the most potent blend of all, Matcha Madness! Matcha green tea powder is loaded with antioxidants and muscle protecting nutrients. It’s a superfood that has multiple health benefits and when it is blended into a smoothie with other tasty fruit, it becomes the ultimate meal replacement.
Blend the following ingredients together:
- 1 cup of fresh coconut milk
- 2 scoops of plain or vanilla protein powder
- 1 tsp Matcha tea powder
- 1 tbsp cashew butter
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1/4 tsp ginger powder
- 1 cup of frozen mango cubes
Comments