12 Mind-Blowing, Muscle-Building Protein Shakes
Mixing up a protein shake is a chemistry experiment. A little of this, a little of that, a scoop of this, and then BLEND. (Imagine whirring noise here.) Once the OFF switch is pressed, the results of the experiment are at hand.
If the ingredients represent a perfect blend, if they were entered in the correct amounts, drinking won't stop until the shake is gone. If you take a sip and then stop to assess it, something went wrong, something's amiss. Palatable? Maybe. Perfect? Alas, no.
Here at Bodybuilding.com, we don't need no stinkin' experiments when it comes to protein shakes. So when the staff asked me, a Team Bodybuilding.com member, for my best protein shake recipes, I was happy to oblige. After all, I'm something of a master mixologist when it comes to turning Protein Powder: into liquid magic. Here, then, are my best muscle-building, mind-blowingly-yummy-tasting shake recipes.
We, in turn, are happy to share them with you. You're welcome!
1. Coconut Twisted Julius
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Ingredients
- Coconut Milk: 1 cup
- Vanilla Protein Powder: 2 scoops
- Orange Juice Concentrate: 2 tbsp
- Frozen Banana: 1/2 banana
Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 1 smoothie
- Recipe yields: 1 serving
- Calories 468
- Fat 9.3 g
- Carbs 46.8 g
- Protein 52 g
2. Muscular Mango
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Sugar-free Apple Juice: 1 cup
- Vanilla Protein Powder: 2 scoops
- Orange Juice Concentrate: 2 tbsp
- Greek Yogurt: 1/2 cup
- Frozen Mango: 1/2 cup
- Frozen Pineapple: 1/2 cup
Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 1 smoothie
- Recipe yields: 1 serving
- Calories 600
- Fat 4.3 g
- Carbs 79.5 g
- Protein 63.5 g
3. Almond Joy
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Ingredients
- Unsweetened Almond Milk: 1 cup
- Chocolate Protein Powder: 2 scoops
- Almond Butter: 2 tbsp
- Dark Chocolate Chips: 2 tbsp
- Coconut: 1/4 cup (shredded)
Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 1 smoothie
- Recipe yields: 1 serving
- Calories 1042
- Fat 45 g
- Carbs 58.8 g
- Protein 61.8 g
4. Caramel Coffee
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Ingredients
- Unsweetened Almond Milk: 1 cup
- Chocolate Protein Powder: 2 scoops
- Instant Coffee: 1 tbsp
- Caramel Creamer: 1 tsp (sugar-free)
Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 1 smoothie
- Recipe yields: 1 serving
- Calories 340
- Fat 6.5 g
- Carbs 25 g
- Protein 51 g
5. The Fuzzy Protein
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Ingredients
- Sugar-free Apple Juice: 1 cup
- Vanilla Protein Powder: 2 scoops
- Greek Yogurt: 1/2 cup
- Frozen Peaches: 1/2 cup
Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 1 smoothie
- Recipe yields: 1 serving
- Calories 377
- Fat 4.2 g
- Carbs 21.3 g
- Protein 62.7 g
6. Dark Chocolate Banana
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Ingredients
- Unsweetened Almond Milk: 1 cup
- Chocolate Protein Powder: 2 scoops
- Cinnamon: 1 tsp
- Dark Chocolate Chips: 2 tbsp
- Frozen Banana: 1/2 banana
Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 1 smoothie
- Recipe yields: 1 serving
- Calories 565
- Fat 15.6 g
- Carbs 58.3 g
- Protein 54.3 g
7. Cheesecake Protein
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Ingredients
- Unsweetened Almond Milk (or water): 1 cup
- Vanilla Protein Powder: 2 scoops
- Cream Cheese: 1 oz
- Crushed Graham Crackers: 1/4 cup
Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 1 smoothie
- Recipe yields: 1 serving
- Calories 460
- Fat 8.9 g
- Carbs 38.9 g
- Protein 56.4 g
8. The Rich
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Ingredients
- Fat-Free Milk: 12 oz
- Chocolate Protein Powder: 2 scoops
- Fat-Free Vanilla Yogurt: 2 tbsp
- Peanut Butter: 1 tbsp
- Hazelnut Coffee: 2 tbsp
- Caramel Ice Cream Topping: 1/8 cup
- Ice: 10 ice cubes
Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 1 smoothie
- Recipe yields: 1 serving
- Calories 591
- Fat 13 g
- Carbs 51.7 g
- Protein 71.3 g
9. Chocolate Peanut Butter
10. Fibrous Fruit
Ingredients
- Milk or Apple Juice: 1 cup
- Wheat Germ: 1/2 cup
- Milk & Egg Protein Powder: 1/3 tbsp
- Frozen Banana: 1/2 banana
- Frozen Strawberries, Blueberries, or Peaches: 3-4 strawberries or 1/3 cup blueberries/peaches
Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 1 smoothie
- Recipe yields: 1 serving
- Calories 287
- Fat 1.9 g
- Carbs 49.1 g
- Protein 25.4 g
11. Snickers Mocha
Ingredients
- Unsweetened Almond Milk: 1/2 cup
- Protein Powder: 1 scoop
- Cold Coffee: 1/2 cup
- Caramel Creamer: 1 tsp (sugar-free)
- Butternut Flavoring Extract: 1 tsp
- Chocolate Carnation Instant Breakfast: 1/4-1/2 packet
- Ice: 3 ice cubes
Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 1 smoothie
- Recipe yields: 1 serving
- Calories 136
- Fat 4.5 g
- Carbs 30 g
- Protein 32 g
12. Sweet Strawberry
Ingredients
- Water: 8 oz
- Vanilla Protein Powder: 2 scoops
- Flaxseed Oil: 2 tbsp
- Greek Yogurt: 1/2 cup
- Frozen Strawberries: 1/2 cup
Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 1 smoothie
- Recipe yields: 1 serving
- Calories 500
- Fat 10.8 g
- Carbs 28.1 g
- Protein 74.3 g
A final note on these recipes:
You can change them to fit your calorie needs! Some of these recipes have more carbs than others, some have higher fat, and some are great for cutting.
So if you're currently leaning out, you may want to switch out any almond or coconut milk for water.
If you're lactose intolerant, omit dairy products. Get creative and don't let boredom take you shopping down the baked goods aisle when hunger calls!