Posted Aug 17, 2022, Updated Feb 16, 2024 There have been many seasons of my life (especially while I was pregnant and nursing), that my body desperately needed more protein but I didn’t have the energy to cook. So, I created this protein smoothie recipe as an easy and nutritious way to give my body what it needed without spending hours in the kitchen (also try this green smoothie and spinach smoothie). This protein smoothie is made with six healthy, high-protein ingredients and only takes 5 minutes to make. Enjoy it as a nutritious breakfast or snack.
Protein Smoothie Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions
Milk. Any milk variety works well. 2%, almond milk, coconut milk, etc. Greek yogurt. I suggest a full-fat yogurt such as a plain or vanilla Greek yogurt, or a plain or vanilla Icelandic yogurt. Frozen mixed berries. I suggest using frozen berries for a thick, creamy, cold smoothie. However, you can substitute your favorite fruit: strawberries, blueberries, cherries, etc. Frozen Banana. Adding frozen banana sweetens smoothies and imparts a creamy texture. Using frozen banana means that you don’t need to add ice to make it thick and cold. Vanilla protein powder. Use a high-quality protein powder like this one. Almond butter. cashew butter, peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, etc. are all great substitutes. Honey. maple syrup is a good substitute for honey.
How to Make a Protein Smoothie
Let’s walk through how to make a protein smoothie recipe, and don’t forget to watch the video.
Use a Vitamix Blender
For thick & creamy smoothies I recommend using a Vitamix blender. If you’ve been around my blog for a while then you know my love for my blender runs deep. Check out this Vitamix Buying Guide to learn why I chose Vitamix 10+ years ago and never looked back!
Add Ingredients to Blending Container
Begin by adding all the ingredients in the order listed in the protein smoothie recipe to the container of a Vitamix blender (or another high-powered blender). It’s important to add the milk & yogurt first, then add the frozen fruit, for easy blending. I like to add the honey on top of the frozen fruit to ensure it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the blending container.
Protein Smoothie Recipe: Optional Add-Ins
If you’d like to add some nutrition boosters to this protein smoothie, here are some suggestions that you can add before you begin blending:
Greens. Adding 1 cup of spinach or power greens, won’t effect the taste or texture of this smoothie at all. It will change the color, but it’ll taste great and have a bonus serving of veggies! Collagen. For even more protein without changing the flavor, add a scoop of collagen. Chia seeds. a nutritional powerhouse that can be added to this tropical smoothie. I recommend adding 1-2 TBS and drinking the smoothie immediately.
Blend
Next, secure the lid and blend the protein smoothie until it’s smooth and uniform throughout. Use the tamper to press the ingredients to the blades (if using a Vitamix). You may need to pause, scrape down the sides and continue blending to ensure your smoothie is thick and frozen and avoid over-blending. The mixture should be smooth but thick.
Serve
Once blended, pour the protein smoothie into 2-4 glasses and serve immediately.
Store/Freeze
You can store this protein smoothie recipe in a glass jar with a lid for up to 1 day in the refrigerator or 1 month in the freezer. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can see your creations!
