High-Protein Shakes with No Protein Powder

These fresh and vibrant homemade protein shakes (no protein powder necessary!) are just the thing to fill you up when you need a quick breakfast on the go, or a boost to get you through the afternoon. Featuring a basic formula plus five recipes for easy protein shakes ready in just 5 minutes, each shake offers its own style and flavor.

Each shake starts with 3/4 cup of liquid and up to 1/3 cup of a main protein source. While there are specific ingredients for these categories noted in the shakes below, it’s easy to make a substitution based on your own preferences — swap almond milk for soy milk, or Greek yogurt for silken tofu.

From there, each shake will take on its own style and flavor with the addition of fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds. Each shake also includes a natural sweetener, in the form of dried pitted dates or a spoonful of agave. These ingredients are also interchangeable, or if you prefer, you can leave the extra sweetener out altogether.

Liquid + Main Protein + Protein Booster + Fruit + Natural Sweetener

Get a Head Start on Your Shakes: How I Freeze Smoothie Ingredients in Individual Serving Bags

To get your shake started, you’ll need to choose a liquid. Some of the shakes below use almond milk, some use coconut milk, and some use coconut water. But the important thing here isn’t what kind of liquid base you use (that part is totally flexible) — it’s using the right amount of liquid.

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You can use dairy milk, soy milk, nut milk, coconut milk, coconut water, or any combination of those. They all work equally well without drastically altering the flavor of the shake. It’s up to you, and depends on what you like best.

You won’t find any protein powder in these homemade shakes! Each one includes at least two natural sources of protein: the main protein source, and an extra protein booster.

The main protein is what really makes these shakes filling and satisfying. This comes in the form of Greek yogurt, silken tofu, nut butter, and raw cashews. And while each shake below specifies a protein, it’s easy to make swaps. Want to keep your shake vegan? Pass on the Greek yogurt for one of the other ingredients. If you can manage some pre-planning, soaking the cashews overnight will soften them up and help them blend easier.

Serves 1

Main Protein Source: Almond butter + raw cashews
Protein Boosters: Ground flax seed + whole oats

Imagine your favorite banana bread whipped up into a thick and nourishing drink — that’s what you get with this protein shake.

Combine 3/4 cup almond milk, 2 tablespoons almond butter, 1/4 cup raw cashews (soaked overnight), 1 medium banana (cut into chunks and frozen), 2 tablespoons whole oats, 1 tablespoon ground flax seed, 1 pitted dried date, and a sprinkle of cinnamon in a blender, then process until smooth. Top with an extra sprinkle of cinnamon for serving.

Serves 1

Protein Source: Greek yogurt
Protein Boosters: Hemp hearts

Not only is this vibrant pink shake totally stunning, but its sweet and earthy flavor will also win over your taste buds.

Combine 3/4 cup coconut water, 1/3 cup Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup frozen raspberries, 1/2 medium raw beet (peeled and diced), 1 tablespoon agave, and 1 tablespoon hemp hearts in a blender, then process until smooth. Top with an extra sprinkle of hemp hearts for serving.

Serves 1

Protein Source: Greek yogurt
Protein Boosters: Almond butter + hemp hearts

This thick, subtly sweet shake just might be the most delicious way to drink your greens.

Combine 3/4 coconut milk, 1/3 cup Greek yogurt, 1/2 heaping cup of spinach, 1/2 avocado, 1 tablespoon almond butter, 1 tablespoon hemp hearts, and 1 tablespoon agave in a blender, then process until smooth. Top with an extra sprinkle of hemp hearts for serving.

Serves 1

Protein Source: Silken tofu
Protein Boosters: Chia seeds

A scoop of frozen strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries gives this vegan shake its frothy texture, and a taste that will remind you of summer.

Combine 3/4 almond milk, 1/3 cup silken tofu, 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, and 1 tablespoon agave in a blender, then process until smooth. Top with an extra sprinkle of chia seeds before serving.

Serves 1

Protein Source: Greek yogurt + raw cashews
Protein boost: Chia seeds

Beat the mid-winter blues with this sweet, fruity shake that will make you feel like you’re on a tropical vacation — even if there’s a foot of snow outside your front door.

Combine 3/4 cup coconut water, 1/3 cup Greek yogurt, 1/3 cup raw cashews (soaked overnight), 1/4 cup frozen pineapple, 1/3 cup frozen mango, and 1 pitted dried date, then process until smooth. Top with a spoonful of chia seeds before serving.