9 Ways to Turn Protein Shakes Into Your Favorite Drink

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You have just bought a new tub of protein powder, and you're excited to dig in. You rip the tub open, get your shaker, heap a scoop or two in, pour in some milk or water, shake vehemently for many seconds, and drink, only to discover that you think protein powders taste bad.

This is a common experience — being stuck with protein powder you don't even want to use because you don't like the taste. But don't fret because there are ways to get through this that don't involve wincing when you taste your protein shake. Let's show you how!

Is There a Way to Make Protein Powder Taste Better?

Many people simply put their protein powder in water, shake it, and drink it. If it does not have a great taste, taking your protein powder like this may just make you hate it. 

Luckily, you can make protein powder (affiliate link) taste better. To do this, however, there are many factors to consider: your personal preferences, the protein powder's flavor, the availability of sweeteners, and the drink's temperature. 

Let's delve into all the possible hacks that can make you go from not liking your protein shake to looking forward to it post-workout.

9 Tips For How to Make Protein Powder Taste Better

1. If You Can’t Find a Flavor You Like, Buy Unflavored Protein Powder

You've probably already bought the protein powder and are looking to make it taste better. But just in case you haven't and you can't decide on a flavor you like, buy an unflavored one. This tip is important because if you don't like the product's inherent flavor, making it taste better would be a lot more difficult.

So, first things first, what is your favorite protein powder flavor? Sticking to the basics usually works. Options like vanilla and chocolate have stood the test of time for a reason; most people have found that they can hardly go wrong with those. However, if you find yourself not liking those, the unflavored option is your best bet. 

This way, it is easier to use all the other hacks in this article to make your protein shake taste just how you want. And if you have a favorite flavor, that's still great. You can further enhance the taste by utilizing the other tips we are about to discuss.

2. Use Milk That Works For You

Milk is one of the most popular additions to protein powder, and many fitness enthusiasts swear by plant-based milk alternatives, especially almond milk. This is because it is not as thick as other milk alternatives, so it mixes easily with protein powder. Also, almond milk usually has fewer calories and won’t derail your weight loss goals.

However, you should still choose milk depending on how you like the taste. It is expedient to experiment with various brands and find one that you like best. If you have body composition goals, you could also factor them in at this point. 

If you want to lose weight, it would help to use a low-calorie option like almond milk, soy milk, or skimmed milk. And if you want to gain weight, you could simply use full cream milk or coconut milk. This way, you can find a balance between your fitness goals and your taste, fostering consistency in the long run. 

3. Implement Fruits and Vegetables 

What is a protein shake without fruits and vegetables? This is one of the best ways to add natural sweetness to your protein powder, making whey protein shakes taste better. If your protein powder tastes bad, or you don't like the brand's taste, you could blend your favorite fruits into the shake. Popular options are bananas, berries, mangoes, apples, pineapples, avocados, and cherries. 

Depending on the ones you add, vegetables can also go a long way in impacting the taste of your protein powder. Carrots, for example, could add a mild sweetness and create a tasty protein shake. It's best to experiment with various fruits and vegetables, focusing on the ones you like best. 

4. Use a Blender For Optimal Mixing

Today, there are so many tools for making protein shakes and other mixed and blended drinks. With each passing day, there is innovation in the bottle shaker space, with companies introducing different types of shakers into the market. Still, there aren't many tools that beat the efficiency of a simple electric blender when it comes to making protein shakes. 

If you're going to mix fruits like the ones outlined above, it's best to use a blender (affiliate link) so that you can grind all the hard substances to the finest pulp possible, making your shake's texture and smoothness consistent. 

5. Add Natural Sweeteners

Adding natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, and agave nectar could make your protein powder taste good again. You can also experiment with less popular options like dates, coconut sugar, molasses, and yacon syrup. 

Some of these natural sweeteners, like dates and yacon syrup, are also low-calorie. This ties into one of the main reasons most people use protein powder — weight and fat loss. So, using natural sweeteners can make protein shakes taste better without adding too many extra calories. 

6. Try Nut or Seed Butters

A scoop or two of peanut butter can really improve your protein shake's taste. Away from the taste, using nut butters could also impact the shake's thickness and consistency. If you prefer thicker protein shakes, nut butters are definitely the way. 

In case of nut allergies, seed butters can also work. A spoon or two of sunflower butter could change the flavor and texture of your protein shake, making it more palatable.  

7. Include Spices

Making protein shakes taste better could involve spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, ginger, and cardamom. These can dramatically change flavor, making your shake a little more savory. 

8. Throw in Flavor Extracts

If you prefer sweet to savory, use flavor extracts instead of spices to improve your protein shake's taste. Your options include vanilla, coconut, and orange. Using these offers a little-to-no-stress method of adding a literal drop of sweetness to your protein shake. 

Cocoa powder is another stress-free way to add some sweetness to your protein powder, especially the unflavored type. A scoop or two will add an unrivaled chocolate taste.

When using extracts, remember that they are highly concentrated and can easily overpower your protein shake. So, start with a little — a few drops or a quarter teaspoon. As you use extracts more often, you can continue experimenting to find the perfect measurement for your taste!

9. Don’t Forget the Ice

For that chill, refreshing taste, add some ice cubes to your protein shake. If using ice cubes is inconvenient, just use cold water or milk so that your shake is cold and ready to drink. And if you have time, refrigerating the shake works just fine. 

How Do You Hide the Taste of Protein Powder?

Blending your protein powder with fruits is a great way to mask its taste. Simply incorporate the protein powder into smoothies or shakes that have strong-flavored ingredients like bananas, berries, mangoes, and pineapples. These fruits would bring a different flavor to the mix, making your protein shake enjoyable again. 

For a more chocolatey vibe, you could also use cocoa powder and peanut butter. Your unflavored or chocolate-flavored protein powder may taste bad because it contains artificial fillers or additives that leave a chemical aftertaste. You can mask such unpleasant tastes and create a new feel with chocolate powder or peanut butter. They not only make your shake taste better but also change the texture and thickness. 

Another simple way to hide your protein powder's taste is to use flavor extracts. As little as a few drops of these highly concentrated extracts can add a whole lot of flavor to your protein powder, almost completely changing how it tastes. 

If you're willing to go one step further, you can also use your protein powder to make protein bars and bites. Mixing protein powder with other baking ingredients like flour and eggs would downplay the powder's taste, leaving you with fresh baked goods afterward. However, remember that adding such ingredients would also change your protein's macronutrient components and may be counterproductive if you're trying to use protein powder for weight loss. 

How Do You Make Protein Powder Less Chalky?

There are many reasons your protein powder drink could be chalky. One of them is improper mixing and blending. The best way to overcome this is to use a blender and try to grind all the ingredients in your shake to a fine pulp. This way, you can achieve smoother consistency. 

Another reason protein powder drink gets chalky is you didn't add enough liquid, i.e., water or milk. When making your shake, ensure you add enough water or milk. If you're using water, however, be careful because too much water may make your drink lose its taste and flavor. It's best to experiment with different liquid quantities to find a balance between smooth consistency and taste. 

More often than not, the reason your protein powder is chalky is its quality or type. Hence, these tips can only go so far in removing the lumps in your protein shake. Better yet, when buying protein powder, try to opt for renowned brands that have been proven to make great products. 

Final Thoughts

As you have seen, there are many innovative and cool ways to turn protein shakes into your favorite drink. However, the process really starts when you make the purchase. There are many reasons you may not like the taste of your protein powder, but most of them are a result of the brand you use. 

Fitness supplements can be pricey, so you want to take your time to find a product that you will like and enjoy, and protein powder is no exception. If you're buying online, make sure you read reviews and ask questions. Even more simple, opt for a flavor that you like. This way, you won't have to add too many other ingredients in order to mask its taste. 

Another important consideration is quantity. If you're not sure you'll like a brand, don't buy the biggest tub. Opt for smaller ones that you can comfortably experiment with, aiming to make more informed choices. Even though you're picky, you'll eventually find something you like — something with a taste you don't have to worry about masking. 

Also, be sure to check out our Healthy Transformation Grocery List (affiliate link) for a compiled and convenient list of foods we recommend for anyone trying to gain muscle on a clean diet in addition to protein powders.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you finish bad-tasting protein powder?

Finishing a tub of protein powder you don't like can be a hassle. However, there are many ways to hide the taste of protein powder. You can make it into a smoothie by blending your favorite fruits and vegetables with the powder. You can also use natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, and agave nectar. 

To further mask the protein powder's taste, use flavor extracts. These are highly concentrated, and a few drops can change how your shake comes out. 

What liquid tastes good with protein powder?

Depending on personal and dietary preferences, many liquids taste good with protein. Both cow's milk and plant-based alternatives, like almond milk, are popular options. If you'd rather not use milk, you could also use liquids like water, natural fruit juice, and diluted yogurt. 

What is the best protein powder if you don't like the taste of protein?

Whey protein powder isolate is a great choice if you don't like the taste of protein because it goes through a process that reduces its lactose and fat content. This may make the supplement's taste milder. You could also consider using flavored protein powders as the added flavor could mask the "taste of protein," making it easier to ingest. 

This article has been reviewed by our editorial board and has been approved for publication in accordance with our editorial policy.