My matcha protein shake is bright green and packed to the brim with luscious flavours like vanilla. Vegan, easy, made within minutes and so satisfying. Uses frozen banana, green tea matcha and natural peanut butter, adding healthy fats.
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What Choose This Recipe
- Vanilla and matcha make the perfect flavour pairing
- It’s vegan and gluten-free
- Contains no added sugars
- Packed with two portions of fruit
- Enriched with a portion of fresh spinach
- Contains healthy fats
- No protein shaker needed
- The perfect protein-packed alternative to my plant-based smoothies
The Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need for your green tea protein shake.
Ingredient Notes
- Banana: for best results, make sure to use a frozen banana. Simply slice it, place it in a resealable bag and leave in the fridge overnight.
- Matcha: use any matcha powder you have available. The better the quality, the brighter green your matcha will be.
- Plant milk: use any unsweetened plant milk such as almond, soy, coconut, oat, etc.
- Vanilla protein powder: protein powders are available in all bigger supermarkets and health stores. I used vegan vanilla powder.
Step-by-step Photos
Below is a handy visual guide that shows how to make this recipe.
PS - Find detailed instructions and exact measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Pour plant milk into your blender.
- Then add the rest of the ingredients, starting with lighter ingredients first. Add heavier ingredients last.
- Blend on high-speed for 2-3 minutes until completely smooth.
- Serve in your favourite glass. Add ice and a sprinkle of matcha on top if desired.
That’s it! Getting in your daily required protein intake has never been easier.
Expert Tips
Want to get the most out of your protein shake? Then follow these tips.
1. Add Liquids First
Make sure to always add your milk first. This goes for ALL blender recipes, not just this one. By adding liquids first, nearest to the blade, your blender will have an easier job of successfully blending everything.
2. Sift Your Protein Powder
Some protein powders can become clumpy. To avoid that, simply sift it into your blender. If you don’t have a sieve, simply break up any clumps with your hands. This will ensure your shake is clump-free and smooth.
3. Add Ice
You might be surprised but serving your shake with ice makes it that extra bit better. It helps it stay cool for longer and makes it overall more refreshing.
This is perfect for warmer months of the year. If you’re looking for a healthy drink for colder seasons, try out my homemade turmeric lemon & ginger tea.
FAQ + Troubleshooting
This shake contains approx. 19 grams of protein per portion. This was calculated using the vegan protein powder I used and might vary depending on the brand you’re using.
You can easily drink more than one protein shake a day.
However, keep in mind that how much protein your body needs is determined by your body weight. The general advice is 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight (source).
Moreover, people who exercise regularly will need more protein to support muscle recovery and growth (source).
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or a dietician.
Simply substitute for another flavour. You can also use unflavoured protein powder and add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to your shake.
To make it thicker, add less milk or more banana. Using frozen instead of room temperature bananas will also help make it thicker.
Matcha contains more caffeine than regular green tea, packing approx. 280 mg of caffeine per cup (according to this source).
You can occasionally find caffeine-free matcha powder in bigger health stores or online, but it's hard to come by.
This is why I would suggest drinking this shake in the morning
Given the fact that it contains caffeine, I would avoid drinking this shake in the evenings. Stick to morning or lunchtime.
For best results, drink within 30 minutes of your workout.
Many protein shakes are gluten-free. This one is gluten-free, but you should always check the brand of protein powder you are using as some of them might contain gluten.
As mentioned above, good quality matcha will be bright. Using bad-quality matcha will result in a more yellow, dull shake.
Keep in mind that the majority of the beautiful green colour in this shake comes from the spinach leaves. If you left it out or used less spinach, your protein shake might be less green.
You can store it in an airtight container and drink it within 24 hours. However, it's best enjoyed when served immediately after blending.
That’s all! If you enjoyed this matcha protein shake, you might want to check out my vegan matcha cookies here. Or you could discover my full drinks section here.
Recipe
Best Matcha Green Tea Vanilla Protein Shake (Vegan)
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup plant milk unsweetened
- 1 frozen banana sliced
- 1 apple cubed, I used a Pink Lady apple
- 2 tablespoon natural peanut butter
- 2,5 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ cup fresh baby spinach tightly packed
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- ½ teaspoon matcha powder
- ice cubes optional
Instructions
- First, pour plant milk into your blender.
- Then add the rest of the ingredients, starting with lighter ingredients first. Add heavier ingredients last.
- Blend on high speed for 2-3 minutes until completely smooth.
- Serve in your favourite glass. Add ice and a sprinkle of matcha on top if desired
Video
Notes
- Both cups and grams measurements are available - make sure to click on either US Cups or Metric under the ingredients list depending on what you're using.
- 1 scoop of protein powder usually equals approx. ⅛ cup.
- Tip 1: Some protein powder can become clumpy. To avoid that, simply sift it into your blender.
- Tip 2: To make it thicker, add less milk or more banana. Using frozen instead of room temperature bananas will also help make it thicker.
- Tip 3: Avoid drinking in the evenings as matcha contains a lot of caffeine.
- Tip 4: If you don't have vanilla protein powder, use whatever you have on hand and add a teaspoon of vanilla extract.
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