Matcha Protein Shake Recipe

This matcha protein shake recipe is incredibly easy-to-make with only a few simple ingredients and makes the BEST post-workout recovery drink that is loaded with antioxidants, protein, and other health benefits. 

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I recently started lifting weights again. Which means I also started drinking protein shakes again. 

In the past, I would just chug a protein shake as fast as I possibly could after a workout. I was never a fan of their taste or texture. 

This matcha protein shake recipe changed that. 

I actually look forward to drinking my matcha protein shake after a workout. And am truly disappointed if I work out too late to have one (it does contain caffeine). 

This green tea protein shake is like a delicious smoothie. 

One that has a host of health benefits, helps with muscle growth, and provides a little energy boost on a busy day. 

If you're a matcha lover too, check out these other easy matcha recipes:
- Hot Matcha Latte (like Starbucks’)
- Matcha Coffee
- Vanilla Matcha Latte
- Easy Matcha Cookies (with White Chocolate Chips)

Healthy Recipe

This matcha protein shake recipe, as written below in the recipe card, is pretty healthy. 

It only includes good stuff - matcha powder, vanilla protein powder, and the milk of your choice (I use unsweetened almond milk in mine). 

And it’s way easier to make than other green smoothies. 

Matcha powder

Matcha powder is a Japanese green tea powder that is made by grinding whole green tea leaves into a fine powder.

When we drink matcha, we are consuming whole green tea leaves. So we get more antioxidants and nutrients than when we drink regular green tea. 

Matcha has NUMEROUS health benefits. 

It’s high in antioxidants, which help to stabilize harmful free radicals that can damage cells.

According to Healthline’s “7 Proven Ways Matcha Tea Improves Your Health", matcha may also play a role in cancer prevention, help protect against heart disease, and aid weight loss.

It’s a superfood that is an easy, great addition to a healthy breakfast, midday pick-me-up, healthy smoothie, and/or protein shake. 

Vanilla Protein Powder

This matcha shake is technically a vanilla matcha protein shake. 

Vanilla and matcha go well together, like in this Vanilla Matcha Latte Recipe.

Which is why I like to use a vanilla protein powder in this recipe. 

Currently, I’m using 310 Nutrition’s Vanilla Meal Replacement Shake Powder.

It’s organic and vegan. All the protein comes from plants. 

One scoop contains 15 grams of plant-based protein. And is 110 calories. 

Click here to receive $10 off your first order of 310 Nutrition’s Vanilla Shake Powder.

My absolute favorite protein powder to use is Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder in Vanilla Ice Cream.

It tastes sooo good. It can be a bit clumpy, but mixing the shake in a personal blender, like this portable Blendjet, or with a battery-operated matcha whisk and milk frother, like this handheld matcha whisk/milk frother, fixes that. 

One scoop has 24 grams of protein and 120 calories. 

I use protein powder to help my body recover from strength training and promote muscle growth.

I’m definitely less sore when I drink a protein shake after a workout, especially one made with this (my favorite) protein powder.

For more benefits of protein, check out Healthline’s “10 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Whey Protein” or “What are the benefits of protein powder?” on MedicalNewsToday.com.

The Best Matcha

This matcha protein shake recipe can be made in two different ways.

Well, with two different types of matcha. The method of mixing everything together stays the same.

In the recipe card below, I include two sets of ingredients and measurements, based on the different matchas.

My favorite way to make this vanilla matcha protein shake is with Vital Proteins’ Matcha Collagen.

The earthy matcha flavor isn’t as strong as regular matcha green tea powder. But, it still tastes great and creates a creamy texture in drinks, even when mixed with almond milk (which can be a bit thin, like water). 

One scoop of this matcha collagen has 9 grams of protein, so using it means more protein in the protein shake!

It also has 10 grams of collagen.

I originally started to drink collagen because my hair was falling out (it was an incredibly stressful year and a half) and my skin was starting to look as rough as I felt. 

It hasn’t helped those issues as much as I hoped, BUT my joints feel so so much better. 

To learn more about what collagen can do, check out Healthline’s “Top 6 Benefits of Taking Collagen Supplements”.

The other way to make this matcha protein shake is with regular matcha green tea powder. One that does not have collagen. 

For matcha drinks, it’s always best to use a high quality matcha powder. 

But, for this protein shake and my other matcha recipes, you do not need to buy an expensive ceremonial matcha.

I usually use this Rishi Organic Everyday Matcha Powder or this Jade Leaf Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder - Premium Second Harvest Culinary Grade. 

Both are a bright green color, which is a sign of good quality matcha. 

They’re also full of that classic matcha flavor without any bitterness. 

I bought the one pictured above at the grocery store because the Rishi Organic Everyday Matcha Powder was sold out. It was pretty good.

Pro Tips

The best way to mix this vanilla matcha protein shake is with a portable blender, like this Blendjet. I’m obsessed with mine. It blends everything together so well. No clumps!

It can also be used to make this refreshing Iced Coffee Recipe with Ice Cream.

Sometimes, it does struggle with big ice cubes though. So, if you're using a small blender and want ice fully mixed in the drink, I recommend using small ice cubes or adding them in increments. Add a few. Mix. Add more. Mix again.

If you don’t have a blender, you could use a matcha whisk, like this handheld, battery-operated matcha whisk and milk frother, to combine the matcha, protein powder, and milk of choice. 

The whisk isn’t ideal if you’d like to mix ice cubes INTO your protein shake. But, it thoroughly combines the main ingredients of this green tea shake. 

If you would still like to include ice, simply pour the protein shake over ice cubes (in a glass) after mixing with the whisk. Or just add them to your blended drink in the cup you mixed it in.

With this recipe, I never traditionally prepare the matcha powder (whisking it with warm water) before adding it to my Blendjet. I just throw it in - as is. Easy peasy.

If using a Blendjet or other blender, please add the milk of your choice before adding the matcha powder and vanilla protein powder. 

For more matcha recipes, check out:
- Homemade Matcha Coffee
- Matcha Brownie Recipe (without White Chocolate)
- How to Make Strawberry Matcha Latte

If you make this matcha shake recipe and love it, please don’t forget to leave a rating and/or comment below.