How to Make Protein Powder Taste Better

📌 Overview and Key Takeaways

Are you wondering how to make protein powder taste better?

This is a Dietitian’s guide on how to make any protein powder delicious.

Last Updated
Jan 14, 2026

Author and Medical Reviewer

Written by Jack, Founder

Jack is the Founder of Drink Wholesome.

Medically reviewed by Brittany, MS, RD and Jenn, PA-C

Kayla is a Registered Dietitian with a MS in Nutrition.

Jennifer is a Physician Assistant with a BA in Nutritional Sciences.

5 Ways to Make Any Protein Powder Taste Good

Why Do Protein Powders Taste Bad?

Most protein powders taste bad.

In fact, most protein powders taste terrible.

I personally rarely come across a protein powder I actually enjoy.

The main reason why protein powders taste bad is they are made with protein concentrates and isolates.

Unlike whole foods, these protein sources have been stripped of everything but the protein, which gives them a chalky aftertaste.

Many protein powders also have a bitter aftertaste because they are sweetened with sugar substitutes like sucralose and stevia.

Unlike sugar, many sugar substitutes activate bitter taste receptors in addition to sweet taste receptors (Genes Nutr, 2014).

Moreover, most protein powders are flavored with artificial or natural flavorings.

Laboratory-formulated flavors like these tend to have an unpleasant, chemical aftertaste.

Finally, some protein powders, particularly plant-based protein powders, are gritty because of their insoluble fiber content.

Generally speaking, the more insoluble fiber a protein powder contains, the grittier it is.

The grittiest protein powders tend to be those made with seeds (chia, pumpkin, etc.) and hemp.

In summary, protein powders tend taste bad because they:

• are made from protein concentrates and/or isolates
• contain sugar substitutes
• contain flavorings
• are high in insoluble fiber

Now that you know what to look for when buying protein powder, you should be able to choose one that tastes good.

That said, if you cannot afford a new protein powder, or if you are not willing to try another brand until you have finished what you already have, keep reading.

How Do I Make Protein Powder Taste Good?

If you are dissatisfied with how your protein powder tastes, try the following:

1. Mix it with milk. Protein powder tastes better when mixed with milk or a milk alternative than when mixed with water. This is especially true if you find your protein powder to be too sweet, as milk helps balance the sweetness of sugar substitutes. Switching to milk does add a few more calories, but if you use cow’s milk, it also adds a few more grams of protein.
2. Use a blender. If your protein powder is too gritty, use a good blender, Electric Mixer or Shaker Bottle (with a whisk). Mixing protein powder with a spoon, or simply shaking it in a water bottle will leave you with a lumpy mess.
3. Add ice or frozen banana. If your protein shake is too watery, add ice or frozen banana. As long as you have a good blender, it will thicken your shake.
4. Add cocoa powder. If your protein powder is too sweet, try adding something bitter like unsweetened cocoa powder. You could also use unflavored protein powder and add your own sweetener.
5. Try a different recipe. If you cannot, despite your best efforts, make your protein shake taste good, consider finding another use for your protein powder. Mixing it in oatmeal or adding it to baked goods are two great options. Check out these delicious High Protein Recipes for more inspiration.

It is worth adding that delicious protein supplements do exist.

Protein powder is not inherently disgusting, you just have to shop around until you find one you like.

Sources

1. Genes & Nutrition (Genes Nutr). Genetic signature of differential sensitivity to stevioside in the Italian population. 2014.

Editorial Guidelines

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This article was written by a Registered Dietitian and reviewed by a Physician Assistant. We rely on peer-reviewed research and trusted medical sources, and regularly update our content to ensure accuracy and clarity.