Lemon Blueberry Protein Smoothie
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This lemon blueberry protein smoothie tastes like a blueberry milkshake, with the added bonus of 48g of protein. Perfect for chaotic mornings, it comes together in 5 minutes with one blender.
The lemon juice is the secret – it brightens the whole thing and makes it bold and refreshing. The cottage cheese makes it rich, creamy, and surprisingly dessert-like. You’d never know it’s in there.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- 48g of protein – tastes nothing like a protein shake
- Frozen blueberries make it thick and frosty without ice
- Cottage cheese does the heavy lifting on protein – you’d never know it’s in there
- 5 minutes, one blender, barely any cleanup
- Kid-approved (they think it’s a treat)
Ingredients and Substitutions:
These are the main ingredients and substitutions; see the recipe card for the full details.
Vanilla Protein Powder
PEScience Gourmet Vanilla is my tried and true go-to. It blends well and has no gritty texture, unlike some other ones I’ve tried. Use code OHSNAP to save!
Low-Fat Cottage Cheese
This adds to the protein while making your smoothie rich and creamy. You can use full-fat for a richer smoothie or add Greek yogurt in its place.
Milk
When it comes to smoothies any type of milk works. Because I wanted the added protein, I went with Fairlife 2% milk, which gives us an extra 13g of protein. Feel free to use any plant-based or type of milk you like. Using almond milk will save almost 5g of fat.
Frozen Wild Blueberries
Frozen blueberries act as the ice without diluting flavor, giving thickness and that frosty texture. Fresh works with added ice, but won’t be as thick. Wild blueberries (smaller, more intense flavor) are great if you can find them frozen.
Fresh Lemon
Blueberries and lemon are one of my favorite combos. You need the juice of one medium sized lemon for the perfect balance of flavors.
Variations
- Blueberry Banana: Add a full frozen banana for extra creaminess and natural sweetness.
- Blueberry Muffin: Add 2 tbsp rolled oats + a pinch of cinnamon. Blend well. Tastes like breakfast in a glass.
- Mixed Berry: Sub half the blueberries for frozen strawberries or raspberries.
- Chocolate Blueberry: Add 1 tbsp cocoa powder + chocolate protein powder. Unexpected but amazing.
- Add whipped cream and graham cracker shavings on top.
Dietary Modifications
- For dairy-free, use a plant-based protein powder, plant-based milk, and swap the cottage cheese for a dairy-free yogurt.
- This recipe is gluten-free, if using a gluten-free protein powder.
Tips on how to make the best blueberry protein smoothie
- Frozen over fresh – frozen blueberries = built-in ice. Fresh blueberries + added ice = watered-down flavor. The frozen ones also release more natural color, giving you that deep purple smoothie.
- Blender order matters – liquid goes in first, always. It creates a vortex that pulls everything down into the blades. Powder on top of dry ingredients = clumps stuck under the blade and a strained motor.
- Don’t over-blend – over-blending warms the smoothie up and kills the thick, frosty texture. Blend in short pulses until just smooth.
- Taste before you pour – blueberry sweetness varies by brand and season. Taste and adjust with a small drizzle of honey or a couple of extra frozen berries before committing to a full pour.
Troubleshooting your blueberry protein smoothie
- Grainy shake – protein powder not fully blended. Blend longer, use a high-speed blender, or add powder last.
- Too thick – add more almond milk 1–2 tbsp at a time.
- Not sweet enough – add ripe frozen banana or a small drizzle of honey; lemon can make it taste too tart if overdone, dial it back.
Recipe FAQs
There are 48g of protein in this smoothie.
Yes, but frozen is strongly recommended. Frozen blueberries make the smoothie thicker and frostier without needing ice, which dilutes flavor. If using fresh, add a handful of ice cubes to compensate.
PEScience gourmet vanilla protein powder is my all time favorite. It has great flavor and doesn’t taste gritty when blended.
Smoothies are always best fresh, but you can make freezer packs ahead of time – pre-portion the blueberries into freezer bags, then just add liquid and protein powder at blend time. You can also blend and freeze in a jar for up to 1 month; thaw overnight in the fridge and shake before drinking.
Check out our other high-protein smoothie recipes!
If you make this recipe, please leave a rating and/or comment! Tag me on Instagram @ohsnapmacros, I love hearing from you!
Blueberry Lemon Shake
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 scoop PEScience gourmet vanilla protein powder
- 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese
- 3/4 cup Fairlife 2% milk
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. honey
- 1 lemon juiced (1/2 if a large lemon)
- 1/3 cup wild frozen blueberries
Optional
- whipped cream
- graham cracker crumbs
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients together, adding the liquid first.
Notes
- You can adjust with more lemon juice if desired. Top with crushed graham crackers and whipped cream if it’s your thing.
- Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary with substitutions.
