How to make shakes with Ensure for a nutrient-packed boost

November 15, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Abbott Nutrition, a significant number of consumers report enjoying Ensure more when mixed into a shake or smoothie. Learning how to make shakes with Ensure can transform a simple nutritional drink into a satisfying and delicious treat, perfectly tailored to your taste and nutritional goals.

Quick Summary

Transform standard Ensure drinks into delicious, personalized shakes with creative additions. Use a blender to combine ingredients like fruit, nut butter, and yogurt for enhanced flavor, texture, and nutritional value. Adapt recipes for weight gain, specific dietary needs, or different Ensure formulas to maximize the benefits of this supplement.

Key Points

Flavor Customization: Enhance the flavor of your Ensure shake with additions like fruit, spices, extracts, or nut butter.
Boost Calories: For healthy weight gain, increase the caloric density by adding ingredients such as oats, nut butters, or ice cream.
Blend for Smoothness: Always use a blender to achieve a creamy, lump-free texture for your Ensure shakes.
Serve Chilled: Ensure shakes taste best when cold. Use frozen fruit or ice cubes to make them refreshing and palatable.
Protein Power: Maximize protein intake by using Ensure Max Protein or adding extra protein powder to your shake.
Adjust for Diet: Use lactose-free milk alternatives with Ensure powder for those who are lactose-sensitive.
Try Frozen Fruit: Frozen berries or bananas are excellent for thickening shakes and adding a cold, creamy element.

Why Blend Ensure into a Shake?

Drinking a nutritional supplement straight from the bottle isn't always appealing. By blending it into a shake, you can significantly enhance the flavor and texture, making it much more palatable and enjoyable. This process also allows for customization, letting you add extra calories, protein, or flavorings to meet your specific dietary needs, whether you're trying to gain weight or simply looking for a tasty meal replacement. The result is a delicious, creamy drink that feels more like a treat than a supplement.

Basic Principles for Making Ensure Shakes

Making a great Ensure shake is straightforward if you follow a few basic steps. Always start with a chilled Ensure drink for the best flavor, or use plenty of ice. A blender is essential for achieving a smooth, lump-free consistency. For an extra creamy texture, frozen fruits or a scoop of yogurt work wonders.

Delicious Ensure Shake Recipes

Creamy Vanilla Berry Shake

This simple, classic recipe is packed with antioxidants and flavor.

1 bottle (8 oz) Vanilla Ensure
1/2 cup mixed frozen berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup ice

Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

Power-Packed Peanut Butter Banana Shake

Ideal for those seeking a high-calorie, high-protein shake for weight gain or muscle recovery.

1 bottle (8 oz) Chocolate Ensure
1 frozen banana
2 tbsp peanut butter
2 tbsp quick oats
Ice cubes (optional)

Instructions: Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until you reach your desired consistency. The oats will thicken the shake, so add more liquid if needed.

Spiced Pumpkin Spice Shake

Enjoy the flavors of autumn with this warm and comforting shake.

1 bottle (8 oz) Vanilla Ensure
1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
Pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg

Instructions: Blend all ingredients until smooth. Serve chilled, or for a warm treat, gently heat the liquid before blending, but do not boil.

Comparison Table: Ensure Products for Shakes

This table helps you choose the right Ensure product based on your nutritional goals.


Feature	Ensure Original	Ensure Plus	Ensure Max Protein
Primary Goal	General nutrition	Weight gain, extra calories	High protein support
Calories (per 8-10 fl oz)	~220	~350	~150
Protein (per 8-10 fl oz)	~9g	~16g	~30g
Best For	Everyday use, light snacking	Boosting calories for weight gain	Supporting muscle health
Shake Additions	Fruit, yogurt, flavor extracts	Nut butter, oats, ice cream	Minimal additions needed

How to Customize Your Ensure Shake

For Gaining Weight and Extra Calories

If your goal is to gain weight, you'll want to increase the caloric density of your shake. Ingredients like whole milk, heavy cream, nut butters (peanut, almond), honey, or even a scoop of ice cream are excellent additions. Using Ensure Plus, which has more calories and protein than the regular version, is also a great strategy.

For a Protein Boost

For those focused on muscle health, consider using Ensure Max Protein, which contains 30g of protein per serving. You can also supplement any Ensure shake by adding a scoop of your favorite protein powder (unflavored is best for taste) or a spoonful of Greek yogurt.

For Different Dietary Needs

Ensure is suitable for various dietary needs, but some customizations may be necessary.

Lactose Intolerance: While Ensure is suitable for most with lactose intolerance, you can use lactose-free milk alternatives like soy milk or almond milk if you're using Ensure powder.
Flavoring: If you find the taste too bland, experiment with vanilla or almond extract, sugar-free syrups, or a sprinkle of unsweetened cocoa powder.

Tips for the Best Texture and Taste

Start with a cold base: Chilling the Ensure beforehand or using plenty of ice cubes or frozen fruit is key for a refreshing taste and smooth texture.
Add ingredients in order: Put liquids in the blender first, followed by softer items like yogurt, and finally harder items like frozen fruit or ice.
Blend thoroughly: Ensure all ingredients are fully combined to avoid a lumpy or chalky consistency.
Don't forget the extras: A dash of spices like cinnamon or a few mint leaves can add a surprising and delicious twist to your shake.

Conclusion

Making shakes with Ensure is a simple and effective way to enhance both the flavor and nutritional value of this popular supplement. By experimenting with different recipes and add-ins like fruit, nut butter, and spices, you can create a customized drink that meets your specific dietary needs and satisfies your taste buds. For a variety of recipe ideas and tips, you can also explore Ensure's official recipes page. The versatility of Ensure makes it a valuable and delicious addition to any diet, proving that healthy can also be delicious.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can use Ensure powder. Mix the powder with milk or water first, as directed on the can, and then add your other shake ingredients, like fruit or yogurt, before blending.

Almost any fruit works, but popular choices include bananas, frozen berries, mango, and pineapple, which add both flavor and nutrients.

Yes, adding yogurt, especially Greek yogurt, is a great idea. It can boost the protein content and create a thicker, creamier texture.

To make your shake thicker, use frozen fruit, add ice cubes, or include a spoonful of Greek yogurt or nut butter.

It is best to consume Ensure shakes promptly after preparation. If you must store one, refrigerate it immediately in a covered container and consume it within 24 hours.

Some flavors like chocolate can be gently warmed for a hot drink, but it should never be brought to a boil, as this can degrade some of the vitamins and nutrients.

For an extra protein boost, you can use Ensure Max Protein, which has 30g of protein, or simply add a scoop of unflavored protein powder or Greek yogurt to your shake.