The 8 Best Organic Protein Powders, Tested and Reviewed

Oct 14, 2024

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We taste-tested 25 protein powders to find the most nutritious options you'll actually want to put in your smoothie

Tamar is a Registered Dietitian and marathon runner who has served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for two years as a combat fitness instructor.

Rich Scherr is an updates strategist and fact checker for Dotdash Meredith brands, including Health and Verywell. He is a seasoned financial and technology journalist who served as editor-in-chief of the Potomac Tech Wire for nearly two decades, and is a regular contributor to the sports pages of The Baltimore Sun. He has also been a news editor for America Online and has contributed to the Associated Press and The Washington Post.

In This Article

Health / Jessica Juliao

Hitting your protein goals can often be a challenge especially if you’re an athlete with higher nutrient needs, are pregnant or breastfeeding, short on time, or have dietary restrictions. In these cases, protein powders are a great way to give your protein intake a much-needed boost.

Protein supplements often have many different nutritional claims. However, the USDA-certified organic label means the foods are grown according to specific federal guidelines that consider soil quality, animal-raising practices, pest control, and additive use. According to Allison Knott, MS, RDN, organic protein powders, and conventional protein powders do not differ in their nutritional value. Although, they are a good choice if you’re looking to avoid synthetic ingredients, pesticides, GMOs, artificial flavors, or additives.

To select our top organic protein powders, our dietitians analyzed research, interviewed experts, and evaluated protein powders based on the quality of ingredients, third-party testing, and nutritional composition. We also tested 25 top-ranked protein powders in our lab by mixing a serving of each powder with water in a shaker bottle and rated them for taste, texture, and smell. We combined those results with third-party testing, nutrition, and value scores to select our top picks and give you plenty of options to pick from, including both plant-based and milk-derived protein powders.

Dietary supplements are minimally regulated by the FDA and may or may not be suitable for you. They also may interact with other supplements or medications you are taking. Experts from our medical review board review supplements according to our rigorous dietary supplement methodology. We also had a registered dietitian review this page for its scientific accuracy. Please always speak with a healthcare provider to discuss any supplements you plan on taking

Sprout Living Epic Protein earns the top spot on our list of organic protein powders. This vegan protein is balanced for post-workout nutrition needs, with 20 grams of protein and 13 grams of carbohydrates per serving. The protein comes from a blend of different plant-based foods, such as yellow pea protein, sunflower seed, pumpkin seed, sacha inchi, and cranberry seed. Sacha inchi seeds are high in iron and boost this powder's iron content to 30% of the Daily Value. Keep in mind that iron is a nutrient that can sometimes be challenging to get, especially on a vegan diet, and it's necessary for transporting oxygen.

In addition to its quality nutrient profile, we also appreciate that this protein powder is flavored with a blend that includes a South American lucuma fruit, coconut milk, cinnamon, ginger root, baobab fruit, and vanilla bean. It gives this a subtle sweetness that isn't too overpowering, with a delicious creamy vanilla and cinnamon flavor. It also contains three grams of fiber, mainly from Jerusalem artichoke, and is sweetened with coconut sugar and stevia. It mixed well in just plain water with a smooth texture, but it would also be a good choice blended into a fruit smoothie.

Sprout Living’s website mentions that their products undergo third-party testing, but they do not provide further details. If you’re not a vanilla fan, this powder also comes in chocolate maca, complete coffee, green kingdom, mindful matcha, and unflavored options.

Product Details

If you prefer an organic whey protein powder, we recommend Natural Force Organic Grass Fed Whey. This protein powder is made with whey protein concentrate from grass-fed cows, and it contains 20 grams of protein per scoop. Whey protein is high in essential amino acids, including branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which are particularly important for muscle repair and growth.

This protein powder has a simple ingredient list, including whey protein concentrate, monk fruit powder, and vanilla flavor. We recommend mixing this powder into smoothies to get the best taste and texture. When mixed with plain water, it does not fully dissolve, leaving a grainy texture and some clumps. It also has a slight aftertaste. For a great post-workout snack, try blending it with your milk of choice, a frozen banana, and a scoop of peanut butter.

This product is free from fillers, colors, artificial ingredients, gluten, and soy. We like that every batch is third-party tested for purity and potency, including heavy metal and microbe testing.

Since this protein powder is whey-based, it’s not suitable for those with dairy allergies or sensitivities.

Product Details

Aloha Organic Plant-Based Protein is a great option if you're looking for an organic protein powder and following a plant-based diet. Vegan sources of protein are typically less bioavailable and contain fewer essential amino acids than animal-based sources. Therefore, adding additional protein from a variety of plant-based sources can be a helpful way to increase your protein intake and diversify your amino acid intake.

This contains protein from a mix of sources, including pea protein, brown rice protein, hemp seed protein, and pumpkin seed protein. The pumpkin seeds also help provide 35% Daily Value of iron, a mineral vegans sometimes struggle to get enough of in their diet. This powder is also higher in fiber compared to other protein powders, with five grams of fiber per serving.

Two scoops of this powder provide you with 18 grams of protein and 10 grams of carbohydrates. We recommend pairing this protein powder with other carbohydrates, such as in a fruit smoothie or with a side of toast, to further help with muscle recovery and carbohydrate replenishment after exercise.

This protein powder has an added probiotic, which may or may not suit your preferences. It’s also not clearly third-party tested.

Product Details

KOS Organic Plant Protein Chocolate is an excellent choice if you want a plant-based, organic protein powder packed with added vitamins and minerals. It includes a blend of five plant-based protein sources: peas, flaxseed, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, and chia seeds. This blend provides all essential amino acids, with 20 grams of protein per serving.

The impressive nutrient profile includes a vitamin and mineral blend, making KOS a good source of iron, vitamin E, manganese, vitamin B12, zinc, copper, chromium, and molybdenum. You also get a fruit and veggie blend with apple, carrot, orange, cranberry, mushroom, and tomato, delivering an antioxidant and nutrient boost. The powder also has a digestive enzyme blend, though the health benefits of regular use aren't scientifically proven.

Unlike many plant-based powders with a grainy texture, this one mixes well into smoothies and plain water, providing a smooth texture without grittiness or an unpleasant aftertaste. It has a mild chocolate flavor and subtle sweetness from stevia and monk fruit, reminiscent of chocolate milk. For a simple protein shake, mix it with water in a shaker bottle, or blend it with your preferred milk and a frozen banana for a dessert-like, nutrient-dense smoothie, perfect for post-workout.

The fiber is a bit lower, with three grams per serving, but note that this is from inulin, which can cause digestive upset in those with IBS.

If you're taking a multivitamin or other supplements, be mindful of the vitamin and mineral blend added here, as not exceed the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for any nutrient. Also, this is not a third-party-tested product.

Product Details

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that athletes get 1.2 to 2.0 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. This amount is higher than the protein recommendation for adults who do not do much exercise. Most protein powders contain around 20 grams of protein, so we like that Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein is designed specifically for athletes with a slightly higher amount—30 grams of protein per serving. It also has 2.5 grams of leucine, one of the branched-chain amino acids needed for muscle growth and recovery.

In addition to a protein blend derived from vegan sources, this protein powder contains apple, tart cherry, turmeric, blueberry, and goji berry. These are all sources of antioxidants that can help with post-exercise recovery. However, specific amounts of each ingredient are not listed. It also contains good amounts of minerals iron, zinc, selenium, and manganese.

Another plus for this protein powder is that it is NSF Certified for Sport and Informed Choice certified—two third-party certifications that certify ingredient amounts and lack of harmful contaminants. It is particularly important to choose third-party tested supplements if you are a competitive athlete to ensure you do not get any banned substances in supplements.

Keep in mind that this protein powder is sweetened with stevia, and not everyone loves that taste. It also has an added probiotic, which may not be necessary for some people and might cause some stomach discomfort for some with underlying gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, especially if you take other probiotic supplements.

Product Details

For an organic, single plant-based ingredient, nutritious protein powder, we recommend Sprout Living Simple Pumpkin Seed Protein Powder. This single-ingredient powder contains cold-pressed pumpkin seed powder only and nothing else, making it a good option if you have common food allergies. Since it only has pumpkin seeds, it is also vegan—and vegetarian-friendly.

Each serving provides 20 grams of protein and a good dose of iron—30% of the Daily Value and 12% of the Daily Value of potassium per 2-scoop serving. It’s also free from artificial flavors, gums, and additives.

If you’re using this protein powder to recover after exercise, you may want to pair it with some other carbohydrate sources. Two scoops contain only four grams of carbohydrates.

While this has a smooth consistency and blends well, it isn't our favorite tasting protein powder, as it has a bit of an earthy undertone.

Product Details

Ora Organic So Lean & So Clean in Vanilla Chai is one of our favorite flavored protein powders. It contains 21 grams of protein per serving, including all essential amino acids, from a plant-based protein blend primarily made of pea, rice, quinoa, and amaranth protein. We also like that it is third-party tested for purity and potency, with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) available for each batch.

The taste of the vanilla chai flavor is warm and toasty without being overly sweet. It does dissolve well with water in a shaker bottle, but for optimal taste and texture, we recommend mixing it with plant-based milk like soy, almond, or oat milk. It is best to drink it immediately after mixing because it can separate and stick to the glass if left sitting and may require additional stirring.

This contains a vegetable and fruit blend providing antioxidants, as well as 6 milligrams of iron (33% Daily Value).

Note that this product does contain a digestive enzyme blend, which may have health benefits for some. However, it does not have sufficient scientific backing to prove health benefits with regular use and may not be suitable for all.

Product Details

Orgain Organic Protein + Superfoods Powder is a great option if you’re looking for a plant-based protein powder with extra nutrients. This powder contains an impressive 50 superfood powders, including organic acai, cranberry, tart cherry, spinach, kale, parsley, beet, carrot, broccoli, and more.

Two scoops of this creamy chocolate protein powder provide a nutritional punch. You get 21 grams of protein plus 20 grams of carbohydrates. Protein powders are often low in carbohydrates, which are necessary for post-exercise recovery, so that’s a big bonus in our opinion for this protein powder. This powder also contains 45% of the Daily Value of Iron, 20% of the Daily Value of vitamin C, plus B vitamins and magnesium.

One of the main drawbacks of this protein powder is that it is not third-party tested. It also contains the sugar alcohol erythritol, which may or may not suit your taste preferences and can cause bloating in some. However, it is a more affordable option compared to other organic protein powders.

Product Details

Organic protein powders are not a necessity and are more of an individual choice. People who may not benefit from protein powder supplementation include those getting enough protein from food, those with certain preexisting medical conditions, as well as individuals on certain medications. We recommend discussing organic protein powders with a healthcare provider if you take medication or have a chronic condition. Whey protein powders, for example, can delay the effect of certain antibiotics, Levodopa, and bisphosphonates. If you have certain conditions such as chronic kidney disease, you may need to be mindful of your protein intake.

There are certain groups of people who may benefit from organic protein powders. This includes:

Our team works hard to be transparent about why we recommend certain supplements; you can read more about our dietary supplement methodology here.

We support supplements that are evidence-based and rooted in science. We value certain product attributes that we find to be associated with the highest quality products. We prioritize products that are third-party tested and certified by one of three independent, third-party certifiers: USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab.com.

It's important to note that the FDA does not review dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they go to market. Our team of experts has created a detailed, science-backed methodology to choose the supplements we recommend.

In addition to our research, we tested 25 of the top protein powders in our testing lab to rate each product for taste, texture, smell, and value. We tested the products by mixing a serving of each powder into plain water in a shaker bottle, noting how well it dissolved, and then tasted the product, evaluating flavor, texture, and smell. We then combined these ratings with a nutrition and third-party testing score from our nutrition editor to get an overall rating for each pick. We rate each powder on a scale of one to five—with five being the best ranking.

Experts we spoke to include:

Organic protein powders typically come in powdered form that must be mixed with a liquid of choice. You can choose from plant-based powders that are made from soy, hemp, pea, rice, nuts, and seeds or animal-based powders such as whey, casein, collagen, or egg. Protein powders will differ in the amount of protein they contain as well as their amino acid composition.

It is essential to carefully read the ingredient list and nutrition facts panel of a supplement to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included relative to the recommended daily value of that ingredient. Please bring the supplement label to a healthcare provider to review the different ingredients contained in the supplement and any potential interactions between these ingredients and other supplements and medications you are taking.

Organic protein powders differ widely in the ingredients they contain. Since protein powders are not regulated, there is the risk of contamination from unwanted ingredients, so we recommend choosing a third-party tested powder when possible. This is particularly important if you are an athlete and need to undergo drug testing, are pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Organic protein powders may also contain sweeteners such as sugar, stevia, monk fruit, or sugar alcohols. This may or may not suit your personal preferences, plus some people find that sugar alcohols upset their stomachs. You should also be aware that certain protein powders contain performance enhancers such as caffeine or added branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). They can also contain flavorings, stabilizers, gums, or preservatives. Additionally, some contain digestive enzymes, probiotic blends, herbal blends, and added nutrients that may or may not suit your needs. It is always important to check labels so you know what you are consuming.

The daily recommended amount of protein for adults is 0.8 grams per kilogram of bodyweight, and 1.2 to 2.0 grams per kilogram for active individuals. Older adults should include 1.0 to 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, your needs are also higher, with an RDA of 1.1 grams per kilogram. Also keep in mind protein foods should ideally be spread fairly equally throughout the day rather than mainly consumed in one sitting.

There is no upper limit for protein, and high amounts are typically well tolerated. However, there is no benefit to consuming protein beyond your needs. Consuming excessive amounts, especially over time, could place stress on your kidneys, liver, and bones. Keep in mind your protein should come from a variety of foods, not solely organic protein powder.

It is ok to use organic protein powder everyday, but you should be careful that it does not replace other foods that can provide other important nutrients like carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Eating well balanced meals in addition to using protein powders in moderation can help ensure that you meet all of your nutritional needs.

Choosing to use organic protein powder over conventional powders is a personal choice. While organic protein powders are free from synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics, and GMOs, they do not differ nutritionally from conventional protein powders. It is still a good practice to choose protein powders that are third-party tested when possible, whether conventional or organic.

Organic protein powders can be part of a weight loss plan since protein can help you feel full and satisfied. However, organic protein powders will not help you lose weight on their own. Your overall diet and caloric balance will be the main factor contributing to weight loss. It is also important to check ingredients, as some powders may contain added sugars that can impact your weight loss goals.

Choosing a source of organic protein comes down to personal preference. If you have a milk allergy or dairy sensitivity or are vegan or vegetarian, we would recommend opting for a plant-based protein powder. If these dietary concerns do not apply to you, you may prefer animal-based protein powders such as whey or casein.

Tamar Kane is a registered dietitian, has run three marathons, and is constantly applying sports nutrition principles to her training. She believes developing the right nutrition program for your sports activity level is as important as your athletic training. She recently started Tamar Kane Nutrition to help runners properly fuel their training while they wade through the nutrition information overload and confusion.

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