The Best Beef Protein Powders For Muscle Gains

March 20, 2024
Sam Andreas

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Top Pick

It’s no secret that supplementing with protein can vastly improve both our health and boost training results—but more often than not, we look no further than the tried-and-tested whey-derived products.

Yet, there’s another powerful alternative.

This article brings you the lowdown on the best beef protein products.

The Best Beef Protein Powder Supplements

Here are our picks of the best beef protein supplements on the market today.

1. Carnivor Beef Protein Isolate Powder by Muscle Meds

In my opinion, this is the best beef protein product for those people looking for both muscle-building and health benefits.

This is due to the fact that each serving delivers a solid dose of 23 grams of beef protein isolate for mass growth, together with impressive quantities of sodium and potassium (370 mg and 250 mg respectively) for wellbeing.

It could equally be attractive for athletes looking for sustained performance—due to the inclusion of maltodextrin, an energy-producing carbohydrate. Apart from this ingredient, it’s almost a pure protein supplement.

Here are the nutritional facts per 36.4-gram serving:

Protein 23 grams (63 percent).
Fat 0 grams.
Carbohydrates 8 grams (22 percent).

Suitable for both muscle growth and health improvement.
Includes carbohydrates for sustained energy.
23 grams of beef protein per serving.
Uses beef protein isolate.
Large 56-serving container.
Fat-free.
Contains essential minerals.

Requires a large serving (36.4 grams).
Eight grams of carbs may be off-putting for those looking to restrict the intake of this nutrient.

2. Olympian Labs PSN Beef Protein Powder by Olympian Labs

If you’re after the cleanest beef protein supplement available—this may prove to be a solid choice. As it’s made from pure beef protein isolate with no additional ingredients, it could be ideal for bodybuilders looking to maximize muscle growth.

This is further emphasized by its low fat and carbohydrate content—which I would suggest makes it excellent for guys and girls going through a cutting cycle.

Here’s the detail per 28.5-gram serving:

Protein 24 grams (84 percent).
Fat 1 gram (3 percent).
Carbohydrates 2 grams (7 percent).

Probably the purest beef protein available.
24 grams of protein per serving.
Ideal for serious muscle growth and pound-shedding.
Low fat and only two grams of carbohydrates.
Beef protein isolate-based formula.
Includes sodium and potassium (although in lower doses than Carnivor).

Lack of carbohydrates may make it unsuitable for people looking for enhanced energy.
Only one flavor (chocolate).

3. Real Whole Food Protein Powder by RedCon1

This supplement could suit an audience who either don’t have the time or the inclination to prepare foods, or those who find hitting all their macronutrient targets tough.

Containing beef protein isolate (as well as other animal-based proteins), this product aims to deliver all the macros, minerals, and vitamins you need in one drink.

What’s more, it packs a hefty punch—47 grams of protein in each serving.

Let me give you the breakdown per 130-gram shake:

Protein 47 grams (36 percent).
Fat 4 grams (3 percent).
Carbohydrates 75 grams (57 percent).

Provides all the carbs, fat, and protein required in a meal through a convenient shake.
An impressive large dose of protein.
Whey free.
Animal sourced protein including beef, chicken, salmon, and egg.
High carb and fat content may suit those looking for weight gain or bulk.
Available in three flavors.

Very large serving size.
As a whole meal replacement naturally includes a high amount of carbs—it may not suit all.
Less than one month’s supply.

4. Meal, 5 Lbs by Animal

Another meal replacement formula containing beef protein isolate. Made by respected nutrition supplement manufacturers Animal, this has been designed with the athlete in mind.

The reason being—not only does it contain powerful doses of protein, carbs, and fat for the maximum in performance benefits—but also the ingredients have been selected for their easy-digestible nature.

This should alleviate bloated or uncomfortable feelings that may impede exercise performance, and ensure that the nutrients go to work as soon as possible—recharging energy stores and rebuilding muscle.

Here are the nutritional facts for each 122-gram serving:

Protein 46 grams (38 percent).
Fat 14 grams (11 percent).
Carbohydrates 48 grams (39 percent).

Easily digestible formula plus low carb and fat content makes it appealing for the performance athlete.
In addition to beef protein isolate, it includes pea and egg proteins.
Includes no artificial preservatives, colors, or sweeteners.
The formula includes iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C.

Only 19 servings in each container.
Can be purchased in only one flavor.
Unsuitable for those looking purely to top up protein alongside their normal meals.

Informational guide to Beef Protein Powders

What Is Beef Protein Powder?

As a supplement, beef protein is a relative newcomer.

Numerous companies claim to have revolutionized the sports nutrition market by being the first to introduce it. Although to be fair, it appears they all hit the market around the same time, back in 2009.

Generally speaking, beef protein is a fitness supplement supplied in powder form—it’s then mixed with water and consumed as a thick drink.

The best beef protein supplements are made by boiling down cow flesh to make a nutrient-rich liquid. Depending on the particular product, this may be further refined by removing some or all of the carbohydrate and fat content.

The remaining liquid is then turned into a powder through the process of spray-drying.

Why Take Beef Protein?

Supplementing with protein, be it beef, soy, or whey, is beneficial for people who may lack sufficient protein in their current diets—or are looking to achieve the maximum returns from their fitness workouts.

Loading the body with this macronutrient has the effects of:

Enhancing immunity.
Providing additional energy.
Promoting weight loss by elevating metabolism and suppressing hunger.
Building muscle through the provision of growth-promoting amino acids.
Jump-starting muscle gains—beef protein contains the important BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids).

If you’re interested, here’s a detailed video on the functions of protein within the body.

However, the best beef protein supplements can provide additional benefits over other protein sources. Beef flesh is high in numerous vitamins and minerals, which may then be passed down into the supplements.

These include:

Vitamin A—this vitamin cannot be manufactured by the body, therefore, has to be ingested—it’s essential for tissue regeneration including the skin, eyes, stomach, and respiratory tract.
Thiamin (vitamin B1)—required for efficient brain function and the production of energy.
Vitamin C—promotes healthy bones, cartilage, and teeth, while boosting iron absorption and improving injury recovery.
Riboflavin (vitamin B2)—reduces the risk of cancer, heart disease, and assists the body’s utilization of iron.
Niacin—lowers “bad” cholesterol and raises the level of “good” cholesterol.
Vitamin B6—essential for a pleasant mood as it regulates the production of serotonin.
Calcium—strengthens bones and powers muscles.
Vitamin B12—required for red blood cell creation and can boost memory function.
Phosphorus—improves bone composition.
Magnesium—can increase testosterone production and fuel muscles.
Sodium—assists with muscle contractions by supplementing ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
Potassium—enhances cardiovascular health.

Beef Protein vs Whey Protein

In addition to the added minerals which beef protein may contain, there are also certain areas in which the best beef protein supplements surpass their whey counterparts. These include:

Being sourced from cow flesh and not milk (unlike whey), this could make beef protein more appealing to those who have intolerances to dairy products.
Many of the best beef protein supplements are lower in fat and carbohydrates than whey versions.
A 2015 study indicated that beef protein can provide more lean mass gains than milk-derived supplements.
As beef is a slow-digesting protein, there’s an increasing belief that it may provide benefits over a longer period of time.
It’s low in cholesterol.

When to Take Beef Protein Powder?

To ensure you receive the best health, fitness, and muscle-building benefits from the best beef protein powder supplements, it’s important to remember that this is a nutritional product which should be consumed every day.

While there’s some debate over consumption timing, the most popular opinion is to take within 30-45 minutes of finishing your workout. This allows the body to immediately begin rebuilding through the utilization of amino acids (which carries on for the following 48 hours).

This two-day time period, therefore, makes it essential you consume on your rest days too—although the exact timing is not so critical.

Ideally, look to supplement with at least 20 grams of protein per day (although this may be higher depending on nutritional needs due to diet and/or exercise. Here’s a handy calculator).

Are There Any Side Effects From Taking Beef Protein?

Generally, no.

Consuming protein supplements has been extensively researched and the conclusion is that they’re safe and actually beneficial for health.

However, all our physiologies differ, with some people tolerating supplements better than others. There have been some reports of people suffering from stomach cramps, diarrhea, or constipation after consuming beef protein—but these are in the minority.

What to Look for in the Best Beef Protein Supplements

Choosing the best beef protein supplement means selecting the product ideal for your requirements.

Here are a few factors to consider:

Pure Protein or a Meal Replacement

The best beef protein supplements tend to come in two different forms:

Pure protein: Ideal for those lacking in this nutrient in their diet or wanting to just boost muscle gains.
Meal replacements: The beef protein forms a constituent ingredient with other compounds aiming to provide complete meals in a powdered shake—suitable for people who are looking for full nutrition in one supplement.

Beef Protein Form

The best beef protein supplements contain the isolate version—a type which has had the majority of fat and carbohydrates removed.

Protein Percentage

In order to receive maximum health and fitness returns—check out the protein as a percentage of the overall supplement serving. The higher the percentage content, the more impressive the results you will witness.

Fat Content

If you’re looking to lose weight or trying to obtain a ripped and defined physique—a low-fat content beef protein would be more suitable. Conversely, if you’re looking to gain weight, perhaps as part of a bulking phase, higher levels of fat would be desirable.

Conclusion

Out of all the powerful protein supplements above, in my opinion, the best has to be Carnivor by MuscleMeds.

This protein supplement ticks all the boxes—a good solid dose of protein in the most powerful isolate form, includes serious amounts of health-boosting potassium as well as sodium, and contains energy-boosting carbohydrates. These factors make it a product that I believe would appeal both to hardcore bodybuilders and well-being seekers.

But, that’s not to put down the other excellent products.

Both Animal and Redcon1’s meal replacements are good choices for people looking for all-around nutrition, and Olympian Labs pure protein supplement could be ideal for those demanding clean muscle gains.

Yet, for a product that covers a broad spectrum of requirements, the best beef protein is Carnivor.