5 Best Bone Broth Protein Powders in 2024
Reviewed by: Jacek Szymanowski (Certified Nutritionist, S&C specialist, M.Sc.Eng. Biotechnology)
If you want to try something other than whey or plant-based protein powder, you may be interested in trying one of the products on our list of the best bone broth protein powders. Keep reading to find out our top picks, as well as some in-depth information about why bone broth protein is such a great choice.
Our team of certified nutritionists and professional athletes has reviewed 10 products and 5 of the best ones made it to this list. We’ve based our evaluations on 5 key factors and we have spent 2 weeks testing most of these products out. Additionally, we have also analyzed hundreds of online user reviews. Feel free to share your experiences in the comments section because our list is regularly updated.
In a hurry?
In a hurry and can’t keep reading? How about you check out the Beef Bone Broth Protein by BulkSupplements.
If you’re looking for a cheap, high-quality, and versatile bone broth powder, Bulk Supplements is a great all-around pick. While each 22g serving has 18g of protein and no fat or carbs, somehow this adds up to 260 calories.
Top 5 Best Bone Broth Protein Powders Reviewed
- Beef Bone Broth Protein by BulkSupplements – Top-Pick
- Naked Bone Broth Protein – Best Protein-by-Weight Ratio
- Designs for Sport Beef Protein Powder – NSF for Sport Certified
- Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth Protein Powder – ConsumerLab Approved
- NOW Sports Bone Broth Protein – Most Protein Per Serving
Product | Total | Macro Breakdown | Taste / Flavor | Sodium Content | Nutrition Label Transparency | Value for Money |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bulk Supplements | 47.5 | 9.5 | 8.5 | 10 | 9.5 | 10 |
Naked | 46.5 | 10 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 9.5 |
Designs for Sport | 46.5 | 9.5 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
Ancient Nutrition | 45.5 | 9 | 8.5 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
NOW Sports | 45 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 9 |
1. Beef Bone Broth Protein by BulkSupplements
- Serving Size: 22g
- Protein per Serving: 18g
- Protein-by-Weight Ratio: 82%
- Calories: ~72
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fat: 0g
- Added Sugar: 0g
- Sodium per Serving: 30mg
- Price per Serving: ~$0.82
- Company Founded: 2006
- Recommended by Athletes: Jovan J. Campbell, Adam Montrose, Shayne Kawika
Starting our list of the best bone broth collagen protein powders is Bulk Supplements. Known for their high-quality supplements and excellent deals, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly bone broth powder, this is a great choice.
Right away, the biggest downside to this product is its unclear nutrition label. While each 22g serving has 18g of protein and no fat or carbs, somehow this adds up to 260 calories. We can assume this is just a typo, with the real calorie count being significantly lower. By doing the math (1g of protein = 4 calories), this should only be about 72 calories.
Beyond the oversights on the nutrition facts, this is a very simple single-ingredient supplement. It only comes unflavored so it’s likely best used mixed with hot water for a cup of broth or as part of a soup.
Bulk Supplements offers all their products in a wide range of sizes. Keep in mind it will be more expensive if you buy a smaller package, and cheaper with a larger one. Overall, the price for the 2.2lb bag is easily the cheapest on our list at only ~$0.82 per serving.
If you’re looking for a cheap, high-quality, and versatile bone broth powder, Bulk Supplements is a great all-around pick.
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2. Naked Bone Broth Protein
- Serving Size: 22g
- Protein per Serving: 20g
- Protein-by-Weight Ratio: 91%
- Calories: 90
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fat: 1g
- Added Sugar: 0g
- Sodium per Serving: 150mg
- Price per Serving: ~$1.60
- Company Founded: 2014
- Recommended by Athletes: Kenzie Mariano, Daniel Victor
Next on our list is Naked Nutrition’s Bone Broth. Coming from a brand well-known for its transparency labels and high-quality formulas, its bone broth supplement is just as great as many of its other offerings.
This supplement has 90 calories per serving which is made up of 20g of protein and 1g of fat. Unlike Bulk Supplements, this appears to be an accurate calorie count per serving. This also gives Naked a protein-by-weight ratio of 91% which is one of the highest ratios on our list.
Like all of Naked’s supplements, this is a high-quality formula containing no unnecessary fillers or additives. Similar to Bulk Supplements, this product only comes unflavored so it’s likely best used as a soup base or a standalone broth.
Finally at ~$1.60 per serving, Naked works out to be one of the cheapest supplements on our list, although it can’t quite match the super-low price of Bulk Supplements.
Coming from a brand known for its transparency, Naked’s Bone Broth delivers on quality while still being relatively budget-friendly.
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3. Designs for Sport Beef Protein Powder
- Serving Size: 27g
- Protein per Serving: 21g
- Protein-by-Weight Ratio: 78%
- Calories: 100-110
- Carbohydrates: 3-4g
- Fat: 1-1.5g
- Added Sugar: 0g
- Sodium per Serving: 150mg
- Price per Serving: ~$3.23
- Company Founded: 1989
- Recommended by Athletes: Julian Baldi, Ellie Shayna Pogrebinsky, Jackie Kaminski
Next on our list is the first supplement not meant to be used as a beef bone broth powder, but as a more traditional protein shake like whey. This is also the first product on our list to be NSF Certified for Sport, meaning it’s a great choice for athletes worried about accidental exposure to any banned substances.
As you may expect from this product being designed more as a standard protein powder, it has a slightly different macro breakdown when compared with the top products on our list. Each serving has 100-110 calories and 21g of protein. The main difference is that this is the first product on our list to contain any carbs with 3-4g per serving, as well as 1-1.5g of fat.
Even though this is the first multi-ingredient supplement on our list, it’s still free of any unnecessary artificial ingredients. As you may expect, this is also the first flavored supplement on our list, coming in both vanilla and chocolate.
Finally, while this is a very different product from the top 2 options on our list, it’s also significantly more expensive. Each serving of Desgins for Sport’s protein costs ~$3.23, which is about twice as much as Naked’s bone broth.
If you’re looking for a beef-based protein shake instead of a standard bone broth powder, Designs for Sport is a great pick.
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4. Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth Protein Powder
- Serving Size: 22.3g
- Protein per Serving: 15-20g
- Protein-by-Weight Ratio: 58-91%
- Calories: 90-120
- Carbohydrates: 0-7g
- Fat: 0-3g
- Added Sugar: 0g
- Sodium per Serving: 130-172mg
- Price per Serving: ~$2.65
- Company Founded: 2016
- Recommended by Athletes: Dr. Josh Axe, Megan Grabau, Johnny Maurillo
Next on our list is Ancient Nutrition’s Bone Broth Protein Powder, which easily offers the most variety on our list. Not only do they offer several flavors of bone broth-based protein powder like Designs for Sport, but they also have multiple varieties of bone broth soup bases like Bulk Supplements and Naked Nutrition. On top of this, they’re also approved by ConsumerLab, which is a big vote for their quality!
Because of this variety, these products are fairly different from one another, and there is quite a lot of variety in the macros. Each product has between 90-120 calories and 15-20g of protein per serving. You can also expect 0-7g of carbs and 0-3g of fat.
If you’re looking to maximize protein intake, we recommend sticking with either the Pure Bone Broth or one of the protein powder style flavors, which all have 20g of protein per serving. The flavored soup base powders all have 15g of protein per serving and higher amounts of carbs and fats.
Because many of their products are flavored, all the supplements have slightly different formulas. However, it appears none of them use any unnecessary artificial ingredients. Also, as mentioned, Ancient Nutrition easily offers the best flavor variety on our list with 9 different options to choose from.
Finally, in terms of price, this product falls somewhere between Designs for Sport and Naked Nutrition. At ~$2.65 per serving, it’s towards the higher end of our list, but it’s still a high-quality supplement with a ton of flavor variety.
Providing both soup bases and standard protein powders, Ancient Nutrition should be your go-to pick if you’re after variety in a bone broth protein supplement.
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5. NOW Sports Bone Broth Protein
- Serving Size: 30-32g
- Protein per Serving: 28-29g
- Protein-by-Weight Ratio: 91-93%
- Calories: 110-120
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fat: 0g
- Added Sugar: 0g
- Sodium per Serving: 330-430mg
- Price per Serving: ~$2.12
- Company Founded: 1968
- Recommended by Athletes: Dan McDonogh, Bianca Summer Macedo, Danielle Colaprico
Closing out our list is NOW Sports with their Bone Broth Protein. Delivering both Chicken and Beef-based options, this is also the highest protein bone broth supplement on our list if you’re looking to maximize your protein intake.
Each serving contains 110-120 calories with 28-29g of protein per serving. Like Bulk Supplements this is a pure protein option with 0g of carbs and fats. Because NOW does offer a slightly larger serving size than the other options on our list, it works out to have the highest protein content on our list. However, it also has the highest protein-by-weight ratio as well.
As with most of the products on our list, both the chicken and beef options are simple, single-ingredient formulas. Also, although NOW comes in both Beef and Chicken, they are both unflavored supplements, making them ideal as soup bases.
In terms of price, NOW is one of the cheaper supplements on our list at ~$2.12 per serving. While it doesn’t rival the price of Bulk Supplements or Naked Nutrition, it’s still a good deal considering the exceptionally high protein content.
If you’re looking for a simple chicken or beef bone broth supplement that has super high protein, you can’t go wrong with NOW Foods.
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What is Bone Broth Protein?
Bone broth protein can be described as any protein powder sourced from bone broth. It is made by cooking a batch of bone broth using bones, ligaments, and tendons usually sourced from either chicken or beef. From here, this broth is dehydrated, and turned into a powder, sold as a protein supplement (there are other steps included, we just did not mention them).
From here, this powder is typically sold as one of two supplements: either as a pure or as a flavored powder, both of which are featured on our list. While these are the same supplement at their core, they are typically consumed very differently.
Pure bone broth powder is likely best used as a hot soup base. While you could mix it into a cold protein shake, it will likely have a flavor that’s better suited to consuming hot. However, if you’re using multiple other ingredients, you could probably mask the flavor in a cold shake.
Meanwhile, the opposite is true for flavored powder. These are supplements with added sweeteners and flavorings designed to be used as part of a cold protein shake. We probably don’t need to explain why these sweetly flavored supplements don’t work well as soup bases.
Bone broth has become increasingly trendy in recent years for its purported health benefits including its use as a weight loss supplement. However, beyond being a rich source of protein, there don’t appear to be any major health benefits associated with regular consumption of bone broth.
Many of the supposed benefits of bone broth are linked to its amino acid profile and high protein content. While amino acids like glycine and glutamine do play major roles in the body, you’re either producing enough of these yourself or getting enough of them through other protein sources in your diet. Keep in mind that bone broth is also not a complete protein, meaning it does not have all 9 essential amino acids.
However, Glycine, Proline, and H-Proline are all found in high amounts in bone broth. These amino acids are necessary for effective collagen syntheses, which may be beneficial for joint pain, and tissue health. This will be a major advantage for bone broth protein over whey, while whey is likely better for muscle protein synthesis. As a result, consider your goals, and choose a protein powder accordingly.
Bone Broth Protein Benefits
If you’re unsure why bone broth protein is so popular, below we’ll be covering some benefits of incorporating this supplement into your diet.
✅ High Protein Content
First, the main benefit of bone broth protein could honestly apply to any protein powder, and that’s its high protein content. Most of the products on our list have 20g+ of protein per serving, which rivals the protein content of most dairy-based proteins.
Bone broth protein also typically has a very high protein-by-weight ratio. So, if you’re looking for a supplement that is mostly protein with minimal calories from carbs or fat, bone broth would be a great choice. However, keep in mind that this is not a complete protein, as we’ll be covering more in-depth below.
✅ Dairy-Free
Another major advantage of bone broth protein is that it doesn’t contain any dairy. For those with allergies or intolerances, this makes bone broth a more bioavailable option than many plant-based protein supplements. With that being said, if you’re avoiding dairy because of veganism, then bone broth protein won’t be for you.
✅ Can be Used as a Soup Base
Finally, bone broth may be a good option if you’re looking for a protein powder that can be used for something other than shakes. Pure bone broth protein makes for a great standalone broth or soup base. This makes it a great high-protein alternative to other standard broths, and a good alternative to whey when you’re not in the mood for a shake.
Bone Broth Protein Drawbacks
While there are plenty of benefits to using bone broth protein, there are a few notable drawbacks as well, which we’ll be covering below in more detail.
❌ Not a Complete Protein
One of the main drawbacks to bone broth is that it doesn’t contain all 9 essential amino acids – namely tryptophan – meaning it is not a complete protein. Compared to whey and most plant-based protein sources, this arguably makes bone broth an inferior protein source.
However, considering you’re getting enough complete protein through your diet, this shouldn’t be a major issue. Still, it’s worth keeping in mind if you want to prioritize complete protein sources like whey instead.
❌ Misleading Health Claims
First, before buying bone broth it’s important to understand many of the claims surrounding these products. It’s often touted as a health supplement, with countless influencers raving about all its benefits.
However, from our research, it appears that bone broth doesn’t have many unique benefits beyond its high-protein content. You can likely get all the benefits of bone broth by prioritizing other high-quality protein sources in your diet.
With that being said, there’s nothing wrong with incorporating bone broth into your diet. We just want to make it clear that it’s not some sort of magical health elixir either.
❌ Cost
Next, as you can see from our list, there are many pricy bone broth protein powders out there. While you can find affordable supplements like Bulk Supplements, most bone broth supplements are well over $2.00 per serving. Designs for Sport stands out as the most expensive option on our list by far at over $3.00 per serving.
Typically, high-quality whey supplements will be cheaper than most bone broth supplements. As a result, if you’re trying to prioritize your budget, you may be better off with a basic whey supplement. However, as shown by Bulk Supplements, there are still affordable options out there for bone broth.
❌ Taste
Finally, if you’re after a protein powder that produces a smooth, milkshake-style taste and texture, bone broth powders probably aren’t for you. Even with flavored options, the taste of bone broth protein just won’t compare with whey. However, for savory options like soup, bone broth still has a great taste. It will just be very different in shakes if you’re used to whey.
How to Choose the Best Bone Broth Protein Powder?
While we believe all the products on our list are high-quality, there are a few things you’ll want to look out for when deciding which product is right for you.
1. Look For Protein per Serving
First, by considering how much protein is in each serving, you can decide which product best fits your dietary needs. Most of the products on our list have similarly high protein content ranging from 20-29g per serving.
We recommend 0.7-1g of protein per pound of body weight if you’re trying to gain or maintain muscle. Keep in mind that this is 0.7-1g of complete protein, which bone broth protein is not. Of course, the more protein you get from a bone broth supplement, the easier it will be to hit this goal consistently with other complete protein sources.
2. Look For Sodium Content
Because of a heavy reliance on processed foods, the average Western diet contains far more sodium than is necessary for optimal health. As a result, adding in more sodium through a bone broth supplement may not be ideal.
While most of the supplements on our list only have ~100mg of sodium, NOW Sports in particular has much more at 330-430mg depending on the flavor. As a result, this may not be the healthiest bone broth on our list if you need to limit your sodium intake.
3. Consider the Flavor
Next, consider whether you want a pure or flavored supplement. This will help you decide on the best-tasting bone broth protein powder for your needs.
If you primarily want to use bone broth protein in shakes, a flavored supplement will likely be your best bet. However, if you’re more interested in making hot broth or soup, consider a pure supplement.
If you want flavored soups, check out Ancient Nutrition, which offers numerous flavor options including Butternut Squash and Tomato Basil – just keep in mind these are also the lowest protein options on our list.
4. Check Price per Serving
Finally, remember that bone broth supplements have a very wide price range. Based on our list, most bone broth supplements cost a little more than ~$2.00 per serving. However, there are also supplements available for under $1.00 and over $3.00.
While price may be an indicator of quality, this isn’t always the case. Still, whether a supplement works for your budget should always be a factor when deciding which option is right for you.
How to use Bone Broth Protein?
As mentioned, bone broth protein comes in 2 basic forms – flavored and pure. How you use a bone broth supplement will be largely determined by which type you buy.
Flavored supplements will be best suited to cold shakes, similar to whey. Keep in mind these likely won’t have the same flavor as whey, so they may be best suited for use in multi-ingredient shakes alongside things like fruit and nut butter. Bone broth hot chocolate is a trendy recipe that would be perfect for one of the chocolate-flavored supplements on our list.
Meanwhile, pure bone broth supplements are better suited to mixing with hot water for a cup of broth, or as a high-protein addition to any soups. While these supplements could be used in cold shakes, keep in mind they will likely need to be masked by additional ingredients to make them more enjoyable.
Overall, there’s no one correct way to use bone broth protein supplements! It’s a great tool for boosting the amount of protein within meals, such as soup. Experiment with a couple of different recipes to see what your favorite use for this supplement is.
Bone Broth vs Bone Broth Protein
You may still be wondering, “What’s the difference between bone broth and bone broth protein?” Essentially, bone broth is a high-protein soup made by boiling animal bones and cartilage. Bone broth protein is simply dehydrated bone broth sold in powdered form that often undergo some extra filtration/separation processes.
When you mix hot water with bone broth protein powder, you’re rehydrating it to make your own bone broth which is much easier than making it from scratch! Especially if it's flavored, it also has much more versatility for use in shakes and other recipes.
All in all, bone broth protein and bone broth are 2 similar forms of the same thing. Bone broth protein is typically more concentrated in protein, while standard bone broth is likely going to be higher in fat. Overall, powdered bone broth is a convenient form of this food for individual consumption, as well as having the added benefits of versatility!
FAQ
Is Bone Broth Protein Powder worth it?
It depends on your needs. If you have a dairy allergy or intolerance, bone broth protein makes a great alternative to dairy-based shakes. Also, if you just want a high-protein soup base, bone broth protein is likely your best choice.
However, if you believe bone broth will make a major difference to your overall health, it likely won’t. Also, if you’re fine with drinking whey, that will likely be a much better choice for standard protein shakes.
Keep in mind that bone broth is not a complete protein, although it is high in certain amino acids that will be beneficial for collagen production, which is especially beneficial for joint health.
All in all, if you’ve considered what you want to use bone broth protein for, and understand it’s not a “magic pill” for weight loss or health, then it’s a great supplement to incorporate in your diet!
Is Bone Broth Protein Powder a Complete Protein?
No, bone broth isn’t a complete protein because it doesn’t contain all 9 essential amino acids we need to get through our diet. This shouldn’t be a major issue as long as you’re eating a diet rich in various protein sources to ensure you’re getting enough total amino acids. However, keep in mind that whey is a complete protein, making it a more nutritionally complete alternative.
Which Is Better: Bone Broth Protein vs Whey?
For nutritional purposes, whey is likely a better option because, unlike bone broth, it is a complete protein. Also, whey will likely have a more appealing taste adn texture for standard protein shakes.
However, bone broth powder serves a very different purpose, mainly being used for soups. As a result, which supplement is better largely depends on what you’re planning on using them for. Remember there’s nothing wrong with incorporating both into your diet and using them for different purposes!
Overall, because of amino acid breakdown, Bone Broth is a better choice for collagen production and joint health, while whey will be better for muscle protein synthesis. THey both have their unique purposes, so decide according to your goals.
Is Bone Broth Protein just Collagen?
While bone broth protein is high in collagen, it is not the same as a dedicated collagen supplement. With that being said, bone broth protein is rich in collagen, because both supplements are sourced from the cartilage of animals. Bone broth also likely contains more vitamins and minerals than standard bone broth.
While collagen supplements have become increasingly popular for their potential effects on skin and joint health. Also, there is minimal research to support the use of collagen-rich foods like bone broth for similar effects. While collagen plays many vital roles in our body, it appears eating a healthy, balanced diet and good lifestyle habits is enough to support natural collagen production.
Conclusion
While bone broth will likely never replace whey as most people’s go-to protein supplement, it’s still a great alternative – especially for those with dairy allergies or intolerances. Just keep in mind that bone broth is not a complete protein like whey and that it’s likely best suited as a soup base instead of as part of a shake. Bone broth also has less leucine than whey, meaning it will likely lead to less muscle protein synthesis.
With that being said, if you’re interested in trying a high-quality, budget-friendly bone broth supplement, we recommend checking out Beef Bone Broth by Bulk Supplements. We hope these bone broth protein powder reviews can help you make a more informed choice!
Have you ever tried any bone broth powder for weight loss or any purpose? What do you plan on using bone broth powder for? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Also read:
- Best Glycine Supplement
- Best Nac Supplement
- Best Pump Supplement
- Best Supplements for Bodybuilders
- Best Supplement Stack for Weight Loss
- Best Hmb Supplement
References
- Ryan Raman & Amy Richter, “Does Bone Broth Protein Have Health Benefits?” Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bone-broth-protein#overview (Accessed Dec. 13, 2023)
- Judith C. Thalheimer, RD “Q. I’ve heard bone broth is good for weight loss. Is this true? If so, why?” Tufts University, Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutritional Science and Policy, https://www.nutritionletter.tufts.edu/healthy-eating/weight-mgmt/q-ive-heard-bone-broth-is-good-for-weight-loss-is-this-true-if-so-why/ (Accessed Dec. 13, 2023)
- The Nutrition Source, “Protein,” Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/protein/ (Accessed Dec. 13, 2023)
- Everson A. Nunes, et. al, “Systematic review and meta-analysis of protein intake to support muscle mass and function in healthy adults,” Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, 13, 795–810, (2022)
- The Nutrition Source, “Collagen,” Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/collagen/ (Accessed Dec. 13, 2023)
Why Trust Us?
With over 20 years in Olympic Weightlifting, our team does its best to provide the audience with ultimate support and meet the needs and requirements of advanced athletes and professional lifters, as well as people who strive to open new opportunities and develop their physical capabilities with us.
All products we select are primarily approved and tested by the Olympic Weightlifting Champion Oleksii Torokhtiy. Under his guidance, we provide honest and reasonable assessments of the products we review by checking their characteristics, packaging, design, comfort and durability features, and general product rating. We select products from only high-quality and trusted sports brands, thus vouching for their quality.
The product testing process is described in more detail here
Camila has worked as a Nutritionist for 7 years. In addition to being a nutritionist, she is an amateur weightlifting athlete for 2 years. Camila has experience at Flamengo’s football base and in a food supplement company and currently provides services at a clinic. At the moment she is coursing a postgraduate study in Sports Nutrition.
Reviewed by: Jacek Szymanowski
Certified Nutritionist,
M.Sc.Eng. Biotechnology
Performance architect,
Strength and Conditioning Specialist
With over 30 years of fighting experience, specialization in nutrition coaching for athletes, and expertise in metabolic health and dietary strategies, Jacek offers a comprehensive approach to optimizing your performance and well-being. Backed by a Master of Science degree in Biotechnology, Jacek remains at the forefront of scientific advancements, ensuring that his coaching is always evidence-based and up-to-date.
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