15 Top Grass-Fed Whey Protein Powders [2023 Review & Comparison]

Looking for the top dietary protein supplement to transform your health, body, and performance?

To rapidly:

• Build muscle
• Burn fat
• Heal your gut
• Accelerate recovery
• Optimize immunity
• Protect against disease
• Slow biological aging

So far, nothing beats whey. Specifically grass-finished whey protein powder. It’s packed full of potent anabolic nutrients to support the highest levels of performance, growth, and recovery.

But here’s the thing…

Not all whey is the same. Most stuff found in your local supplement shop won’t give you all the studied benefits. What you want is a quality, grass-finished whey protein. Rich in all kinds of micronutrients. For over a decade, I’ve regularly researched, tested, and reviewed whey protein products.

In this roundup and review, I’ll outline the benefits of whey, explain why it’s so great, and help you choose the best grass-fed whey protein for your goals and lifestyle.

Whey is the World’s Best Protein Source

Whey is regarded as the world’s highest-quality protein source.

When measured via the protein quality scale called Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS), whey comes out towards the top with scores ranging between 125-133 (depending on the type).

Containing all nine essential amino acids (we must get these from diet), other non-essential amino acids, and ample branched-chain amino acids, it’s a powerful tool to build muscle, burn fat, and transform your body.

Things that make whey a superb protein source include:

• Essential amino acid profile
• Leucine levels
• Growth factors
• Mixability
• Digestibility
• Low-calories
• Taste
• Price

Whey has an awesome composition of amino acids making it the ideal choice to build and rebuild tissues. Dollar for dollar, it’s the best-value protein source.

It’s also by far the tastiest and most convenient option. One scoop contains less powder and more protein than alternatives. And a smoother texture.

Best of all, whey contains all kinds of other unique and beneficial compounds:

• Prebiotics — oligosaccharides and galactooligosaccharides improve gut health and “feed” probiotics
• Immunoglobulins — bovine antibody proteins involved in immunity and gut health
• Cysteine & glutamate — the rate-limiting amino acids involved in glutathione synthesis (powerful antioxidant)
• Arginine — the amino acid precursor to the potent intercellular messenger & athletic performance enhancer Nitric Oxide (NO)
• Lactoferrin — an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protein that protects against infection, improves bone strength, and promotes healthy skin
• Lactalbumin — a protein that increases tryptophan by up to 130 percent (leading to increased feel-good serotonin production)
• Beta-lactoglobulin — helps protect against allergies and aids glutathione synthesis
• Alpha-lactoalbumin — buffers stress-induced cognitive decline
• Lactoperoxidase — an antimicrobial and antioxidant enzyme that protects against infection
• Protein fragments — growth factors & bioactive peptides like Glycomacropeptide, Bovine Serum Albumin, IGF-1, IGF-2, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), transforming growth factor (TGF)-b, betacellulin, lactoferricin, and opioid peptides, promote muscle growth, recovery, and overall health

Clearly, whey is much more than a simple protein. Buying the right whey, however, isn’t so simple. Here’s what you must know.

Buyers Guide to Quality Whey Protein

There are all kinds of considerations that go into your ideal whey protein choice.

No matter which you choose, quality whey proteins fit the following criteria:

• Grass-fed (preferably grass-finished)
• Certified Organic
• Free of antibiotics, hormones, heavy metals, contaminants, pesticides, artificial colors, preservatives
• Minimal sweeteners, artificial flavors, or even natural flavors
• Non-GMO
• Lab tested for purity and safety
• Cold-processed (as opposed to the industry standard ethanol/hexane processing)
• Non-denatured
• Fortification with additional beneficial additives

Sadly, very few products match these standards.

Some grass-fed whey is not certified organic. Yet choosing grass-fed whey guarantees that the cows get a far better diet. Which in turn, results in more nutritious products.

Why does grass-fed (and grass-finished) matter?

Grass-Fed Whey Over Traditional Whey Protein

A quick “Nutrient Facts” comparison between grass-fed and conventional whey will fool you. The macronutrients (fats, carbs, proteins) look nearly identical.

First and foremost, the nutrient composition, density, and quality of grass-fed livestock is in a different league.

The fatty acid profile, vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive nutrients far exceed conventional products. One notable example is called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). People often supplement with this to help burn fat and for the immunoregulatory properties.

Grass-fed whey tends to be rich in rare (but essential) minerals notoriously lacking in the modern diet. Things like phosphorus and manganese. Dairy from cattle proportionally has larger quantities of healthy, cardioprotective unsaturated fats (unoxidized PUFAs and MUFAs).

It contains astronomically more bioactive peptides and growth factors. Plus, the micro-RNA from quality, properly raised foods is starkly more biosupportive.

Grass-Fed Whey Processing Tech: Cold-Processed vs Traditional High-Heat Processed

Since you’re here reading about grass-fed whey, you likely already know some of the factors comprising the quality difference.

Filtration is the necessary process of extracting whey from dairy. Specifically, removing the other primary protein (casein) and fat. Two types of processing dominate the industry.

Just like science has established with food, high-heat whey processing also denatures many of the most health-benefitting bioactive compounds within it. Destroying all but the macros, vitamins, and minerals. Thermal processing can even reduce BCAA levels.

Denatured whey is also more allergenic, tastes worse, and lacks gut-supportive peptides and growth factors.

Thermal processing is common because it’s easier and far cheaper. Since most consumers don’t know the difference and solely compare the protein content, manufacturers happily opt for the cheapest option.

On the other hand, you’ll see grass-fed protein powders advertised as “cold-filtered”, “cold-processed”, “un-denatured”, “low-temperature processed”, “micro-filtered”, and all kinds of other technological buzzwords.

Cold processing sidesteps all the above issues, while still effectively neutralizing pathogenic microorganisms.

Once you find quality, cold-processed, grass-finished whey protein, you’ll run into one other primary hurdle.

Whey Protein Concentrate vs Whey Protein Isolate vs Others

Each type of whey comes with distinct pros and cons.

Milk Protein isn’t technically whey. So what’s the difference and why choose one over the others? Let’s compare and contrast the forms of true whey protein.

Whey Protein Concentrate 👍	Whey Protein Isolate 😐	Whey Protein Hydrolysate 👎
25% – 89% pure protein	~90% protein	~99% protein
Minimally refined	Moderately refined	Highly refined
Full bioactive compounds	Some bioactive compounds	Few bioactive compounds
Slowest absorption	Fast absorption	Extreme absorption
High lactose	Low lactose	~0 lactose
Delicious	Yummy	Meh
Affordable	Great value	Very expensive

Whey Protein Concentrate is the best option for most people. It’s the easiest to use, costs less, and undergoes minimal processing — whey in its natural form. Concentrate preserves the healthy fats, peptides, and full-spectrum benefits of the myriad bioactive constituents. By ease of use, I mean easy to mix, tastiest, and with the most appealing texture. It’s higher in naturally occurring sugars and fats. All whey proteins absorb and stimulate muscle protein synthesis relatively quickly, so its slowness compared to the others doesn’t matter much.

Whey Protein Hydrolysate is the most refined, most expensive, and fastest-acting. It also tastes the worst and lacks many important peptides and other bioactive ingredients. It only makes sense for those highly lactose intolerant (but still not recommended for those allergic to dairy).

Whey Protein Isolate is middle of the road in just about every regard. Compared to concentrate, it’s lower in fat, lower in carbs/sugars, considerably more expensive, and also lower in beneficial compounds. Manufacturers often add sunflower lecithin or other ingredients to help whey isolate mix better.

Very few products use WPH since it’s prohibitively expensive and negates many of the benefits of choosing grass-fed whey. Most are either WPC or blended with WPI.

Tier #1: The Best Organic, Grass-Fed, Cold Processed, Undenatured Whey Protein Powders for Max Muscle Growth

These are my favorite high-quality, grass-fed whey protein powders that I grab whenever I run out.

Tier #2: The Best Organic, Grass-Fed, Cold Processed, Undenatured Whey Protein Powders for Max Muscle Growth

These products are also great, and I would buy them again.

But for different reasons, they’re not as great as the above.

Tier #3: The Best Organic, Grass-Fed, Cold Processed, Undenatured Whey Protein Powders for Max Muscle Growth

I wouldn’t seek out these options, but I’d consider them in special circumstances or if I could not find the others.

Scientific Benefits of Consuming More Protein With Grass-Fed Whey

A plethora of research has investigated the health benefits of whey protein.

Most of us don’t get enough protein. Although we get some protein through eating whole foods, I imagine some of the research-backed benefits stem from just increasing overall amino acid intake.

Yet others are unique to high-quality, organic whey supplements.

No matter your health, fitness, or performance goals, grass-finished whey protein can accelerate your results.

Nutrient density

By all measures, whey is a nutrient-dense food. It’s loaded with vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, aminos, growth factors, peptides, and other powerful bioactive compounds.

Grass-finished whey is a few notches above traditional, with far higher levels of cardioprotective omega-3 fats, hormone-like vitamin D, immune-strengthening beta carotene, and fat-burning CLA. Omega-3 is the same brain and body super fat that’s abundant in salmon. Grass-fed whey is also lower in saturated fat.

Then there are all the powerful micro-nutrients modern science is just beginning to research.

Muscle gain

Perhaps the most widely recognized benefit of supplementing whey is the stimulation of muscle growth and hypertrophy.

Consistent training paired with ample protein intake virtually guarantees bigger and stronger muscles. Whey protein is a high-quality, complete protein, meaning that it contains all the essential amino acids necessary for muscle protein synthesis and overall tissue growth. It’s especially rich in the anabolic branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) which prevent muscle tissue breakdown.

Grass-fed whey specifically tends to have greater concentrations of anabolic amino acids. Plus, higher levels of peptides, growth factors, and other bioactives. CLA, for example, influences PPAR signaling which leads to favorable steroid hormone changes. Together, making grass-fed whey even better than conventional whey for building lean tissue.

Fat loss

Whey protein also improves fat burning, weight loss, and body composition. Both directly and indirectly.

First, protein is the most satiating macronutrient. Gram per gram, protein makes you the fullest while also resulting in the lowest net calorie gain. This is also due to an effect called the thermal effect of protein. About 30 percent of every protein calorie is “wasted” as the body metabolizes it. So, despite labels saying 100 calories for example. you’ll only gain 70. Fat and carbohydrates do not have this.

Grass-fed whey protein also acts on multiple hormones intricately connected to weight. It can reduce insulin levels which reduces fat storage within cells. Next, it normalizes levels of leptin and ghrelin — two hormones involved in satiety and hunger. As well as appetite-decreasing signals from neuropeptide Y, agouti-related protein, and cholecystokinin (CCK). When consumed before a meal, whey blunts the resulting blood sugar spike, resulting in less fat gain.

Other nutrients like CLA and omega-3s improve overall metabolic function and can optimize other anabolic hormones like testosterone and growth hormone (through PPAR signaling, for example). At the same time, helping burn body fat.

Whey is a powerful tool for healthy weight management.

Optimized immunity

One of the more notable benefits of whey protein is the multi-faceted immunomodulatory effects. Especially grass-fed, organic whey since it preserves immune-boosting protein fragments (like immunoglobulins).

It also contains high levels of the amino acids cysteine and glutamate which are building blocks for the immune-strengthening antioxidant called glutathione.

Grass-fed whey improves gut health by stimulating the proliferation of beneficial bacteria. Since the majority of our immune system resides in the gut, this translates into greater immunity.

Finally, whey also has antimicrobial benefits.

Healthy gut

Unlike highly processed and pasteurized dairy, whey can actually improve the gut. Both its function and overall health.

Those same bioactives also exert strong gut-protective effects. Animal models show that in both healthy users and disease conditions, these compounds reduce inflammation and bring the gut back into a state of balance.

Whey also helps strengthen the gut barrier.

Since the gut is widely considered the root of overall health, this shows promise.

Accelerated recovery

All kinds of components within grass-fed whey accelerate recovery from workouts.

The BCAAs and other amino acids like glutamine, taurine, and glycine stimulate muscle repair. At the same time, whey optimizes immunity which leads to a healthier post-exercise (beneficial) inflammatory response.

Whey also contains vitamins like A, B, E, choline, and folate. Then minerals like phosphorus, zinc, selenium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium.

Then there are the protein fragments, and growth factors like Glycomacropeptide, Bovine Serum Albumin, IGF-1, IGF-2, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), transforming growth factor (TGF)-b, betacellulin, and lactoferricin. Scientists are investigating many of these compounds independently for their recovery and repair benefits.

Grass-finished whey is rich in bioactive compounds that accelerate the regeneration and growth resulting from exercise. Helping you get back to your chosen physical activity faster.

Faster metabolism

Whey protein positively impacts multiple facets of metabolic function.

It contains far more leucine than other protein sources—50-75 percent more than most. Leucine activates a gene signaling pathway called the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). As a result, you preserve muscle mass while cutting and can even increase lean muscle tissue. In turn, boosting how many calories you burn while relaxing (resting metabolic rate).

Whey also improves glucose utilization and muscle protein synthesis.

Additionally, whey seems to stimulate mitochondrial activity and reduce damaging oxidative stress in the brain. At least, that’s what a mouse study found. I suspect that the benefits partially come from high levels of glutathione precursors like cysteine and glutamate. Optimized metabolic function helps protect against disease as well as improves performance.

Increased disease resiliency

Research suggests that whey helps protect the body against a wide variety of diseases.

By improving anabolic signaling, metabolic function, and providing a rich supply of anabolic nutrients, the body’s built-in repair (and detoxification) processes work more effectively.

Supplementing whey protein can improve conditions:

Although whey doesn’t cure these diseases and disorders, it can dramatically improve quality of life.

Many of the improvements hinge on whey’s ability to improve metabolic function, bolster antioxidant cellular defenses, and supply the body with ample amino acids and anabolic nutrients.

Cardioprotective

Grass-fed whey protein impacts cardiovascular health via many mechanisms.

First, by upregulating glutathione production (the body’s “master antioxidant”), it helps protect the heart from oxidative stress-induced dysfunction.

Whey balances cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure. It also contains CLA and omega-3 fatty acids—including anti-inflammatory EPA and DHA. These reduce the risk of heart disease. CLA, on the other hand, can reduce cancer risk.

Overall, quality whey benefits various measures of cardiovascular health.

Slows aging

Whey may help slow the biological aging process.

It contains several important nutrients with anti-inflammatory properties. Things like omega-3 fatty acids, and certain vitamins and minerals.

By elevating levels of the antioxidant, glutathione, whey shields against oxidative stress—one of the nine recognized tenants of aging. This also encourages optimal mitochondrial function.

Finally, many longevity enthusiasts actually inject or supplement the same peptides & growth factors found within organic, grass-fed whey protein. These small molecules and bioregulators have profound impacts on telomeres and other facets of biology that decline with age.

Anti-cancer

Whey protein has several anti-cancer effects.

Increased synthesis of glutathione as well as lactoferrin found within whey show potential to prevent cancer. In exiting cancer cells, it can cause cell death. This is especially notable since cancer cells have escaped the regulatory cellular processes that normally destroy them.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is the other primary nutrient found in whey that’s studied for its anti-cancer properties. CLA can also inhibit tumors and reduce cancer morbidity.

Improved cognition

Whey has slight cognitive-enhancing properties.

Again, increasing glutathione preserves neurons and bodily cells from damage and reduces subsequent inflammation. Neuroinflammation/overexcitation is one of the chief causes of brain disorders, which increasing glutathione in the brain prevents.

Those that suffer from stress-induced cognitive decline (all of us to some extent), experience greater cognitive function and performance from consuming a whey protein shake. Researchers hypothesized this was due to increasing levels of a feel-good neurotransmitter called serotonin.

Omega-3 fats can also reduce neuroinflammation while delivering brain-boosting nutrients like DHA and greater blood flow.

Overall, dietary whey can improve mood, memory, information processing speed, and other facets of brain performance.

Ethical

While ethics isn’t technically a health benefit, feeling good about your choices positively impacts your well-being.

Cows able to roam on a pasture require fewer chemicals and antibiotics while also emitting less carbon into the atmosphere. Pasture-raised, grass-fed cows also get nutrition from the land. Rather than transportation (unhealthy) feed from across the world.

Plus, organic grass-fed/grass-finished whey is devoid of contaminants, synthetic chemicals, hormones, and other hazards found in conventional whey protein.

Choosing grass-fed whey is an economic vote towards regenerative agriculture and sustainable practices.

How to Upgrade Your Whey

High-quality, organic, grass-finished whey protein deserves a spot in just about every pantry.

Yet there are little biosynergies you can apply to dramatically improve your results.

There are two things I like to add to my whey:

• Colostrum
• Essential amino acids

And then we’ll finish with one pro tip.

Colostrum is nature’s growth and repair serum. Newborns consume it to inoculate their guts and capitalize on an elixir rich in powerful growth factors and immune factors. It nicely amplifies whey protein. Colostrum contains just about every immunoglobulin, including IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM. It’s anti-microbial, nutrient-dense, gut-protective, and a useful body transformation agent (muscle building and fat burning). Best of all, some companies choose to fortify their grass-fed whey with colostrum.

Essential amino acids powder. These aminos are one of the core differences between whey and inferior proteins. The essential aminos must all come from diet. Leucine is especially anabolic and effectively activates the mTOR growth pathway. Leading to faster body transformation, and potentially requiring less whey protein to do so. Note that you’ll want EAAs instead of BCAAs (that guide explains why in depth) because the other essential aminos are important for optimal metabolism.

Protein rotation. You can temporarily use something else or just skip your whey for a day. With any degree of intestinal permeability (most of us have some), whey proteins leak into the bloodstream. Over time, this can create an immune response as your body tags the whey circulating in the blood as a foreign particle. Eventually leading to intolerance. I recommend taking a few consecutive days off every month. Giving the body time to reset. This is the premise behind the “rotation diet”. During that time, you can use essential amino acids or other protein sources.

Grass-Fed Whey Protein Questions & Answers

How to Buy a Quality Grass-Fed Whey Protein Supplement

Organic, grass-fed, grass-finished whey is some of Earth’s best protein.

It’s a complete protein, with an impressive quantity of anabolic branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) and other essential amino acids (EAAs).

Whey has a vast scientific backing and is the go-to nutritional addon for body transformation. But it goes beyond athletic performance and recovery. In addition to helping build muscle and burning body fat, whey also protects the gut, optimizes the cardiovascular and immune systems, improves metabolic function, and even has anti-aging benefits.

Then there are the myriad protein fragments, growth factors, and other potent bioactive constituents. These are one of the major frontiers of modern preventative medicine, and many longevity experts supplement with them too.

Quality whey gets you both, in one.

But there’s a lot of junk on the market. When choosing products, you want to look for clean whey:

• Organic
• Non-GMO
• Free of hormones, contaminants, pesticides, herbicides, seed oils, artificial flavors, fillers, and other additives
• Pasture-raised, grass-fed, grass-finished
• Cold-processed and un-denatured
• Lab tested for purity and safety

Ideally, the manufacturer will also fortify the products with additional beneficial nutrients like colostrum, digestive enzymes, or probiotics.

Most of the research and known benefits relate to grass-finished whey specifically.

When you take all this into consideration, few products fit the bill of utmost quality.

These are the products I know and like. But new ones constantly arise.

Do you supplement grass-fed whey protein? Check them out and let me know your experience or questions in the comments below!