I exploit my meals processor on a weekly foundation to make every thing from home made hummus to rapidly chopping veggies for salads to making nut butters. I contemplate it my sous chef within the kitchen! The perfect meals processors make simple work of a wide range of kitchen duties, and know the way necessary it’s to decide on one which works persistently and reliably.
Whereas all meals processors provide the identical fundamental operate of chopping and grinding or slicing and shredding, they don’t all carry out the identical. I’ve personally used and beloved my Cuisinart 14-Cup Meals Processor for years, however I’ve discovered a number of different worthwhile choices which may work higher in your kitchen To slim down the record, I thought of capability, ease of storage, and sturdiness, in addition to my private expertise from utilizing others up to now.
Beneath are the most effective meals processors that can assist you out within the kitchen.
My Prime Picks:
- What’s in My Kitchen: Cuisinart 14-Cup Meals Processor – $199.50 at Amazon
- My Favourite Mini: Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus Meals Processor – $36.71 at Walmart
- Finest Funds: Hamilton Seashore 10-Cup Meals Processor – $44.97 at Amazon
- Finest Primary: Ninja Skilled XL Meals Processor – $119 at Walmart
- Finest Massive Capability: Breville Sous Chef 16 Professional – $374.99 at Amazon
- Finest Blender and Meals Processor Combo: Vitamix A3500 SmartPrep Kitchen System – $899.95 at Amazon
Opinions of The Finest Meals Processors
1. What’s in My Kitchen: Cuisinart 14-Cup Meals Processor
The Cuisinart 14-Cup Meals Processor has been a staple in my kitchen for a number of years, and I exploit it on a regular basis! Not solely does it make clean sauces and creamy nut butters, however it’s sufficiently big to accommodate bigger portions and has massive, paddle-style controls that make it simple to make use of. There are solely two settings—on and pulse—so it’s good for freshmen and no-fuss dwelling cooks. There’s a big feed tube that makes it simple so as to add components, and it consists of a normal slicing disc, a medium shredding disc, and a stainless-steel chopping and mixing blade, so you need to use it instead of a mandoline slicer or field grater, too.
The Specs:
- Capability: 14 cups
- Dimensions: 11 x 7.9 x 14.8 inches
- Weight: 16 kilos
- Settings: On, pulse
The Execs:
- Constant outcomes
- Massive feed chute to reduce prep
- Glossy, stainless-steel design
The Cons:
- No pace settings
- Costly
What Others Are Saying:
The Cuisinart 14-Cup Meals Processor was named the most effective meals processor by Wirecutter, The Spruce Eats, and Bon Appetit. It additionally has greater than 19,000 critiques on Amazon, with a mean ranking of 4.6 stars.
Purchase the Cuisinart 14-Cup Meals Processor:
2. My Favourite Mini: Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus Meals Processor
I like utilizing my Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus Meals Processor for smaller duties, like chopping cucumbers to make Tzatziki Sauce. With its 3-cup capability, it’s the best measurement for chopping greens or making dressing. It solely has two settings—chop and grind—so it’s fairly simple to make use of. The motor is much less highly effective than the full-size fashions, so this isn’t your best option for making nut butters or reducing via tougher meals, however it’s nice for fundamental prep and simple to retailer.
The Specs:
- Capability: 3 cups
- Dimensions: 5.0 x 7.0 x 9.25 inches
- Weight: 2.5 kilos
- Settings: Chop, grind
The Execs:
- Simple operation
- Simple to retailer
- Funds-friendly value
The Cons:
What Others Are Saying:
The Cuisinart Mini-Prep Meals Processor was named greatest small by Good Housekeeping. It additionally has virtually 30,000 critiques on Amazon with a 4.6-star ranking.
Purchase the Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus Meals Processor:
3. Finest Funds: Hamilton Seashore 10-Cup Meals Processor
Should you don’t plan to make use of your meals processor each day like me, you may want a cheaper possibility. This budget-friendly 10-cup meals processor from Hamilton Seashore does the trick for infrequent use. The motor isn’t as highly effective as some others, however it has a very good capability, plus three settings—two speeds and a pulse mode—that make simple work of most kitchen duties. It features a chopping blade and a slicing/shredding disc, however one function I actually love is the built-in scraper attachment. This repeatedly scapes the perimeters of the bowl when you’re utilizing it, so that you don’t need to cease to wash the perimeters with a spatula.
Its rounded design does make it a bit bulkier than a number of the different sleeker fashions, however if you happen to plan to retailer it in a pantry or cupboard as an alternative of in your counter, that shouldn’t be an issue.
The Specs:
- Capability: 10 cups
- Dimensions: 15.47 x 10.25 x 8.43 inches
- Weight: 4.7 kilos
- Settings: Two speeds, pulse
The Execs:
- Various pace settings
- Constructed-in scraper attachment
- Funds-friendly value
The Cons:
What Others Are Saying:
The Hamilton Seashore 10-Cup Meals Processor has a mean 4.6-star ranking from greater than 40,000 critiques on Amazon.
Purchase the Hamilton Seashore 10-Cup Meals Processor:
4. Finest Primary: Ninja Skilled XL Meals Processor
Ninja makes nice user-friendly kitchen home equipment which are wonderful for freshmen or anybody who doesn’t need a variety of fuss. I like this meals processor as a result of it’s versatile—there are two blades in addition to slicing discs—but it’s simple to make use of. It comes with 4 preset applications (chop, puree, dough, and disk), plus three guide settings (low, excessive, and pulse). The additional-large feed chute means you’ll be able to drop bigger items of meals in with out chopping an excessive amount of, and the 12-cup measurement can accommodate massive recipes and household meal prep.
- Capability: 12 cups
- Dimensions: 17.5 x 10.7 x 8.7 inches
- Weight: 10.9 kilos
- Settings: 4 preset applications (chop, dough, puree, disc) and three guide settings (low, excessive, pulse)
The Execs:
The Specs:
- Versatile settings
- Additional-large chute for much less prep
- Can accommodate bigger recipes
The Cons:
- Bigger footprint than others
What Others Are Saying:
The Spruce Eats named it the most effective energy and Meals Community named it the most effective worth possibility. The Ninja XL Meals Processor additionally has over 11,400 critiques on Amazon and a 4.7-star ranking.
Purchase the Ninja Skilled XL Meals Processor:
5. Finest Massive Capability: Breville Sous Chef 16 Professional
You probably have a giant household, if you happen to meal prep, or if you happen to often entertain, chances are you’ll wish to contemplate a larger-capacity meals processor that may make a giant portion of home made pesto without delay.. Whereas this meals processor is a bit expensive, it has a variety of helpful options. For starters, it has a beneficiant 16-cup capability and a particularly highly effective motor that may lower via just about something you throw at it. There are two feed chutes to get exact cuts for different-sized meals, and it features a variable slicing disc that has 24 settings, from additional skinny to eight millimeters thick. It additionally comes with a 2.5-cup mini-processing bowl for smaller jobs, so that you’re getting the equal of two machines in a single.
The Specs:
- Capability: 16 cups
- Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.9 x 17.5 inches
- Weight: 19.7 kilos
- Settings: On and pulse
The Execs:
- Massive capability
- Versatile with two feed chutes and variable slicing
- Comes with a smaller processing bowl
The Cons:
What Others Are Saying:
Wirecutter calls it the most effective improve, Meals Community named it greatest general, and Meals and Wine named it greatest splurge. The Breville Sous Chef 16 Professional additionally has a mean 4.6-star ranking from over 2,600 critiques on Amazon.
Purchase the Breville Sous Chef 16 Professional:
6. Finest Blender and Meals Processor Combo: Vitamix A3500 SmartPrep Kitchen System
I really like my Vitamix blender, and if you happen to want a blender and a meals processor, the Vitamix A3500 SmartPrep Kitchen System is a winner. It’s an funding, however you’re getting the facility and reliability of a Vitamix, and two kitchen home equipment in a single. The set consists of the A3500 collection base and motor, which is the blender I exploit, plus a 12-cup meals processor bowl and a 64-ounce blender jar. You’ll additionally get 4 slicing blades, which is greater than different choices on the record, that allow you to make every thing from small shreds to thick slices.
As a result of the meals processor works from the identical base because the blender, you’ll get all the identical settings, like variable pace management and pulse, so you’ve extra management over consistency. All whereas saving on storage!
The Specs:
- Capability: 12 cups
- Dimensions: 11 x 8 x 17 inches
- Weight: 12 kilos
- Settings: Variable pace management, pulse
The Execs:
- Variable pace management
- Versatile and handy
- Consists of many slicing discs
The Cons:
What Others Are Saying:
The Spruce Eats named the Vitamix Meals Processor Attachment the most effective attachment, and Severe Eats calls it the most effective space-saving meals processor.
Purchase the Vitamix A3500 SmartPrep Kitchen System:
Different Meals Processors to Think about
KitchenAid 7-Cup Meals Processor
KitchenAid makes high-quality small home equipment, and it is a nice meals processor. It has three-speed choices, and the equipment neatly stack inside for storage, which is a pleasant contact. In the end, it didn’t make the record as a result of the 7-cup capability could also be limiting for some, and it’s not fairly a mini meals processor, so it’s not compact sufficient for these on the lookout for a smaller possibility. The KitchenAid 7-Cup Meals Processor is on the market at Amazon for $55.71.
Black + Decker 8-Cup Meals Processor
Should you’re solely utilizing your meals processor sometimes, this budget-friendly meals processor could possibly be a very good possibility for you. However if you happen to plan to make use of it often, I like to recommend investing a little bit extra in a single that can final you for a very long time. This one additionally tends to present uneven cuts, which is probably not a giant deal, however it relies upon what you’re utilizing it for. The Black + Decker 8-Cup Meals Processor is on the market at Amazon for $39.99.
GE 12-Cup Meals Processor
This GE 12-Cup Meals Processor has so much going for it. It consists of 4 slicing discs and stackable feeding tubes that allow you to alter the dimensions of the chute. Plus, it has a strong motor and a 12-cup capability that can work for many on a regular basis kitchen duties. It didn’t make my record of winners as a result of I’ve extra expertise with the opposite manufacturers and fashions, however it could possibly be a very good possibility for dwelling cooks, particularly at this cheap value. The GE 12-Cup Meals Processor is on the market at Amazon for $112.95.
Breville Sous Chef 12
A smaller model of the Sous Chef 16 Professional, the Breville Sous Chef 12 is an efficient possibility. It has three chute sizes, a variable slicing disc, and a security cease function. Nonetheless, for my part, it doesn’t stand out amongst different fashions on this measurement vary. Plus, it’s pricier than similar-size choices with out a variety of additional options to justify the upper value. The Breville Sous Chef 12 is on the market at Amazon for $251.10.
Why You Can Belief Me
I’m Gina, the writer and recipe developer behind Skinnytaste, which options my favourite wholesome, family-friendly recipes made with actual meals. I really like discovering methods to make cooking and meal prep simpler, and my Cuisinart 14-Cup Meals Processor is a staple in my kitchen for dashing up my chopping and mixing duties.
In my a few years of recipe creation for Skinnytaste, I’ve used a number of different meals processors, so I do know what to search for and what to keep away from. When narrowing down the choices, I thought of capability, general measurement, and model repute. For meals processors that I haven’t tried myself, I relied on critiques from actual customers on Amazon and the outcomes from skilled product testers at main cooking publications.
The whole lot to Know Earlier than Shopping for a Meals Processor
What to Think about Earlier than Shopping for a Meals Processor
Meals processors serve the identical fundamental function of mixing and chopping, however all of them have options that make them stand out from each other. Listed here are an important issues to contemplate when deciding which one is greatest in your kitchen.
Capability: Meals processors include completely different bowl sizes. You need the bowl to be sufficiently big to deal with all of your wants, however bigger isn’t all the time higher. Should you go too huge, it won’t be capable of successfully course of smaller portions of meals because the blade can even be bigger. Most dwelling cooks ought to purpose for a capability of round 9 to 14 cups for on a regular basis wants, and I like to make use of a mini 3-cup measurement for smaller duties.
General measurement: Along with the capability, you’ll wish to take into consideration general measurement, particularly if you happen to’re planning to maintain it in your countertop. Test the scale of the meals processor you’re contemplating and be sure to’re comfy with the house it takes up.
Settings: All meals processors have fundamental settings—usually on/off and pulse choices—however chances are you’ll discover some with superior options like a dough-kneading blade. Think about your most typical cooking wants and slim down your decisions that means. Usually, extra options imply the next value, so if you happen to don’t want all of the bells and whistles, you’ll be able to skip them in favor of a cheaper price tag.
Equipment: Meals processors usually include various forms of blades and a few even have completely different measurement bowls to accommodate different-size kitchen duties. Take into consideration what equipment you’ll have to make the kitchen equipment best for you, and select an possibility that covers these bases.
What’s a Meals Processor?
A meals processor is a flexible kitchen equipment that helps pace up meals prep and may make on a regular basis duties a lot simpler. Relying on the included blades, meals processors can chop, shred, slice, grind, and puree all forms of meals.
Can You Use a Blender as a Meals Processor?
You need to use a blender instead of a meals processor for some kitchen duties, however you received’t get the very same outcomes. Blenders are designed to liquefy components, in order that they’re greatest for wetter recipes and liquid-based components. Meals processors can shred and slice dry components, which a blender can not do, and can be used to puree. Should you solely have a blender, make sure that to make use of a pulse operate or manually pulse the machine to keep away from turning your components into soup.
What Does a Meals Processor Do?
Meals processors chop, shred, slice, and grind several types of meals. For instance, they will shred carrots or recent cheese or rapidly chop onions. Some meals processors even have attachments that may knead dough, they usually can mix and puree meals, just like a blender.
Can You Grind Espresso Beans in a Meals Processor?
Sure, you’ll be able to grind espresso beans in a meals processor, however chances are you’ll not get a constant grind such as you would with a devoted espresso grinder. Moreover, meals processors don’t allow you to management the dimensions of the grind, so it may be troublesome to get precisely what you need for a French press versus an automated drip machine. Should you do use a meals processor to grind your espresso beans, be sure to use the heartbeat operate and examine on them each 3 to five seconds till you attain your required end result. Simply notice that the espresso scent could linger.
The Finest Recipes for Meals Processors
Meals processors generally is a useful kitchen instrument for therefore many recipes. I exploit mine usually to rapidly chop greens, put together dressings and sauces, and make nut butters. Listed here are a number of of my go-to recipes, however you need to use this versatile kitchen instrument for prep too:
Costs had been correct at time of publication.
