Can I Chop Vegetables in a Blender?

Today, several types of blenders are available in the market. That is why probably some of us may start to question the multifunction feature of the mixers, and we can’t help but wonder if they can also cut or chop vegetables. If they can, just think of how fast cooking for a big group of people would be. That’s why in this article, let’s find out if you can chop vegetables using a blender. And aside from that, we will also give you some tips on when to use blenders and food processors.

Blend my Veggies?

According to the famous appliance brand, Oster, you can only use a blender for chopping vegetables if it has a chop or pulse button function. Other settings will just turn your vegetables into a puree. Using the pulse and chop settings along with perfect control will allow you can shred, mince, and even dice vegetables just by pressing the button. Which is why some blenders are also useful if you are making salsas and casseroles.

But what is so different about the chop and pulse mode, anyway? Not like the standard speed settings, the pulse and chop mode will turn on your blender if you’re pressing the button or not. This means that the blade will only move when you push the button. Other settings, such as the speed setting, will just simply do a continuous spin of the blade and give you finer results.

So can you chop vegetables in a blender? Yes, but you have to make sure that your blender has a pulse and chop function. In case you’re worried about degrading the quality of vegetables due to spinning blades, we have some thoughts on whether blenders destroy nutrients or not. Meanwhile, if you also like smoothies, know the ideal blender wattage for the sake of consistency and efficiency.

When to Use a Blender and a Food Processor

Most of us probably went through a phase where we are preparing food and can’t decide whether it’s much better to use a food processor or a blender when it comes to copping and griding ingredients. Thankfully, there are some simple ways that we can decide between them. The first thing you need to know the difference between these kitchen appliances. Though food processors and blenders might look and function just the same, they both have particular uses when it comes to grinding, chopping, and mixing food. Knowing what’s the difference between them is all you need to get cooking.

Using a Blender When:

  • Mixing soft foods and liquids– Blenders are perfect if you are going to mix soft foods and liquids such as when you’re making soups, smoothies, sauces, liquid-based dips, and shakes. You can use a blender if you are going to do some emulsifying, pureeing, and of course, blending. Blenders are also a perfect tool if you are making quick snacks like a protein smoothie. Blenders liquefy fruits perfectly, just make sure that they are not really hard fruit.
  • If you are going to make soups– All you have to do is pour at least one and a half cups of warm or hot water into your blender, add the vegetables and spices that you need in your recipe in your blender. Lastly, you just need to blend the mixture on high for about one and a half minutes or until it’s smooth. Voila, instant soup.
  • If you want to make cocktails – If you wish to easy cocktails, then the blender is the right kitchen appliance that you should use. All you have to do is put the fruits, liquor, fruit juice, and ice your cocktail recipe needs and blend away. However, you have to make sure the fruit you’re going to use are fresh and not canned to ensure the quality of the taste. Cut the fruit into 1-inch pieces so that your blender won’t have a hard time liquefying it, then add them first to the mixture. The last thing you need to add is the ice, and then you just have to mix it up, pour it into a cocktail glass, and garnish your cocktail to your heart’s desire.

 Use a Food Processor When:

  • When you are making large meals – Food processors are not meant to mix small amounts of foods. The broader bowl of a food processor means that it is more suitable for bulk or more extensive processing of foods compared to the blender. If you are going to cook and it might involve chopping vegetables, grating cheese, or kneading pie crusts, opt for a food processor.
  • When you’re chopping solid foods – Not like blenders, food processors come with razor-sharp blades. This is why the food processor is much more versatile and is suitable for dealing with solid and more substantial foods. This way, you can prepare vegetables easily and chop onions without crying. The food processor can also do different kinds of cutting, such as chopping, pulverize, julienne, split, and mash foods.
  • When Grating Cheese and Grinding Nuts – Food processors can also help you grate cheese, all you need to do is attach the shredding disc to the top of the bowl of your food processor. You can now grate cheese, bread, and even vegetables. On the other hand, if you’re going to grind nuts, all you have to do is attach the grinding disc and put the nuts in the food processor. The food processor can powderize and even turn the nuts into butter.