Both are incredibly useful appliances that perform important tasks in the kitchen. And both are essentially tools that whir blades around quickly in order to chop food into little pieces.
Neither is exactly cheap, though, so we’ve often wondered: Do we really need both a food processor and a blender? Or could we get by with just one?
What Do Food Processors Do?
Food processors excel at prepwork—they’re great for chopping, mincing, slicing, and even shredding ingredients in seconds. They’ll save you time and effort so you can get your meal on the table faster than you would otherwise. The best food processors, including our favorite, the Cuisinart Custom 14 Cup Food Processor, can also knead doughs, too.
But food processors can leak slightly from the opening over which the blade sits, so they’re best for handling drier ingredients such as vegetables and cheese and for pie dough. You can certainly put liquids in the food processor—it’s still our go-to for things like pesto and pizza sauce—but be aware that you might get a few leaks.
You’ll also get a coarser puree in a food processor than you’ll get in a blender, since your food is traveling around a much larger container and coming into contact with the blades less frequently. But for the foods we use it for, that coarse texture is actually preferable!
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Rick Bayless Fundamentals: Blender vs. Food Processor
FAQ
Is it worth it to get a food processor?
What happens if I don’t have a food processor?
What’s the point of a food processor?
Do I need a food processor if I have a blender?
Do I need a food processor?
You may need a food processor if you cook in large batches, like to make healthy meals with fresh ingredients, or want to cut down your food prep time. Shop Best Buy’s selection of food processors online today, and check out the food processor buying guide that’ll help you choose the perfect one for your kitchen.
Is a food processor worth it?
And the answer is… it depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. I remember my first food processor; it was a Cuisinart and it cost $99 at the time. The only reason I bought it was to grate coconut. That’s all I ever used it for. But to me it was worth it. Why?
Why do you need a food processor?
A food processor helps in making such choices more feasible. The ability to process large quantities is another big plus. Prepping meals for parties or meal prepping for the week becomes far more manageable with this trusty tool at hand. With different blades and settings, the possibilities are almost endless.
What makes a good food processor?
A top-notch food processor comes with a variety of attachments for different culinary tasks. These may include slicing discs, shredding blades, dough hooks, and more. With this much versatility, you can experiment with various recipes and techniques to see what works for you. Simplicity is another hallmark of a great food processor.