Can a Food Processor Save Me Time in the Kitchen?
Can a food processor save time in food prep? Is it worth the investment?
My food processor is my most used kitchen appliance. I’ve attempted to convince my recipe-developer self to try not to use a food processor in so many recipes, because I know not everyone has a one of these handy machines. But then I think to myself how sad that would be. A food processor saves so much time!!
This little get-it-done machine is one of the best investments you can make. Waaaaaaay better than that fancy phone or those nice jeans or a Netflix subscription. (Sorry. Just sayin’.)
Anything that can take bunch of ingredients and almost magically transform them into a yummy and delicious meal in minutes is worth a few benjamins.
Can a Food Processor Save Time?
My food processor can accomplish a wide array of tasks, including slicing, chopping, shredding, mincing, grinding, pureeing, and more in a fraction of the time it takes me to do these jobs by hand.
Can a food processor save you time? A million times over!
For example, using my food processor, I can slice ten potatoes – enough to make a large dish of Skinny Scalloped Potatoes – in less than 5 minutes. If I did this by hand it would take me at least 15 minutes.
In addition, there are some foods/recipes, like these Cranberry Pecan Bars, that just cannot be made without the use of a food processor.
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Can I Just Use My Blender Instead of a Food Processor?
While a blender is an extremely useful kitchen tool, it has its hangups. Slicing, chopping, shredding, and mincing doesn’t work so well in a blender. Furthermore, a blender simply cannot handle the thick mixtures that a food processor can puree like a pro.
Learn more about the difference between a food processor and a blender …
What Should I Look for in a Food Processor?
Used correctly, the versatile and efficient food processor can save hours in the kitchen. But before you buy, consider these factors to ensure you select the best food processor for your needs.
Size:
While it may be tempting to purchase an inexpensive, smaller processor, consider that while smaller models can be used to chop and shred small amounts, they don’t have the capabilities of true food processors. If you want to use your processor to save time cutting vegetables for soup, shredding potatoes for hash browns, mixing ingredients for pie crust, or slicing fresh carrots for stir-fry, you will probably be so disappointed in the smaller model that you’ll end up not using it at all.
Power:
Make sure the machine you choose is powerful enough to handle tough jobs. I recommend a minimum of 600 watts. A motor with less power will not process food evenly and will quickly burn out.
Feeding Chute:
Look for a food processor with a wide feeding chute so you can easily process large foods like potatoes.
Attachments and Accessories:
All processors come with the “S” shaped chopping blade.
Additional attachments and accessories you choose depends on how you plan to use your processor. At minimum I suggest making sure your processor comes with a shredding blade and a slicing blade.
Durability:
Last, but probably not least, is durability. My Kitchenaid food processor has lasted me years and years and has paid for itself many times over. Unfortunately, the model I own is no longer available. I also have a Breville food processor and it does a great job and the Breville food processors are also known for their durability.
Food Processor Durability Tip:
Even though a food processor can last for many years, the blades will dull and you may need to replace the blade at some point. Having a sharp blade is especially important for making recipes such as pesto or mincing herbs such as parsley.
Which Food Processor Should I Buy?
The best food processor for you will depend on your personal needs and likes (see above). Here are the two that I recommend.
– The Breville Sous Chef 16-cup Food Processor is a high quality, versatile, and powerful machine, and I’m quite sure you would be as impressed with it as I am.
– Though not as sturdy as the Breville (or as sleek), the Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor is an excellent machine for the price.
What Does A Food Processor Do?
A good food processors allows you to combine several functions in one appliance. Here are my recipes that use the very helpful food processor.
And here’s what else a good food processor can do:
1. Make bread crumbs
2. Mince herbs like I do in this Chickpea Loaf
3. Make nut butter like this Creamy Dreamy Orange Cashew Butter
4. Make granola
5. Shred squash for these Butternut Enchiladas
6. Make fruit crisp topping like I make for this Autumn Pear Crisp
7. Make pesto
8. Slice carrots
10. Shred coconut
11. Make Broccoli Burgers
12. Make sorbet
13. Chop cranberries
14. Slice potatoes for Healthy Potato Nachos
15. Make cauliflower rice for this Easy Mexican Cauliflower
16. Mince garlic – This saves SOOOO much time!
17. Make energy bars like these Flax Date Bars
18. Make almond flour
19. Chop greens
20. Make a crust for this Healthy Fruit Pizza
21. Chop nuts for No-Bake Walnut Figs Bites
22. Shred cabbage for Lemon Tahini Cabbage Slaw
23. Slice cucumbers for these delicious Lemon Refrigerator Pickles
24. Make extra thick smoothies – They’re like ice cream!
25. Slice onions
26. Make cookies
27. Slice vegetables for stir-fry
28. Mix batters
29. Puree thick soups
30. Shred zucchini
31. Make Chickpea Veggie Burgers
32. Make bean dip like this creamy White Bean Garlic Dip
33. Shred carrots
34. Make jam like this Easy Blueberry Chia Jam
35. Chop olives
36. Shred potatoes
And more!
Food Processor Recipes
All of these delicious recipes are made easy with a food processor!!
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Great post, now I know what specs to look for! Thank you – you are brilliant!
You are very kind. I’m glad it was helpful!
Thank you for the valuable info. I frequently cube potatoes into small cubes by hand. Arthritis is getting in the way. Do you recommend ine of tje above for thos task?
Hi Dani,
For the average food processor, cubing food is a two-step process. First you run them through the machine to slice them one way and then you run them through again to slice them the other way, but this method doesn’t work very well.
Cuisinart sells a dicing accessory that work with this Cuisinart food processor. With this attachment, you only have to run the vegetables through once and they come out nicely diced. I haven’t personally tried this attachment, but I would love to because I’ve heard it works great.
When I want to dice potatoes, I use my veggie chopper. I really like how it cuts the cubes so perfect and pretty.
I hope this helps.
Jennifer
What veggie chopper for potatoes do you recommend? Thank you.
I use this veggie chopper. I really like it.