Have you ever asked yourself – “Can I use a blender instead of a food processor?” – If yes, then this article is a must-read.

Find out how to use a blender to achieve a similar output to a food processor by adjusting the way you operate it.

Kitchen appliances like blenders and food processors have the same functionalities.

However, they also differ in the way you use them. Owning both machines can be very helpful, but if you only have one, it can work as an alternative to the other.

Can I Use a Blender Instead of a Food Processor?

Based on technical aspects, you can use a blender as a substitute for a food processor.

Although it is possible, the final output might result differently from what you expect. You may also have to change and adjust a few settings on a blender to match the food processor.

It is important to remember that there are limitations to what a blender can do in place of a food processor. For example, a blender may not be able to manage the same amount of ingredients.

And again, a blender may not be able to crush the ingredients similar to how the food processor can because of its difference in blade quality.

How to Use a Blender as a Food Processor

• Use a Slow Blending Process

A blender operates at a high speed compared to a food processor. Thus, it might make your food or drink a lot smoother than intended.

In this case, you can copy the power of a food processor by letting it pulse instead of blending for a longer period.

• Use Less Liquid

To reflect the work of a food processor, try using less liquid, at least at the start. In doing so, you can avoid turning your food soupy or watery.

Since you are using a blender, you can add more liquid as you go to create a smoother texture.

• Use Smaller Amounts of Ingredients

When using a blender, process smaller batches of ingredients rather than one large batch.

It is advisable to put around half of what you usually use in a food processor. Then you can increase the amount as you go. This will result in the same consistency a food processor can make.

Loading too many ingredients into a blender will cause the food at the top of the pitcher to have a different texture from the bottom. The bottom part of the food may be over-processed. Therefore, the result of the overall food will be uneven.

• Use the Appropriate Settings

Using a blender instead of a food processor requires adjusting the settings to make it appropriate for that operation. Some have three speeds, while others have up to six speeds. You may need to try different settings to get the correct speed.

If you are going to puree ingredients, you can use the highest speed setting. If you are going to chop ingredients, you can use the slowest speed setting.

For your first try, it is suggested not to pour all ingredients at once, so as not to waste them if it doesn’t work properly.

• Avoid Using the Liquefy and Purée Settings

Blenders are designed for pureeing soups, making liquid drinks, and crushing ice.

Food processors are built for chopping and combining ingredients. So make sure you don’t use the puree or liquefy setting to chop food. 

Additional Tips

Food processors have different tools that can cut food in various sizes, but blenders only have a single cutting tool to roughly blend or chop. Therefore, avoid using the blender to slice, shred and grate food.

Blender vs Food Processor

A food processor is a multi-function kitchen appliance that can easily create several foods. It has less powerful motors compared to a blender. However, its blade is sharper and harder.

This appliance can handle hard ingredients like nuts, and it is great for crushing garlic and onions. It is also suitable for making drinks or sauces with hard ingredients.

On the other hand, a blender has a more powerful motor than a food processor. But its blade is not as sharp and strong, rather it is blunt since the blender’s motor carries most of the work.

The motor works efficiently as it blends ingredients and turns them into purees and sauces with smooth textures.

Blenders are most suitable for liquid blends. You can prepare food and beverages like soups, baby food, smoothies, and cocktails.

The Bottom Line

Both of these kitchen appliances have common features and can perform similar tasks.

But you can use a blender instead of a food processor. To do so, apply a few adjustments to the blender’s setting and change the way you use it.