Rick Bayless Fundamentals: Blender vs. Food Processor

Why do I call for blending in recipes when more of you (probably?) have food processors? It's all about blade speed.

[@larshansen5031]

As testament to the benders importance to Mexican cooking, there are whole city blocks in Mexico City that are devoted to blender repair and parts. Shop after shop has parts hanging from ceiling and repair counters for servicing.

[@oraliacabrera2073]

Most Mexican households have a budget-level blender, and they do wonders with them. They are an essential tools in preparing Mexican food in Mexico.

[@emmgeevideo]

I think there is something to be said for spending extra money to get "the right tool for the job" and keeping it in good shape for years of use. I'm on my second Ninja blender. Nice machine and very affordable. But my next (and last) one will be a Vitamix.

[@davidmckean955]

Mine is 25 years old now, well worth the investment.

[@gregvaughntx]

My wife and I stretched our budget to buy a Vitamix about 25 years ago (possibly older than yours). Aside from one part replacement (about $20 and half hour of effort) it still serves our needs (I made a delicious adobo sauce to put on a leg of lamb for Easter!). I'm glad your recipes are available to people that don't have one, and there's alternative approaches, but I'm really happy with my once-in-a-lifetime blender investment. I'm not paid for this endorsement, but, Vitamix, if you're listening, I'm willing to talk.

[@kerrycochran5508]

Love listening to you Rick - reminds me of your beautiful sister who I loved so much! She was such a great cook and spoke so highly of you, your family, and your talents! ♥️

[@alexandra4334]

I also use an immersion blender in a small pitcher for smaller quantities because my vitamix really requires a larger volume to be effective. Same issue with small quantities and the food processor, but I dont own one anyways. The stick blender gets a lot of use!

[@cynthiagonzalez3334]

True that dried chiles are hard to blend, but salsa is much better when chunky!, we looove texture in salsa!! I always thought food processor was more powerful than blender!, thank you for the info!!

[@mrbobjrsrv]

Thanks for clarifying the difference. This is exactly the video I was looking for. Personally, I don't like the smooth puree texture of blended salsas, and actually prefer the not-so-fine texture, so it looks like I will be needing the food processor. Thanks!

[@maggiealena]

Vitamix is my go too blender for most of my cooking.. Food processers a shine making pie dough. I also have a dry blend container that i use for flour or spices which i can use with mu blender base. Saved valuable time. If you have arthritis you will be glad to have them is your kitchen tools. My hands are a mess and they help keep me productive.

[@Zacharias3]

Great info! I am trying to use my blender for some veg. chopping instead of a processor as I don't have a process. I will test out a few speeds on an onion to see how that goes. Have an old Oster so it will run slower.

[@scottbarnes9877]

I use a budget-level Oster blender for red chile sauce. It DOES work, but Rick is correct: it takes quite a bit longer and probably leaves more skins etc. to strain out.

[@joetacchino4470]

Upgrading is worth it. You will use it a lot more often.

[@antonbonin5003]

I was taking my culinary classes in a community college. I asked the question "what's the difference between a processor and a blender?". The instructor said "one processes, and one blends, so that's pretty much the difference". It really made me feel stupid because nobody else wanted to know and I thought the answer between the two was obvious. I later quit the course altogether because I started to realize these instructors had no clue what they were talking about, but I never really did get the answer to that question. And from what I can tell it's about what I thought: Blenders and processors have their pros and cons, unless you have a Vitamix. The second-best blender is a Ninja, which is comparable to the top-end processors. But the best blender (Vitamix) is incomparable to anything else on the market, and there is no reasonable excuse to not just use it in place of everything.

[@BigDaddyG65]

I agree blenders and processor each have there place. But as is obvious a blender is more useful if you need a fine smooth puree. You can't make a milk shake in a processor 😉

[@kristinb5121]

I have limited space. I’ve always had a blender and a mini chopper that seemed to fit most needs outside of hand tools. I do have a stand mixer. Recently I purchased the new pastry blade for that. That seems to resolve my last need for cutting butter into flour that was kind of a pain. Oh yes, I also have an immersion blender that’s very handy.

[@fernandadodds8122]

Hi Chef, I'm so glad you're talking about the value of owning an efficent blender. I'm asking you to be so kind to share the model of yours. Vitamix is my favorite brand but your important opinion will make my choice correct. I love to cook and made must of your receipties. I'm a proud and loyal admirer of the best Mexican Food Chef in the USA !!! Regards from Sacramento, Fernanda

[@MayaYucatanMN]

I have a Blendtec it's also a high powered blender. I also use it more often than my processor.

[@gibbontakeit9098]

Holy crap...! A half horse power...I never realized. That's insane.

[@fredfirth3834]

My wife and I got a good deal on a refurbished Vitamix ordered directly from them about 10 years ago. Saved a good bit and it has worked great.

[@LaMaiStyle]

I use a miniature food processor. I love it. I no longer use my blenders. They are just collecting dust.

[@emiliogonzales658]

Thanks for the great advice chef! You are the best!

[@danielschmaderer]

Couldn’t agree more. Having the right item that makes your workload easier on you just makes for a good investment. Investing on good knives is very noticeable. Investing on a sharpener is noticeable. Same goes with blenders as well.

[@davebacon6194]

this chef is one of the best in the world

[@BigDaddyG65]

Rick I enjoy your videos and your TV shows as well, such great presentation and your calming demeanor makes everyone feel they can accomplish the recipes. The one question that always comes to mind when you are using the hotrod blender is, these are a lot of times ancient traditional recipes and often common food and such. I am sure a hundred years ago or in the kitchens of most Mexican grandmas they do not have souped up blender or a blender at all. Could you do a short video about what the traditional tools and methods are or may have been to achieve these smooth as silk sauces? ( I do have a blender and a processor it is all about the correct tool for the job.)

[@blankifyme]

Mortar and pestle to grind, then filtering it through a fine mesh strainer.

[@mikes4357]

My favorite advantage with the Vitamix is clean up,rinse it out put a few drops of dish soap in a couple cups of warm water from the tap run it on high for 45 seconds rinse it out again and you’re done!

[@wemcal]

Great video and wonderful explanation

[@johnstark9164]

Great advice and if you decide you do want to upgrade to a Vitamix keep an eye out, you can find great deals on them frequently

[@judyh3017]

I find that when making salsa with canned tomatoes, the Vitamix blender whips air into it turning it a pinkish color, whereas using the Cuisinart food processor the color of the salsa is red. So I prefer using the food processor for that. Lately, just to make a small batch of that same salsa, I like using an immersion blender for the fast cleanup.

[@scottbarnes9877]

I find the food processor is better for tomatillo salsa also.

[@jjdawg9918]

I have had dozens of blenders and the Vitamix is the only one I have had that can COMPLETELY pulverize the fibers in vegetables like carrots, green beans, celery and, of course, chili skins. I bought it for crushing ice but find I use it more for soups and sauces than anything else. I recommend the one with the narrow base since it will handle smaller portions better (but it may not fit under your counter)

[@normasouza1086]

Which vitamix series?

[@SeanBaker]

I have one of those Ninja products where the motor is separate from the housing. I have a food processor and a blender base.

[@hellhound1389]

I have a ninja but only use it for smoothies and milkshakes. I have 2 blenders and 2 food processors. I spend hours in the kitchen

[@drivecFC]

oh man this is just what i am looking for thank you

[@olgasantiago-agirlfriendsguide]

✨💜✨💜✨Ive had my VitaMix for over 15 years and I would replace it in a heartbeat if it gave out on me! It’s a work horse in my kitchen!!!✨💜✨💜✨

[@ethereal_ran]

Thank you

[@ronskopitz2360]

Couldn’t live without my VitaMix!! Though, I wish they hadn’t caved to the trend and switched to a wider pitcher - the old, narrow pitchers (like the one Rick has here) did a much better job of keeping the food in the blades.

[@CShannon1991]

Thanks Rick!

[@thompson4620]

What do you use the food processor for if you have both? What about non-Mexican foods/sauces?

[@L.Spencer]

I just assumed it was because everyone in Mexico uses the good old blender. I hadn't even heard of a food processor until a few years ago.

[@waynewayne377]

...I've noticed using a blender changes the flavor of the dish you're creating for instance...my recipe for a red salsa is a thousand years old..when it's mashed out with a fork or a molcajete and/or using a food processor the flavor remains the same...if made in a blender air is incorporated into blend and the flavor changes dramatically...heating it will get rid of the air but the flavor is never the same....learned much from the teaching videos..thanks Rick....ww....

[@solowrider3356]

Team blender 🥇

[@snapperboat25]

Blenders also have twice as many blades increasing choppage

[@taylamorris]

But can I use my Vitamix instead of a food processor for dry ingredients?

[@hellomoto9206]

My parent have a vitamix and they paid a few hundred for it. I bought a similar blender with the same amount of power for a fraction of the cost on Amazon.

[@emmanuelp8739]

You sound so much nicer than your brother 👍

[@evanduvall2359]

#TeamVitamix

[@Mateuszyk]

And how would they make salsas before blender times? In molcajete (forgot if i write it wrong) or just with a knife?

[@JayPFrancis]

I must disagree that “people may have a food processor but not a blender”. And for purée’d chiles, the Vitamix makes a smoother purée, requiring much less straining to remove the grit of the chile skin.

[@HealthyLiv1ng]

If you have a vitamix do you think one needs a food processor if we want to make homemade bars w/ nuts that are not made too small by the blender? If so which food processor would you recommend for small batches? 😁

[@jreagle58]

So you can make carne apache with a blender?

[@2adamast]

I checked isn’t it 2 hp motor? Half hp is more like the problematic kitchenaid

[@gwenb4531]

Have you ever used a dehydrator to dry your own chili's?

[@ryanb3731]

Any thoughts on immersion blenders?

[@xisigma]

Better for large quantities, and doesn't require a tamping stick. Professional chefs use them, but older folk will appreciate the regular blender.

[@ryanb3731]

@@xisigma one year later! Thanks friend

[@WynterClaire]

Would a nutri bullet work?

[@jamesrodriguez9184]

Wow!!!!! Interesting !!!!!in Mexican cooking Basic salsa de jitomate......I don like either IT makes Salsa foomy!!!!

[@hellhound1389]

Did my research and bought a blender that performed as good as the vitamix but a quarter the price and I use it a lot for sauces. I have 3 blenders for different purposes and 2 food processors

[@BigDaddyG65]

what blender did you decide on?

[@hellhound1389]

@@BigDaddyG65 faberware. Most my kitchen small appliances are either faberware or black and Decker

[@storres1368]

🥂🥂🥂❤️

[@chaztech9824]

[@johnsmalldridge6356]

The thing I hate about blenders is that they incorporate so much air into whatever you’re blending. I feel this gives an unpleasant texture to foods.

[@gibbontakeit9098]

But an extra cap, if you can, and a wine/ suction device, that will aid in keeping things less "foamy"

[@DJ-zq2pb]

#braaaaap

[@joetacchino4470]

I agree Rick. Our Cuisinart 12 cup O.G. food processor is probably 16 years old and stays in the cabinet. It gets used 1-2 times a month. Our Vitamix is on the counter and is used 6-8 times a week. Until I spent the money, I didn't see the use for a blender. Because the cheap ones don't do anything! But once I bit the bullet and got a good, high HP one (and there are others; you don't have to pay for the Vitamix name) I see how much more useful it is! Smoothies every day, almond butter & milk, etc. Before that, our old crappy blender got less use than the Food processor because it wasn't useful at ANYTHING!

[@danielbickford3458]

I use my food processors a few times a week easily, and I can't recall the last time I used a blender. My younger sister uses Annamarie and immersion blender on occasion but I can't recall the last time anybody in my immediate family used a blender.

[@cambrie7946]

Good for you. Doesn't mean anything though. Just use what works for you dude

[@Whowhatwherewhy]

$500 blender? Uh, no.