Every product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn a commission.
Preparing your mise en place for cooking can be a tedious task, especially if you have a lot of vegetables, herbs and other ingredients. While most culinary professionals tend to use their knife skills to do most of the chopping and grinding in the kitchen, a food chopper can help home cooks.
“Vegetable choppers are great for speed for beginners or for someone hoping to finish meal prep for the week,” says Olivia Roszkowski, chef-instructor of health-supportive culinary arts at the Culinary Education Institute. What’s more: “It’s a safe and effective way to get kids, teenagers, or those with hand-coordination or posture issues to help out in the kitchen.”
There are several factors to consider when choosing a food chopper. “I usually look for an electric chopper that’s not overly complicated with a lot of different parts and is easy to set up,” says Daniel Ziebell, executive chef at AVOW Napa. Other key attributes we considered include capacity, ease of cleaning, and the few settings involved. We’ve concluded that the KitchenAid 3.5-Cup Electric Food Chopper offers the best overall performance for fast, effortless preparation. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just want to get through the chops as quickly as possible, you’ll find the right model on this list. Read on for the best food choppers you can buy online.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: KitchenAid 3.5-Cup Electric Food Chopper
Best Overall: KitchenAid 3.5-Cup Electric Food Chopper
Also available at Walmart and Home Depot. To see also : Salmonella ends its operations at the Barry Callebaut chocolate factory.
Pros: It has great capacity, a powerful motor, and works a lot like a full-sized food processor without the bulk.
Cons: It takes some practice to get used to the lid, and cleaning can be tricky.
If you like the functionality of a food processor, but don’t like a bulky device, this KitchenAid chopper is in the right place. Equipped with two speeds and a pulse function, this small but powerful machine chops ingredients and even purees them. Use it to prepare cilantro and parsley for garnish, chop onions for cooking, or make salsa for a crowd. A drizzle bowl allows you to slowly drip liquids into the bowl, such as olive oil for making salad dressing or emulsifying aioli.
This model has a capacity of 3.5 cups and is also available in a variety of colors. Weighing only two pounds, it’s lightweight and easier to take out and put away than a full-sized food processor. The S-shaped stainless steel bowl, lid and blade are dishwasher safe, although the only downside we could find with this chopper is that small bits of food could potentially get stuck in the crevices of the lid and require extra attention to clean out. . Plus, it tops our list thanks to its excellent performance, ease of use, and reasonable price.
Best Manual: Mueller 2-Speed Tow Helicopter
Best Manual: Mueller 2-Speed Pull Chopper
Pros: The pull rope is easy to operate and has two speeds for coarser or finer cuts. Read also : “Emergency Food Giveaway” attracts hundreds of families. It’s also a great value.
Cons: Larger capacity bowl means it doesn’t work well with very small quantities.
This Mueller Hand Shredder offers fast and quiet chopping with the pull of a rope. Perfect for making tear-free onions or diced fruit for a bowl of granola, it has a five-cup work bowl that gives you enough room to process ingredients to feed the whole family. Its easy handling means you can also let your kids help you prepare meals (with supervision, of course) — they’ll enjoy pulling the handle and watching the blades chop the ingredients.
This model includes a BPA-free plastic work container, stainless steel blades and a detachable lid. The lid has a speed dial, depending on whether you want rough or fine cuts. With the blades you can quickly chop hard and soft products, hard-boiled eggs for salad, and even grind through pieces of raw meat for meatballs. Although it is not recommended to put this chopper in the dishwasher, it is easy to disassemble for manual cleaning.
Best Electric: Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus
Best Electric: Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus
Also available in Bed Bath & amp; Beyond and Home Depot. This may interest you : Global food kilometers account for almost 20% of total food system emissions.
Advantages: it has a powerful motor, it can be operated with just one touch of a button and it has parts that can be washed in the dishwasher.
Cons: It might be a little loud for some and you have to keep the button pressed to keep it running.
Similar to our selection for the best overall result, this model looks and works similarly to a food processor. Manufactured by Cuisinart, the Mini-Prep Plus has two settings: shredding and grinding, which are controlled at the touch of a button. The “chopping” setting uses the sharp side of the S-shaped blade, making it ideal for softer foods like herbs and onions, while the “grinding” setting uses the blunt side of the blade – designed for use with harder foods such as peppercorns or hard cheeses .
This machine has a container with three cups and a locking lid that has openings for adding liquid or oil. Equipped with a 240W motor, it’s powerful and fast (just be careful not to chop or grind the ingredients too much), and while it might be a little loud to some, it works so fast that the noise doesn’t last long.
It weighs just 2.2 pounds, is very light and easy to pull out to use, and won’t take up much storage space. The dish, lid and blade can be washed in the dishwasher, and it comes in a handful of colors that you can match to match your kitchen decor.
Best large capacity: KitchenAid cordless food shredder with 5 cups
Best Large Capacity: KitchenAid 5-Cup Cordless Food Chopper
Also available at Williams Sonoma and Home Depot.
Pros: This stylish helicopter runs on a rechargeable battery, so you can use it anywhere. It also comes with a changing attachment that allows you to quickly prepare mayonnaise and whipped cream.
Cons: You’ll have to hold down the button for it to work continuously. The blade does not lock, so it will slide down as you tilt the container to empty it. You also can’t use it while it’s charging.
When you’re making food for a crowd, this KitchenAid Cordless Five-Cup Chopper is a great tool. It runs on a rechargeable 12-volt lithium-ion battery, which allows you to move the machine anywhere without worrying about the cable getting in the way. It can chop up to 40 onions on a full charge — charging from empty to full takes only about two hours (with the ability to quick charge in just 10 minutes).
This model has two speeds, fast and slow chopping, and can also pulse ingredients by touching the tab on the handle. Just like a food processor, you can use it to make hummus or olive tapenade, and the locking lid also has a hole so you can add liquid or oil while it’s running. This chopper also comes with a whisk attachment that traps liquid so the blades can aerate it properly, allowing you to make mayonnaise or whipped cream in just minutes. All in all, its performance and ease of use make it worth it. The five-cup work bowl, lid, stainless steel blade and whisk attachment are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
Best Mini: Kuhn Rikon Pull Chopper
Best Mini: Kuhn Rikon Pull Chopper
Pros: The pull rope is easy to operate and this compact unit is easy to clean. It is very portable and can be used anywhere because it does not need electricity.
Cons: Its smaller size means you’ll likely have to pre-cut more vegetables to fit in the bowl. The cover must be washed by hand.
Chop onions, garlic and more in this best-selling chopper from Kuhn Rikon. Designed with just three parts — bowl, blade, and lid — it’s easy to operate: just pull the handle three to five times for coarse chopping, 10 times for finer chopping, and 15 or more times to create a puree, sauce, or gravy.
The blades are made of stainless steel and hold their edge for a long time. You can use it to make pico de gallo in seconds, grind fresh herbs or chop walnuts or almonds as a topping on your favorite pastries. Although we consider this two-cup chopper “mini,” it’s still pretty roomy.
The non-slip base prevents the chopper from sliding around while you’re using it, and when you’re done, you can safely wash the bowl and blades in the top rack of the dishwasher, although the lid should be washed by hand.
Conclusion
Regardless of your chopping needs, there is a model that can help you prepare efficiently and easily. Our favorite is the KitchenAid 3.5-Cup Food Chopper, which has plenty of power, is easy to use, and provides effortless chopping at the push of a button. If you prefer a manual option that’s also extremely portable, check out the Kuhn Rikon Pull Chopper.
Factors to Consider
Capacity
The size of your chopper will largely depend on your needs: are you cooking for a large family or just one or two? Another factor is storage space, as some models can take up as much space as a food processor. You can always choose a smaller size and work in batches, but if storage space isn’t an issue, you can definitely choose a larger capacity option.
Electric vs. Manual
Manual choppers often use a pull or piston action and are great for quickly chopping onions or herbs. Because they don’t require electricity, they can be used indoors or outdoors — a great option if you have an outdoor kitchen or want to use it while camping. Electric models are faster, more powerful, and a better choice if you have a lot of chopping to do, but you’ll usually be limited to where you can use them because you need an outlet nearby.
Operation
Think about how the chopper works, whether it’s a handle you pull or a button you push. Some electric models have a switch that allows continuous operation, while others require you to hold down a button or tab. Choose one that is comfortable for you to use, especially if you have any physical limitations that make it difficult to work.
Accessories
Most food choppers are pretty bland when it comes to accessories, but some models offer extra blades or attachments to diversify their use. If that’s important to you, look for a chopper that includes extras, from extra work bowls to beaters.
Clean Up
Another factor to keep in mind is ease of cleaning. If you’re easily annoyed by washing separate pieces by hand, make sure your food chopper is dishwasher safe. Keep in mind that automatic dishwashers have a reputation for dulling blades, even dishwasher safe ones, so to get more life out of their edges, try to hand wash them whenever possible.
The Research
We consulted two culinary experts, combined with the expertise of our writer, to determine what makes a great food chopper before selecting a few options that were among the most popular brands in the field. Our final picks meet or exceed expectations for build quality, value and performance.
Pro Panel Q+A
Q: When is a food chopper preferable to a knife?
Q: When is a food chopper preferable over a knife?
A: “[Food choppers] are great for all wet cooking techniques, such as making stock, braising, stews, or braised sauces,” says Roszkowski. The pressure of using a vegetable chopper can slightly crush the cell walls of vegetables, making them a little wetter, something to consider if you prefer less moisture for wok cooking or achieving caramelization over high heat, Roszkowski says.
Q: Are there any best practices for using a food chopper?
Q: Are there any best practices for using a food chopper?
A: “Use the same etiquette and wash and peel produce as before as if you were using a knife,” says Roszkowski. “Rinse the vegetable chopper between products if you’re using it for different recipes. Put typically strong smells like onions last, and anything that will pick up flavors, like strawberries, should be processed first.”
Q: What is the difference between a food processor and a chopper?
Q: What’s the difference between a food processor and a food chopper?
A: Food choppers usually come with one blade for all functions. Food processors tend to be larger in capacity, have more settings, and come with more blades for different cuts.
Q: Can you make smoothies with a food chopper?
Q: Can you make smoothies with a food chopper?
A: Not really, but it depends on the model. Most food choppers aren’t powerful enough to thoroughly puree ice or frozen fruit, but if you want to make a smoothie out of fresh fruit with juice or water, you may be able to achieve a decent puree that you can drink.
Q: Is there anything that should not be prepared with a food chopper?
Q: Is there anything that shouldn’t be prepped with a food chopper?
A: “Whenever I have to cut something perfectly—like a garnish—I avoid using a food chopper,” Ziebell says. “I also try to avoid putting hard and stringy ingredients through it like unpeeled ginger or lemongrass, I’ll usually boil them a bit before I try to cut them to soften them and avoid damaging the blade or the machine.”
Q: How do you clean a food chopper?
Q: How do you clean a food chopper?
A: Always refer to the user manual to find out which parts are safe for the dishwasher. Hand washing is preferred for stainless steel blades as it helps keep the sharp edge of the blade from becoming dull. “Make sure to wash with soap and dry completely before storing for storage between uses,” says Roszkowski.
Our Expertise
This work was written by Bernadette Macchard de Gramont, a Los Angeles-based writer who specializes in global food and wine content. After working at Williams Sonoma headquarters in San Francisco, she now researches and tests a variety of utensils, baking utensils and wine tools, and interviews field experts for their insight.
What is a vegetable chopper?
Whether you’re chopping vegetables for a side dish or dice for homemade soup, the vegetable chopper is a kitchen tool used almost daily. The best vegetable chopper protects you from accidental cuts, prevents hand fatigue and cuts quickly.
Is a vegetable chopper worth it? The point of a vegetable chopper is to save you time and hassle while preparing your meal. But if it takes a lot of time and effort to clean the tools after dinner, then it really is not worth buying. The shredders that are easiest to clean can be disassembled and thrown in the dishwasher with a little effort.
What is vegetable chopper?
Food choppers are a handy device when you want to reduce knife use and shorten preparation. Some common uses of a food chopper include: chopping onions, celery, garlic and carrots for soups, stews and other dishes. Cutting fresh herbs for sauces and gravy.
How does a vegetable chopper work?
Do food choppers work?
If you are preparing a dish that requires a lot of chopping, such as salsa, chutney or soup, then the chopper can make these ingredients quickly, leaving you more free time. Food choppers are also handy for cutting ingredients that are difficult to chop such as nuts, herbs and cooked meat.
Should I get a food processor or chopper? A food processor is the most versatile unit and can significantly reduce your kitchen preparation by performing a variety of tasks. Food choppers are the best choice for intentional cuts and wedges on certain types of produce. Finally, a food blender is the most suitable device for liquefying ingredients.
Are food choppers worth it?
Here are a few reasons why an electric food chopper might be the best choice for your food preparation needs over a food processor. If you have a small kitchen or limited storage space, a food chopper takes up less cabinet or counter space. Allows for a smaller bowl when processing a small amount.
Are mini choppers worth it?
Mini food processors are useful in any kitchen because they provide consistent results without manual grease and require no knife skills or knowledge of how to sharpen a knife for tasks such as chopping vegetables, fruits, herbs, nuts and cheeses, preparing homemade baby food or making small…
Can I use Nutribullet as a food processor?
Quick answer: The Nutribullet can be used as a mini food processor, but it has its limitations. The built-in pulse function allows you to quickly chop small batches of onions, tomatoes, peppers or even make a quick salsa.
Can I use the Nutribullet to chop vegetables? Quick answer: Yes! The Nutribullet is excellent at chopping vegetables. There are several ways to chop in this blender, and the best way to chop vegetables is wet chopping. With wet chopping, you add a bunch of water to the blender jar along with everything you want to chop.
Is a Nutribullet a food processor or blender?
Nutribullet – a brand known for its compact portable blenders – has entered the full-size food processing game with its new 7-cup food processor (opens in new tab), launching in November 2021.
What can I use if I don’t have a food processor?
How to process food with 12 common food processing alternatives
- Mixer. The mixer is easy to maintain because its parts are tightly assembled. …
- Blender. If you have limited funds, a blender is a good alternative to a food processor. …
- Sander. …
- Food processor. …
- Juicer. …
- Food mill. …
- 7. Grater box. …
- Mortar and pestle.
Can a blender be used as a food processor?
You can use a blender instead of a food processor for most recipes. However, the blender can only be used for smaller batches, and you may need to change some blender settings. It cannot be used for kneading dough and making pastry dough.
