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Making the perfect homemade pesto goes beyond having the right ingredients; you also need the right tool. The best blender for pesto is well-rounded. They are also durable, budget-friendly, and powerful. Blenders belong to must-have kitchen appliances, as they are super versatile.
Pesto, a vibrant and aromatic green sauce, is a staple in Italian cuisine. Its unique flavor can be best described as bright and pungent, with a basil-forward taste that transports you to an herbaceous garden. The delicate olive oil adds richness to the sauce, while the pine nuts (pignoli) contribute a delightful nuttiness. To achieve the perfect consistency and blend all these flavors harmoniously, using a high-quality blender is essential. A reliable blender ensures that the ingredients are finely processed, resulting in a smooth and velvety pesto sauce that elevates any dish it accompanies. Whether you’re making traditional pesto pasta or experimenting with new recipes, a blender is your trusty companion for creating authentic and delicious Italian flavors at home.
Luckily, we made a list of the best blenders for pesto and all the features you must consider before making a well-educated decision to purchase a new blender for making pesto. Our top pick is the Blendtec Total Classic Original Blender.
Table of Contents
Top 5 Best Blenders for Pesto Review
When buying a blender for making pesto, there are numerous factors to take into account. For instance, you need to consider budget, quality, capacity, and power. Read our best blender for pesto review so that you can make an educated choice in which blender is the right choice for you.
Pesto, a staple in Italian cuisine, is not only delicious but also offers some surprising health benefits. While it is true that pesto contains ingredients like olive oil, nuts, and cheese that can be high in calories and fat, it’s important to note that the majority of the fat found in pesto is unsaturated. This type of fat has been linked to various heart health benefits.
Moreover, pesto is rich in antioxidants which play a crucial role in protecting our cells from damage caused by harmful free radicals. These antioxidants can contribute to overall cell health and support our immune system.
So, while it’s important to enjoy pesto in moderation due to its calorie content, you can take comfort in knowing that it also provides potential health benefits. Incorporating pesto into your diet can be a flavorful way to enhance your meals while still nourishing your body with valuable nutrients.
Let’s get on with finding the right blender for you so you can make your own homemade pesto.
Blendtec Total Classic Original Blender
The Blendtec Total Classic Original Blender has a lot of quality characteristics that are useful when you are looking to buy a new blender for pesto.
The Blendtec Total Classic Original Blender has six programs for you to choose from and ten different speed options. This will give you complete control to achieve various textures; therefore, you can make just the specific textured pesto you like.
After making your favorite variation of pesto, it would be convenient to clean the blender jar easily, and the Blendtec blender is super easy to clean as it has self-cleaning abilities. Just use some soap and warm water; the blender will do all the cleaning work for you.
Features we love:
- BPA free jar
- It has multiple cycles and programs to choose from
- Multiple speed options
- It can warm up soup or other liquids that need heat
- Self-cleaning container
Technical Details:
Brand: Blendtec
Color: Black
Capacity: 32 ounces
Material: Plastic
Wattage: 1560 watts
Number of speeds: 10
Voltage: 120 volts
Is dishwasher safe: No
Product weight: 7 pounds
Product dimensions: 7 x 8 x 15.5 inches
More information
Vitamix VM0197 Explorian Blender
One well-known blender bland is Vitamix. The next blender on our list is this Vitamix VM0197 Explorian Blender. The blender has the capability to make a range of different delicious foods thanks to a great motor engine.
The Vitamix VM0197 Explorian Blender is a versatile blender as you can easily make the following items because of its 1400-watt strong motor:
- Frozen ingredients
- Desserts
- Soup
- Coffee
- Nuts
- Smoothies
- Dips
- Spreads
- Dressings
- Sauces
The 48-ounce pitcher is large enough to fit in a decent amount of different ingredients and will make you multiple servings of pesto.
When the blending job is done, easily clean the blender as it has self-cleaning capabilities. Meaning that you just have to put a drop of soap and warm water in the pitcher, and the Vitamix blender will clean itself.
Features we love:
- 48-ounce container
- Easy to clean
- Make a wide variety of different foods and drinks
- Radial cooling fan
- Thermal protection system
Technical Details:
Brand: Vitamix
Color: Black
Material: Tritan
Capacity: 48 ounces
Wattage: 1400 watts
Number of speeds: 10
Voltage: 120 volts
Is dishwasher safe: Yes
Product weight: 11 pounds
Product dimensions: 11 x 8 x 18 inches
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Ninja Nutri Pro Compact Personal Blender
The best overall value personal blender you can purchase is the Ninja Nutri Pro Compact Personal Blender. The blender has an extremely powerful motor for a personal blender; with this wattage power, you can easily blend ice and other frozen ingredients in seconds.
The absolute best feature of the Ninja Nutri Pro Compact Personal Blender is the 1100-watt motor base. That is an enormous amount of wattage power for a personal blender! The motor is strong enough to crush ice instantly and other frozen ingredients or dry ingredients like nuts and seeds. You will surely drink ice-cold smooth smoothies, and protein shakes with this personal blender.
The Ninja Nutri Pro blender also has preset programs that can help you create the desired texture of your pesto with its pulsing and pausing patterns.
Another great attribute is that you can easily blend ingredients in the single-serve cup, put the included spout lid on top of it, and take your drink on the go with you to work, the gym or the park.
Features we love:
- Power: 1100 watts will crush ice in seconds
- Multiple programs to choose from
- Ability to crush ice and frozen ingredients
- It comes with a 24-ounce single-serve cup with a lid for traveling on the go
- Compact size
- Ease of use
- It comes with a 20-recipe inspiration guide
Technical Details:
Brand: Ninja
Color: Silver
Capacity: 1.5 pounds
Material:
Wattage: 1100 watts
Voltage: 120 volts
Is dishwasher safe: Yes
Product weight: 6 pounds
Product dimensions: 6.34 x 6.93 x 14.29 inches
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Oster My Blend
The compact Oster My Blend is a great option for low budgets or for those of us who like transportable blenders and also drinks.
The Oster My Blend is a small handy little blender that is compact and, therefore, easily transportable as well as storable. The design of this blender is so that you directly blend into the BPA-free plastic sport bottle. Make pesto and store it away in a jar.
Pop on the lid and take your smoothie to go. The lid also has a handy carry hook, which makes it so that you can easily carry the bottle with you throughout the day.
Make an easy smoothie as you have to press one single button to do the work for you.
Features we love:
- Compact design
- Easily transportable
- Blend directly into the sport bottle
- The drinking lid has a special carry hook
- BPA-free plastic bottle
Technical Details:
Brand: Oster
Color: Blue
Material: Stainless Steel
Capacity: 20 ounces
Wattage: 250 watts
Voltage: 110 volts
Is dishwasher safe: Yes
Product weight: 1 pound
Product dimensions: 6.9 x 6.7 x 14.9 inches
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KitchenAid Diamond Blender
The KitchenAid Diamond Blender is a good budget-friendly choice for if you want to try and start blending all kinds of different foods, drinks, or smoothies.
The KitchenAid Diamond Blender is a smart blender with an intelli speed motor control that senses the content of the pitcher and maintains an optimal speed to blend all the ingredients that are needed for making pesto. The soft start feature is nice because if you start the machine, then it will slowly pull food into the blend and then quickly increases the speed to your desired speed setting.
Choose from five different settings to create your desired texture, and enjoy your nutritious smoothie.
Features we love:
- BPA-free pitcher
- Larger 60-ounce fluid capacity
- Diamond blending system
- Soft start feature
- Long warranty
Technical Details:
Brand: KitchenAid
Color: Cranberry
Capacity: 60 ounces
Wattage: 600 watts
Voltage: 120 volts
Is dishwasher safe: Yes
Product weight: 10 pounds
Product dimensions: 8.5 x 9 x 16.5 inches
More information
Buyers Guide: What Should I Look for When Buying a Blender for Pesto?
When searching for a blender that is capable of making pesto, there are several important features to consider. These include speed functions, blade quality, power, capacity, and warranty. Other factors to keep in mind may include budget, design, and available accessories.
There are lots of criteria you could consider when it comes to purchasing a new blender. We have made it easy for you and listed some key features you need to consider before buying a blender for making pesto.
Speed
Does the blender have multiple speed options? Speed options are great because, with that, you have complete control over the desired texture of the smoothie, shake, or other foods that you are creating.
Warranty
When it comes to blenders, you have the option of investing in a pricier model or going for a more affordable one. Regardless of your choice, it’s important to ensure that the blender you purchase comes with a warranty. This way, in the event of any malfunctions, such as a faulty motor, you can simply send the blender back to the manufacturer to get it repaired and continue using it without any hassle.
Power
The more powerful the motor a blender has, the easier it will be to blend all ingredients into the perfect blend of texture. A general rule of thumb is to look at the wattage number. The higher the wattage number, the more powerful the blender’s motor is.
Capacity
How much liquid can a cup hold? Is the cup large or small? Can the cup be used for travel or not? Does it have a lid that is secure enough to prevent spills or leaks? All of these things are important to consider. Another thing to keep in mind is the shape of the container. Is it square, round, tall, wide, or narrow? This will also impact the amount and type of ingredients you can blend.
Blender Blades
Whenever you are planning on buying a new blender, then make sure the blades of the blender are of high quality. This is important because some blending tasks can be hard on the blades, as not every blender has a powerful motor or high-quality blades. Another thing to consider is if the blades are dull or sharp, as both have their pros and cons.
Budget
Maybe you are dreaming of all the delicious foods you could make with a new blender, and rightfully so because nothing is better than making your own homemade smoothie, drinks, or other foods. The thing to consider is all the different features you want in a blender. Do you want a lot of speed? Do you want a powerful motor? That will cost more money, so adjust your must-have features to your specific budget.
Material
It is important to find out if the blades and pitcher are made from strong, durable materials, especially if you use a blender for heavy-duty tasks like ice crushing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Tips for Blending Pesto
Do you have more questions about blenders and pesto? No problem; we have got you covered! Let’s discuss the right blender for making pesto at home and also some helpful tips for making the most delicious pesto.
Blending pesto in a blender can be a quick and convenient way to achieve a smooth and consistent texture. Here are some tips to help you blend pesto effectively:
1. Use fresh ingredients: Opt for fresh basil leaves, garlic cloves, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and extra virgin olive oil. The quality of the ingredients will greatly impact the flavor of your pesto.
2. Start with small batches: To ensure even blending, start by blending smaller batches of ingredients at a time. This will help maintain control over the consistency and prevent overcrowding in the blender.
3. Gradually add olive oil: Pour the olive oil slowly into the blender while it’s running to emulsify and incorporate it evenly into the mixture. This will result in a creamy texture and enhance the overall taste.
4. Pulse instead of continuous blending: Instead of continuously running the blender, try pulsing it on low speed. This technique allows you to control how finely or coarsely you want your pesto blended.
Can I Use a Blender Instead of A Food Processor for Pesto?
Yes, you can easily use a blender to make pesto instead of a food processor. Both kitchen appliances are able to make delicious green pesto sauce. We love the Blendtec Total Classic Original Blender for making pesto.
Why Won’t My Pesto Blend in The Blender?
There could be two reasons why pesto won’t blend in your blender. The number one reason is that you did not add enough liquid to all the ingredients, so add a little water to make the pesto blending process smoother. The second reason is probably that you have difficulty with blending the (basil) leaves in the blender container. Stop the blender and push the leaves down and start the blending process again.
Is It Worth Making Your Own Pesto?
Making pesto from scratch is definitely worth it. Although there are some decent store-bought options available, nothing beats the fresh and pure taste of homemade pesto that you can make in your own kitchen. Moreover, incorporating pesto into your diet can provide you with essential nutrients and health benefits. So go ahead and explore the wonderful world of Italian cuisine with this versatile and flavorful homemade sauce.
Is an Immersion Blender Better than A Food Processor for Pesto?
Both an immersion blender like the Mueller Ultra-Stick Immersion Hand Blender and a food processor will be able to make pesto. The food processor will probably make a smoother overall pesto because it can better grind down all the ingredients. The advantage of using an immersion blender or food processor over the traditional pestle and mortar is that it speeds up the process of making pesto, thus saving you time.
Best Blender For Pesto: Final Thoughts
The best blenders for making pesto are the ones that pass the buyers’ guide test when it comes to several factors, such as price, quality, durability, capacity, and power.
Our number one pick is the Blendtec Total Classic Original Blender. The Blendtec blender is a great choice for creamy pesto because the wattage power of the blender is very high at 1560 watts, which is more than enough to crush and blend all of the vital ingredients of pesto, namely: basil leaves, olive oil, pine nuts, garlic cloves, and cheese.
Another great option is the Vitamix VM0197 Explorian Blender. It has a powerful 1400-watt motor and will also get the job done of making delicious pesto sauces.
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