Making ready your mise en place for cooking could be tedious, particularly when you have loads of greens, herbs, and different substances to cut. Whereas most culinary professionals use their chef’s knife or different kitchen knives to cut and mince, a vegetable chopper is a useful instrument for residence cooks.
“Vegetable choppers are nice for pace for novices or for somebody hoping to finish some meal prep for the week,” says Olivia Roszkowski, chef-instructor of Well being-Supportive Culinary Arts on the Institute of Culinary Training. What’s extra: “It is a protected and efficient approach for getting children, youngsters, or those that may need hand coordination or grip points concerned in serving to out within the kitchen.”
When selecting a meals chopper, there are just a few components to contemplate. “Sometimes, I search for an electrical meals chopper that is not overly difficult with numerous completely different elements and is well stowed,” says Daniel Ziebell, former government chef at AVOW Napa. With that in thoughts, we examined a few of the greatest vegetable choppers, observing and rating their key attributes — together with capability, ease of use and cleansing, and the variety of settings included.
Made by Cuisinart, the Mini-Prep Plus seems to be and features equally to a meals processor, that includes two settings which are operable with the contact of a button: chop and grind. The “chop” setting makes use of the sharp aspect of the S-shaped blade, which makes it preferrred for softer meals like herbs and onions, whereas the “grind” setting makes use of the blunt aspect of the blade — designed for use with tougher meals like peppercorns or laborious cheeses. Its three-cup bowl additionally comes with a locking lid that options holes so as to add liquid or oils. Geared up with a 240-watt motor, it is each highly effective and speedy, and it will possibly even deal with weightier duties like grating room-temperature parmesan cheese. (However be warned that this could put on out the motor if accomplished too steadily!)
Throughout our testing, we put the Mini-Prep Plus by its paces as we chopped numerous substances, together with garlic, onions, and chilies, and we discovered it to be a strong machine that could be very simple to make use of. All you need to do is prep your substances by chopping them into smaller chunks to allow them to match contained in the bowl, then the chopper will slice and cube them with only one push of a button. Nevertheless, for those who want uniform items, this will not be the system for you. We discovered this to be a greater possibility for functions like making salsa or mincing garlic, as you’ve little management over the completed product or the dimensions of the cuts.
Earlier than lengthy, chances are you’ll end up reaching for this gadget much more than your meals processor as a result of it’s so light-weight and simple to function. Plus, it’s simply as simple to wash as it’s to make use of — the bowl, lid, and blade can all go into the dishwasher for fast cleanup. However be certain that to deal with the bowl with care as a result of it will possibly grow to be broken for those who drop it, and it’ll value you simply as a lot as a complete new chopper to exchange it.
Dimensions: 9.25 x 7 x 5 inches | Capability: 3 cups | Operation: Electrical | Dishwasher Secure: Sure
If you need a handbook vegetable chopper that doesn’t require an excessive amount of bodily labor to realize fast, uniform cuts, then it’s value it to take a look at Fullstar’s 4-in-1 Vegetable Chopper. With 4 interchangeable blades — together with a small and a big dicing blade, a spiral blade, and a ribbon blade — it will possibly minimize the time it takes to finish a few of your most tedious kitchen duties in half. The chopper lid rests on prime of a 1.2-liter assortment tray that catches all of your freshly diced veggies and shops them till you’re prepared so as to add them to your recipe, and its non-skid base makes certain you’ve most leverage as you chop. Plus, security options like a blade lock and a finger guard make sure that nothing greater than contemporary produce leads to the bowl.
We’ll admit that we didn’t have the very best expectations when evaluating handbook choppers in opposition to high-performance electrical fashions, however the outcomes we achieved with this one blew us out of the water. The very first thing we seen was the prime quality of the supplies and the additional sharp blades, which all include protecting components to be sure to don’t by chance minimize your self. The chopper’s opening was giant sufficient to accommodate one-half of a big onion at a time, and we have been capable of slice by it simply by pushing the lid down with minimal effort. We additionally discovered the inserts simple to swap, and all of the cuts we made got here out extraordinarily uniform.
We love that it comes with devoted cleansing brushes and instruments to be able to get any stray items out of each nook and cranny if you’re accomplished. And for those who’re in a rush, you may merely throw all of the elements into your dishwasher on the highest rack. The one disadvantage we might discover is that we want the highest mounted with just a bit extra suction. However aside from that, we’ve got completely no complaints.
Dimensions: 10.6 x 4.5 x 4.7 inches | Capability: 1.2 liters | Operation: Handbook | Dishwasher Secure: Sure
In the event you just like the performance of a meals processor however don’t love a cumbersome equipment, this meals chopper from KitchenAid is correct up your alley. It’s a little bit of a splurge in comparison with a few of the different objects on our record, nevertheless it’s greater than value it. Geared up with two speeds and a pulse perform, this small-but-mighty machine chops substances and even makes purees. The drizzle basin means that you can slowly drip liquids into the bowl, like olive oil for making salad dressing or emulsifying aioli. And with a 3.5-cup capability, it’s roomy sufficient to carry numerous greens, nevertheless it’s additionally light-weight and simpler to carry out and put away than a full-sized meals processor.
Though it took a minute or two to get used to the lid (which must be locked in earlier than the motor will activate), we shortly fell in love with how highly effective and easy-to-use this mannequin is. We particularly beloved the handy lever that means that you can management the pace of the motor for extra exact cuts. Plus, the bowl, lid, and S-shaped stainless-steel blade are all dishwasher protected, and we merely gave the bottom a fast wipe with a humid towel to wash up any splatters.
“I like my Kitchenaid mini chopper when I’m too lazy to take out my giant meals processor,” says Testing Editor Jennifer Zyman. “It’s the excellent measurement for fast salsa, chopping garlic, and even grating room-temperature parmesan cheese.”
Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 7 inches | Capability: 3.5 cups | Operation: Electrical | Dishwasher Secure: Sure
Much like the Fullstar mannequin, OXO’s Simple-Pour Chopper means that you can cube greens by pushing them by a grid of sharpened blades. Nevertheless, this model solely has one everlasting blade that isn’t interchangeable. However what it lacks in versatility, it makes up for in general worth, comfort, and performance. Revolutionary options, like a handy opening on the again so you may simply pour out your chopped substances as you go and a detachable grid to assist clear between the blades, make it a high-quality possibility that enables for environment friendly prep and simple cleanup. So, for those who like this type of handbook chopper however know that you simply received’t use all the additional blades and equipment that another fashions include, then this could possibly be the right chopping instrument in your kitchen.
Whereas slicing every little thing from garlic, onions, and celery to carrots and potatoes, we discovered that this mannequin might deal with something. It’s very sturdy, which is a plus as a result of you do not have to exert important stress to push the meals by the blades. And we love simply how exact you will get your cuts with this type of chopper, particularly for recipes the place every little thing should be minimize right down to the identical measurement so it cooks evenly. This can be a useful gizmo for making fast work of vegetable prep for soups and chilies, and it cleans up simply within the dishwasher when you’re accomplished. Completely dry all of the elements earlier than reassembling and storing them.
Dimensions: 8.74 x 5 x 3.5 inches | Capability: 2.5 cups | Operation: Handbook | Dishwasher Secure: Sure
This basic handbook chopper from OXO works by pushing down on a rubber stopper to function the rotating, wave-pattern blades. You’ll be able to chop substances inside its included easy-measure cup, or you should use it instantly on prime of your favourite chopping board. The rotating blades hold meals from sticking to the partitions of the cup, whereas the built-in bumpers soak up any shock whereas utilizing it. In the event you’re chopping instantly contained in the cup, then you may merely pop the included lid on prime to retailer your substances till you’re prepared to make use of. It even has a handy locking characteristic in order that the chopper stays locked within the down place for simple storage.
We beloved how sturdy and easy-to-use this chopper is, though we seen that it doesn’t create very uniform or exact cuts. Throughout testing, we used it for quite a lot of duties, together with chopping onions and cilantro for tacos, potatoes for hash browns, in addition to carrots and celery. Since you need to push down in a short time on the stopper to cut, we discovered it to be higher for pulverizing or mincing objects like garlic or nuts. Nevertheless, you must in all probability keep away from utilizing this chopper to chop up herbs or different delicate objects that may bruise simply. Whenever you’re accomplished, its elements could be thrown into the dishwasher for simple cleanup, however you might also must set them out to airdry afterward to verify there’s no leftover moisture inside.
Dimensions: 3.75 x 4 x 8 inches | Capability: 1 cup | Operation: Handbook | Dishwasher Secure: Sure
We discovered one of the best electrical vegetable chopper is the Cuisinart 3-Cup Mini-Prep Plus Meals Processor. This chopper has loads of energy, it is a breeze to make use of, and it delivers easy chopping on the contact of a button. We additionally love the Fullstar 4-in-1 Vegetable Chopper for those who’re in search of a handbook possibility that can also be extraordinarily environment friendly and simple to make use of.
To search out one of the best choppers for greens, we examined a number of fashions in our kitchens. We used every chopper for frequent kitchen duties like chopping two pink onion halves to see how properly every one might cube. We additionally tried to include them into our regular cooking routines to watch how they dealt with quite a lot of produce and prep work. We first assessed every mannequin on its design, being attentive to their general high quality and sturdiness.
Then, as we started to make use of them extra, we took into consideration components like their ease of use, how comfy they have been to carry and maneuver, how a lot effort it took to achieve our closing product, and the way they carried out general (together with how exact and uniform the cuts have been). Lastly, we assessed their ease of cleansing and general worth, which led us to our closing picks.
The scale and capability of your meals chopper will largely rely in your wants: do you cook dinner for a big household or simply for one or two? Your reply to that query will decide whether or not you’ll be happy with a chopper that has a two-cup capability or for those who want one that may deal with 5 cups or extra. One other issue is cupboard space, as some fashions can take up as a lot room as a meals processor — though most of our fashions on this record have a fairly small footprint. You’ll be able to all the time select a smaller measurement and work in batches, but when cupboard space is not a difficulty, you may definitely spring for a bigger capability possibility.
Operated by hand vegetable choppers usually use a pull-type motion or a plunger motion and are nice for shortly chopping onions, herbs, or different produce. Since they do not require electrical energy, they’re ultra-portable and can be utilized indoors or outside — a fantastic possibility when you have an out of doors kitchen or need to use it whereas tenting. Electrical fashions are faster, extra highly effective, and a better option when you have loads of chopping to do, however you may usually be restricted as to the place you should use them because you’ll want an outlet close by.
Whether or not it’s handbook or electrical, take into account how the meals chopper operates — it could possibly be by way of a deal with you pull, a button you press, and even by pushing veggies by a grid. Some electrical fashions characteristic a swap that enables for steady operation, whereas others require that you simply maintain down a button or tab. Select one which feels comfy so that you can use, particularly when you have any bodily limitations that make it troublesome to function.
Most meals choppers are fairly bare-bones in terms of equipment, however some fashions provide extra blades or attachments to diversify their use. If that is vital to you, store round for a chopper that features extras, from extra work bowls to whisking equipment.
One other issue to bear in mind is the convenience of cleansing. In the event you’re simply irritated by hand washing separate items, make certain that your meals chopper is dishwasher protected. Be warned that automated dishwashers have a status for dulling blades, even dishwasher-safe ones, so to get extra life out of their edges, attempt to wash them by hand every time attainable.
Regularly Requested Questions
When is a vegetable chopper preferable over a knife?
“Meals choppers are nice for any moist-cooking strategies, similar to inventory making, braising, stews, or simmered sauces,” says Roszkowski. The stress of utilizing a vegetable chopper can barely crush the cell partitions of greens, making them barely wetter, one thing to contemplate for those who choose much less moisture for wok cooking or reaching caramelization over excessive warmth, based on Roszkowski.
Are there any greatest practices for utilizing a vegetable chopper?
“Use the identical etiquette and wash and peel produce as you’d earlier than as for those who have been utilizing a knife,” says Roszkowski. “Rinse the vegetable chopper between produce if utilizing for various recipes. Save the usually strong-smelling objects like onions for final, and something that may decide up flavors, similar to strawberries, ought to be processed first.”
What is the distinction between a meals processor and a vegetable chopper?
Vegetable choppers are usually smaller and include one blade for all features. They can be operated manually or with an electrical motor. Alternatively, meals processors are often bigger in capability, extra high-powered, have extra settings, and include a number of blades to make quite a lot of cuts. If you have already got a meals processor, chances are you’ll be questioning if it’s value it to get a vegetable chopper, and vice versa. The reality is that vegetable choppers are extremely simple to make use of and could be simply as efficient as meals processors for fast and easy jobs. In the event you usually end up reluctant to drag out your cumbersome meals processor for meal prep, then it is likely to be value it to put money into a vegetable chopper as a result of they’re extra light-weight and transportable. Additionally they take up a lot much less house.
Are you able to make smoothies with a vegetable chopper?
Not likely, nevertheless it is dependent upon the mannequin. Most meals choppers aren’t highly effective sufficient to completely puree ice or frozen fruits, however for those who’re trying to make a contemporary fruit smoothie with juice or water, you might be able to obtain an honest puree that you could drink.
Is there something that should not be prepped with a vegetable chopper?
“At any time when I’ve to chop one thing completely — for instance, a garnish — I keep away from utilizing a meals chopper,” says Ziebell. “I additionally attempt to keep away from placing laborious and fibrous substances by it, like unpeeled ginger or lemongrass. I will usually cook dinner them down a bit earlier than trying to chop them in an effort to melt them up and keep away from damaging the blade or machine.”
How do you clear a vegetable chopper?
All the time seek the advice of your proprietor’s handbook to be taught which elements are protected for the dishwasher. Hand washing is preferable for stainless-steel blades as a result of it helps to maintain the blade’s sharp edge from dulling. “Be sure that to scrub with soapy water and dry fully earlier than placing away for storage between makes use of,” says Roszkowski. With any sort of blade, watch out when dealing with.
Maipor Vegetable Chopper ($34 at Amazon)
When it got here to precise chopping, we beloved how the Maipor Vegetable chopper achieved exact and uniform cuts, though slicing and shredding have been a bit dicey. We want the floor space for chopping have been only a bit bigger, and fewer attachments would make this mannequin a bit much less clunky and complicated.
LHS Vegetable Chopper ($19 at Amazon)
Though this mannequin is of first rate high quality, it merely didn’t measure as much as a few of the different fashions we examined. Total, we discovered the chopping grate and base to be too small for our wants, leaving some items smashed as an alternative of diced within the course of. If it have been only a bit bigger, we predict this might make a very good decide.
Mueller Twin Velocity Meals Chopper (At present unavailable)
This handbook chopper by Mueller presents fast and quiet chopping with the pull of a wire, although it takes a little bit of setup and work to get the right items. You have to prep your veggies first by chopping them into manageable chunks for this chopper to perform correctly, however as soon as every little thing is prepared, it really works shortly and effectively. The blades are notably sharp, and we have nicked ourselves just a few occasions locking them out and in of place, so use this chopper with warning.
Different fashions we examined, just like the Kuhn Rikon Pull Chopper and the Zyliss Zick Zick Traditional Meals Chopper, left us completely unimpressed throughout our testing. From uneven chopping to mashed produce and caught veggies, these choppers left us wishing for extra — way more. Lack of general high quality and performance was additionally an element when it got here to cleansing. We seen rust on the Zyliss chopper after only a few washes, and the Kuhn Rikon chopper left us cautious of harm to the blade mechanism and our personal fingers through the really useful hand washing. Our closing verdict can be to keep away from these machines and discover a extra appropriate mannequin amongst our prime picks.
This piece was written by Bernadette Machard de Gramont, a Los Angeles-based author who makes a speciality of international meals and wine content material. After a stint at Williams Sonoma Headquarters in San Francisco, she now researches and checks quite a lot of cookware, bakeware, and wine instruments and interviews discipline consultants for his or her perception. To assemble this record, she consulted two culinary consultants to find out what makes a fantastic meals chopper earlier than deciding on a number of choices that have been among the many hottest manufacturers on this discipline.
Arnesia Younger is an Affiliate Commerce Editor at Meals & Wine. She up to date this piece with insights from our knowledgeable testing, the place we decided our winners primarily based on their efficiency, design, ease of use, sturdiness, worth, and ease of cleansing.