10 Healthy Ways to Use a Vitamix

There are blenders and then there's the Vitamix blenders. When it comes to chopping, grinding, crushing, and—of course—blending, the Vitamix brand is well-known for their high-powered multi-functionality.

While you may pay a bit more for a Vitamix than a typical countertop blender, many people find its jack-of-all-trades kitchen capabilities are well worth the cost. 

You’ve probably heard that a Vitamix can do more than make smoothies—but might not know just where to begin. Want to put this workhorse of an appliance to good use? Here’s a look at some of the creative ways to whip up healthy meals, sides, and snacks with your Vitamix.

Dips

Gone are the days of hand-mashing chickpeas for hummus. Speed up the start-to-finish time on these heart-healthy dips by letting the Vitamix do the work you would have labored to complete with a fork or masher.

Try tossing a unique roasted red pepper lentil hummus in the blender for easy-peasy prep.

Another spread that can go significantly faster in a Vitamix is pesto! (In fact, the word pesto comes from the Italian pestare, meaning to pound or crush.) Check out this nut-free leafy green pesto as a starting point.

Blender Pancakes and Waffles

Have you experienced the magical world of blender pancakes and waffles? Once you do, you may never want to return to mixing batter by hand in a bowl.

These simple breakfast recipes call for tossing all ingredients into a blender, mixing until combined, and pouring directly onto a griddle or waffle maker.

The beauty here is that even harder ingredients, like oats or flax seeds, get melded into the mix for a smooth, fluffy finished product. Don’t miss our simple-but-satisfying Greek yogurt blender pancakes.

Soups

When you think of what you need to make a pot of hot soup, a blender probably doesn't come to mind. But, given enough time, the friction from a Vitamix’s high-speed blades can actually heat soup ingredients to a pleasantly warm temperature.

Just note that your Vitamix won’t necessarily cook all ingredients—it’s usually best to pre-steam, roast, or sauté vegetables and other firm foods ahead of time.

To heat up a pureed blend of veggies, herbs, and broth—a creamy broccoli ginger soup, perhaps?—blend on high in a Vitamix for about 10 minutes, or until the soup begins to steam.

Cold soups are, of course, another option with this appliance. Any chilled ingredients you’d like to puree into soup are fair game in the Vitamix.

Smoothies, Smoothie Bowls, and Protein Shakes

Smoothies are probably the most obvious thing to make in your Vitamix. Blending fruits and veggies into a mixture of other ingredients like yogurt, juice, and nut butters is a quick and easy way to add fiber and nutrients to your day. Plus, smoothies travel well, making them a convenient on-the-go snack.

Have a little extra time for a sit-down meal? Make it a smoothie bowl alongside additions like granola, sunflower seeds, or sliced bananas.

For a light meal replacement or filling post-workout snack, consider using your Vitamix to crank out high-protein shakes. (Not surprisingly, more than one type of Vitamix makes the cut in our our roundup of best blenders for these shakes.) Craft your perfect shake with healthy proteins like whey powder, pea protein, or brown rice protein.

Purees and Sauces

Purees and sauces are among the foods that blenders—and a Vitamix in particular—do best. For a healthy snack, try a homemade applesauce. Many recipes in the Vitamix don’t even require pre-cooking your apples.

Or, when you’ve got some extra garden-fresh tomatoes, whip up a tomato sauce for pasta. There’s no limit to the fruits and veggies you can turn into mealtime accompaniments.

Salad Dressings and Mayo

Store-bought salad dressings often come with a high calorie count, added sugars, and sneaky sodium. If you’d rather make your own healthier dressing with fresh ingredients, haul out the Vitamix.

Even dressings get a boost from a turn in this blender. Its high-speed blades emulsify their oils and vinegars to a uniform density you won’t get from whisking in a bowl or shaking.

Once you’ve mastered the art of salad dressings, go even further by creating your own mayonnaise in the Vitamix. After all, mayo is simply a whipped blend of egg yolks, oil, and a handful of other simple additions. Use heart-healthy olive oil as your base for an extra nutritious sandwich spread.

Homemade Baby Food

Even your little one can reap the benefits of a high-powered blender in the home. Making your own baby food allows you oversight over exactly what goes into your infant’s mouth—and what doesn’t. A Vitamix can grind cooked fruits, veggies, and even meats into a consistency that’s just right for spoon-feeding.

Juice and Other Beverages

A juice cleanse may not be a long-term solution for health or weight loss, but incorporating homemade juices into your diet can add vitamins and minerals in a simple, sip-able package.

Drinking a DIY cherry juice, for example, may improve heart health, support better sleep, and reduce inflammation.

The key to making a pleasing juice in your Vitamix is to blend it long enough to get a thin, drinkable consistency. Or, if you prefer not to encounter bits of veggie peels in your juice, strain juice through a fine-mesh strainer or nut milk bag.

Crushing and Grinding

Sometimes the specialty ingredients recipes call for aren’t as special as they seem. Don’t have oat or almond flour for muffins? A high-powered blender can whip rolled oats or whole almonds into flour. Superfine sugar, meanwhile, is simply table sugar broken down into smaller crystals—an easy job with a few pulses in the Vitamix.

Crushing ice for a pitcher of antioxidant-rich iced tea or just a refreshing glass of water is also no sweat with this blender.

Healthy Desserts

Finally, the Vitamix has a role to play in crafting healthier treats to satisfy a sweet tooth. Banana-based “nice” creams, frozen yogurts, and lower-sugar puddings all come together quickly in this zippy appliance. The best part? Many recipes don’t require any additional bowls, so there’s minimal cleanup.