First things first, what is an immersion blender? An immersion blender, also known as a stick blender or hand blender, is a versatile kitchen appliance that can simplify food preparation and expand your culinary creativity. With an immersion blender, you can easily puree soups and sauces, whip up smoothies and shakes, emulsify dressings and mayonnaise, and much more—all in the pot, pitcher, or bowl you’re using.
Compared to regular blenders, immersion blenders offer greater convenience and efficiency. Their compact handheld design allows blending food right where it is, eliminating the need for transferring hot liquids or messy ingredients to a blender jar. They also take up very little storage space and are quick to clean up after use.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the many immersion blender uses for both basic and advanced recipes. We’ll also cover tips for using an immersion blender safely and effectively, factors to consider when purchasing one, and how to clean and maintain this indispensable kitchen tool.
An immersion blender’s basic purpose is to simplify the process of combining, pureeing, and emulsifying foods. The possibilities are practically endless, but here are some of the most common ways to utilize an immersion blender.
An immersion blender’s head design allows you to puree right in the cooking vessel for maximum precision with minimal mess. This makes it a perfect choice for blending soups and sauces, saving you the hassle of transferring hot liquids to a traditional blender.
Immersion blenders are ideal for:
● Pureeing silky smooth soups
● Blending tomato or pasta sauce to remove chunks
● Adding a hidden serving of vegetables, like cauliflower or squash, to your dish
● Evenly incorporating cream into chowders and soups
● Preparing the perfect mashed potatoes
Simply submerge the head into the pot and pulse to reach your desired consistency.
Rather than running out for a late-night treat or early-morning snack, you can whip up refreshing smoothies, thick milkshakes, and nutritious protein shakes in seconds.
The pitcher is your canvas, allowing you to mix any combination of ingredients for healthy and delectable delights. Consider adding:
● Frozen fruits
● Ice cream
● Greek yogurt
● Fruit juices
● Protein powders
For cold ingredients, use a tall cup or large blending pitcher so the contents don’t spill over. Try starting the immersion blender at a low speed and gradually increasing it to blend your beverage (while avoiding splatter) thoroughly.
One of the best uses for immersion blenders is making emulsified mixtures like salad dressings, aioli, and homemade mayonnaise.
Emulsions require steadily combining two liquids that normally don’t mix, like oil and vinegar. Thankfully, an immersion blender’s constant blending motion excels at this, resulting in thick, creamy, and stable mixtures perfect for salads, sandwiches, and dips.
Here are two favorites to try at home:
● Mayonnaise – Simply add two egg yolks to a cup of oil (canola or olive work well). Feel free to spice it up with a pinch of salt, a dash of lemon juice or vinegar, and dry mustard.
● Vinaigrette dressing – Add ½ cup of olive oil to ¼ cup of white wine vinegar, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
Achieving the perfect mixture may require starting at a low speed and gradually increasing it. You can also try adding in the oil slowly rather than all at once to ensure proper emulsification.
While immersion blenders simplify everyday blending tasks, they’re capable of much more. Expand your culinary creativity by using your immersion blender for these advanced jobs.
With the right attachments like a whisk accessory, you can use an immersion blender to whip up full cream, egg whites, or coconut cream to create ethereal toppings and mix-ins.
In each case, the key lies in gentle, consistent mixing:
● Whipped cream – Using 1 cup of cold whipping cream or heavy cream, whip on medium speed for between 5 to 10 minutes until the cream reaches your desired consistency.
● Egg whites – Use the whisk attachment and blend on low speed until whipped.
Transform heavy cream into billowy whipped clouds for dessert pies, add fluffiness to egg whites for stable meringue, or make dairy-free whipped coconut cream. The possibilities are endless—and delicious—with your immersion blender.
With a powerful enough immersion blender, you can process raw nuts like almonds, cashews, and peanuts into delicious homemade nut butter. Note that harder nuts and larger quantities may require a more powerful motor with higher wattage, preferably around 300, for it to properly emulsify.
With an immersion blender in hand, creating your own homemade nut butter is as simple as three steps:
1. Add nuts to a narrow container or directly into the blender’s mixing beaker, if included.
2. Blend continuously, stopping to scrape down the sides, until a smooth consistency is reached.
3. Add a splash of oil if needed to emulsify.
Enjoy your freshly made nut butter on toast, in smoothies, or straight off the spoon!
Steam fruits, vegetables, and meats until tender, then puree them with an immersion blender to make wholesome homemade baby food.
The handheld design offers great control over texture. Simply add more liquid to reach a thinner consistency suitable for first-stage purees. As your baby transitions to solids, you can even create thicker purees by slowing the speed and letting some texture remain.
Pro tip: Make large batches and portions into ice cube trays or storage containers to meal prep for the entire week.
In addition to the utilitarian uses we’ve covered, immersion blenders can also be used creatively for some unexpected kitchen tasks and recipes.
With its fast spinning and pulverizing blade, an immersion blender can grind whole spices, herbs, coffee beans, and other dry ingredients into fine powders when used with a dry-grinding attachment.
To do so, simply add the ingredients to the beaker and blend. This allows you to freshly grind whole coffee beans for morning brews or unique spice blends for homemade seasonings.
Note that not all immersion blenders are designed to handle hard, dry ingredients effectively. Ensure your model includes a compatible attachment to prevent potential blender damage or safety risks.
Among the less-than-common immersion blender uses is whipping soft butter with herbs, zests, honey, or other mix-ins to create flavorful compound butter. These rich and creamy compound butters churn much faster than manual mixing and are perfect for topping grilled meats, seafood, baked potatoes, and more.
While immersion blenders make quick work of food prep, proper technique is important for both successful results and safe use. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
● Start blending at a low speed, submerging just the bottom half of the blender head. Once the ingredients start to puree, increase to higher speeds and immerse more of the head. This prevents splatters and allows better control.
● Use short, pulsing motions rather than holding the blender continuously. Doing so can help you maintain control and prevent the ingredients from over-processing.
● When blending hot liquids or soups directly in a pot, remove it from the heat source first and allow it to cool slightly before blending to prevent steaming and splashes.
● Clean the blender head after each use to prevent food drying on attachments and any flavors from transferring over.
● If available, use the immersion blender's proper guards and attachments to avoid scratching pots and bowls.
Follow these simple tips each time you use your immersion blender to achieve the most efficient results.
To keep an immersion blender running smoothly, proper cleaning and maintenance are essential. Here are some best practices:
Always disassemble all removable parts, such as blender heads, blades, shafts, attachments, and whisks. The sharp blade is often detachable from the head for safe, thorough cleaning.
Most immersion blender components are top-rack dishwasher safe for thorough cleaning. However, some models may have parts designated as hand-wash only, so check manufacturer instructions.
Wipe down the blender motor body with a damp cloth. Avoid submerging the motor in water. Store your immersion blender with attachments separate and all parts fully dry.
As always, verifying the manufacturer's instructions for proper maintenance is the best way to ensure you can enjoy your immersion blender for many tasty dishes to come.
With a range of immersion blenders available featuring different wattages, settings, attachments, and accessories, it’s important to consider your needs and blending habits when selecting one.
When comparing models, keep an eye out for these key differentiators.
Higher wattage indicates more powerful motors. Look for immersion blenders with at least 200 to 300 watts for versatility when tackling denser mixtures, frozen blending, and grinding.
Multiple speed settings allow you better control over your blend. Low starts are better for incorporating ingredients smoothly, whereas high speeds provide quick, thorough blending and pureeing. The more settings available, the more control you have over your culinary creations.
Many immersion blenders accept useful attachments like whisks, grinders, chopping bowls, and more. This expands the functionality for tasks like whisking cream, making dressings, and spice grinding. Accessories like non-scratch feet, blade guards, and anti-splash lids also add convenience and safety.
Searching for the perfect immersion blender for silky smooth results every time? For exceptional versatility and precision blending, look no further than the Control Grip Immersion Blender.
This powerful 300-watt immersion blender tackles both everyday and advanced blending tasks with its ergonomic design, quiet operation, and useful attachments. With an elegant bell-shaped design, a slim blender head that easily purees soups and sauces, and a unique centralized fin blade for superior processing and circulation, the Control Grip makes you the master of your kitchen creations.
Shop today and discover even more uses for an immersion blender.
Sources:
1. The Kitchn. 10 Smart Ways You Should Be Using Your Immersion Blender. https://www.thekitchn.com/10-smart-ways-you-should-be-using-your-immersion-blender-225204
2. Tasting Table. The 15 Absolute Best Uses For Your Immersion Blender. https://www.tastingtable.com/808775/the-absolute-best-uses-for-your-immersion-blender/