The Best Blender for Indian Food (updated for 2021)

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Indian cuisine is responsible for some of the most delectable, widely-loved dishes in the world. 

There’s so much variety in the kinds of food that can be created using the fragrant ingredients and masterful techniques involved in Indian cooking.

From spicy samosas to succulent sauces, learning some traditional Indian recipes is a surefire way to enhance your culinary repertoire.

It’s also a great opportunity to delve into the history of the Indian subcontinent as it relates to cuisine and learn a thing or two. 

However, while Indian food is incredibly tasty, it’s often tricky to execute to a high standard. Because much of Indian cuisine centers around spice-based sauces and pastes, achieving the right consistency and combining all the flavors perfectly is key to creating a delicious Indian dish. 

If You’re in a Hurry – My Tops Picks at a Glance

The easiest way to ensure quality and consistency with Indian cooking is to invest in a top-quality blender. 

Today, we’ll be showing you our personal selection of the best blenders for Indian food currently available on the culinary market.

1. Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender

If you’ve been on the hunt for the perfect blender for a while, you’ll probably have heard of Vitamix.

Vitamix is one of the most high-profile brands for blenders on the entire kitchenware market, and the Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender is by far one of the favorites with the company’s customer base. 

The main construction material of the Vitamix Explorian is Tritan plastic, which is a BPA-free and highly durable plastic, perfect for cooking utensils and appliances. 

The blades, on the other hand, are made from laser-cut stainless steel and driven by a 1,380-watt motor for lightning-fast, smooth blends.

The shape of the blades work in tandem with the angles of the inside of the pitcher to ensure that ingredients are pushed towards the blades for maximum efficiency, and a tamper is also included to help with this. 

Because the motor is so powerful and the blades are so sharp, it’s even possible to heat up your ingredients as you blend due to the high speeds reached inside the blender! A built-in fan simultaneously cools down the motor to prevent overheating.

With a capacity of 48 oz, the Explorian blender is the perfect size for preparing food in enough quantities for average-sized family meals. 

Where this blender really comes into its own in terms of preparing Indian dishes, however, is in its range of advanced settings and functions. 

The Vitamix Explorian features 10 different speed settings, which can be adjusted using a dial to achieve the exact consistency you’re aiming for.

This is exactly what you want in a blender for Indian food because the sauces, pastes, and dips that are fundamental to the cuisine can be so variable in texture.

When using a lot of stodgy ingredients, however, this blender may need a fair amount of extra water to keep it running smoothly. 

The Explorian is pretty much self-cleaning. All you need to do is add hot water and dish soap and run the blender at its highest setting for about a minute, and the majority of the cleaning process should be done! 

Pros

• 1,380 watts 
• Durable Tritan plastic 
• Optimal 48 oz capacity 
• Laser-cut stainless steel blades 
• 10 speed settings 
• Pulse setting
• Friction heating 
• Built-in motor cooling 
• Self-cleaning 
• BPA-free 
• Tamper included

Cons

• Can become blocked if too little liquid is used

2. Ninja Professional Countertop Blender

The Ninja Professional Countertop Blender is an ideal piece of kitchen equipment for preparing Indian food. 

Running on a powerful 1,100-watt motor, the Ninja Professional uses extra-sharp, detachable Pro Extractor blades to blend almost anything you can think of to whatever consistency you need! 

Ninja advertises these Pro Extractor blades as strong enough to completely pulverize ice in a matter of seconds for smoothies and cocktails.

However, the incredible strength and power behind these blades also make them perfect for softening the seeds and nuts commonly used in traditional Indian cuisine, such as mustard seeds and cashew nuts. 

There are 3 speed settings on the Ninja Professional, as well as a pulse setting, so you should be able to replicate just about any consistency required by your recipe.

All the controls, including the power button, are intuitively placed at the front of the base for quick and effortless access. 

The large 72 oz capacity allows for plenty of ingredients to be blended at once. This is perfect for whipping up large quantities of sauce for big family meals or parties. It’s also ideal for those home cooks who like to make several servings for meal prepping. 

The Ninja Professional also includes 2 16 oz cups, which can be used for making sauces, pastes, and dips in smaller quantities (although you can also use the markings on the side of the pitcher for this). These cups are also perfect for making delicious fruit smoothies as well as Indian dishes. 

While the blending performance and functionality of the Ninja Professional is excellent, some customers have reported a different experience with the quality of the blender’s construction.

Although the plastic resin construction seems to hold up well the majority of the time, some users have given less positive reviews because of cracks appearing in the base after limited use. 

The Ninja Professional blender is both dishwasher safe and BPA-free, so you can put it on to wash and enjoy the tasty results of your blending with peace of mind. 

Pros

• 1,100 watts 
• 72 oz capacity 
• Very sharp Pro Extractor blades 
• Detachable blades 
• 3 speed settings 
• Accessible controls 
• Includes 2 16 oz cups 
• Dishwasher-safe
• BPA-free

Cons

• Some reports of cracks on the base

3. NutriBullet Pro

Nobody in the home cooking community will have been able to escape the hype surrounding NutriBullet over the last few years, and the NutriBullet Pro is even more impressive than the original model. 

While the NutriBullet is usually advertised as a smoothie maker, it’s also one of the best tools you can have in your kitchen for executing the incredible spice blends that make up so much of Indian cuisine. 

The 900-watt motor that powers the NutriBullet Pro isn’t quite as heavy-duty as some of the others on this list (although it’s still pretty powerful!), but what this blender ‘lacks’ in raw power, it more than makes up for in other areas. 

The NutriBullet Pro uses stainless steel nutrient-extracting blades that move cyclonically to pulverize even the firmest ingredients.

Whether you’re working with powdered spices and soft vegetables or seeds and nuts, the NutriBullet Pro can handle it. 

This blender is designed to extract as many nutrients from your ingredients as possible, which is ideal for any cooking style but can really enhance the health properties of your Indian dishes. 

The NutriBullet Pro comes with 2 plastic cups for your convenience, both of which are very easy to clean simply by rinsing and placing in the top shelf of the dishwasher. 

Better still, this NutriBullet model comes in a range of gorgeous colors, from stunning metallics including champagne, silver, and rose gold to bright colors like cobalt, clover, and coral. 

However, we should stress that this blender is only designed to be used for up to 60 seconds at a time and only operates at a single speed.

Therefore, it’s not the best for experimenting with different textures or blending things that will take longer than a minute to break down. 

Pros

• Stainless steel Extractor blades 
• Easy to clean 
• BPA-free 
• 2 plastic cups included 
• Multiple color options

Cons

• Only 60 seconds at a time 
• Single-speed

4. Vitamix 5200 Blender

Next up, we have another option from Vitamix. The Vitamix 5200 professional-grade blender offers many of the same features as the Explorian, with a couple of helpful extras. 

Like the Explorian, the Vitamix 5200 runs at 1380 watts and combines a plastic external construction with stainless steel, aircraft-grade blades. 

The hardness of the blades ensures that the 5200 is strong enough to break down even very resistant ingredients.

They can also reach speeds that generate a lot of heat from friction, saving you the trouble of heating up certain mixes separately if you blend them for long enough.

Moreover, the motor has a built-in cooling system to prevent heat damage to the engine. 

This blender has 10 speed functions, accessible through a rotary dial, as well as a pulse function. This means you can incrementally adjust the speed for smoother and smoother blends or use the pulse for chunkier sauces and dips. 

Similar to the Explorian, the 5200 Vitamix is able to self-clean at its highest speed with a little warm water and dish soap. 

The 5200 can hold up to 64 oz, which should be enough to help prepare Indian dishes for more than the average number of people. 

With all of that being said, we should note that the Vitamix 5200 is more expensive than the Explorian by quite a significant amount.

This is explained by the increased capacity and harder blades, as well as the additional features that come with the 5200. 

For instance, in addition to the tamper that you can also get with the Explorian, the Vitamix 5200 comes with a guide to using your new blender and an instructional DVD.

However, for some, the few additional features may not be enough to justify the higher price. 

Pros

• 1380 watts
• 64 oz capacity 
• Aircraft-grade stainless steel blades 
• 10 speed settings 
• Pulse function 
• Friction heating 
• Built-in fan cooling 
• Self-cleaning 
• Includes tamper 
• Instructional guide and DVD included

Cons

• Expensive

5. NutriBullet Rx N17-1001

We’ve already discussed the NutriBullet Pro, but NutriBullet has more than just one trick up its metaphorical sleeve for making scrumptious Indian food!

The NutriBellet Rx, for example, takes the features of the original NutriBullet and the NutriBullet pro to the next level. 

Operating on an impressively powerful 1,700-watt motor, the NutriBullet Rx boasts a range of useful features that are sure to come in handy for putting together a variety of Indian dishes. 

First of all, as we’ve seen with the NutriBullet Pro, the NutriBullet Rx uses nutrient-extracting blades to get as much nutritional value as possible out of your ingredients as they’re combined. 

This blender has an automatic stop/start feature that allows you to operate the blender without having to manually stop and start it.

This feature is a lifesaver when you’re in the middle of preparing a large meal with multiple dishes and sides – you can get on with other things while your blender takes care of the rest. 

The NutriBullet Rx also has a built-in heating function that can heat ingredients during the blending process so that your soup or sauce is piping hot and ready to serve the second it comes out of the blender!

Because the cups included with the Nutribullet Rx are dishwasher safe, this blender also benefits from a super-easy cleaning process. Just rinse out the cups and put them in the top shelf of the dishwasher. 

However, like the NutriBullet Pro, the Rx only operates on a single speed and doesn’t have a pulse function.

Therefore, while we would recommend this blender for quick Indian-style dips, smooth sauces, and soups, we wouldn’t recommend it for any dishes that rely heavily on a specific consistency or texture. 

Pros

• 1,700 watts 
• Nutrient-extracting blades 
• Single and family servings 
• Auto-stop/start feature 
• Built-in heating function 
• Easy to clean

Cons

• Single-speed

6. Vitamix 7500 Blender

Thought you’d seen all the Vitamix blenders on the market for Indian cooking? Surprise!

The Vitamix 7500 is just as impressive as its Explorian and 5200 counterparts when it comes to turning simple ingredients into phenomenal Indian dishes. 

The Vitamix 7500 has a 64 oz capacity, the same as the 5200, so it’s large enough to handle the task of preparing large meals.

However, while other blender models with large capacities can be cumbersome and overly tall as a result, the Vitamix 7500 has a low-profile design, keeping most of the capacity in its width so that it can be easily stored away in cabinets or other small areas.

In addition to its 10 speed settings, the Vitamix 7500 also has a pulse feature, so it can achieve any consistency from the smoothest soups to chunky dips and fillings.

With the aircraft-grade stainless steel blades, no ingredient is too hard and no consistency too smooth for this blender. 

The Vitamix 7500 is both self-cleaning and self-cooling. You can add soap and water to it on setting 10 for a quick, 1-minute clean, and even as the blades create frictional heat, and the motor will stay cool thanks to the engine fan system. 

This blender is also available for purchase with a complementary scraper tool to help you get every last drop of delicious goodness out of the pitcher, so nothing goes to waste. 

While this Vitamix 7500 is an excellent product in itself and a frontrunner when it comes to fast-paced Indian cuisine, the shipping itself leaves something to be desired in certain cases.

Customers have reported some issues with missing packaging and resultant damage to the blender.

Pros

• 64 oz capacity 
• Low-profile 
• Aircraft-grade steel blades 
• 10 speed settings 
• Pulse feature 
• Friction heating 
• Self-cleaning 
• Self-cooling 
• Tamper included 
• Available with scraper tool

Cons

• Some resultant damages on arrival from insufficient packaging

7. Preethi Eco Plus Mixer Grinder

The Eco Plus Mixer/Grinder from Preethi is a 2-in-1 blender and grinder which is perfectly suited to executing many of the flavor-enhancing tasks involved in Indian cuisine. 

Although its motor may only run at 550 watts, the Preethi Eco Plus is one of the most efficient tools for the job when it comes to making Indian food because it focuses on grinding just as much as actual blending. In a cuisine where spices are so central, this is highly desirable. 

The Preethi Eco Plus comes with 3 stainless steel jars (all fitted with flow breakers) that can be used for both wet and dry grinding, as well as mincing, chopping, and other culinary tasks.

The jars come in different sizes (0.4 liters, 1 liter, and 1.5 liters), so you can grind in the quantities you need at any time. 

The blender has 3 speeds, controlled by a rotary dial, and pulse function, for integrating your ground spices and ingredients into dishes of various consistencies. Blending at all speeds is executed by sharp, polished steel blades. 

Externally, this blender also has a highly durable construction with nylon couplers and polycarbonate lids that are wear-resistant and easy to wipe clean.

The handles are also ergonomically positioned for easy maneuvering. 

However, this mixer/grinder should not be used to grind extremely tough ingredients due to the lower power rating of the machine. It’s perfect for grinding and mixing less impact-resistant ingredients, though. 

It should also be noted that several customers have reported that the motor of their Preethi Eco Plus mixer/grinder stopped working after, in some cases, a single use

This is clearly a problematic quality control issue that we would like to see resolved for total customer satisfaction

Ultimately, though, the majority of customers have reported being extremely pleased with the product, especially for Indian cooking. 

Pros

• 3 stainless steel grinding jars 
• 3 speed controls 
• Polished steel blades 
• Pulse function 
• Ergonomic handles 
• Easy to clean

Cons

• Quality control issues relating to durability 
• Not for heavy-duty grinding

8. Cleanblend Commercial Blender

If you’re looking for a blender that’s suitable for preparing Indian food in a professional cooking environment, the Cleanblend Commercial Blender is one of the best purchases you can make. 

Operating at a pretty staggering 1,800 watts, this blender uses a total of 8 steel blades to blend any ingredient to perfection. 

This is one of the most multifunctional blenders on our list. It can blend, grind, liquefy, puree, process, chop, crush, and even heat up ingredients, so it’s a perfect kitchen staple for tackling the huge variety of dishes under the umbrella of Indian cuisine. 

Within the spectrum of tasks this blender can perform, the speed is also fully adjustable using the free-moving rotary dial. There’s also a pulse function for when a little blending is all you need. 

The pitcher itself is very durable and BPA-free, so you won’t be faced with any longevity or food safety issues with this blender. Moreover, the highly ergonomic rubber-coated handle makes this blender an absolute pleasure to use. 

The Cleanblend has a 64 oz capacity, so you can make plenty of food at once, either for large meals or for your weekly meal prepping. 

A tamper has been included with this blender to make all blending tasks, however big or small, as easy as can be. 

The main issue we encountered with this blender is that some individual products seem to leak at the base of the pitcher when liquid ingredients (like milk or oil) are added. 

Pros

• Highly multifunctional 
• 1,800 watts 
• Adjustable speed 
• Pulse function 
• Ergonomic rubber handle 
• 64 oz capacity 
• 8 steel blades 
• BPA-free 
• Tamper included

Cons

• Some leaking at base

9. Blendtec Classic 575

A blender doesn’t necessarily have to have all the bells and whistles to be an excellent tool for Indian cooking.

The Blendtec Classic proves this by combining a minimalist design and simple functions with reliable, high performance. 

Something we found interesting about this blender is that it doesn’t go for extreme sharpness in the blades, as competitor blenders tend to do.

Instead, the Blendtec classic uses blades that are 80% thicker than other blender blades but also duller. This increases the amount of power the blades are able to exert on the ingredients while minimizing the risk of user injury. The also blades have built-in wings for extra smooth blending. 

Beyond the innovative blade construction, the Blendtec Classic features very simple settings, with 5 speeds and 4 pre-programmed operation cycles, plus a pulse function. This allows for a lot of versatility in the blending without compromising ease of use. 

The one advanced feature of the Blendtec Classic is its LCD display, which is easy to read and very helpful for monitoring time when you’re cooking. The blender also comes with a spoonula for stirring and scraping. 

This blender can hold up against consistent, heavy-duty use thanks to its durable, BPA-free plastic pitcher construction. This pitcher can self-clean with water and soap when the motor is switched on. 

If we had to give a drawback to the Blendtec Classic, it would be that its capacity is only 36 oz.

While this may not be a problem for some users, those cooks who regularly have to feed several mouths at a time may find it a struggle to work around. 

Pros

• Thick, dull stainless steel blades 
• 5 speeds 
• 4 programmed cycles 
• Pulse function 
• LCD display 
• BPA-free 
• Self-cleaning 
• Spoonula included

Cons

• Only 36 oz capacity

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Indian food without a blender?

Yes, you can make a wide range of Indian dishes without using a blender or food processor. However, in the majority of cases, doing so will require you to put in more time and energy than you would otherwise. 

With that being said, if you have the time to spare and you’re okay with putting in some extra elbow grease, you can create many traditional Indian dishes without the electrical assistance of a blender. 

Most pastes and purees in Indian cuisine can be made the traditional way, with a pestle and mortar. If you’re making a more liquid sauce, you can combine the core spices and herbs of the recipe by hand first before adding the mixture to the liquid ingredients and heating over a hob.

Depending on how smooth you want the end product to be, you can strain or sieve the mixture before serving. 

For soups, heat your ingredients until they are extra soft, and then use a potato masher or similar tool to achieve the desired consistency. 

However, as we’ve already pointed out, these methods will be much slower than using a blender, and you may not always be able to fine-tune the consistency of your dishes to the extent you might like.

Unless your goal is to fully immerse yourself into authentic Indian cuisine using more natural techniques as well as natural ingredients, we would advise simply investing in one of the blenders we’ve listed above.

This will save you time and allow you greater control over your cooking.