Are you looking for the right blender to make delicious pesto? Well, you are not alone, there are so many people like you looking to blend pesto. Though with a wide range of available options on the market, it can be difficult knowing which one is best suited for your pesto-making needs. But guess what! You don’t need to worry anymore.
If you’re looking for the best blender to make creamy pesto sauces, look no further! This comprehensive guide will walk you through the 7 best pesto blenders on the market today. With options that range from budget-friendly models to exceptional top-of-the-line blenders, there’s something here for everyone.
While making my picks, I will be addressing all relevant factors like blending power, safety, ease of use, and more to help you arrive at an informed decision, so that you can select one with confidence and ease. Read on to learn more about finding your perfect blender for making the brightest pesto sauces!
The Perfect Pesto Blenders ~ Top Picks
- Best Overall: Vitamix Professional 7500 – a robust 2.2 peak horsepower motor, ideal for creamy or chunky pesto. Variable speed control ensures precision. With a 64-ounce container and tamper, it’s perfect for those who seek power and versatility.
- Best Value: Breville BBL620 Fresh & Furious Blender – offers exceptional value with an 1100-watt motor and a 50-ounce Tritan jug. An intuitive LCD screen and versatile speed settings cater to various blending needs.
- Budget-Friendly: NutriBullet Pro 900 Blender – budget-friendly with a compact design. Its 900-watt motor and stainless steel extractor blades efficiently handle ingredients, making it ideal for budget-conscious users.
- Durability Choice: Blendtec Professional 800 – impresses with a sturdy build and a powerful 3.8 peak horsepower motor. The noise-reducing enclosure adds extra appeal for noise-sensitive users.
- Portable Option: Breville Blend Active Personal Blender – For those on the move, this Personal Blender is cordless and portable with a rechargeable battery. Its compact design suits small spaces, making it great for pesto lovers on the go.
The 7 Best Blenders for Pesto
#1. Vitamix professional 7500 ~ Best Overall
The Vitamix 7500 is a high-performance blender that offers exceptional blending power and versatility. Designed for both home and professional use, this blender is equipped with advanced features that make it an excellent choice for making pesto and a wide range of other recipes.
One of the standout features of the Vitamix Professional 7500 is its powerful motor. It is equipped with a 2.2 peak horsepower motor, which allows it to effortlessly blend even the toughest ingredients. This ensures that your pesto turns out smooth and creamy, with all the flavors perfectly combined.
Another key feature of the Vitamix 7500 blender is its variable speed control. It offers ten different speed settings, allowing you to precisely control the texture and consistency of your pesto. Whether you prefer a chunky or a smooth pesto, this blender gives you the flexibility to achieve the desired results.
The blender also features a large capacity container, with a 64-ounce (2-liter) capacity. This is particularly useful when making pesto in large quantities or for preparing other recipes that require a significant amount of ingredients. The container is made from a BPA-free Eastman Tritan copolyester, ensuring durability and resistance to shattering.
Furthermore, the Vitamix 7500 comes with a specially designed-tamper tool. The tamper allows you to push ingredients down into the blades while the blender is running, ensuring thorough blending without the need to stop and scrape the sides of the container. This is especially useful when working with sticky pesto ingredients like basil leaves and pine nuts.
In terms of cleaning and maintenance, the Vitamix Professional 7500 is relatively easy to handle. The container, lid, and tamper are all dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze. Additionally, the blender’s self-cleaning feature allows you to clean it quickly by adding a drop of dish soap and warm water, then running the blender on high speed for a minute.
#2. Blendtec Professional 800 ~ Second Runner-up
The Blendtec 800 is a high-performance blender that stands out as an excellent choice for making pesto due to its durability and powerful blending capabilities. With its advanced features and robust construction, it offers exceptional performance and longevity, ensuring you can create delicious pesto and other recipes for years to come.
The Blendtec Professional 800 boasts a powerful 3.8 peak horsepower motor, enabling it to effortlessly blend and pulverize even the toughest ingredients. This motor power, combined with the patented blunt blade design, ensures consistent and smooth blending, resulting in perfectly textured pesto every time. The blender offers a wide range of speeds, allowing you to customize the blending process according to your preference.
Durability is a key feature of the Blendtec Professional 800. It is constructed with a sturdy and reliable base that can withstand heavy daily use. The blender’s motor and components are built to handle rigorous blending tasks, including crushing nuts, grinding herbs, and emulsifying ingredients. This durability ensures that the blender remains in top condition, even with frequent pesto-making sessions.
Furthermore, the Blendtec Professional 800 features a sound enclosure that helps minimize noise during operation. This is particularly beneficial if you have a noise-sensitive environment or prefer a quieter blending experience. The enclosure not only reduces noise levels but also provides an additional layer of protection, ensuring the blender remains in excellent condition for an extended period.
#3. Breville BBL620 Fresh & Furious Blender ~ Best Value
The Breville Fresh & Furious BBL620 is an exceptional pesto blender that offers great value for its features. Designed with precision and efficiency in mind, this blender combines power, versatility, and ease of use to deliver outstanding blending performance.
With a powerful 1100-watt motor, the Fresh & Furious BBL620 can effortlessly handle a wide range of blending tasks, including crushing ice, pureeing vegetables, and creating silky smooth pesto sauces. The blender’s advanced Kinetix blade system ensures that ingredients are consistently blended to perfection, resulting in smooth textures and even blending every time.
One of the standout features of the BBL620 is its impressive blending capacity. The blender comes with a large 50-ounce Tritan jug that allows you to prepare generous portions of pesto or other blends in a single batch. The jug is durable, BPA-free, and dishwasher safe, making it easy to clean and maintain.
The Fresh & Furious BBL620 offers a variety of speed settings and pre-programmed functions to cater to different blending needs. The blender features five-speed options, ranging from low for gentle blending to high for more intense processing. Additionally, it includes three pre-programmed settings: Green Smoothie, Auto Pulse Ice Crush, and Auto Pulse Smoothie, which provide convenient one-touch blending for specific recipes.
Another notable feature of the BBL620 is its innovative LCD, which provides real-time blending information and a timer countdown. This allows you to monitor the blending progress and achieve precise results.
When it comes to usability, the BBL620 stands out with its user-friendly design. The blender’s secure-fitting lid prevents any accidental spills, and the removable measuring cap in the lid allows you to add ingredients while blending. The blender also features a unique Assist Lid that helps to remove the lid easily, even when the jug is filled with ingredients. Below are the key pros and cons of the Breville Fresh & Furious BBL620:
#4. NutriBullet Pro 900 Blender ~ Best Budget
The NutriBullet Pro 900 is a powerful and versatile blender that has gained a reputation as the best affordable pesto blender on the market. It combines a compact design with a robust motor and innovative blade technology, making it a popular choice among home cooks and health enthusiasts. This blender is specifically designed to extract nutrients from fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, making it an excellent tool for creating pesto sauces and other healthy recipes.
The NutriBullet Pro features a 900-watt motor that delivers impressive blending power. This motor ensures that ingredients are thoroughly blended, resulting in a smooth and consistent pesto sauce every time. The blender’s blade system consists of stainless steel extractor blades, which are designed to pulverize tough ingredients and break down seeds and skins for maximum nutrient extraction. With this powerful combination, the NutriBullet Pro 900 blender can handle a wide range of ingredients, including basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese, producing a delicious and creamy pesto sauce in seconds.
One of the key advantages of the NutriBullet Pro 900 is its compact size. It takes up minimal counter space, making it ideal for small kitchens or those with limited storage. Despite its small footprint, this blender boasts a generous capacity, with a 32-ounce blending cup that allows you to prepare enough pesto sauce to feed a crowd or store it for later use. The cup is made from high-quality BPA-free plastic and comes with a convenient flip-top lid, making it easy to transport and store your pesto without any spills or mess.
The NutriBullet Pro 900 also stands out for its user-friendly operation. It features a simple one-touch blending function, allowing you to start and stop the blending process with ease. The blender’s design ensures that ingredients are evenly distributed and blended, and the included recipe book inspires the creation of f variety of y of pesto variations and other healthy recipes. Cleaning the NutriBullet 900 Pro is a breeze as well, as the blending cup and blades are dishwasher safe, saving you time and effort.
PS: Overall, the NutriBullet Pro 900 offers an excellent balance of affordability, power, and convenience, making it the best choice for those seeking an affordable pesto blender without compromising on performance.
#5. Ninja BL660 Professional Blender 1000
The Ninja BL660 Blender is a professional, yet powerful and versatile kitchen appliance designed to handle a wide range of blending tasks, making it an excellent choice for making pesto and various other recipes. With its robust motor and durable construction, this blender is built to withstand heavy-duty use and deliver consistent performance.
One of the outstanding features of the Ninja BL660 is its impressive blending power. It is equipped with an 1100-watt motor that effortlessly pulverizes ingredients, ensuring smooth and creamy results. Whether you’re blending fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, and olive oil for pesto or creating other sauces, soups, or smoothies, this blender can handle it all with ease.
The Ninja Blender BL660 comes with a generous 72-ounce pitcher, allowing you to make large batches of pesto or other recipes to serve a crowd. The pitcher is made from BPA-free material, ensuring the safety of your food, and it has a sturdy handle for easy pouring. Additionally, the blender also includes two single-serve cups with to-go lids, making it convenient to prepare individual portions of pesto for on-the-go consumption.
This blender features Total Crushing Technology, which means it can easily crush ice and frozen ingredients for refreshing drinks or icy treats. It also has a dedicated pulse function for precise control over blending, allowing you to achieve the desired consistency for your pesto. The blender’s six-blade assembly ensures efficient blending and chopping, ensuring all the ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
Cleaning the Ninja BL660 blender is a breeze, as the pitcher, lid, and blades are all dishwasher safe. The blender also has a sleek and compact design that won’t take up too much space on your kitchen countertop, and the cord storage feature keeps your workspace neat and organized.
#6. Breville Blend Active Personal Blender
The Breville Blend Active Personal is an exceptional cordless blender that provides convenient and efficient blending capabilities for preparing various recipes, including pesto. Designed with functionality and ease of use in mind, this blender offers a range of features that make it a top choice for pesto lovers.
One of the standout features of the Breville Blend is its cordless design. This means you can use it anywhere in your kitchen without being restricted by the need for a power outlet. The blender comes with a powerful rechargeable battery that provides ample power for blending ingredients to the desired consistency. This cordless functionality allows for freedom of movement and eliminates the hassle of dealing with tangled cords or limited placement options.
The Breville Blend Active Personal features a compact and sleek design, making it perfect for small kitchens or for those who prefer a space-saving appliance. Its portable nature allows for easy storage and transportation, making it ideal for taking on the go or for outdoor use, such as picnics or camping trips.
The blender comes with a durable and BPA-free blending bottle that doubles as a portable container. This means you can blend your pesto ingredients directly in the bottle and take it with you wherever you go. The bottle features a leak-proof lid, ensuring mess-free transportation and storage. Additionally, the bottle is dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze.
The Breville Blend Active operates with a simple one-touch blending action. It offers a powerful stainless-steel blade that effortlessly blends ingredients, including herbs, nuts, garlic, and olive oil, into a smooth and creamy pesto consistency. The blender also includes a pulse function for added control, allowing you to achieve the desired texture and consistency for your pesto.
#7. KitchenAid KSB1570SL 5-Speed Blender
The KitchenAid KSB1570SL is a versatile and reliable blender that is well-suited for making pesto and various other culinary tasks. With its powerful motor and sturdy construction, it offers a range of features that make it a suitable option for any home cook.
The KSB1570SL blender boasts a 550-watt motor, which provides ample power to blend and puree ingredients with ease. This motor is capable of crushing ice, pulverizing fruits and vegetables, and creating smooth and creamy sauces, including pesto. It ensures a consistent and thorough blending, resulting in a smooth and well-emulsified pesto sauce.
The blender comes with a 56-ounce BPA-free pitcher, providing ample capacity for blending large batches of pesto or other recipes. The pitcher has a comfortable handle and a secure lid, ensuring safe and mess-free blending. It also features a unique Soft Start feature that starts the motor at a slower speed and then gradually increases it, preventing splatters and ensuring a controlled blending process.
The KitchenAid blender KSB1570SL offers five different speeds, allowing you to adjust the blending intensity according to your preference. Additionally, it has a dedicated pulse function that provides bursts of power for precise and controlled blending. This is particularly useful when making pesto, as you can easily control the consistency and texture by pulsing the blender for shorter durations.
The blender’s stainless steel blades are durable and sharp, capable of handling tough ingredients and ensuring efficient blending. They are designed to create a vortex that pulls ingredients down towards the blades, ensuring thorough blending and consistent results. Below are the key pros and cons of the KitchenAid KSB1570SL Blender:
Guidelines
When purchasing a blender for making pesto, there are several important guidelines and tips to consider. Here are five key points to keep in mind:
- Power and Performance: Look for a blender with sufficient power to handle blending tough ingredients like nuts and herbs. A blender with a motor power of at least 500 watts is recommended for making pesto. Higher power ensures efficient blending and smoother results.
- Blade Quality: Check for a blender with sharp, durable blades that can effectively blend ingredients to a smooth consistency. Stainless steel blades are preferable as they tend to be more durable and resistant to corrosion.
- Jar Capacity and Design: Consider the jar capacity based on your usage requirements. For making pesto in small to moderate quantities, a blender with a capacity of around 32 ounces (1 liter) should suffice. Additionally, opt for a jar design that is easy to clean and has a wide mouth, making it convenient to add ingredients and scrape out the pesto.
- Speed Settings and Control: Look for a blender that offers variable speed settings or multiple blending modes. This allows you to have better control over the blending process and achieve the desired consistency for your pesto. Some blenders also come with a pulse function, which is useful for precise blending and chopping.
- Durability and Warranty: Consider the blender’s build quality and durability. Look for models with sturdy construction and reliable components that can withstand regular use. It’s also beneficial to choose a blender with a warranty that covers potential defects or malfunctions, ensuring peace of mind and potential assistance if needed.
Bonus Tip: Consider blenders with additional features such as a tamper (for pushing ingredients down while blending), removable blades (for easier cleaning), and a noise-reducing enclosure (if noise is a concern for you).
By considering these guidelines and tips, you can select a blender that is well-suited for making delicious pesto with ease and efficiency.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when it comes to making delicious pesto, you’ve got some great blender options. The Vitamix Professional 7500 stands out with its strong motor, while the Breville BBL620 offers excellent value. If you’re on a budget, the NutriBullet Pro 900 is a smart choice. Lastly, the Ninja BL660 with its 1000-watt powerful motor is perfect for those who want a portable pesto buddy. So, pick the one that suits you best, and have a happy pesto-making!
FAQ
Can I Use a Regular Blender for Making Pesto?
Yes, you can use a regular blender to make pesto. While high-performance blenders are ideal, most standard blenders can handle the task. You might need to stop and scrape down the sides occasionally to ensure even blending.
What blender is best for pesto?
The Vitamix 7500 is highly recommended for making pesto. Its powerful motor, sharp blades, and variable speed settings ensure smooth and consistent blending, resulting in a perfect pesto texture.
Is Vitamix or Blendtec better for making pesto?
Both Vitamix and Blendtec blenders are exceptional options for creating delicious pesto. Vitamix blenders are known for their versatility and durability, while Blendtec blenders boast a unique jar design for smoother blending.
What’s the Best Way to Clean a Blender After Making Pesto?
Cleaning a blender after making pesto is easy. Fill it with warm water and a few drops of dish soap, then blend for a minute. Rinse thoroughly with water, and your blender should be clean. Alternatively, disassemble the blender parts and wash them by hand or in the dishwasher, if they are dishwasher safe
How Do I Store Homemade Pesto, and How Long Will It Last?
To store homemade pesto, transfer it to an airtight container and cover the surface with a thin layer of olive oil to prevent oxidation. Store it in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze it for longer-term storage. Frozen pesto can last for several months.
Can I use a blender instead of a food processor for pesto?
Yes, you can use a blender as a substitute for a food processor to make pesto. Blenders are equipped to handle similar tasks as food processors, including chopping and pureeing. However, it’s essential to choose a blender with high power and variable speed settings to achieve the desired consistency.