Best Food Processor: Chop, Slice, Shred, and Knead in Seconds

A food processor is the kitchen workhorse that handles tedious prep work in seconds. Chopping onions, shredding cheese, slicing vegetables, making pie dough—tasks that take 20 minutes by hand take 20 seconds with a food processor.

Unlike blenders, food processors work with minimal liquid. They chop rather than puree, slice rather than blend. The wide, shallow bowl and interchangeable blades make them ideal for solid foods that would jam a blender.

Let's find the processor that'll transform your meal prep.

What Food Processors Do Best

Excels At

• Chopping: Onions, garlic, herbs, nuts
• Slicing: Vegetables, fruits, cheese
• Shredding: Cheese, carrots, cabbage
• Dough: Pie crust, pizza dough, pasta
• Purees: Hummus, pesto, nut butters (thick)
• Grinding: Breadcrumbs, meat

Not Ideal For

• Smoothies (use a blender)
• Thin liquids (will leak)
• Small quantities (need minimum amount)
• Whipping (use a mixer)

Food processors handle solid foods; blenders handle liquids. Most serious cooks own both.

Top Food Processors for 2026

Best Overall: Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor

The benchmark for home food processors.

• Capacity: 14 cups
• Motor: 720 watts
• Blades: S-blade, slicing disc, shredding disc
• Features: Large feed tube, dishwasher-safe parts
• Price: ~$200

Cuisinart invented the food processor category and still leads it. The 14-cup handles family-sized batches with ease.

Best Value: Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Stack & Snap

Excellent performance at budget price.

• Capacity: 12 cups
• Motor: 450 watts
• Blades: S-blade, slicing disc, shredding disc
• Features: Stack & snap assembly (no twisting)
• Price: ~$60

The Stack & Snap design makes assembly foolproof. Less powerful than premium options but handles most tasks well.

Best Compact: Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus

Perfect for small tasks and small kitchens.

• Capacity: 4 cups
• Motor: 250 watts
• Blades: Reversible blade (chop/grind)
• Features: Auto-reversing blade, compact footprint
• Price: ~$40

Ideal for chopping herbs, making dressings, or processing small batches. Great as a secondary processor.

Best Premium: Breville Sous Chef 16 Pro

Professional features for serious home cooks.

• Capacity: 16 cups
• Motor: 1200 watts
• Blades: 5 discs, S-blade, dough blade
• Features: LCD timer, variable slicing, processing bowls (16, 2.5 cup)
• Price: ~$400

The variable slicing disc adjusts from paper-thin to 8mm. Multiple bowl sizes handle everything from garlic to cabbage.

Best for Dough: KitchenAid 13-Cup

Powerful motor for heavy dough work.

• Capacity: 13 cups
• Motor: 1000 watts (commercial-style)
• Blades: Multipurpose blade, dough blade, slicing, shredding
• Features: ExactSlice system, 3-in-1 feed tube
• Price: ~$200

The high-torque motor handles bread dough without straining. ExactSlice adjusts thickness externally.

Food Processor Comparison

Choosing the Right Size

Mini (2-4 cups)

• Best for: Small tasks, single servings, herbs
• Handles: Garlic, herbs, small dressings, baby food
• Limitations: Can't handle large batches or dough

Medium (7-9 cups)

• Best for: Small households, occasional use
• Handles: Most chopping, slicing, small dough batches
• Limitations: May need multiple batches for large recipes

Full-Size (11-14 cups)

• Best for: Families, regular cooking, batch prep
• Handles: Everything including bread dough
• Sweet spot: Most versatile size for home use

Large (16+ cups)

• Best for: Serious cooks, entertaining, meal prep
• Handles: Large batches, multiple loaves of dough
• Consideration: Takes significant counter/storage space

For most households, 11-14 cups is ideal. Go smaller only if space is very limited; go larger only if you regularly cook for crowds.

Understanding Blades and Discs

S-Blade (Standard Blade)

The workhorse blade for:

• Chopping vegetables
• Making purees (hummus, pesto)
• Grinding nuts and breadcrumbs
• Mixing dough

Slicing Disc

Creates uniform slices for:

• Potatoes (for gratins, chips)
• Cucumbers, tomatoes
• Fruits for tarts
• Cheese

Shredding Disc

Shreds ingredients for:

• Cheese (pizza, tacos)
• Carrots, cabbage (coleslaw)
• Potatoes (hash browns)
• Zucchini

Dough Blade

Plastic blade designed for:

• Pie crust
• Pizza dough
• Bread dough
• Pasta dough

Specialty Discs

Premium models may include:

• Julienne disc (matchstick cuts)
• French fry disc
• Adjustable slicing disc
• Whisking disc

Food Processor Techniques

Chopping

• Use S-blade
• Pulse in short bursts (don't hold)
• Check frequently to avoid over-processing
• Cut large items into chunks first

Slicing

• Use slicing disc
• Fill feed tube snugly (prevents tilting)
• Use pusher with consistent pressure
• Let blade do the work

Making Dough

• Use dough blade (or S-blade for small batches)
• Add dry ingredients first
• Pulse to combine
• Add liquid through feed tube while running
• Stop when dough forms ball

Purees

• Use S-blade
• Add liquid as needed
• Scrape sides periodically
• Process until smooth

Food Processor vs Alternatives

Food Processor vs Blender

Food Processor vs Mandoline

• Food processor: Faster, safer, less precise
• Mandoline: More precise, paper-thin slices, requires skill

Food Processor vs Stand Mixer

• Food processor: Better for chopping, slicing, quick doughs
• Stand mixer: Better for bread dough, whipping, long mixing

Maintenance and Care

After Each Use

• Disassemble immediately
• Rinse blades carefully (they're sharp!)
• Wash bowl and lid (most are dishwasher-safe)
• Dry thoroughly before storing

Blade Care

• Hand wash blades (dishwasher dulls them)
• Store blades safely (blade guards or separate container)
• Never touch blade edges directly

Motor Base

• Wipe with damp cloth
• Never immerse in water
• Keep vents clear

Got Questions About Food Processors? Let's Clear Things Up.

Do I need a food processor if I have a blender?

They serve different purposes. Blenders need liquid and make smooth results. Food processors work with solid foods and offer more control over texture. If you chop, slice, or make dough regularly, a food processor is worth having.

What size food processor should I buy?

11-14 cups for most households. This handles everything from small batches to bread dough. Smaller processors require multiple batches; larger ones take more space than most need.

Can food processors knead bread dough?

Yes, but with limitations. Food processors knead dough quickly (1-2 minutes vs 10 minutes by hand), but the motor can overheat with stiff doughs. For regular bread baking, a stand mixer is better. For occasional pie crusts and pizza dough, a food processor excels.

Why does my food processor leak?

Common causes: overfilling (stay below max line), too much liquid, worn gasket, or improper assembly. Food processors aren't designed for thin liquids—use a blender for smoothies and soups.

How long do food processors last?

Quality food processors last 10-20 years with proper care. Motors rarely fail; blades dull over time and can be replaced. Cuisinart and KitchenAid have excellent longevity records.

A food processor dramatically speeds up meal prep and opens up recipes that would be tedious by hand. The Cuisinart 14-Cup offers the best balance of capacity and value, while the Breville Sous Chef 16 Pro satisfies serious cooks. For liquid-based tasks, pair with a quality blender, and check our Instant Pot guide for pressure cooking.