Every Chef I Asked Said This Is Their Favorite Time-Saving Kitchen Tool

Making gourmet recipes at home can be time-consuming. If you’re looking for ways to cut down on prep time, join the club. We asked chefs around the country to tell us their favorite ways to save time in the kitchen, and they all agreed that a food processor is a must-have for busy home cooks and experts alike. 

Not only can food processors boost efficiency, but according to Caroline Chambers, author of What To Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking, they’re also incredibly versatile. “A food processor can majorly shorten prep time in the kitchen. It makes quick work of dicing up a mirepoix; dough comes together in just seconds, and sauces are smooth in a flash,” she noted.

Best Splurge Food Processor: Cuisinart Pro Food Processor, 14-Cup

According to New Jersey-based recipe developer Cynthia Christensen, a high-quality food processor is worth the extra cost. “I had a cheap store brand one for a few years, but it was noisy, smoked occasionally, and I ultimately melted the bowl in the dishwasher. I finally told myself to splurge, and I'm so glad I did,” she said.

Her pick is the 14-cup Cuisinart Pro, which she says she uses on an everyday basis for making “breadcrumbs, whipped cream, pie crusts, hummus, pesto, grinding meat, and even cutting butter into flour for my famous biscuits when my hands are feeling stiff.” Best of all, it’s dishwasher-safe, so you won’t be left scrubbing stuck-on bits out of hard-to-reach crevices. 

Best Mini Food Processor: Cuisinart Mini Food Processor, 3-Cup

“If you're anything like me, your food processor lives in a deep, dark corner of a forgotten kitchen cabinet. It weighs a million pounds, and just the thought of cleaning it after [every] use gives you a panic attack,” said Chambers. Thanks to its minimal countertop footprint and easy-to-use display, Chambers loves her mini food processor from Cuisinart. “I find myself using it most often for my most dreaded cooking task: dicing an onion,” she said. “Another favorite use is pre-mincing a ton of garlic. I'll throw in 20 cloves, pulse until minced, then keep in an airtight container in the fridge to cook with all week long.”

Best Budget Food Processor: Hamilton Beach Food Processor, 10-Cup 

According to Kenneth Wan, chef at MAKfam in Denver, you don’t have to spend big to get your hands on a great food processor. He suggests this 10-cup Hamilton Beach model with a “strong motor and good sized container for processing.” Wan says he’s been using the same food processor for the past five years, which speaks to its durability and versatility. “Think of it as the less refined cousin of the Robot Coupe — not as fancy but gets the job done at a fraction of the price.” 

More Food Processors to Shop at Amazon:

KitchenAid Food Processor, 7 Cup

Black + Decker 3-in-1 Food Processor, 8-Cup

Ninja Professional Plus Food Processor, 9-Cup

KitchenAid Food Chopper, 3.5-Cup

Breville Sous Chef Pro Food Processor, 16-Cup