Best Blenders For Mexican Cooking: The Ultimate Guide

A good blender is an essential tool for Mexican cooking, as it can be used to make all those great salsas and sauces that are staples of the cuisine. A blender is great for making pureed sauces, while a food processor is ideal for chunkier salsas. However, you can get by with just a blender, and some blenders have a pulse option that's suitable for making chunkier salsas.

When choosing a blender, look for one with a powerful motor and sharp blades that can handle a range of tasks, from crushing ice to blending warm liquids. Some blenders also come with vacuum blending technology, which can help keep your sauces and salsas fresher for longer. Here are some specific models to consider:

- Ninja Professional Plus Kitchen System with Auto-iQ: This blender comes with a range of tools, including a tall pitcher, single-serve cups, and a precision processor bowl, making it great value for money.

- Breville The Super Q: A stylish and powerful blender with a few presets, including a smoothie button.

- Vitamix E320 Explorian Blender: A simple yet impressive blender with a speed dial that goes from slow and steady to manic blitz in seconds.

- Smeg High Performance Blender: This blender features a vacuum pump that helps reduce oxidation and preserve the nutrients, flavour and colour of your blends.

- Nutribullet ZNBF30500Z Blender Combo: A flexible design that lets you switch between a traditional pitcher jug and a bullet-style jug.

Blenders for salsas and sauces

A blender or food processor is an essential tool for making Mexican salsas and sauces. While a food processor is ideal for chunkier salsas, you can get by with just a blender. Some blenders have a pulse option suitable for making chunkier salsas, and you can also buy blender systems that function as both a blender and a food processor.

When choosing a blender for making salsas and sauces, look for one with a powerful motor and sharp blades that can handle tough ingredients like nuts and ice. Variable speed settings and a pulse function will give you more control over the consistency of your salsa or sauce. If you plan to make large batches, look for a blender with a large-capacity pitcher.

• Ninja Professional Plus Kitchen System with Auto-iQ: This blender comes with a range of tools and blades, including a total crushing blade, a chopping blade, a smoothie blade, and a dough blade. It has a powerful 1400-watt motor and five preset programs, including one for smoothies and one for crushing ice.
• Breville The Super Q: A stylish and powerful blender with a smoothie button that lets you walk away while your ingredients are liquefied. It also has a smoothie cup that you can blend and drink from, saving space in the dishwasher.
• Vitamix E320 Explorian Blender: This blender has a simple speed dial that goes from one to 10, allowing you to slowly ramp up the speed or quickly blitz your ingredients. It also has a pulse function and comes with a tamper to nudge ingredients down towards the blades.
• Smeg High Performance Blender: This blender comes with a vacuum pump that removes oxygen from the jug before blending, helping to preserve the nutrients, flavor, and color of your blend. It has a powerful 1400-watt motor and nine speed settings, as well as preset buttons for smoothies, frozen desserts, and crushing ice.
• Nutribullet ZNBF30500Z Blender Combo: This blender gives you the flexibility to switch between a traditional pitcher jug and a personal-style bullet-style jug. It can handle both cold and warm liquids, making it suitable for smoothing soups as well as making dips and sauces.

Fresh vs canned tomatoes

When it comes to choosing between fresh and canned tomatoes, there are several factors to consider, especially when it comes to Mexican cooking.

Fresh tomatoes are plumper and firmer, offering a crunchy, juicy burst of flavour. They are harvested at peak ripeness and are best for recipes that require raw produce or bright, fresh flavours. Their juiciness boosts dishes like salads, salsas, and sandwiches. They are also packed with vitamins A and C, as well as lycopene, which has health benefits. However, fresh tomatoes have a shorter shelf life, usually 1-2 weeks, and can be more expensive, especially when not in season.

Canned tomatoes, on the other hand, are softer due to the canning process. They are ideal for recipes that require longer cooking times or blending into sauces and soups, as they break down and release their flavours. Canned tomatoes are also more convenient and have a longer shelf life, usually up to two years. They are available year-round and provide a more consistent taste and texture. However, they may contain added preservatives or salt, which can affect the flavour.

For Mexican cooking, both types of tomatoes can be used. Fresh tomatoes are ideal for dishes like pico de gallo, where the raw texture and flavour of the tomatoes are important. Canned tomatoes, on the other hand, are perfect for making salsa, as they break down easily and provide a smoother consistency. They are also great for pureed sauces and can be used in place of fresh tomatoes when they are out of season.

In terms of nutrition, fresh tomatoes are generally considered healthier as they contain higher amounts of vitamin C and antioxidants. However, canned tomatoes may have higher levels of lycopene due to the heat used during the canning process.

Ultimately, the choice between fresh and canned tomatoes depends on personal preference, recipe requirements, and availability. Both options can be used successfully in Mexican cooking, each bringing its unique qualities to the dish.

Spicing it up

Whether you're making salsa, guacamole, or a spicy margarita, a good blender is an essential tool for Mexican cooking. While you can make salsa in a food processor, a blender is ideal for creating a smooth, restaurant-quality dip.

What to look for in a blender

When choosing a blender, look for one with a powerful motor that can handle tough ingredients like nuts and ice. A range of speed settings, including a pulse function, will give you greater control over the consistency of your salsa. Some blenders also come with different types of blades for different tasks, such as chopping, crushing, and blending. If you're short on counter space, look for a blender with a compact base and dishwasher-safe parts for easy storage and cleaning.

Top blenders for Mexican cooking

• Ninja Professional Plus Kitchen System with Auto-iQ: This blender comes with a range of tools, including a 72-ounce pitcher, two single-serve cups, and a 64-ounce precision processor bowl. It has a powerful 1400-watt motor and preset programs for smoothies, ice crushing, and more.
• Breville The Super Q: With a sleek and stylish design, this high-end blender has a dedicated smoothie button and a smoothie cup. It's powerful enough to handle tough ingredients and can even heat soup through the friction of its blades.
• Vitamix E320 Explorian Blender: This blender has a simple speed dial that goes from slow to fast in seconds, making it ideal for both delicate and tough ingredients. Its aircraft-grade blades can crush ice and frozen fruit with ease.
• Smeg High-Performance Blender: This blender comes with a vacuum pump that removes oxygen from the jug before blending, helping to preserve the nutrients and flavor of your ingredients. It has a powerful 1400-watt motor and a range of speed settings and preset buttons.
• Nutribullet ZNBF30500Z Blender Combo: This blender gives you the flexibility of a traditional pitcher jug and a personal blender cup. It can handle warm liquids, making it ideal for smoothing soups, and its powerful motor can crush ice with ease.

Tips for making salsa

When making salsa, use fresh, high-quality ingredients and adjust the proportions to your taste. You can use either canned or fresh tomatoes, but canned fire-roasted tomatoes will give your salsa a distinct smoky flavor. For a milder salsa, remove the seeds from jalapeños or leave them out altogether. Don't forget to let your salsa chill for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors combine.

Storing and serving

Now that you've made your salsa, it's time to store it and get ready to serve it. Here are some tips to make sure your salsa stays fresh and flavorful:

• Refrigeration: Store your salsa in an airtight container in the fridge. It will typically last for about 2 weeks if stored properly.
• Freezing: If you want to keep your salsa for longer, you can freeze it. Place it in an airtight, sealed container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. However, note that the texture and appearance may change slightly after freezing.
• Chilling: It's best to chill your salsa before serving. Place it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors combine and intensify.
• Serving suggestions: Salsa is typically served with tortilla chips, but you can also use it as a topping for tacos, nachos, burrito bowls, or any other Mexican-inspired dish. Get creative!
• Storing leftovers: If you have leftover salsa after serving, simply store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for a few days, giving you plenty of time to enjoy it.
• Adjusting spiciness: If you prefer a milder salsa, you can adjust the spiciness by removing the seeds from the jalapeños or leaving them out altogether. You can also add more jalapeños if you like it spicier.

Other Mexican dishes to try

Mexican cuisine is a delight and a flavourful adventure for your taste buds. Here are some Mexican dishes you can try:

Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken enchiladas are a great dish to make for a family dinner or when you have guests over. The dish is made with a tomato-based sauce, chicken, and cheese, all wrapped in a soft tortilla. You can serve this with a side of rice and beans, and of course, some salsa and guacamole!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

A warm bowl of chicken tortilla soup is perfect for a cold winter day. This soup is packed with flavour and texture. It has a base of chicken broth, tomatoes, and spices, and is topped with crispy tortilla strips, avocado, cheese, and cilantro. You can also add some lime juice for an extra kick of flavour.

Mexican Street Corn

Mexican street corn, also known as elotes, is a popular street food in Mexico. It is made by grilling corn on the cob and then coating it with a mixture of mayonnaise, sour cream, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime juice. It's a delicious and messy treat that's perfect for summer barbecues or picnics.

Shrimp Tacos

Shrimp tacos are a delicious and easy-to-make meal for any night of the week. Simply cook the shrimp with some taco seasoning and fill your tortillas with the shrimp, shredded cabbage or lettuce, pico de gallo, and a creamy sauce. You can also add some avocado slices and a squeeze of lime to take these tacos to the next level.

Chilli Cheese Dip

This dip is the perfect appetizer or snack for any get-together. It's a simple dish made with chilli, cheese, and sometimes, beef. You can serve it with tortilla chips, or even use it as a topping for nachos or tacos. It's sure to be a crowd favourite!

Frequently asked questions