21 Things to Make in the Blender (Besides Smoothies)

updated May 25, 2023
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If you’re in the habit of only using your blender to make smoothies in the morning, you’re missing out on all the soups, sauces, and desserts you can make with this multitasking appliance.

Consider this a comprehensive curriculum in just what your blender is capable of. Now the only question is: Where do you want to get started?

Non-Smoothie Things to Make in the Blender

1 / 20
How to Make Pesto
Spread it on sandwiches, toss it with pasta, or treat yourself a single happy spoonful, but definitely absolutely positively make pesto any chance you get.
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2 / 20
How To Make Easy Hollandaise Sauce in a Blender
The creamy, buttery sauce will upgrade everything from eggs benedict to asparagus.
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3 / 20
Kale & Apple Soup

Thanks to the slight sweetness of the apple in this soup, you might even be able to get your kids to eat their greens willingly.

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4 / 20
How to Make Homemade Peanut Butter
Homemade peanut butter is truly, incredibly, ridiculously easy to make. Here's our step-by-step guide on how to do it.
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5 / 20
Vegan Chocolate Pudding Cups with Coconut Cream

These vegan pudding cups take almost no effort to make since they are whipped up entirely in the blender. The secret is that the pudding is made from a base of dates and avocado.

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6 / 20
Roasted Butternut Squash Purée with Goat Cheese

You might be able to find a few butternut squash still in the markets before the spring produce takes over. This creamy, comforting soup is the perfect option for those rainy days.

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7 / 20
How To Make Homemade Pizza Sauce
Tomato sauce for topping homemade pizzas is an easy DIY. It's just three ingredients and a quick blitz in the blender. Here's what to do.
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8 / 20
How To Make Almond Milk at Home

If your only experience with almond milk is the store-bought kind, we’ll forgive you for not liking it. Try making this version at home, and we bet you’ll end up with a new appreciation for the nut-based beverage.

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9 / 20
Vegan Creamy Curried Cauliflower Soup

We love this recipe for its simplicity. Cook all the ingredients together in one pot, add your favorite spices, and then blend it once everything is cooked through.

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10 / 20
How To Make a Small, Quick Batch of Applesauce

If you find yourself with a few extra apples, this is one of our favorite recipes to make. You don’t need bushels of fruit or an entire weekend — all it takes is some time on the stove and then in your blender.

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11 / 20
Roasted Broccoli & Cheddar Soup

Roasting the broccoli florets before blending them into this creamy, cheesy soup adds an extra layer of richness, thanks to the caramelization they get in the oven.

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12 / 20
Big Pancake (Dutch Baby)

Who can resist a Dutch Baby or German pancake? Get the blender going on a weekend morning to whip one up for a lazy brunch.

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13 / 20
Easy Gazpacho

Gazpacho is one of those endlessly changeable recipes. If you want a little spice, add in more chiles. If you want it more traditional, add in olive oil and bread crumbs. It’s completely what you make it. Start with this basic recipe, and then come up with your signature version.

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14 / 20
Sweet Potato Soup with Miso and Ginger

The combination of umami from the miso and a bit of bite from the ginger makes this recipe an instant classic.

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15 / 20
Zucchini Garlic Soup

This soup tastes so creamy, you might be surprised to learn that there isn’t any dairy in it (unless you use butter instead of olive oil).

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16 / 20
How to Make Creamy Mexican Horchata with Almonds and Rice

There are few things more refreshing than this spiced Mexican drink on a warm day.

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17 / 20
Kabocha Squash Soup with Pomegranate and Pepitas

This creamy soup uses the Asian kabocha winter squash, which has a dense, earthy flesh, and sautéed apples for a bit of sweetness.

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18 / 20
Broccoli & Feta Pasta Sauce

This creamy sauce complete with salty feta has become a go-to for pasta night.

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19 / 20
Sweet, Easy & Raw Recipe: Avocado Cacao Mousse

You might be skeptical that a mousse made with avocado as the base could be a dessert, but give this raw recipe a try. We promise you won’t be disappointed with the silky-smooth texture.

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20 / 20
Spring Turnip Soup with Garlic Chickpea Croutons

Leeks, turnips, and garlicky chickpeas are all at their best in this early spring soup.

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