Here’s Why Vitamix Blenders Have Become So Popular (And Why You Should Care)
Updated: May 16, 2022
Sometimes ridiculous claims make a thing too good to be true. And then there's Vitamix.
Vitamix machines have existed for decades, but recent technological advances have moved this product from something you’d click past on an infomercial to a top-of-the-line kitchen marvel.
What is It?
Vitamix is a blender on steroids. A regular blender does just what the name implies: blends. This product manages to cook while it blends, and quickly, too. Cooking a soup takes five minutes: throw the vegetables, broth and ingredients in and let the machine work its magic.
There are a few things that set these awesome machines apart:
- It’s Healthy. Despite the fast cook times, fruits’ and vegetables’ nutritional values aren’t lost, making Vitamix preferable to a microwave.
- Speed. Cook times are fast.
- Quality. I’m an avid crock-potting, soup-loving fiend, yet all my recipes have passed the taste test in my Vitamix.
- Variety. It makes cold smoothies are made as reliably as it does blended nut milk recipes.
How does it work?
Vitamix works by allowing users to manually control blending speeds, up to a whopping 2 horsepower, to give users the freedom to mix just about anything: cold cocktails, chip dips, cake batter, soups of all kinds… if it blends, the Vitamix can make it.
Furthermore, Vitamix can make something hot in a matter of minutes. Unlike microwaves which use high-frequency waves that tend to break down the nutritional value of produce, Vitamix heats by friction.
What can you make in it?
Any blended or mixed meal, hot or cold.
What can’t you make?
Things you wouldn’t like to eat mashed together, like lasagna.
Other things to consider…
- Cost. Vitamix’s price tag is definitely the biggest concern for most buyers. These machines have existed since 1985, so it is possible to snag refurbished older models at a fraction of the cost of a new machine.
- Space. These machines are as heavy and durable as an in-home safe. This is great for longevity—nobody ever claimed Vitamix machines suffered a short life span—but it will require shuffling cabinets around to find room for your new toy.
- Cost, Again. Fresh ingredients can be expensive, especially in winter when they are out of season.
Bottom line?
Vitamix is a machine built around convenience. Its incredible processing speeds make complicated recipes, even hot soup recipes, in a matter of minutes. If you can afford to cut your cook times down to small fractions of the original, do something nice for your kitchen (and yourself) and splurge.
Did someone say soup?
Turkey Dumpling SoupSimmering up a big pot of this soup is one of my favorite holiday traditions. This is a variation on a recipe my mom made while I was growing up. My husband and children can't get enough of the tender dumplings. —Debbie Wolf, Mission Viejo, California
Cream of Cauliflower SoupThis mildly cheesy cauliflower soup is a favorite of mine. I make it often in summer, although it's good anytime. —Karen Brown, West Lafayette, Ohio
Chicken Tortilla SoupThere's nothing quite like an easy soup recipe on a busy night. This flavor-packed chicken tortilla soup will warm up your kitchen (and then your belly) in just 30 minutes.
Pressure-Cooker English Pub Split Pea SoupThis family favorite is the same recipe my grandmother used. Now with the magic of today's appliances, I can spend 15 minutes putting it together, walk away for a bit and then it's "soup's on!" Finish it with more milk if you like your split pea soup a bit thinner. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida
Cabbage Barley SoupMy neighbor had an abundance of cabbage, so a group of us had a contest to see who could come up with the best cabbage dish. My vegetarian soup was the clear winner. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
Butternut Turkey SoupAlthough chock-full of lots of nutritious vegetables and turkey, this soup is also light on calories. —Denise LaRoche, Hudson, New Hampshire
Matzo Ball SoupNothing is quite as comforting as a bowl of homemade matzo ball soup, and we've got the perfect recipe.
Quick Sausage Tortellini SoupI love that this soup is easy to make and uses common ingredients found in the pantry. You can use other types of sausage or pasta if desired. —Annalise Lau, Newberg, Oregon
Dill Chicken SoupI could eat soup for every meal of the day, all year long. I particularly like dill and spinach—they add a brightness to this light and healthy soup. —Robin Haas, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts
Deb's Mushroom & Barley SoupNothing is more comforting than coming home to this rich soup! I prepare the ingredients the night before and start the slow cooker on my way out the door in the morning. —Debra Kamerman, New York, New York
Italian Beef Vegetable SoupThis hearty vegetable beef soup features a ton of fresh veggies, making it the perfect dish to use up all that summer produce. It's also fantastic during cooler weather! Make sure you serve this Italian soup with some breadsticks, rolls or flaky biscuits. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Turkey Sausage Soup with Fresh VegetablesOur family is big on soup. This favorite is quick to make and very tasty, and it gives me plenty of time to have fun with my kids and grandkids while it slow-cooks. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Barbara's Italian Wedding SoupIn a little Italian restaurant in Santa Cruz, my husband and I had an amazing soup with orzo. I tweaked it at home to make it healthier but kept the warm, comforting flavor. —Barbara Spitzer, Lodi, California
Easy Pot Sticker SoupThis potsticker soup recipe is bursting with all kinds of flavor, and is easily versatile to fit your dietary needs.
Minestrone with TurkeyI remember my mom making this soup; now I make it for my kids as often as I can. It's a good way to use up leftover vegetables. Sometimes I add a can of rinsed and drained kidney or garbanzo beans. —Angela Goodman, Kaneohe, Hawaii
Beefy Mushroom SoupThis is a tasty way to use leftover roast or steak and get a delicious supper on the table in about a half-hour. The warm, rich taste of this mushroom soup is sure to please. —Ginger Ellsworth of Caldwell, Idaho
Ham and Bean SoupHam and bean soup is the perfect weeknight dinner. The recipe deliciously repurposes leftover ham and only takes 30 minutes to prepare. What more could you ask for?
Chicken Matzo Ball SoupThe keys to this amazing chicken matzo ball soup are slow-cooking it and using boxed matzo ball mix. Some people swear by seltzer, but I find it’s not necessary—the mix makes perfect, fluffy matzo balls every time due to its baking powder. Add chicken fat (schmaltz) for extra-authentic flavor. The matzo balls will taste as if they came straight from Grandma's kitchen. —Shannon Sarna, South Orange, New Jersey
Steak-n-Vegetable SoupThis weeknight steak soup packs rich flavor into a light broth. My family loves the blend of southwestern flavors. —Rebecca Ridpath, Cedar Park, Texas
Slow-Cooked Beef Vegetable SoupConvenient frozen veggies and hash browns make this meaty soup a snap to make. Simply brown the ground beef, then stir everything together to simmer all day. It's wonderful served with bread and a salad. —Carol Calhoun, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Shrimp RamenA package of store-bought noodles will speed up assembly of this colorful shrimp ramen that's flavored with carrots and small shrimp. My mother passed the recipe on to me. It’s delicious and so quick to make on busy nights. —Donna Hellinger, Lorain, Ohio
Chicken Bean SoupThis easy soup is tasty and nutritious, too. I like to top individual bowls with a few sprigs of fresh parsley. Home-baked rolls- I use frozen bread dough- are an added treat. —Phyllis Shaughnessy, Livonia, New York
Meatball Alphabet SoupBite-sized meatballs made from ground turkey perk up this fun alphabet soup. A variety of vegetables are mixed in a rich tomato broth seasoned with herbs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Lemony Turkey Rice SoupThis turkey rice soup manages to be equal parts exciting and comforting thanks to the savory, tangy broth infused with fresh lemon juice.
Garlic Tortellini SoupI like to top bowls of this tasty soup with a little grated Parmesan cheese, and serve it with crusty bread to round out the meal. —Donna Morgan, Hend, Tennessee
Southwestern Chicken Tortilla SoupThe spices really liven up this filling chicken tortilla soup. I often double the recipe, freezing leftovers for future dinners or quick lunches. —Anne Smithson, Cary, North Carolina
Spicy Potato SoupMy sister-in-law, who is from Mexico, passed along this wonderful recipe. Since she prefers her foods much spicier than we do, I reduced the amount of pepper sauce, but you can add more if you prefer a bigger kick. —Audrey Wall, Industry, Pennsylvania
Crockpot Chicken Noodle SoupNothing says "simple" like using a slow cooker to make Crockpot chicken noodle soup! Prep your ingredients, set the slow cooker and wait for magic to happen.
Beef Cabbage SoupThis beef cabbage soup tastes a bit like stuffed cabbage, but with far less effort. The soup features ground beef, cabbage and tomatoes for a delicious meal that comes together quite easily, no special skills required.
Chicken Tomato SoupCumin, chili powder and cayenne pepper give my slow-cooked specialty its kick. I serve bowls of it with crunchy tortilla strips that bake in no time. Leftover soup freezes well for nights I don’t feel like cooking. —Margaret Bailey, Coffeeville, Mississippi
Beefy Wild Rice SoupLiving in central Wisconsin, we experience many days of snow and cold temperatures. I like to prepare soup often, especially this one. My family loves it. —Marilyn Chesbrough, Wautoma, Wisconsin
Chicken Vegetable SoupThis chicken vegetable soup doesn't skimp on the vegetables. A whole chicken is simmered with a garden's worth of veggies for a soup that's as nourishing as it is delicious.
Spicy Kielbasa SoupRed pepper flakes bring a little zip to this hearty soup that's full of good-for-you ingredients. Should you have any left over, this soup is fantastic reheated, after flavors have had time to blend. I like to serve steaming bowls with rye bread. —Carol Custer, Clifton Park, New York
Sausage Lentil SoupI first tasted this wonderful soup at a friend's house. Now it's my favorite, especially on a cool, crisp night. —Catherine Rowe, Berthoud, Colorado
Zesty Chicken SoupThis spicy chicken soup is chock full of chicken and vegetables. Best of all, it freezes nicely, making a second meal with little effort! —Gwen Nelson, Castro Valley, California
Dandelion SoupI like to use dandelion green in many recipes. With hearty meatballs in a wonderful chicken broth, this dish is dandy for the entire family.—Dorothy Collins, Decatur, Illinois
Hearty Split Pea SoupFor a different spin on traditional pea soup, try this split pea soup recipe with corned beef. The flavor is peppery rather than smoky, and a tasty change of pace. —Barbara Link, Alta Loma, California
Red Bean Vegetable SoupCajun seasoning boosts the flavor of this brothy soup. The easy recipe makes a big batch that's loaded with beans and fresh veggies. —Ronnie Lappe, Brownwood, Texas
Thai Shrimp SoupThis tasty soup comes together in minutes, and it’s a crowd pleaser. The ingredients are available in my little Maine grocery store, too. —Jessie Grearson-Sapat, Falmouth, Maine
Turkey-Vegetable SoupSomething to be thankful for: turning leftover holiday turkey into this delicious turkey-vegetable soup. Chock full of herbs, vegetables and orzo, it’s perfect for lunch or dinner.
Mexican Cabbage Roll SoupI love sharing our humble and hearty soup made with beef, cabbage and green chiles. A blast of cilantro gives it a sunshiny finish. —Michelle Beal, Powell, Tennessee
Ground Beef Veggie StewThis is a wonderful, hearty stew to help use up all the late-summer veggies in your garden. I like that it's filling enough to make a meal, and it's good for you too! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Crockpot Chicken Vegetable SoupCrockpot chicken vegetable soup is an excellent dish to prepare when the day has other plans for you. This set-and-forget recipe practically makes itself, and it's loaded with nutrition, thanks to the vegetables and grilled chicken.
Bean Soup with SausageThis soup is so simple to put together with ingredients you might keep on hand, and it’s delicious, too. The broth with potato, meat and vegetables makes it so satisfying. —Gail Wilkerson, House Springs, Missouri
Navy Bean Vegetable SoupMy family likes bean soup, so I came up with this hearty, hammed-up version. The leftovers freeze well for first-rate future meals. —Eleanor Mielke, Mitchell, South Dakota
Ham and Lentil SoupThis ham and lentil soup recipe makes the ultimate comforting meal for chilly weather. It comes together in one pot with simple ingredients, and is great for an easy weeknight dinner.
Turkey Sausage and Lentil SoupThis recipe was given to me by my son, Chris, and we have it several times during the winter months. —Kathy Mazur, Sarasota, Florida
Slow-Cooker Vegetable SoupThis slow-cooker vegetable soup is an entire meal in a bowl, as it has beef, potatoes and of course, lots of veggies. It's also an almost entirely hands-off meal, as the slow cooker does most of the work for you.
Beef Noodle SoupFreezer veggies, pantry staples and a pound of ground beef cook in 30 minutes to make a hearty beef noodle soup that tastes like it's been simmering all day.
