“It’s one of the most wonderful machines ever invented,” said William Grocer Barnard, the founder of blender brand Vitamix, back in 1949. He was speaking in America’s first-ever infomercial, broadcast on the Cleveland television station WEWS. “With health, we have wealth,” he continued, as he spoke about the benefits of blending whole foods in the Vitamix. “We are the richest [people] on earth.” The advertisement was a resounding success, with 650 machines sold the very same day it aired.
And today, nearly 75 years on from the history-making broadcast, Vitamix’s popularity has not faltered. In fact, its blenders are now sold in more than 130 countries around the world. But what, exactly, is so special about Vitamix? And why are its blenders so good for vegan cooking, in particular? We’ve got all the answers below—plus, 13 of the best recipes to whip up after you’ve purchased one (because we predict you won’t be able to resist).
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What is Vitamix?
To put it simply, Vitamix, which is based in Ohio, makes blenders. But these are not your standard run-of-the-mill varieties. The brand has created a range of machines that are a cut above the rest when it comes to speed, quality, and versatility. They can chop, blend, juice, and even cook at the same time, if you want them to.
“Vitamix is a blender on steroids,” notes food and lifestyle magazine Taste of Home. “A regular blender does just what the name implies: blends. The Vitamix 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.”
Much of Vitamix’s superior performance and ongoing success comes down to innovative engineering. Today, the machines operate on a vortex system, which, according to the brand, “systematically folds ingredients back to the blades for faster, smoother blends.” They also have “aircraft-grade” stainless steel blades, a metal drive system, and a powerful cool-running motor.
All of this, notes Vitamix, has allowed the brand to earn a reputation for “being the blender you pass down, not throw away.”
Vitamix
Why Vitamix blenders are so popular for preparing vegan food
When Barnard first started the Vitamix brand, his main motivation was to help people start thinking differently about the types of food they put in their bodies. For him, that meant more fruits and vegetables. And today, that is still the key focus of the company. “We’re here to change lives,” CEO Jodi Berg, the great-grandaughter of Barnard, told News 5 Cleveland in 2019. “In my heart, I would love to change the health and wellness for generations to come.”
Because of this emphasis, the blender brand has become a kitchen staple of many who champion the whole food, plant-based movement. It can chop, grind, and blend plant-based ingredients to make a wide variety of nutritious, satisfying, and delicious vegan recipes. It can make smooth nut butter as efficiently as it can make creamy oat milk, it can blend together bean burger patties, and it’s a go-to for plant-based soups, smoothies, and shakes.
Why Vitamix blenders are a worthy investment
It’s important to acknowledge that arguably the one thing holding Vitamix blenders back from ending up in every vegan kitchen is the cost barrier.
Among the cheapest in the range is its $149.95 Immersion Blender, while the most expensive (but also the #1 top-seller) is the A3500 model, which, at the time of writing, is priced at nearly $600. If you can afford it though, it’s certainly worth the spend. That’s because if you have the means, it’s worth seeing a Vitamix blender as an investment purchase. According to Food & Wine, they should last for at least 10 years, and customers commonly report excellent customer support should a fix be needed.
Another more affordable option is to buy a refurbished Vitamix. In a nutshell, this is an older machine that has been repaired and repackaged, so it’s ready for resale (the quality, however, should be just as good as new). The brand offers this Reconditioned Professional Series 750, for example, and this Certified Reconditioned Venturist V1200.
Vitamix
Best vegan recipes for your Vitamix: from soup to ice cream
If you already own a Vitamix, or you’re looking for more reasons to invest in one, we’ve compiled several recipes that you can make using the super-efficient, high-speed blender. From smoothies to soups to condiments and even burgers, you won’t be disappointed with the sheer range of options. Vitamix was made to help consumers eat more fruits and veggies so it’s stellar when whipping up all manner of plant-based recipes.
1 Lean Green Smoothie
Not a fan of leafy greens? Hide them. Combined with mixed berries, apple juice, mango, and kiwi, you won’t notice the taste of the fresh kale in this lean green smoothie.
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Blissful Basil
2 Red Velvet Beet Shake
When it comes to making ultra-creamy milkshakes, dairy is not compulsory. Instead, combine coconut cream, beet juice, raw cacao powder, and Medjool dates in your Vitamix for a nutritious and indulgent drink.
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Plant Power Couple
3 Broccoli Cheese Soup
Nourishing, comforting, and easy to make, this broccoli cheese soup recipe ticks all of the boxes for a quick, nutritious mid-week meal. Want it to be extra filling? Serve with a side of crusty bread or hot baked potato.
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Amy Angelo
4 Carrot Ginger Turmeric Soup
Bookmark this recipe for rainy, grey days when you need a wholesome pick-me-up. With turmeric, diced sweet potatoes, coconut milk, and ginger, it’s the perfect combination of cozy, creamy, and nutritious.
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Nadine Horn and Jörg Mayer
5 Quinoa and Chickpea Burgers
Burger night doesn’t have to mean meat. Instead, serve this delicious plant-based burger with fresh salad and, of course, the all-important sesame seed bun. To make the patty mixture, just blend the ingredients in your Vitamix blender.
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Vitamix
6 Sesame Milk
Supermarket aisles are packed with alternative milks now. But you don’t need to head to the shops to stock up. Blend together untoasted sesame seeds with cold water, maple syrup, and vanilla to make your own! It’s as simple as that.
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Jillian Glantz
7 Turmeric Persimmon dairy-free ice Cream
There’s nothing sadder than opening the freezer in the hope of finding ice cream and finding none. But if you’ve got a Vitamix, it’s easy to make your own from scratch. If you’re looking for something a little more nutritious, try this nice cream recipe using frozen bananas, persimmon, turmeric, and coconut milk.
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Marie Laforêt
8 Vegan Lemony White Bean Dip
If you’ve got the chips, and now you need the dip, try whipping up this quick recipe for a lemony white bean dip using a Vitamix. All you need is cooked white beans, cilantro, a dash of olive oil, and some fresh lemon juice.
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Hannah Kaminsky
9 Vegan Chocolate Pudding Popsicles
Chocolate lovers unite, we’ve found an ultra-sweet, super chocolatey dessert for you to try, and it’s incredibly easy too. Just grab some dark chocolate chips, some silken tofu, your favorite vegan milk, and a teaspoon of vanilla and then blend it all up before freezing for a minimum of four hours.
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The Experiment
10 Raspberry-Vanilla Chia Jam
Forget scanning the grocery store aisles for your favorite jam, because you can make your own delicious, simple fruity spread from home, using fresh raspberries, chia seeds, a little maple syrup, and some ground vanilla.
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Dustin Harder
11 Pesto Hummus With Pomegranate Drizzle
When it comes to dips, hummus is a universal favorite. But if you fancy switching up the flavor a little bit, why not try making your own from home with a blend of walnuts, herbs, and chickpeas?
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Nicole Axworthy
12 Coconut Chocolate Milk
Make this childhood classic without the dairy by combining shredded coconut, dates, cocoa powder, and vanilla in your Vitamix. And don’t forget to serve with cookies, of course.
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Brilynn Ferguson
13 Coconut Cashew Matcha Ice Cream
This ultra-creamy, super addictive matcha ice cream recipe is so delicious and easy to make, you’ll want to whip up batch after batch after batch. And thankfully, if you have a Vitamix at hand, that’s more than possible.
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14 Watermelon-Cucumber Gazpacho
When it’s scorching outside, hot soup just won’t do. Instead, make this cold Spanish-inspired gazpacho recipe using a refreshing blend of watermelon, tomato, and cucumber.
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Holly V. Gray
15 Chilled Asparagus Soup
Not a fan of gazpacho? This creamy, vibrant asparagus soup might be more your thing. For a nutritious spring dish, blend together water, fresh asparagus, vegan chicken broth, and lemon juice with some rich coconut milk and serve chilled.
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Holly V. Gray
16 Moroccan Spiced Carrot Dip
It’s a long way to Morocco, but thankfully, you can bring all the flavors of the country to your table without leaving the front door with this tasty, tangy spiced carrot dip. Don’t forget the warm pita for serving.
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17 Sweet Potato Queso Sauce
If you’re having a Tex-Mex night, then you need an ultra-creamy, super-indulgent queso, and this dairy-free sweet potato sauce really delivers. As an added bonus, it’s healthy too!
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Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram
18 Pink Summer Smoothie
Celebrate the summer months by sipping on this delicious, fruity pink smoothie, which is packed with nutritious tasty pineapple, blood orange, strawberries, and ultra-refreshing coconut water.
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This Cheese Is Nuts!
19 Coconut-Cashew Cream Cheese
Get out the bagels, it’s time to use your Vitamix to whip up this dairy-free coconut-cashew cream cheese that is just as dreamy and indulgent as the original. Just remember to soak the cashews first!
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Gibbs Smith Publishing
20 Sweet Potato-Chocolate Mousse
Sweet potatoes and chocolate might sound like an unusual mix, but trust us: it’s worth a whirl. The sweetness of the root vegetable pairs perfectly with coconut milk, maple syrup, cacao, and cinnamon to make this creamy, indulgent chocolate mousse.
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Charlotte is a writer and editor based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.
Here at VegNews, we live and breathe the vegan lifestyle, and only recommend products we feel make our lives amazing. Occasionally, articles may include shopping links where we might earn a small commission. In no way does this effect the editorial integrity of VegNews.
