Chopping onions and garlic is a fundamental kitchen task, yet it often brings tears, sticky fingers, and inconsistent pieces. A dedicated food chopper can turn this tedious chore into a quick, clean, and efficient process. The right appliance minces garlic to a perfect paste or dices onions into uniform pieces in seconds, saving you time and effort while keeping your hands odor-free.
With numerous models available, from compact mini choppers to full-sized food processors, selecting the best one for your needs can be challenging. This roundup focuses on machines that excel specifically at handling pungent alliums, evaluating them on power, capacity, control, and ease of cleaning to help you find the ideal kitchen companion for your cooking style.
The Best Food Processors for Mincing Onions and Garlic
- KOIOS Food Processor, 500W Electric Food Chopper with 2 Bowls
- Hamilton Beach Electric Vegetable Chopper & Mini Food Processor
- Kitchen in the box Mini Food Processor, Electric Meat Grinder
- Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus Food Processor, 24-Ounce
- BLACK+DECKER 1.5-Cup Electric Food Chopper
- Cuisinart DLC-8SBCY Pro Custom 11 Food Processor
- Ninja BN601 Professional Plus Food Processor
- KitchenAid KFC3516ER 3.5 Cup Mini Food Chopper
KOIOS Food Processor, 500W Electric Food Chopper with 2 Bowls
The KOIOS Food Processor stands out with its impressive 500W pure copper motor and a unique dual-bowl system. This means you can process onions in one bowl and garlic in the other simultaneously, completely preventing flavor transfer. The bi-level S-shaped blades are designed to chop, blend, and mince ingredients thoroughly and evenly, often completing the task in about 10 seconds.
Its two speed modes offer flexibility for different quantities and types of ingredients. A hold function provides a consistent blend, while a tap-to-pulse function gives you ultimate control over the texture. The bowls are designed to stack for compact storage, and they feature rubber rings to dampen noise and prevent slipping during operation. For cleanup, both the bowls and blades are detachable and dishwasher safe.
Hamilton Beach Electric Vegetable Chopper & Mini Food Processor
Hamilton Beach offers a remarkably simple solution with its patented stack-and-press design. There are no complicated locks or buttons; you simply assemble the unit and press down on the lid to chop, releasing to stop. This intuitive operation makes it incredibly easy to achieve a consistent mince on onions and garlic without any learning curve.
With a 3-cup capacity and 350 watts of power, it is well-suited for everyday cooking tasks. The durable stainless steel blades efficiently handle a multitude of ingredients. A particularly useful feature is the oil dispenser built into the lid, which allows you to easily emulsify dressings and sauces directly in the bowl after chopping your aromatics.
Kitchen in the box Mini Food Processor, Electric Meat Grinder & Food Chopper
This versatile unit from Kitchen in the box is powered by a robust 400W all-copper motor, providing ample strength for quickly chopping onions and grinding garlic into a fine paste. It functions as both a vegetable chopper and a meat grinder, making it a multi-purpose kitchen tool. The two-speed control allows you to select the appropriate power for the task at hand.
It features a 3-cup glass bowl that is BPA-free and easy to clean, offering a more premium feel and resistance to staining compared to some plastic alternatives. The sharp 304 stainless steel blades are built for durability. Operation is straightforward and safe, with a locking lid system and a non-slip base to ensure stability during use.
Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus Food Processor
The Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus is a classic in the category, known for its reliability and compact efficiency. Its 250-watt motor works in tandem with a patented reversible stainless steel blade that automatically changes direction, a feature designed to pull ingredients down for a more even chop. This is particularly effective for achieving a uniform mince on garlic and onions.
The control panel is simple, with two processing options: chop and grind. The 24-ounce bowl is the perfect size for preparing aromatics for a single meal or a small batch of recipes. Cleanup is hassle-free, as the bowl and lid are dishwasher safe. Its durable, lightweight design has made it a trusted choice for home cooks for years.
BLACK+DECKER 1.5-Cup Electric Food Chopper
For those with minimal counter space or who only need to process small quantities, the BLACK+DECKER 1.5-Cup Chopper is an excellent option. Its compact size is perfect for mincing a few cloves of garlic or a single onion, providing just the right amount for seasoning a dish without using a bulky appliance.
It features a one-touch pulse control that gives you manual command over the chopping process, allowing you to stop at the perfect consistency. The stay-sharp, bi-level stainless steel blades are designed for long-term performance. Like the others on this list, the removable parts are dishwasher safe, making cleanup after handling pungent ingredients very simple.
Cuisinart DLC-8SBCY Pro Custom 11 Food Processor
For the serious home cook who frequently prepares large meals, the Cuisinart Pro Custom 11 is a full-sized workhorse. While it handles a vast array of kitchen tasks, its power and precision make it superb for processing large quantities of onions and garlic efficiently. You can quickly dice multiple onions for a sauce or salsa with consistent results.
This model offers extensive customization with a wide selection of discs for slicing and shredding, going far beyond simple chopping. Its large capacity bowl is ideal for meal prepping or cooking for a crowd. The motor base is powerful enough to handle tough jobs without straining, making quick work of any food preparation task, including finely mincing garlic.
Ninja BN601 Professional Plus Food Processor
The Ninja BN601 Professional Plus brings professional-grade power and versatility to the home kitchen. It is equipped with a 1000-peak-watt motor that can effortlessly chop through large batches of onions and puree garlic in an instant. The Total Crushing Technology is engineered to uniformly crush ice and blend frozen ingredients, indicating its substantial power for simpler tasks like mincing.
It comes with multiple blades and dough settings, but for onion and garlic prep, the precision chopping blade is the star. The large capacity allows you to process ingredients for several meals at once. Ninja’s reputation for robust construction and high performance makes this a reliable choice for demanding users.
KitchenAid KFC3516ER 3.5 Cup Mini Food Chopper
KitchenAid is synonymous with quality, and this 3.5 Cup Mini Food Chopper lives up to that standard. It offers a slightly larger capacity than many other mini choppers, making it ideal for preparing bases for soups, stews, and sauces. Its simple, one-speed operation with a pulse button provides full control to achieve a fine mince or a coarse chop.
The unit is designed for easy use and cleanup. The blade locks into the lid for safe handling when emptying the bowl, and all parts except the motor base are dishwasher safe. Its compact design and iconic KitchenAid build quality make it a stylish and functional addition to any kitchen countertop.
Buying Guide: How to Pick the Right Food Processor for Onions and Garlic
Chopping onions and garlic is a kitchen task I used to dread. It was tedious, made my eyes water, and left my hands smelling for hours. Getting a food processor changed everything, but not all machines are created equal for this specific job. Based on my experience, here’s what I look for when choosing one of the 8 best food processors for onions and garlic.
First, consider the blade system. You need a sharp, durable S-blade (that’s the standard metal blade at the bottom) that can handle small, firm items without turning them into a paste. Look for a processor that offers a pulsing function. Pulsing gives you complete control, allowing you to chop the onions and garlic to your desired consistency—from a coarse chop to a fine mince—without over-processing them into a watery mess. A machine that only has “on” and “off” is much harder to control for this task.
Next, think about size and capacity. If you frequently cook for a crowd or like to prep large batches of sofrito or mirepoix, a full-sized processor (11 cups or more) is your best bet. However, for everyday mincing of a few cloves of garlic or a single onion, a mini food processor (3 to 4 cups) is often more convenient. It’s lighter, easier to clean, and takes up less counter space. Some brands offer a combo pack with a large work bowl and a mini bowl attachment, which is the ultimate versatility win.
Power matters, but it’s not the only thing. A motor between 500 and 800 watts is typically sufficient for chopping vegetables. More power can help with tougher tasks, but for onions and garlic, consistent performance and sharp blades are more critical than raw wattage.
Finally, don’t overlook the cleanup. Models with dishwasher-safe parts are a lifesaver, especially after processing pungent ingredients like onions and garlic. A wide feed chute is less important for these items since you’ll usually be adding them to the bowl through the top, but it’s a nice bonus for other tasks. The goal is to make your cooking easier, not create more work. By focusing on the blade, pulse control, and the right size for your needs, you’ll find a machine that turns a chore into a quick, effortless step.
FAQ
Why does my food processor turn onions into mush?
This is a common frustration. It usually happens for one of two reasons. First, you might be over-processing. Instead of just hitting the “on” button, use the pulse function in short, quick bursts. This gives you much more control. Second, your S-blade might be dull. A sharp blade cleanly chops, while a dull one crushes and bruises the onion, releasing more liquid. If you’re in the market for a new one, checking reviews for models known for good blade quality is key when looking at the 8 best food processors for onions and garlic.
Can I use a food processor to mince just one or two cloves of garlic?
You can, but it works best with a mini food processor. The small bowl size ensures the garlic cloves stay close to the blade and get chopped evenly. In a large, full-sized processor bowl, a single clove can get thrown to the sides and missed, resulting in an uneven mince. If you only have a large machine, you can mince a larger batch and store the extra in the fridge or freezer for future use.
How do I get the smell of onions and garlic out of my food processor?
Those smells can really linger. My go-to method is to make a paste of baking soda and water and wipe down the plastic bowl and lid. Then, I wash them thoroughly with soap and water. You can also wipe the parts with a cut lemon or a little white vinegar. For a deep clean, I often put a piece of lemon peel or a slice of stale bread in the processor and pulse it a few times; this helps absorb and scrub away the odors.
Is a blender a good substitute for chopping onions and garlic?
I don’t recommend it. Blenders are designed to liquify and puree with a vortex action. They lack the precise, chopping action of a food processor’s S-blade. Trying to chop an onion in a blender will almost certainly result in an uneven, watery puree on the bottom and large chunks on top. A food processor is specifically engineered for this kind of task.
What other attachments are useful for a food processor beyond chopping?
While the S-blade is the star for onions and garlic, other attachments can make your processor a kitchen workhorse. A shredding disc is fantastic for cheese or potatoes for hash browns. A slicing disc can quickly turn cucumbers, carrots, or potatoes into uniform slices. Some models also come with dough blades, which are great for mixing pizza or bread dough without overworking it.