Juicing has become an increasingly popular way for people to get more fruits and vegetables into their diets. Fresh fruit and vegetable juices provide a concentrated dose of vitamins, minerals, and plant nutrients. Some people use juicing as part of a detox or weight loss plan as well. With the rise in popularity of juicing, many people wonder if they can use their existing blender to make juices at home.
What is juicing?
Juicing refers to the process of extracting the liquid from fresh fruits and vegetables. This is typically done by pressing or squeezing produce to separate the fibrous pulp from the nutrient-rich juice. The resulting juice contains most of the vitamins, minerals, and plant nutrients from the produce used, without the insoluble fiber. Some of the most common fruits and vegetables used for juicing include carrots, apples, leafy greens, citrus fruits, and beets.
Juicing is different from blending. With blending, the entire fruit or vegetable is pulverized, leaving you with a thick, smoothie-like beverage containing both the fiber and juice. Juicing removes the fiber, resulting in a more liquid, concentrated form of the nutrients.
Can you juice with a blender?
While blenders and juicers operate differently, it is possible to make juice using a regular blender. However, there are some limitations to be aware of.
Blenders are designed to finely chop and liquefy fruits and vegetables, not separate the pulp from the juice. So juices made in a blender will be thicker, with some pulp still remaining. They may need to be strained to remove excess fiber. The resulting juice likely won’t be as smooth or pulp-free as juice from a dedicated juicer.
Certain types of blenders may work better than others for juicing. High-powered blenders like Vitamix or Ninja blenders generate enough friction heat and centrifugal force to break down produce and release some of the juice. However, the juice yield may be lower compared to a quality masticating juicer.
Can the Ninja blender juice?
Ninja makes a wide range of blender models, from basic to high-end. Models like the Ninja Professional, Ninja Mega Kitchen System, and Ninja Foodi blenders have powerful motors and sharp blades that can work for juicing.
Here are some tips for using a Ninja blender for juicing:
- Cut produce into small pieces – 1-2 inches max. Smaller pieces will blend and juice more efficiently.
- Use the pulse setting to break down ingredients before blending continuously.
- Strain blended juices through a fine mesh sieve, nut milk bag or layers of cheesecloth to remove excess pulp.
- Add some water to produce like leafy greens to help it move through the blender.
- Aim for lower fiber veggies and fruits like tomatoes, oranges, pineapples for smoother juice.
- Don’t overpack the blender jar to allow produce to move and juice properly.
While the Ninja can make decent juices, a specialized juicer likely performs better. Juicers gently press and crush produce to maximize juice yields. They also separate pulp from juice and have spouts specifically designed for juice pouring. Expect thicker, pulpier juices with some loss of yield from a Ninja blender.
Pros and cons of juicing with a Ninja blender
Here are some of the main pros and cons to consider when using a Ninja blender for juicing:
Pros:
- Convenient if you already own a Ninja blender
- Blades crush produce to extract some juice
- Allows complete control over ingredients and combinations
- Easy clean up by simply rinsing the jar after use
Cons:
- Doesn’t fully separate pulp from juice
- Juice requires straining for smooth texture
- Lower juice yields compared to a juicer
- Small batches only based on blender jar size
- Can be messy and time consuming to strain juice
How to juice with a Ninja blender
While juices may not turn out perfectly smooth and pulp-free, it is possible to make fresh juices using a Ninja blender. Here are some tips:
- Prepare ingredients – Wash and chop produce into 1-2 inch chunks. Small pieces blend and juice more efficiently. Remove any rinds, peels or hard seeds.
- Load blender jar – Don’t overfill the jar. Leave room for ingredients to move and juice properly. For leafy greens like kale or spinach, loosely pack leaves then add water to help it blend.
- Pulse and blend – Use short pulses to break down produce, then blend continuously until smooth. Blend 30 seconds up to 2 minutes maximum.
- Strain (optional) – For smoother juice without excess pulp, strain through a mesh sieve, nut milk bag or layers of cheesecloth.
- Enjoy immediately – Drink juice right after making for best flavor and nutrient retention.
Keep in mind that juice from a blender doesn’t hold as long as juice from a juicer. Drink juices within a few hours rather than storing for later.
Ninja blender juicing recipes
Almost any combination of fruits and vegetables can be juiced in a Ninja blender. Here are a few tasty juice recipes to try:
Green Ninja Juice
- 1 cucumber, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 apple, cored and chopped
- 1 inch ginger, peeled
- 1 lemon, peeled
Beet Orange Juice
- 3 oranges, peeled
- 1 beet, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 1 inch turmeric root, peeled
- 1⁄2 lemon, peeled
Tropical Fruit Juice
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 1 cup mango chunks
- 1 banana, broken into chunks
- 1 cup coconut water
- 1⁄2 lime, peeled
Get creative and combine your favorite fruits and veggies for fresh, nutritious juices using a Ninja blender.
Should you buy a juicer or use a Ninja blender?
Whether to invest in a dedicated juicer or stick with a Ninja blender depends on a few factors:
Consider getting a juicer if:
- You want to juice frequently or in large amounts
- You want smooth, pulp-free juice
- You want maximum possible juice yield
- You don’t mind spending $100-400 on a juicing machine
The Ninja blender may be fine if:
- You only occasionally juice or in small amounts
- You’re okay with some pulp in juices
- You want to keep costs low by using an existing blender
- You want to make other blended foods besides juice
Ultimately the convenience and lower cost of using a Ninja blender may outweigh the superior juicing abilities of a dedicated juicer for some people. Try juicing with the Ninja first before deciding if investing in a juicer is worthwhile.
Best Ninja blender models for juicing
Ninja offers a range of blender models, but not all are equally suited for juicing. Here are some of the best Ninja blenders to consider:
| Ninja Blender | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Ninja Mega Kitchen System | 2 horsepower motor, 72 oz pitcher, 64 oz food processor bowl, dough blade |
| Ninja Professional blender | 1100 watt motor, 72 oz pitcher, pulse function |
| Ninja Foodi Power Pitcher System | 1460 watt motor, 68 oz pitcher, smoothie function |
| Ninja Nutri Blender | 900 watt motor, 24 oz cups with to-go lids |
Look for a model with a powerful motor over 900 watts and a large capacity pitcher around 64-72 oz. Multiple speed settings and a pulse function also help get the best juice results.
Alternatives to the Ninja blender for juicing
While the Ninja blender can work in a pinch, you may want to consider alternative appliances if you plan to juice frequently. Some other options include:
Masticating juicers
Masticating or slow juicers crush and press produce to extract juice. They typically yield more juice and run quieter than blenders.
Centrifugal juicers
Centrifugal juicers grind produce using fast spinning blades and strain juice via centrifugal force. They offer speed and affordability but can be noisy.
Tribest Slowstar
This vertical masticating juicer and blender combo allows both juicing and blending in one appliance. It transitions between the two functions easily.
Omega NC900HDC
A top-rated masticating juicer praised for high juice yields, quiet operation, and versatility for juicing all types of produce.
Summary – Can Ninja blenders effectively juice?
In summary, while the Ninja blender won’t produce the perfect pulp-free juices that a dedicated juicer can, it is capable of juicing fruit and vegetables to some degree. You can extract a decent amount of liquid and nutrition from produce using a powerful Ninja blender model and straining the results. This works well for occasional juicing or small batches. Just don’t expect the same smooth texture or high juice yields as from a quality juicer.
Consider your budget, juicing needs, and preferences for pulp when deciding between buying a dedicated juicer or attempting to juice in your Ninja blender. And try out some fun juice recipes in your Ninja to enjoy all the nutritional benefits of juicing!
