What can I use instead of a blender for a milkshake?

If you’re craving a creamy, frothy milkshake but don’t have a blender, don’t worry! There are several handy kitchen tools you can use to whip up a delicious milkshake without a blender. With a few simple substitutions and techniques, you can enjoy a thick, icy milkshake using items you already have at home.

Table of Contents

Immersion Blender

An immersion or stick blender is one of the closest appliances to a regular blender. It consists of a motorized blade attached to a handle that you submerge directly into liquids to blend them. Immersion blenders are inexpensive, easy to use, and make quick work of blending milkshakes.

To make a milkshake with an immersion blender:

Place ice cream and milk in a tall container or measuring cup. Start with 2-3 scoops of ice cream and 1/2 to 1 cup of milk.
Insert the immersion blender into the mixture and blend until smooth and frothy, about 1 minute.

Pour into a glass and enjoy!

The key is using a tall, narrow container to ensure thorough blending. Vary the amounts of ice cream and milk to achieve your desired consistency.

Hand Mixer

A standard electric hand mixer with beaters can work wonders to blend milkshake ingredients into a refreshing treat. While it may take a bit more effort and time than an immersion blender, a hand mixer is likely something you already own and can easily use to whip up a milkshake.

To make a milkshake with a hand mixer:

Combine ice cream and milk in a medium bowl. Start with 2-3 scoops of ice cream and 1/2 to 1 cup of milk.
Using a hand mixer on medium speed, beat the mixture until smooth and creamy, 1-2 minutes.

For thicker milkshakes, move the beaters around the bowl frequently to fully incorporate the ice cream.
Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream, sprinkles, or other favorite toppings.

Be patient while blending – it may take some time to break down the ice cream and remove any lumps. Add more milk for a thinner consistency or more ice cream for extra thickness.

Wire Whisk

For a quick, no-fuss milkshake, a simple wire whisk can get the job done when you lack a blender. The key is to soften the ice cream first and vigorously whisk the ingredients together.

To make a milkshake with a wire whisk:

Microwave 2-3 scoops of ice cream in a microwave-safe bowl for 10-20 seconds to soften.

Add 1⁄2 to 1 cup of milk and whisk vigorously until smooth.
You may need to press the whisk against the side and bottom of the bowl to fully incorporate the ice cream.
Pour into a glass and enjoy!

This low-tech method works best with soft ice cream. For firmer ice cream, let the bowl rest for a minute or two to allow heat from your hands to further soften the ice cream before whisking.

Food Processor

A food processor is a handy kitchen appliance that can be used to blend milkshake ingredients when you’re blender-less. The sharp metal blade works to chop and mix the ice cream and milk into an icy treat.

To make a milkshake with a food processor:

Add 2-3 big scoops of ice cream to the bowl of a food processor.
Pour in 1⁄2 to 1 cup of milk.
Pulse 5-10 times, then process for 20-30 seconds until smooth and creamy.

Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed.
Pour into glasses and add toppings as desired.

You may need to stop and stir the mixture once or twice to ensure even blending. Add milk gradually and process in short bursts to prevent over-blending.

Coffee Grinder

In a pinch, a coffee grinder can be repurposed to grind ice cream into a drinkable milkshake consistency. While not ideal, it will chop the ice cream finely enough to mix with milk into a slushy-like milkshake when a blender is not an option.

To make a milkshake with a coffee grinder:

Add 2-3 small scoops of ice cream to a clean coffee grinder.

Grind the ice cream to a fine consistency, about 15-30 seconds.
Add the ground ice cream and 1⁄2 to 1 cup milk to a jar with a tight fitting lid.
Shake vigorously until combined and frothy, about 1 minute.

Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately before it melts.

Be sure to grind only a small amount of ice cream at a time to prevent clogging the grinder. Work quickly and drink the milkshake immediately before it liquefies.

Mason Jar

Using some good old-fashioned elbow grease, you can make a milkshake in a mason jar. This low-tech method requires shaking the jar vigorously to break down the ice cream, so it may take some time and effort. But it’s doable when you’re in a bind!

To make a milkshake in a mason jar:

Add 2-3 small scoops of ice cream to a quart sized mason jar.
Pour in 1⁄2 to 1 cup of milk, leaving a couple inches at the top.

Screw on the lid tightly and shake the jar vigorously for 2-5 minutes until blended.
Check frequently to ensure the ice cream is breaking down.
You may need to stop and stir with a spoon to fully incorporate.

Pour into a glass, add toppings, and enjoy!

Using a wide-mouth mason jar makes it easier to scoop the ice cream and gives you room to shake. Softening the ice cream slightly first will also cut down on shaking time.

Comparison of Milkshake Methods

Here is a quick overview comparing the pros and cons of each method for making milkshakes without a blender:

Method	Pros	Cons
Immersion Blender	Fast blending Makes thick, smooth shakes Easy to use	Need to buy if you don’t have one Can over-blend if not careful
Hand Mixer	Most likely already have one Thoroughly incorporates ice cream	Takes more time and effort Can leave lumps if not fully blended
Wire Whisk	Simple, no equipment needed Works for soft ice cream	More exhausting on the arms Doesn’t fully smooth out firm ice cream
Food Processor	Chops ice cream evenly Creates thick texture	Can over-process if not careful Small batches only
Coffee Grinder	Grinds ice cream into drinkable texture	Gritty, uneven texture Melts quickly Need to clean grinder after
Mason Jar	Simple, no equipment needed	Very labor and time intensive Can leave chunks of ice cream

Tips for Smooth Milkshakes Without a Blender

Here are some handy tips for getting the smoothest, creamiest milkshake texture when you don’t have a blender:

Soften the ice cream first – Let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften and make it easier to incorporate.
Use good quality ice cream – The higher the fat content, the creamier the finished shake.

Add milk gradually – Add milk slowly while mixing and blend thoroughly between additions.
Use cold milk – Chilled milk helps keep the shake icy cold.
Crush the ice cream – Break up large clumps into smaller pieces before mixing to reduce blending time.

Don’t over-blend – Blend just until combined to prevent a runny or foamy texture.
Use short bursts – For electric mixers, use short 5-10 second bursts then check consistency.
Stir while shaking – Periodically stop and stir while shaking in a jar to help break up ice cream.

Add flavorings slowly – Stir in extracts, cocoa powder, or fruit purees gradually for even distribution.

Following these tips will help you achieve milkshake perfection, even without a blender! With some creative kitchen skills, you can whip up ice cream shakes just as delicious as ones made in a blender.

Blender Substitutes for Other Treats

In addition to milkshakes, the kitchen tools listed above can also be used to make all kinds of other frozen blender-less treats. Get creative with these substitutions!

Smoothies

For smoothies, an immersion blender or hand mixer work great for quickly blending fruit and yogurt. A food processor or coffee grinder also chops ingredients into a drinkable consistency.

Frozen Cocktails

To make frozen margaritas, daiquiris, or piña coladas without a blender, shake up the ingredients vigorously in a mason jar, or pulse in a food processor. An immersion blender also works great for combining ingredients.

Sauces and Purees

You can puree sauces, dips, and spreads in a food processor or with an immersion blender. Hand mixers can work for small amounts. Just blend in short bursts to avoid over-mixing.

Batter and Dough

Cake, muffin, and quick bread batter can be mixed completely using a hand mixer with beaters. For bread dough, use the dough hook attachment and knead by hand when needed.

Nut Butters

A food processor is ideal for making homemade nut butter. Add nuts and blend continuously, scraping down the sides, until creamy and smooth.

Conclusion

With a little creativity and some simple kitchen tools, you can whip up delicious milkshakes and other blender recipes even without an actual blender. Items like immersion blenders, whisks, food processors, coffee grinders and Mason jars can all be used get a smooth milkshake consistency and blend other ingredients. While it may take some extra time and effort, you can still enjoy your favorite frozen treats without investing in a special appliance. With these tricks and substitutions, you’ll never have to miss out when a craving strikes.