From quick breakfasts to filling meals, recipes you can make in 5 minutes or less in your Vitamix can become your go-to favorites. Whether you’re trying to satisfy a picky toddler or a more sophisticated palate, 5-minute recipes not only save you time, but they also appeal to a variety of tastes and dietary preferences. Plus, using your Vitamix makes prep work and cleanup easy on the chef!
Variety, versatility, and simple customization are key when considering 5-minute recipes. Look at your pantry as well: do you typically have a variety of spices and unique ingredients on-hand? Or do you tend to keep your fridge stocked only with what you use on a regular basis? If a recipe only takes 5 minutes to prepare—but it calls for an exotic fruit—it won’t be easy for you to make on a regular basis.
Here are some of our favorite tried-and-true 5-minute recipes and tips for making them your own.
Tip 1: Learn The Benefits of 5-Minute Blender Recipes
The last time you made soup, how many cutting boards, knives, and prep containers did you use? How long did all those ingredients have to simmer on the stove? When you use a Vitamix to prepare soup, it takes about 6 minutes to go from raw ingredients to a steaming bowl of deliciousness. You can also prepare your meal in no time and skip the sink full of dishes, since a Vitamix blends with soap to clean in only a minute.
In fact, quick 5-minute recipes are what make blenders a welcome addition to any kitchen countertop. Smoothies for breakfast, a quick juice for an afternoon snack, an after-dinner sorbet: they’re all blender recipes you can make in 6 minutes or less.
They’re not only tasty—they can be nutritional too. A study found that grinding and blending certain foods, like carrots and blueberries, can release “significantly greater amounts” of nutrients than chopping. The natural sweetness of fresh fruits and vegetables is often enhanced when blended, adding to their appeal.
Tip 2: Stock Up on Essential Ingredients for Quick Blender Recipes
When you have easy-to-use and quick ingredients for 5-minute recipes on-hand, you’ll be ready for any mealtime need. Here’s an easy shopping list, along with a few preparation and storage tips, to get you started:
Fresh Fruits & Veggies
Shop with the seasons—you’ll not only benefit from cost savings, but seasonal fruits and vegetables are often the most flavorful and travel the shortest distance to your grocery store, maximizing nutrient retention. When berries are in season, buy your favorites, freeze them for future use. Don’t worry about thawing; Vitamix blenders have the power to break down frozen ingredients. Use this technique with other smoothie favorites – like avocados and over-ripe bananas.
Don’t have time to wash and prep? Buy bags of pre washed kale and spinach, and pop them in the freezer. Some frozen fruits, like berries, may be less expensive when they are in season locally. Look for sales, visit your favorite wholesale club, and stock up! Many frozen vegetables and fruits can be kept in a freezer for up to a year. This link also includes tips for making sure you’re freezing fruits safely.
Protein Sources
According to the USDA, protein is a key nutrient, serving as the building block for skin, bones and muscles. While many people equate meats and seafood with protein, other foods—like beans, nuts and certain dairies—can provide a punch of protein power. Greek yogurt is a popular protein that’s great to keep on hand. Select non-fat, unflavored varieties for maximum versatility that can work in both savory and sweet dishes. You can always add a splash of vanilla flavoring if needed.
Nuts, nut powders, or other protein powders are easy to get and store. Choose flavors that will go with a variety of fruits and vegetables without taking away from the overall flavor profile of the recipe. Cashew nuts are a good choice here—they’re mild in flavor and blend up creamy, making them a nice addition to almost any 5-minute blender meal. Canned garbanzo beans also lend a creaminess to a smoothie without overpowering berries or other ingredients. Plus, they’re easy to keep in the pantry.
Nutrient Rich Liquids
Creaminess is important in some 5-minute blender recipes, and nutrient-rich liquids can help deliver this texture. Milks and milk substitutes are ideal. If you’re worried about shelf-life, look for boxed organic milks or milk substitutes that are shelf-stable. They’ll last for several months, and always be ready for a quick meal. Coconut water is another great option to keep on-hand. It’s high in electrolytes and other nutrients and comes in shelf-stable boxes.
Tip 3: Select Your Favorites from Our Top 5 Quick and Easy 5-Minute Recipes
Ready to get started? These are our favorite 5-minute blender recipes:
Triple Berry Smoothie
Why you'll love it
A blend of berries gives this smoothie a sweet and tart burst of flavor. The frozen ingredients create a thick smoothie that’s delicious and spoonable!
Ingredients:
1 cup (240 ml) water
1 cup (240 ml) almond yogurt, or low-fat vanilla yogurt
1 cup (150 g) red grapes
1 cup (150 g) frozen strawberries
1 cup (160 g) frozen blueberries
1 cup (140 g) frozen raspberries
Directions:
Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure the lid.
Run the Smoothie Program or start the blender on its lowest speed, then quickly increase to its highest speed. Blend for 40–50 seconds, using the tamper to push ingredients toward the blades.
Tip!
Adjust the berry quantities to suit your taste preferences. If you’d like a thinner smoothie, add more liquid, or substitute the yogurt for soy or cashew milk.
Ginger Greens Juice
Why you’ll love it:
Apples, mild veggies and leafy greens come together in a flavorful smoothie that’s high in nutrients.
Ingredients:
½ cup (120 ml) water
1 (300 g) cucumber
½ (80 g) celery stalk
2 medium (375 g) apples, seeded, halved
2 cups (60 g) kale
1 piece (5 g) fresh ginger root
Directions:
Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure the lid.
Start the blender on its lowest speed and quickly increase to its highest speed.
Blend for 30–45 seconds, using the tamper to press the ingredients into the blades.
Tip!
Ginger adds great flavor but adding too much can overpower, start with a small amount and add more to the blend after you have tried it.
Tomato Soup
Why you’ll love it:
By adding beans to this classic recipe, you add protein and fiber.
Ingredients:
2 cups (480 ml) vegetable broth
1 can (420 g) plum tomatoes
1 (60 g) Roma tomato
1 garlic clove, peeled
5 fresh basil leaves
½ cup (75 g) chickpeas, cooked, rinsed (optional)
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon kosher salt, optional
Directions:
Place broth, plum tomatoes, tomato, garlic, basil leaves, salt, and pepper into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure the lid.
Run the Hot Soup Program or start the blender on its lowest speed, then quickly increase to its highest speed. Blend for 5 minutes 45 seconds. Reduce speed to Variable 3.
Remove the lid plug and add the chickpeas. Blend an additional 15 seconds. Serve immediately.
Tip!
Add tomato paste or sun-dried tomatoes to enhance the soup’s richness or spice it up with chili flakes.
Mango Sorbet
Why you’ll love it:
Delicious, light and refreshing, this treat is naturally sweet—there’s zero added sugar! You can make it ahead and freeze any leftovers in an airtight container.
Ingredients:
3 (1 kg) mangoes, peeled, seeded
3 ½ cups (525 g) frozen mango chunks
2 ¼ cups (300 g) ice cubes
Directions:
Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure the lid.
Run the Frozen Dessert Program or start the blender on its lowest speed, then quickly increase to its highest speed. Blend for 40–50 seconds, using the tamper to push ingredients toward the blades.
In about 30–60 seconds, the sound of the motor will change and four mounds should form. Stop the machine. Do not over mix or melting will occur. Serve immediately.
Tip!
Freeze unused sorbet in an airtight container. When ready to use, allow to soften at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before serving.
Tip 4: Maximize Your Time Savings with Your Blender
Your Vitamix blender offers various speeds and settings to help you get the best results from your blend, and 5-minute recipes are no different. To maximize the blend of your Vitamix, always:
Load ingredients with liquids on the bottom and frozen foods last. Here’s a quick guide:
Liquids (water, juice, yogurt)
Dry goods (grains, seasonings powders)
Leafy greens
Fruits & veggies
Ice & frozen ingredients
Be sure to cover the blender blade completely. Blenders need a minimum volume of ingredients in order to blend well.
Add ingredients wisely. Vitamix blenders intensify the flavors of aromatic ingredients like garlic, onion, herbs and spices. When you’re making your own 5-minute recipe, add a teaspoon at a time. Taste as you go and add more if needed.
Be speed smart. Always start low but then immediately ramp up to high. Use the Variable Speed Control to adjust the blade speed and the texture of every blend. The Pulse feature gives you a quick burst of power to chop ingredients or refresh drinks.
Here’s our comprehensive guide to getting the most use and best results out of your blender.
Conclusion
Incorporating 5-minute recipes into your daily routine can help you get the nutrition your body needs without sacrificing flavor. In many cases, Vitamix-friendly, 5-minute recipes feel like an indulgence, yet they’re packed with vitamins and natural energy boosters from fruits and vegetables, as well as protein from beans and yogurts.
Ready to save time and enjoy the benefits? Check out more easy-to-make Vitamix recipes here.