8 Savory Stand Mixer Jobs (Shredded Chicken, Sausages, Gnocchi)
Your stand mixer can do more than just prepare cakes and cookies. It can also do surprisingly savory chores that make cooking faster and easier. Its powerful motor and many attachments can knead, shred, and mix ingredients with great accuracy, not just for baking. Using the mixer saves time and work and gives you the same results every time, whether you’re making proteins, doughs, or fillings. Here are eight fun ways to use your mixer to make savory dishes that taste and look like meals from a restaurant.
1. Shredding Chicken for Tacos or Salads
Your stand mixer is the quickest way to get precisely shredded chicken. Put the warm chicken breasts or thighs in the mixer bowl with the flat paddle attachment when they are done cooking. It peels apart evenly after about 20 seconds on low. This method retains the texture airy and not stringy, plus it doesn’t make a mess with forks. It works great for tacos, sandwiches, and bowls of food that you make ahead of time. For optimal results, always use chicken that is warm and moist.
2. Mixing Sausage Meat Evenly
To bind the filling for homemade sausage, you need to mix it well but not too much. Use the paddle or dough hook to mix the ground meat with the seasonings, breadcrumbs, or fat until everything is uniformly mixed. The mixer works like a professional hand-mixer, providing a smooth, well-blended texture without making the meat too dense. This makes sure that the sausages or meatballs are juicy, cook uniformly, and stay tender. To keep everything cool and safe while you combine, chill your bowl and meat first.
3. Making Gnocchi Dough
A stand mixer makes making gnocchi easier by mixing cooked potatoes with flour, an egg, and salt to make a soft dough. To keep from overworking the dough, use the paddle on low. Stop right away when it forms a ball and roll it by hand. The mixer makes it easier to make gnocchi while keeping the airy texture that good gnocchi needs. With practice, this simple method makes soft dumplings that go well with any sauce, from tomato basil to brown butter.
4. Kneading Savory Bread or Pizza Dough
With the dough hook attachment, kneading is almost too easy. Put the flour, yeast, salt, oil, and water in the bowl and let the mixer run for 7 to 10 minutes. It makes gluten quickly and doesn’t wear out your arms. This constant kneading makes the dough smooth and stretchy, which is great for bread, focaccia, or pizza crust. It should feel soft but a little sticky, so stop every now and then to check. When you combine the dough correctly, it will rise evenly and give you chewy, airy bites every time.
5. Whipping Mashed Potatoes to Restaurant Texture
You can quickly transform hot cooked potatoes into smooth mash with the wire whisk or paddle attachment. Start with potatoes that have been drained and butter. Mix them together quickly, then gently add heated milk or cream. Short spurts work best because combining them too much can make them sticky. The stand mixer makes potatoes that are light and fluffy without having to agitate them a lot. You can also add roasted garlic, cheese, or herbs to make it even richer. This is the easiest method to get that smooth, soft feel every time.
6. Blending Meatloaf or Meatball Mix
To get the appropriate mix for meatloaf or meatballs, you need to mix the ingredients well but not too hard. Just mix the ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, and spices together with the paddle attachment. The stand mixer spreads the ingredients evenly without making the batter too thick, which helps keep it soft when it’s cooked. This method is great for cooking in batches or getting the same results every time. A rapid blend provides the food a consistent taste, the right texture, and a luscious, homemade finish that tastes like it was made by a professional.
7. Preparing Savory Pastry or Empanada Dough
The stand mixer makes sure that cold butter is evenly distributed in pie crusts or empanada dough without melting. Cut the butter into the flour with the paddle until it is crumbly. Then, add the cold liquid until the dough just comes together. This procedure keeps little pockets of butter that bake into flaky layers. The mixer makes it easier to work with the dough, which stays cool and soft. It’s a quick and easy way to make pastry bases for quiches, hand pies, or savory turnovers that appear like they came from a bakery.
8. Mixing Compound Butter and Savory Spreads
Your stand mixer can easily make flavored butters or cheese spreads. Mix softened butter or cream cheese with herbs, spices, garlic, or zest using the paddle at medium speed. The end product is light, fluffy, and well-seasoned. These combinations make grilled meats, spaghetti, or roasted veggies taste better right away. They last a long time and make simple foods taste better when shaped into logs or preserved in jars. You may make gourmet condiments with very little work in only a few minutes of mixing.
