Update, December 2012: I recently bought a Ninja Mega Kitchen System, and was able to produce drinkable juice without straining. Check out that post here.
Original Post from January 2011:
Recently, a reader posted a question about juicing with the Ninja on my blender review page. She wanted to know how well it works for juicing, and if it requires a lot of water to produce juice. I honestly didn’t have a good answer because I hadn’t tried using it for juice.
My first inclination was that if you’re after only juice, a traditional juicer is probably the way to go. Curiously, the Ninja infomercial shows that it can be used for juicing, but I was unable to find anything about juicing on their website, which made me think it was a bit of a stretch for the blender.
After doing a couple juice tests and successfully yielding juice, I’m changing my mind a little (not entirely, though). I did a little quick research, and it seems you can get a decent juicer for about $99, give or take, which is also the price of the Ninja Professional Blender. The complaint with juicers seems to be that they make a big mess on the inside that is hard to clean and you have to really chop stuff up to juice, you can’t put things in whole.
With the Ninja, you can put in big chunks of pretty much anything and it devours them, so there are no worries there. It is also super easy to clean. Unlike dedicated juicers, you do have to add water so that it will blend to a smooth consistency, but not huge amounts (in my uninformed and inexperienced juicing opinion). I’m not sure if adding water is considered a drawback or not. The main drawback, I think is, that after blending, if you want just juice without pulp, you will have to strain the pulp separately.
Bottom Line: If you want juice from your Ninja because you don’t want to buy a dedicated juicer, I can honestly say it works. However, if you are a daily juicer, I would still probably recommend a dedicated juicer due to the required manual straining. Here’s a look into my little experiment, in which I juiced oranges, and separately, carrots.
Making Orange Juice
I picked up a bag of small oranges for this experiment, and then peeled them with a knife to make sure I removed most of the white fuzz that remains if you peel them with your hands. I picked these small oranges because larger naval oranges aren’t as sweet to me, and I didn’t want to add any sugar.
I dropped them in as whole as possible (mostly in halves).
Then, I pulsed a few times to mix them up, and then blended on “1” for about 30 seconds, until the oranges were fully blended. At this point, I started adding water. I started small, with about 1/3 cup, and eventually ended up using about 1 full cup to get the juice into a somewhat thick, but juice-like consistency. You could definitely get away with adding less water, but I wanted to be sure I would get a decent yield of juice.
I blended on “3” for about one minute to get the pulp broken down fairly well, and then strained through a sieve to get out as much juice as possible, pressing with a spatula to make sure the leftover pulp was very dry.
10 small oranges (I didn’t picture one of them because I had already cut into it) yielded 20 ounces of juice, with about 2 cups of pulp. I tried to make creamsicle ice cream from the pulp, but sadly, it wasn’t even edible, probably because all the sugar was squeezed out of it!
The end result was definitely orange juice, and it tasted really good. I’m not a big orange juice drinker, but I downed this juice happily because it didn’t have added sugar. 20 ounces was about 3 days worth of juice (small servings), so, 3.33 oranges per serving.
Summary of Steps:
- Peel oranges with a knife, leaving as little “white pulp” as possible
- Add oranges to Ninja (whole or halved is fine) and pulse a few times to combine
- Blend for about 30 seconds on power level 1
- Add desired water – roughly 1/4 cup for every 3 oranges
- Blend for about 1 minute on power level 3
- Pour juice into a sieve/mesh strainer, and push juice through the strainer with a spatula
- Enjoy!
Total time:
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Blending time: 2 minutes
- Straining time: 1 minute
Making Carrot Juice
I chose carrot juice as the second juice trial because carrots aren’t as inherently “juicy” as oranges, and, because I’ve been working on a carrot cake muffin recipe, so I knew I had a use for the pulp. I am kind of surprised at how well the carrot juice came out!
Safeway had a sale on peeled baby carrots, and our dog Pipa loves baby carrots, so I went with those over full sized carrots (less work is a good thing).
This is roughly 3 cups of baby carrots.
Much like the orange juice, I pulsed a few times to combine, and then blended on level 1 for about 30 seconds.
This left a carrot purée, so I started adding water slowly to figure out how much was needed. I ended up adding about 3/4 cup in total, and blended on level 3 for about 1 minute.
Then, it was time to strain. I had 2Chili pour out the blended mixture so you could see the thickness pre-straining.
The same method was applied here – strain in a sieve, and push the liquid through the mesh strainer with a spatula.
In this case, 3 cups of carrots yielded about 16 ounces of carrot juice. I had never tasted carrot juice – it was surprisingly good!
I used the leftover pulp in muffins, which worked better than trying to use the leftover orange pulp, but wasn’t as good as just shredded carrots.
Summary of Steps:
- If using whole, unprepared carrots, wash and scrub or peel them
- Add carrots to Ninja (whole is fine) and pulse a few times to combine
- Blend for about 30 seconds on power level 1
- Add desired water – roughly 1/4 cup for every cup of carrots
- Blend for about 1 minute on power level 3
- Pour juice into a sieve/mesh strainer, and push juice through the strainer with a spatula
- Enjoy!
Total time:
- Prep time: 0 minutes (using prepared baby carrots)
- Blending time: 2 minutes
- Straining time: 1 minute
Behind the Scenes
While all of this juicing was going on, my helper was steadfast by my side, hoping for a scrap of anything to fall her way as I dropped peels into the compost bag. This is not unusual, but today she was looking extra dejected!
I’m more into smoothies and green drinks, I don’t know that I’ll juice very often, but it is nice to know that option is available. Happy blending!
View Comments (198)
great!!!! you have been very helpful thanks a lot
I purchased Ninja 1100, includes their only recipe book… instruction booklet also has a few (five or six) recipes… but they did not include the vegetable ‘juice’ drink recipe… I called to inquire and the guy said they just really make them up as they go along… I repeated my request for the recipe they show in their informercial and asked that the company send it to me… I was asked what specifically was the reason for making the purchase when I called them… I said the juicer and was looking forward to making the drink they show on their ad because you get the juice and the pulp in your drink… of course the guy making the sale didn’t know I wouldn’t get the recipe… but you would think if they advertise it, they would include it! If you want the recipe, please call them and ask to have it posted it on their website… I am going to keep calling until I get the recipe (the informercial says it includes beets, but there is no mention of beets in any of the recipes in the recipe book they included with the purchase)… by the way, I’m vegan and have a few ideas, but was really looking forward to their recipe to try out. Post here if you’ve made up a good tasting veggie drink for your Ninja 1100
Did you ever get your infomercial recipe?
All the recipes are posted on their website
Click recipes. There you can click on 1 of the 5 Ninja Products for recipes or click on Mark’s Favorite Recipes for the infomercial recipes.
Thank you for the link – very helpful! I received the system for Christmas, and was disappointed as well when the booklet didn’t have the veggie recipe!
hi Julie,
About your post on October 28, 2011 at 8:02 am…
Do you have a new link for “Mark’s Favorite Recipes” ???
I can not find it in the recipe section on Ninja & the old link is dead.
tia
Hi Tia,
Just chiming in here for Julie, I think they renamed the page (but I think you also probably found this page already). I am surprised to see that they have almost 400 recipes on there! That is a huge improvement over the past – they have really stepped up the volume of recipe production.
Thanks for your note!
Angela
Yes I agreed with you I expected a juice recipe with my order. If I have to add water, is not 100% natural of what they are advertised.
I have A Ninja and I love it. I actually have the two Individual serving container’s that come with mine. You just fill it with what you wanna juice and turn it upside down and pulse away till you get the desired consistency. You do not have to add water if you don’t want too. Even with Traditional Juicer’s they tell you if you want a thinner juice to add a bit of water. It’s just up to preference.
You’re seriously complaining that you have to add WATER? There’s definitely none of that in, say, ice – or fruit.
We all agree – very unnatural.
I agree, the water part sounds scary. :/
I think you guys misinterpreted – which is fair, because the english is broken. I think she was saying that it wasn’t what they advertised.
I got my Ninja 1200 for Christmas. I make a drink that consist of 1 grapefruit, 1 green apple, a small piece of ginger, 1/2 english cucumber, 4 stalks of celery hearts, 1 cup of carrots, and 3 good handfuls of spinach. I add 16 to 18 ounces of water. This makes 64 ounces of juice with pulp. I do not strain since I want to also get some of the fiber. It is very drinkable. Best part is that it equals 6 to 7 servings of fruits and vegetables with no additives. About 300 to 400 calories.
Does it juice lemon grass, parsley, spinach, kale, ect..?
Hi Dianna,
Yes, you can get juice from any of those items, but keep in mind, you will have to strain out the pulp, as it is not a true juicer, it’s a blender. This doesn’t bother me, but if you are looking for more of a pure juicer, keep that in mind!
Angela
Ooooo! Yummy!
I got my Ninja 1100 from Amazon.com a couple of weeks ago. The only thing I have been using it for is to make Margaritas, and it does an excellent job. It really does turn ice into snow. I really got it though to make the total juice drinks, and when it comes to that it is a total failure. They did a really good job of deceiving me in the infomercial. Especially how tasty the total juice drink was that he handed to the woman to try. I just now tried to turn carrots, celery, grapes, cauliflower, and bell peppers into a drink. The result: I threw it down the toilet. It is the worse tasting stuff I ever tried. I had to keep taking the lid off and pushing the chopped up pieces down onto the blades just like you have to do with any cheap blender. In the infomercial they must of used hollow carrots that were full of liquid. It’s the same old story. Anything to make a buck.
First of all, you have to give your pallet time to adjust to juice. This kind of juice is so good for you, but if you eat sugar and processed food, you won’t like it.
Second of all, you need to add more water so that you don’t have to scrape the sides.
Hey I swee that it haslike a yr and a half since you posted about wanting the recipe for the drink they showed being made on the informercial. So you probably will not get this or by now have either found it or crafted a similar/better version on your own. But here goes anyhow.
The drink they featured on the infomercial was called “The Ninja 9 Recipe”.
Ingredients:
2 tomatoes, quartered
1 cucumber, peeled and quartered
1 stalk celery, cut into thirds
1 Granny Smith apple, quartered, unpeeled, seeded
1 small carrot, peeled and cut in half
1” x 1” piece of red onion
½ jalapeño, seeded
¼ beet, peeled
½ cup red cabbage, cut into 1” pieces
1 ½ cups ice
½ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions (Serves 6-8):
1. Place the Top Blade in the Pitcher and add all of the ingredients in the order listed. Pulse 3 times.
2. Select Speed 10 and blend for 45 seconds until smooth.
Good luck!
You referenced a juice with beets. I’m not sure which juice you saw, but I had a neighbor that was from Jamaica who taught me a few different recipes. The one I like best is very easy. Juice about a pound of carrots (not the prepared baby carrots) and two medium sized beets. You may just use this mixture and toy with the beet/carrot ratio to your tasting. Sometimes he would want something special and he would add a can of condensed milk (small sized). this gave it an incredibly creamy taste/texture very smooth! I liked this one as well but didn’t like the calories. So, I tried using the sugar-free vanilla almond milk, with a ratio of 2 parts carrot/beet juice to one part almond milk. Same yummy taste, no added sugars! All Natural!
Quig
I just purchased a ninja kitchen system 1200 and if it does not preform as advertised, I intend to request the money back guarantee. However, I would not expect it to juice anything citrus. But I am expecting it to produce pulp free vegtable drinks. I currently own an Acme juicer and get wonderful veggie juice from it, but what a pile of pulp cleanup required. That is what I want to avoid.
Hi Dee,
Good luck! I think you will end up with pulp in your juice – the Ninja can’t totally obliterate the pulp into nothingness. However, it is much easier to clean up than a juicer…
Angela
I got my Ninja Pro System 1100 at Costco. It came with the large and small container and a recipe book. The front cover shows muffins, pie, soup and a drink. Have not tried all the aspects of the machine, but as a blender/smoothie maker; it’s great. I love my machine. It was a ‘coupon’ item when we got it, so paid about $130. If you don’t have a Costco near you, check Costco.com.
whats the result. did you end up taking it back?
I just purchased a Ninja food processor from QVC and was disappointed not to find a recipe book included. When I called QVC, I was told that I would have to purchase it separately and it would cost me $20 +SHP etc. I told them that did not make me happy. I strongly feel that a recipe booklet, however small, should be included with a NINJA purchase.
I can’t believe the problems everyone has with the Ninja. I have had a Ninja for nearly 5 years. The nice thing about it is, you get all the fruit and all the veggies. Why throw away your food. Didn’t you pay good money for the food you want to juice? When you use the Ninja the right way, you get all the goodness that’s locked in the food. I love my Ninja so much I just bought the Mega Kitchen System this past Dec. If you want a juicer, then buy a juicer. But be prepared to throw away most of the food in order to drink water. But if you want to enjoy the whole food, just throw a cup of water in the machine as it is mixing your drink. And then be prepared to enjoy the taste of your life. I make good money, but throwing away everything after jucing was like a slap in the face to me. I want more then the water held in the fruit. Learn to use your Ninja and you will find you feel better everyday you use it.
I read your blog on the Ninja, I am an RN and have ignored my body long enough and am now overweight, diabetic and MISERABLE! I read your post on the Ninja – honestly, do you see a difference in using this?
Hi Teresa,
Hmm, well, I can’t really answer your question as you intended it. I’m at a good weight and have been for years since I got my act together and got off the Standard American Diet and onto a whole foods plant-based diet. But, blending fruits and vegetables is a big part of my daily life, so, yes I do find the Ninja important in that! I usually have a smoothie for breakfast every day, packed with greens and frozen fruit, and avocado, and having a powerful blender is important for that.
I am a huge proponent of smoothies and juices, so, I think it’s a good first step to getting healthier. Good for you for putting yourself first now!
WOW! I don’t have this model Ninja, but will give the one I own a try before buying an expensive juicer. THANK YOU! Very detailed Info…..and Pipa keep up the good work, lol.
Hi Sarah,
I’m glad to be of help! Good luck, and come back and tell me what you juice.
Thank you so much for your help!! I was trying to decide on purchasing this Ninja 1100 and I believe I have decided to go for it!! I have a juicer and it’s a pain because of the mess it leaves behind. Plus all of the pulp and so on is where all the nutrients are found. With the Ninja 1100 you get everything, nothing is wasted. I’ll try to get back here and let everyone know what happens.
Hi Carolyn – Oh, I’m happy to help! I would love to know how it works out for you. Thanks for the nice note!
I thought the infomercial for the Ninja shows the blender juicing without the need for straining? I just got the Ninja 1200 and there are none of the recipes they showed on TV that sold me on the system. I’m very disappointed because I’m not really finding them on line either. I guess Ninja sells a cookbook. Wondering if anyone has had better luck? Thanks!
I joined the Ninja facebook community. There are a lot of recipes and friendly users there : http://www.facebook.com/ninjakitchen
My husband just bought me the Ninja KS1200 for my birthday & I’m curious to see what all I can create. Especially ice cream and nut butters. My son is gluten/dairy/lactose free and I’m allergic to peanuts.. his “rice creams” are so expensive to buy too so looking forward to experimenting with my new toy and seeing what I can make with it
Hello Melissa…Could you please share some of your recipes. My daughter and I are going gluten and dairy free. Thanks! Especially ice cream. Thanks
Use canned (full fat) coconut milk as your base for making dairy free ice cream. My wife had to go Gluten/Dairy/Soy free during her last pregnancy and really struggled not having ice cream. We made our own with coconut milk all the time and it turned out awesome.
Hi John,
Yep, that is a great suggestion. I love coconut milk (and all things coconut!) and have a recipe for dairy free ice cream that uses coconut milk: https://testkitchentuesday.com/2010/12/30/banana-cream-pie-blender-ice-cream/
Thanks for your note!
Hi Shannon,
I thought that too, but I have only seen the infomercial once, so I can’t really remember. When I went looking for any reference to juicing on their site, I didn’t find it either. However, to juice successfully with the Ninja, you really need to strain the pulp, otherwise, you’ll end up with clumpy, not really drinkable juice. If you strain the pulp, it’s pretty good! You may want to call them and complain though, expecially if you didn’t get the recipes they promised.
I just ordered one myself – but to answer your question, they put ice cubes in with the produce on the commercial when juicing. This would help with the consistency and add more fluid as well as pulverize the pulp with the ice cubes. So the juice was more smooth.
I guess we’ll see how it really goes when it arrives!
That is good to know, Jo! Let us know how it works out for you to put in ice cubes!
I tried making carrot juice and it was was too much pulp and thick, I added about 1/2 cup of orange juice and it is a lot better, still a little grainy.
Rose
I just unpacked my new Ninja 1100 and was very disappointed in the recipe book. I was glad to find this webiste and that others felt as I did about it. I like the suggestion with the ice cubes and veggies and will try that. I was surprised to find that the ice cream demo was not anything like the recipe. They showed that you can make it instantly with milk or cream. I wonder if this comes under the category of false advertising? I will do as one of your writers suggested and call to ask for the recipes they advertised. If I can make good tasting vegetable juice I won’t be sorry I bought it but I don’t like being deceived. By the way, I found it at BJs for $130.
Hi Judy,
It’s funny, I didn’t see the infomercial before I bought the Ninja, so I didn’t know to expect a recipe book. I think you’ll be pretty happy with it – it is the best blender I have ever owned and super powerful. But, I do agree now that I’ve seen the infomercial – they make it seem a little different to create ice cream and veggie juice than it really is…
Judy: I don’t yet have the Ninja, went out to buy one locally today but couldn’t fine one. But have been making instant ice cream in my Cuisinart for years by using frozen berries and either sour cream or yoghurt, so sure the same things would apply, Just take frozen berries out of the freezer about 10 or 15 minutes before you want to make the icecream. I fill the processor bowl about 2/3 full of berried and pulse a few times to break them into smaller chunks. Then add about 1 to 1/2 cups yoghurt or cream, I use about a tablespoon or 2 or brown sugar or honey ( depending on sweetnes of fruit, our local fruit often needs no sugar), on special occasions, a tablespoon or 2 of something like Grand Marnier. Whiz it all till berries are completely blended, pulse is better so you don’t over mix. Serve it with a few fresh or thawed whole berries. You can re freeze for a short while if you over mix and thaw it by accident, but if you time it right, you can make it for guests after they finish the main course, while waiting for coffee to perc.
Angela, your reply was encouraging. My main reason for buying was the vegetable juice and healthy ice cream. I am going to freeze some strawberries and pour in some half n half with 2% milk to see if the ice crystals will make the ice cream like they said on TV. Otherwise I will have to just be happy with the veggie juice. One question, can you make a small amount of veggie juice in the bowl rather than the blender?
If you look at my Ninja Recipes page, you’ll find a couple recipes for ice cream with the Ninja. I have found it to be easy to make a softserve consistency with frozen fruit, especially strawberries and bananas. Mangos work well too. You don’t need a lot of liquid at all because it is so powerful, so start small with the liquid and add as you need it.
I don’t own the bowl, however. If there are only one or two blades it may work more like a food processor than a blender. But, I don’t know why you couldn’t try to use the bowl instead of the blender to make veggie juice. It is way more powerful than a food processor, so, it may pulverize the fruit or veggies just as well as the blender…Good luck!
Wow, you sent me a goldmine! THANK YOU!