What is a meat grinder?

small appliances

What is a meat grinder and how does it work?

A meat grinder consists of a hopper or tray that feeds food through grinding plates to achieve a certain texture. Types of meat grinders include: a manual grinder that requires a hand crank to operate, a stand mixer attachment that leverages the mixer’s motor to perform the grinding action and an electric grinder with an internal motor. 

A meat grinder is a useful attachment for your KitchenAid® stand mixer that finely minces and mixes ingredients. 

These tips can help you effectively use a meat grinder to achieve bold and flavourful blends of meats, produce and more. You can also learn how to properly use a food grinder attachment for your KitchenAid® stand mixer.

Shop kitchenAid®food grinder attachments

Metal Food Grinder Attachment

Model: KSMMGA

Colour: Other

Sale:
$129.99

$154.99

Save $25 (16%)

Food Grinder Attachment

Model: KSMFGA

Colour: Other

Sale:
$69.99

$84.99

Save $15 (17%)

Fruit and Vegetable Strainer Attachment

Model: KSMFVSP

Colour: Other

Sale:
$69.99

$84.99

Save $15 (17%)

Sausage Stuffer Kit

Model: KSMSSA

Colour: Other

Sale:
$24.99

$29.99

Save $5 (16%)

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What is a meat grinder and what is it used for

Meat grinders serve a distinct purpose. They can be used to mince and grind various ingredients so you can make everything from spiced lamb meatballs to vegetarian favourites like falafel.

Accessories for KitchenAid® food grinder attachments are available to help you stuff sausage or make a purée from strain fruits and vegetables. 

You can experience a level of control over ingredient sources, textures and flavours. This means you can decide how your sausage will taste or the level of pulp in your purée. If you like to make food from scratch, then a KitchenAid® food and meat grinder could be an ideal tool for your repertoire.   

Here are some key benefits to owning a food and meat grinder:

FLAVOUR
Easily sustain flavour integrity with fresh ingredients without having to include preservatives and commercial additives. Tweak the flavour in your recipes by combining beef and lamb for tagine cooking, chicken and pork for dumplings or beef and pork to form the ultimate burger patties.

Bowl of pesto pasta with a spoon Bowl of pesto pasta with a spoon

SOURCE
By grinding your own meat, you hold the keys as to where the meat comes from and the varieties and cuts, including whether you use meat from locally-raised livestock or cuts purchased at a grocery store or butcher.

VERSATILITY
A KitchenAid® food grinder lets you work with a variety of ingredients such as butternut squash, potato, sweet potato and other cooked soft vegetables so you can make gnocchi, pierogies and other delicious recipes. You can also pair it with the Fruit and Vegetable Strainer Attachment designed to expertly make jams, sauces, baby foods and more.

On a counter, someone rolls meat into balls. Also on counter is a meat grinder with strands of meat coming out, a glass bowl and a glass container with fresh herbs On a counter, someone rolls meat into balls. Also on counter is a meat grinder with strands of meat coming out, a glass bowl and a glass container with fresh herbs

TEXTURE
From fine to coarse, you can control the texture of the grind and choose to loosely shape meatballs and sausages to help make sure the finished product is tender. This differs from packaged products that may be compressed and results in a tougher texture when cooked.

how to attach & use the food grinder attachment on your kitchenaid®stand mixer

The two KitchenAid® food grinder attachments work by connecting to the power hub of any KitchenAid® stand mixer. All you must do is insert the assembled attachment, secure it in place and begin grinding your favourite ingredients. It’s best to always refer to the owner’s manual for your specific model for full instructions and safety information.

Here's an overview of how the attachments work:

1) Assemble the food grinder attachment and then insert the attachment shaft into the hub.

A drawing showing how to insert the attachment shaft into the hub of a meat grinder A drawing showing how to insert the attachment shaft into the hub of a meat grinder

2) Tighten the mixer hub knob by turning it clockwise until the attachment is fully secured to the mixer.

A drawing of how to assemble a meat grinder. It shows how to secure the attachment to the mixer by tightening the mixer hub A drawing of how to assemble a meat grinder. It shows how to secure the attachment to the mixer by tightening the mixer hub

3) Lastly, cut food into pieces that are small enough to fit through the feed tube. Then turn the stand mixer to speed 4 and use the food pusher to carefully guide food into the feed tube.

A drawing of how to assemble a meat grinder. It shows how to use the food pusher to guide food into the feed tube A drawing of how to assemble a meat grinder. It shows how to use the food pusher to guide food into the feed tube

tips for using a manual or electric meat grinder or attachements

These tips can help you achieve the best possible results from either a stand mixer attachment, a manual grinder or a standalone electric grinder.

TRIM
Trim the excess fat and skin. This will ensure that you only grind the best parts of the meat. This way the grinder will chop more efficiently and help avoid smearing.

REMOVE
You want to remove any bones and bone fragments. Trimming out bones is important for both your safety and the product’s longevity.

Someone cutting raw chicken on a cutting board Someone cutting raw chicken on a cutting board

SIZE

Be sure you cut your meat into pieces that will be able to easily move from the tray into the grinder opening. Pieces that are too large may clog the grinder. 

 

SEASON

If you are someone who likes to season their meat, then coat the trimmed cut in a dry rub and let it rest in the fridge. Seasoning the meat prior to grinding can help evenly distribute the flavour.

Someone seasoning chicken on a cutting board Someone seasoning chicken on a cutting board

CHILL MEAT

For best results, you want the meat you will grind to be either very cold or even partially frozen. Best practices suggest that you chill for roughly 30 minutes. This varies based on the size and cut of your meat. If you’re planning to grind large quantities, we recommend that you keep it refrigerated and remove small amounts to grind in batches.

A woman removing something from the fridge. On the inside fridge door are two bottles of juice and some beverage cans. On the top shelf of the fridge are bottles of water A woman removing something from the fridge. On the inside fridge door are two bottles of juice and some beverage cans. On the top shelf of the fridge are bottles of water

CHILL GRINDER

The best way to maintain temperatures while in operation is to chill the grinder and food tray for a minimum of 30 minutes prior to grinding. The KitchenAid® Metal Food Grinder can be safely kept in the refrigerator or freezer. This will help you achieve a cold grinding temperature and a clean grind when preparing meat.

BATCHES

Try to always work in small batches to prevent one or more of the following from happening: the grinder from overloading, the plate from clogging or the motor from straining. Also, you should clean the die and blade before moving on to another batch.

A hand touching a bowl of ground meat. Next to the bowl is a plate with chicken and a red chili pepper A hand touching a bowl of ground meat. Next to the bowl is a plate with chicken and a red chili pepper

GRIND AND GRIND AGAIN

If you’re looking for more tender results, remember that you can grind some meats twice. However, you should only ground fatty meats once.

RE-CHILL

Chill the ground meat in between grinds. This can easily be done by grinding the meat directly into a bowl that’s sitting in an ice bath using a large bowl.

SMEARING

If you notice smearing as the meat is exiting the grinder, you may have not properly trimmed the sinew. This can result in the meat having to squeeze through the holes without getting adequately chopped. If this happens, try disassembling the grinder, cleaning the blade and then trimming some pieces.

IDEAS FOR USING YOUR MEAT GRINDER

MAKE PILLOWY GNOCCHI BY GRINDING POTATOES IN YOUR MEAT GRINDER

Food grinders can also be used as a food mill to grind potatoes, butternut squash and fresh garlic to make tender and fresh gnocchi.

Black bowl of pesto pasta with a spoon Black bowl of pesto pasta with a spoon

MAKE SUCCULENT CHICKEN MEATBALLS BY GRINDING CHICKEN THIGHS

If you’re interested in reducing the fat in a meatball recipe, try substituting the pork or beef with ground chicken thighs. Or you can have some fun making this delicious Thai Chicken Meatballs recipe.

A fork twirls pasta out of a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs garnished with parsley and parmesan cheese. A cloth napkin is next to the plate A fork twirls pasta out of a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs garnished with parsley and parmesan cheese. A cloth napkin is next to the plate

MAKE BOLD BURGERS BY GRINDING NEARLY ANY TYPE OF MEAT

Meat grinders let you combine the perfect blend of meats to create flavourful patties. While beef is often the popular choice for burgers, you can use a variety of ingredients like salmon or pork while also controlling the grind and fat content.

Someone grinds meat into a glass bowl using a red meat grinder. On the counter are a plate of hamburger patties and a bowl of red onions, tomatoes and lettuce. On a counter in the background are a potted plant, a bottle of sparkling water and a stack of plates Someone grinds meat into a glass bowl using a red meat grinder. On the counter are a plate of hamburger patties and a bowl of red onions, tomatoes and lettuce. On a counter in the background are a potted plant, a bottle of sparkling water and a stack of plates

MAKE SAUSAGES BY USING YOUR KITCHENAID®FOOD GRINDER ATTACHMENT

A food grinder attachment can help you make traditional bangers and mash by combining a blend of beef, pork and pork backfat. Easily stuff your sausage by using the Sausage Stuffer Attachment that connects right to your food grinder, or the accessories that are included with the metal food grinder. 

Want to learn more about how to select, prepare and handle sausage casings? If so, check out these tips for how to stuff sausage.

Someone guides meat into casing to make a sausage using a black meat grinder. On the counter is a bowl with food, fresh herbs in a glass container, another container and a small bowl Someone guides meat into casing to make a sausage using a black meat grinder. On the counter is a bowl with food, fresh herbs in a glass container, another container and a small bowl

YOUR KITCHENAID®FOOD GRINDER WITH A KITCHENAID®STAND MIXER MAKE A GREAT PAIR

Enjoy years of exploring creative ways to incorporate freshly ground ingredients into your cooking with a KitchenAid® stand mixer. This countertop appliance is versatile and is always ready to help you tackle tough recipes. Choose from a wide variety of specialty attachments, designed to help you try new recipes, master new techniques and get more enjoyment out of cooking.

Artisan® Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

Model: KSM150PSAQ

Colour: Aqua Sky

$474.99

Save $0 (0%)

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EXPLORE FOOD GRINDER ATTACHMENTS FROM KITCHENAID®

KitchenAid® brand food grinders conveniently attach to the power hub of any KitchenAid® stand mixer. Its motor pushes food through interchangeable plates that range from coarse to fine, to mince or grind ingredients. This process lets you customize your own unique blends and textures to make your everyday recipes or those that you have been dying to try.

You can choose from several food and meat grinder attachments from KitchenAid®. The meat grinder attachments can process locally-raised meats to make juicy and plump sausages, grind fruits for sweet or savoury chutneys or even make something as simple and delicious as seasoned bread crumbs.

Shop for the meat and food grinder attachments that you think will best meet your cooking needs, and transform your KitchenAid® stand mixer into even more of a culinary wonder.