Mini Food Processor for Herbs: 7 Best Ways to Chop Fresh Greens Fast

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Hello, and welcome to the definitive review of a kitchen gadget that I confidently call a “secret weapon.” As a specialist who lives and breathes kitchen technology, I’ve seen-it-all. I’ve seen the hyped-up, single-task novelties, and I’ve seen the heavy-duty behemoths that promise the world but end up gathering dust.

We American home cooks are embracing fresh, flavorful ingredients more than ever. We want to finish our pasta with a vibrant basil pesto, make a healthy stir-fry pop with minced garlic and ginger, or blend a mirepoix of onions, carrots, and celery for a soup base. We know that fresh herbs and aromatics are the key to restaurant-quality flavor.

But let’s be honest about the barrier. It’s the prep.

It’s the tedious, time-consuming, and often knuckle-risking chore of chopping. It’s the “hand fatigue” from mincing a dozen cloves of garlic. It’s the tears streaming down your face as you dice an onion. For many, especially those with carpal tunnel or arthritis, this “tedious chopping work” is the single barrier that makes them reach for the pre-minced jar or the dried-up flakes.

This is where the Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus DLC-2A enters the chat. This isn’t just another gadget; it’s a “perfect little helper” that acts as your personal “sous chef,” saving you time, effort, and frustration. It’s the tool that bridges the gap between the food you want to make and the food you have the energy to make.

In this exhaustive review, we will explore every component, function, and secret of this “small but mighty” appliance. We will test its claims, see why it’s a favorite of professional chefs, and ultimately determine if it’s the perfect—and perhaps the best—mini food processor for herbs and small-batch prep in the American kitchen today.

The “Right-Sizing” Fallacy: Why Your Full-Size Processor Fails at Small Jobs

I want to address the biggest objection right away: “I already own a food processor.”

You may have a big, 11-cup or 14-cup Cuisinart or Breville on your counter. You love it for making pie dough or shredding a pound of cheese. But you’ve also felt that pang of frustration when you use it for a “small job.”

You toss in two cloves of garlic, and what happens? They either get flung to the side, completely unharmed, or one-half gets pulverized into a watery paste while the other half gets “stuck under the blades”.

A user on a cooking forum perfectly captured this problem: they owned a 9-cup processor but were (correctly) worried it wouldn’t be able to chop just one-half of an onion.

Here is the truth: a full-size food processor is a bulk tool. It is physically incapable of handling small-batch tasks with any precision. The bowl is too wide, and the blade assembly is too high.

A mini food processor, specifically one in the 3-cup to 5-cup range, is not a “lesser” version of its big brother. It is a precision tool designed for a different, and frankly daily, set of tasks.

The Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus, with its 24-ounce (3-cup) work bowl, is the definition of “right-sizing.” Its compact bowl and low-set blade are engineered to create a perfect vortex that processes all the ingredients evenly, whether it’s a single clove of garlic or a full cup of parsley.

This is why your full-size processor is a terrible mini food processor for herbs. You are not buying a “lesser” machine; you are buying the correct machine for the job.

First Look: Unboxing Your Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus (DLC-2A)

Opening the box, you are immediately struck by the appliance’s elegant simplicity and thoughtful, compact design. It’s clear that this tool is built for accessibility, not for hiding in a cabinet.

Here’s what you’ll find inside:

1. The Motor Base: A sturdy, lightweight plastic base that houses the powerful 250-watt motor.
2. The Work Bowl: A durable 24-ounce (3-cup) work bowl, complete with a convenient, sturdy handle for easy maneuvering.
3. The Locking Lid: A secure-fitting lid with a special “drizzle basin” (more on this “secret weapon” later).
4. The SmartPower Blade: The star of the show. This is the patented auto-reversing stainless steel blade.
5. The Spatula: A custom-designed mini spatula, perfectly shaped to scrape down the sides of the work bowl.
6. The Instruction/Recipe Book: A booklet that not only explains the machine but provides you with recipes to get started right away.

The entire unit is impressively compact. With its “Designed in Italy” pedigree, it’s a genuinely attractive appliance that earns its spot on your counter. It stands just 9.25 inches tall, 7 inches wide, and 5 inches deep.

Furthermore, it’s incredibly light, weighing in at just over 3 pounds. A private chef noted in a Food & Wine review that their Mini-Prep lives on their counter because they use it constantly. This is the key: an appliance that is out and ready is an appliance you will use.

Most importantly for health-conscious American households, Cuisinart confirms that all parts that come into contact with your food—the bowl, the lid, and the blade assembly—are 100% BPA-Free. This is a non-negotiable trust signal, and Cuisinart delivers.

Table: Cuisinart DLC-2A Specifications at a Glance

For the data-driven shopper, here is a simple breakdown of the technical specifications for the Model DLC-2A.

Feature	Specification
Model	DLC-2A (White)
Capacity	24-Ounce (3-Cup) Work Bowl
Motor	250-Watt
Controls	2-Button Touchpad (Chop / Grind)
Blade	Auto-Reversing Stainless Steel SmartPower Blade
Dimensions	5.0″L x 7.0″W x 9.25″H
Weight	~3.1 lbs
Materials	BPA-Free Plastic Bowl & Lid; Stainless Steel Blade
Lid	Locking Lid w/ Drizzle Basin (2 Oil Holes)
Dishwasher Safe	Yes: Bowl, Lid, and Blade Assembly
Warranty	Limited 18-Month Warranty

The Genius in the Machine: Why the “SmartPower” Reversing Blade is a Game-Changer

Here is the single most important part of this review. If you understand this one feature, you will understand why the DLC-2A is not just another “chopper.”

Look at the control panel. You see two buttons: “Chop” and “Grind”.

A first-time user might assume this is just “Low” and “High.” That is incorrect. These buttons control the direction of the blade’s rotation. This patented Cuisinart “SmartPower” blade is a marvel of engineering: it has two different edges.

The “Chop” Function

When you press the “Chop” button, the blade spins in a direction that engages its sharp edge. Think of this as a chef’s knife. This sharp edge is designed to slice and mince soft, delicate foods. This is your setting for herbs, onions, celery, soft vegetables, and cooked fruits.

The “Grind” Function

When you press the “Grind” button, the motor reverses, spinning the blade in the opposite direction. This engages the blunt edge of the blade. Think of this as a pestle or a spice grinder. This blunt, powerful edge is designed to pulverize, smash, and grind hard foods. This is your setting for hard cheeses, peppercorns, nuts, and spices.

This dual-functionality, housed in a single blade, effectively makes the Mini-Prep Plus two appliances in one: a delicate herb mincer and a powerful hard-food grinder. You have total control. You can press and hold for a continuous spin to create a puree, or you can pulse the button for 1-second bursts to achieve a perfect, coarse chop.

This is the “smart” in SmartPower. It’s a level of versatility that entry-level choppers simply cannot match.

Performance Test: The “Chop” Function (The Ultimate Mini Food Processor for Herbs)

Let’s put the “Chop” function to the test with the very ingredient that inspired this search: fresh herbs.

Why is this the best mini food processor for herbs? Because it respects the ingredient.

The problem with most processors—especially large ones—is that they brutalize delicate herbs. Their dull or poorly-designed blades smash the leaves, rupturing the cell walls and releasing all the water. This leaves you with a sad, browning, and “watery paste” instead of a fluffy, flavorful mince.

The Cuisinart DLC-2A solves this. The “Chop” button’s sharp edge is the first part of the solution. The second part is the pulse control.

A professional private chef, writing for Food & Wine, had this exact revelation. They declared that with the Mini-Prep Plus, they will “Never again… finely chop a bulk quantity of herbs by hand”. They use the “Chop” setting to “fully break down ingredients like garlic and fresh herbs”.

The result is “very finely” chopped herbs that remain distinct, green, and vibrant. You are slicing, not smashing. This preserves the delicate, volatile oils that carry all the flavor. This is what you want in a mini food processor for herbs.

This same “Chop” function is what makes this machine an aromatic-prepping powerhouse. It will mince “a dozen cloves of garlic at once” in seconds, saving you from sticky fingers and that lingering smell. It will dice an onion “without tears,” saving you from the “tedious chopping work” that makes you dread starting a recipe. For this task alone, this mini food processor for herbs and aromatics is worth the minimal investment.

Performance Test: The “Grind” Function (From Hard Cheese to Toasted Nuts)

Now, let’s flip the switch to the “Grind” function. This is where the Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus shows off its “oomph”.

Cuisinart’s number one marketing claim for this machine is its ability for “finely grinding hard cheese”. We’ve all tried to do this with a box grater and ended up with scraped knuckles. This machine makes it effortless.

Toss in cubes of rock-hard Reggiano Parmigiano, hold down the “Grind” button, and the blunt edge will instantly pulverize them into a fine, fluffy powder that’s ready for your pasta. The blunt edge is a brilliant design choice; a sharp edge would chip or jam on such a hard ingredient, but the blunt edge smashes and grinds it down.

This same logic applies to a multitude of other hard ingredients. Serious Eats experts confirmed that this “small in size but mighty in power” model “processed garlic and nuts easily”. Users rave about “chopping nuts” for baking or grinding cookies into a fine crumb for a pie crust.

This is also the function you’ll use to create a “ginger-garlic paste” for curry or to “pureeing cooked carrots” for a soup. A great mini food processor for herbs should also be a great grinder, and this one passes with flying colors.

The Secret to Silky Sauces: Cuisinart’s “Drizzle Basin” Lid

This is my favorite “pro-tip” for this machine, a feature that many new users overlook. Look closely at the lid. You will see a “large, contained area” or “recessed drizzle basin” with “two holes” in it.

Those holes are not a mistake. They are a feature designed for one of the most fundamental techniques in cooking: emulsification.

If you’ve ever tried to make mayonnaise or a vinaigrette and had it “break” (where the oil and water separate), it’s almost always because you added the oil too quickly. A stable emulsion requires a slow, steady stream of oil to be incorporated into the base.

The Cuisinart’s lid is your foolproof guide. It forces you to add the oil at the perfect rate.

Cuisinart’s own official pesto recipe specifically instructs you: “With the machine running on Grind, add the remaining oil slowly, in a steady stream, through one of the holes in the recessed area of the cover.”

A Food & Wine review praised this exact “revolutionary drizzle basin”, noting that it allows you to “incorporate the exact amount needed to get the texture you’re looking for”.

This feature is the secret to “perfectly emulsified” sauces. It’s a small, brilliant detail that turns this mini food processor for herbs into a professional-grade sauce-making machine.

Real-World Recipes: Putting the Mini-Prep Plus to Work

Let’s stop talking about it and start cooking. Here are three real-world scenarios where the Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus (DLC-2A) shines.

Recipe 1: The Ultimate 2-Minute Pesto

This recipe uses all of the Cuisinart’s best features. We will adapt the official Cuisinart “Pesto – For Mini Choppers” recipe.

1. Grind the Hard Stuff: Add 1.5 ounces of cubed Parmesan, 1/3 cup of toasted pine nuts, and 2 peeled garlic cloves to the work bowl.
2. Pulse on “Grind” 5-10 times, then process continuously for 10 seconds until finely ground.
3. Add the Herbs: Add 1.5 cups of packed fresh basil leaves and half of your olive oil.
4. Pulse on “Chop”: This is the key. Pulse the “Chop” button 10 times. This slices the basil leaves without bruising them, releasing their flavor without the “watery paste”. This is why it’s the best mini food processor for herbs.
5. Emulsify: With the machine running on “Grind”, add the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil in a “slow, steady stream” through the drizzle holes in the lid.
6. Finish: After all the oil is added, process for 10 more seconds. Add back the cheese/nut mixture and pulse on “Chop” 10 times to blend. The result is a perfect, creamy, bright-green pesto.

Recipe 2: 60-Second Restaurant-Style Salsa

The key to a great salsa fresca is a chunky, uniform texture, not a “watery paste”. The DLC-2A’s pulse control is essential here.

1. The Base: Add 1 peeled garlic clove, 1/2 a jalapeno (seeded), and 1/2 a small onion (quartered) to the work bowl.
2. Pulse on “Chop” 3-4 times to finely mince the aromatics.
3. The Body: Add 2 cups of grape tomatoes, 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro, 1 tsp lime juice, and 1 tsp salt.
4. The “Chunky” Pulse: This is the secret. Pulse on “Chop” “about 7 to 8 pulses”. Do not hold the button down.
5. In less than 15 seconds, you have a perfectly chopped, restaurant-style salsa. This is a truly versatile mini food processor for herbs and vegetables.

Recipe 3: Creamy, Quick Hummus

Users frequently use this small-batch processor to make hummus.

1. The Base: Add 1 can of drained chickpeas, 2 garlic cloves, and a pinch of salt to the bowl.
2. The Puree: Press and hold the “Grind” button. The blunt edge will smash and puree the chickpeas.
3. The Emulsion: While the machine is still running on “Grind,” use the drizzle basin to slowly add 1/4 cup of lemon juice and 1/3 cup of tahini.
4. Process for 30-60 seconds until you have a smooth, creamy hummus—no “hand fatigue” from mashing required.

How It Stacks Up: Cuisinart DLC-2A vs. The Competition

This Cuisinart does not exist in a vacuum. Its primary competitor is the KitchenAid Mini Chopper, with other brands like Ninja and Hamilton Beach also in the ring.

Here is why the Cuisinart DLC-2A consistently comes out on top.

Vs. KitchenAid (KFC3516): This is the most common head-to-head. While the KitchenAid is a solid performer, its design is less user-friendly. In a direct comparison, the Cuisinart is flat-out “more intuitive and easy to use”. The KitchenAid’s controls are “a bit more fussy”, requiring you to select a speed on the side and then depress the lid handle.

The Cuisinart’s two-button, “not fussy” touchpad on the front is simpler, faster, and more ergonomic. For a daily-use appliance, this “intuitiveness” is a massive victory. It’s the most intuitive mini food processor for herbs available.

Vs. Other Brands (Hamilton Beach, Mueller): The Cuisinart’s superiority comes down to a single, expert-level design choice. Serious Eats performed a test on 11 mini food processors and came to a critical conclusion: the blade height is what matters.

Many competitors, like the Mueller, had blades “set higher up in the bowl”. This created a “sizable gap” where “unprocessed ingredients” would cling to the bottom.

The Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus, by contrast, had its blade “stationed lower to the base”. This design ensures that every ingredient is “kept moving around the bowl for efficient and even chopping”. The blade design in this mini food processor for herbs is simply superior.

Living with the DLC-2A: Effortless Cleanup & “Workhorse” Durability

A kitchen appliance can be brilliant, but if it’s a nightmare to clean, you will hate using it.

This is where the Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus lands its final, decisive victory. The “easy to clean” design is a core feature.

First, the motor base is a smooth, “wipe-clean touch pad”. There are no nooks, crannies, or dials for food to get stuck in.

Second, and most importantly: the 24-ounce work bowl, the locking lid, and the entire SmartPower blade assembly are all 100% top-rack dishwasher-safe.

The workflow is a dream: you use it to chop your onions, garlic, and herbs; you scrape out the contents with the spatula; and you toss all three components directly into the dishwasher. There is zero cleanup friction. You’ll happily use this mini food processor for herbs every day.

This ease of use is matched by its “workhorse” durability. This is not a flimsy, disposable gadget. It’s built to last. The Food & Wine private chef review is the ultimate testament: after many years of heavy use—far more intense than a typical home cook—their Mini-Prep “has never given up, and the motor has never burned out”.

When you buy this, you are buying a reliable tool that will “last well over the years”.

Your Kitchen’s New Most Valuable Player

The Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus (DLC-2A) is one of those rare appliances that you “wonder how you ever survived without”.

It is not just a “mini” version of a food processor. It is a specialized, high-precision tool that solves one of the most tedious, frustrating parts of daily cooking. It is a “lifesaver” that gives you time back, eliminates “hand fatigue”, and empowers you to use fresh ingredients with zero friction.

It is “small in size but mighty in power”.

Because of its brilliant, dual-function SmartPower blade, it flawlessly handles both delicate herbs and hard-as-rock cheese. Because of its “revolutionary” drizzle basin, it creates “perfectly emulsified” sauces, pestos, and dressings, every single time. And because it’s a “workhorse” that is also ridiculously easy to clean, you will find yourself reaching for it day after day, year after year.

It is a “minimal investment” that delivers an “enormous” daily reward.

For its perfect blend of precision, power, and foolproof “SmartPower” design, the Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus is, without question, the single best mini food processor for herbs, cheese, sauces, and all of your kitchen’s small-batch daily tasks. It’s the MVP your counter has been waiting for. We confidently recommend this mini food processor for herbs to every home cook.

FAQ About the Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus (DLC-2A)

What is the wattage of this model? 

The Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus DLC-2A features a powerful and efficient 250-watt motor. This is more than enough power for its 3-cup capacity, allowing it to easily grind hard cheeses and nuts.

Are the plastic parts BPA-free? 

Yes! This is one of its most important features. All parts that come in contact with food, including the 24-ounce work bowl and the lid, are certified BPA-Free.

Are the parts dishwasher-safe? 

Absolutely. The work bowl, the lid, and the SmartPower blade assembly are all top-rack dishwasher-safe. The motor base just needs a simple wipe-down.

Can this make smoothies or chop frozen fruit? 

Yes, it can. While it’s not a dedicated, full-size blender, customer Q&As confirm it can handle frozen fruit for small smoothies and milkshakes. The “Grind” function is powerful enough for this task.

Does it have a shredding disc or grater? 

No. The Mini Food Processor for Herbs is a specialist chopper and grinder. It does not use or come with shredding or slicing discs. Its SmartPower blade is designed to chop, mince, puree, and grind.

Can it chop hard vegetables like carrots? 

Yes. A Cuisinart Product Expert officially confirmed that the Mini-Prep “can easily chop carrots”. Use the “Chop” button in short pulses for a coarse chop (for a mirepoix) or hold “Grind” to puree them for a soup.

What is the warranty? 

Mini Food Processor for Herbs is backed by a solid Limited 18-Month Warranty from the manufacturer, giving you excellent peace of mind with your purchase.