If a stand mixer already lives on your counter, you may not need a separate grinder to make chorizo, picadillo or burger meat. A grinder attachment runs off the mixer’s own motor through the hub on the front, and it packs away in a box the size of a shoebox. For a few pounds of pork shoulder at a time, that is often all a home kitchen needs.
This guide compares seven meat grinder attachments for stand mixers: KitchenAid’s metal and plastic grinders, two KitchenAid bundles, a Kenwood mincer, and two stainless steel grinders from other makers built to fit KitchenAid mixers. For each one we say which mixers it fits as the maker states, what plates and sausage parts come in the box, and how it should be cleaned.
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Quick verdict: which stand mixer meat grinder to buy
The best stand mixer meat grinder for most KitchenAid owners is the KitchenAid Metal Food Grinder: it fits every household KitchenAid stand mixer, comes with fine, medium and coarse plates and two sausage tubes, and the metal body can be chilled before grinding. If you do not own a mixer yet, the KitchenAid Artisan and Metal Food Grinder bundle gets you both in one box. If you own a Kenwood Chef or kMix, buy the Kenwood KAX950ME, because KitchenAid-fit grinders will not go on a Kenwood.
Grinding often, or in big batches? A dedicated machine may suit you better; our guide to the best electric meat grinder covers #8 and #12 grinders with their own motors. Still choosing a mixer? Start with the best stand mixer.
Five stand mixer grinders at a glance
Our five standout picks, one for each kind of cook, with the mixers each fits and the plates each maker lists. All seven attachments are reviewed in full below.
| Grinder attachment | Best for | Fits (as stated) | Plates | Cleaning | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KitchenAid Metal Food Grinder AttachmentBest overall
|
Most KitchenAid owners | All household KitchenAid stand mixers | Fine, medium, coarse | Hand wash grinding parts | View on Amazon |
KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Mixer and Metal Food Grinder BundleBest mixer bundle
|
Buying a mixer and grinder together | Mixer included | 3 plates, 2 sausage tubes | As for the metal grinder | View on Amazon |
KitchenAid Food Grinder Attachment, PlasticBest plastic grinder
|
Light, occasional grinding | All household KitchenAid stand mixers | Fine, coarse | Body and screw dishwasher-safe, per retailer | View on Amazon |
GVODE Stainless Steel Meat Grinder AttachmentBest stainless
|
Dishwasher cleanup | Most KitchenAid stand mixers | 4 plates, 3 sausage tubes | Dishwasher-safe, per GVODE | View on Amazon |
Kenwood KAX950ME Meat Mincer AttachmentFor Kenwood mixers
|
Kenwood Chef and kMix owners | Kenwood Chef, Chef XL, kMix | 3 mm, 4.5 mm, 8 mm | Dishwasher-safe parts, per listing | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Specifications are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best stand mixer meat grinder
Five of these seven fit KitchenAid’s power hub, because that is the hub most American stand mixers carry and the one most third-party grinders are built for. The Kenwood is here for Kenwood owners, and we say plainly where a fit is the seller’s claim rather than the mixer maker’s. Each entry lists the plates, the sausage parts, the cleaning rules and one honest reason to skip it.
1. KitchenAid Metal Food Grinder Attachment – Three Plates and a Body You Can Chill
KitchenAid’s metal grinder is the one to buy if you own any household KitchenAid stand mixer, tilt-head or bowl-lift. It connects to the power hub on the front of the mixer and uses the mixer’s motor, so there is nothing to plug in. KitchenAid lists it as compatible with all of its household stand mixers.
The box holds fine, medium and coarse grinding plates and two sausage stuffer tubes with a stuffing plate. KitchenAid’s user guide gives the plates as 3 mm, 4.5 mm and 8 mm, and suggests the coarse plate for burgers and chili and the medium plate for raw meat and sausage. For loose chorizo that crumbles in the pan, the coarse plate is the one we would reach for; a finer grind suits a smoother sausage you plan to stuff.
The metal body is the real advantage over KitchenAid’s plastic grinder. KitchenAid tells owners to pre-chill the grinder in the refrigerator or freezer before use, which keeps the fat cold so it cuts cleanly instead of smearing. The food tray is larger than the plastic model’s, and everything packs into its own storage case.
Cleaning takes care. KitchenAid’s manual says to hand wash the housing, grind screw, collar, tray, plates and blade in warm soapy water and dry them straight away; only the sausage parts, the food pusher and the brush go on the top rack of a dishwasher.
Why we like it
- Fits all household KitchenAid stand mixers, per KitchenAid
- Fine, medium and coarse plates (3, 4.5 and 8 mm)
- Two sausage stuffer tubes and a stuffing plate
- Metal body can be chilled before grinding
Key specifications
| Model | KitchenAid KSMMGA |
|---|---|
| Fits | All household KitchenAid stand mixers |
| Body material | Metal (aluminum, per Sur La Table) |
| Grinding plates | Fine 3 mm, medium 4.5 mm, coarse 8 mm |
| Sausage parts | 2 tubes (small and large), stuffing plate |
| Extras | Large food tray, pusher, cleaning brush, storage case |
| Cleaning | Hand wash grinding parts; sausage parts top rack |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why we recommend it
KitchenAid owners who grind a few pounds of pork or beef now and then for chorizo, picadillo or burgers, and want the maker’s own part with three grind sizes.
Skip it if you want everything to go in the dishwasher; the grinding parts are hand wash only.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Maker’s own attachment, fits every household KitchenAid
- Three plate sizes
- Chills well before grinding
Cons
- Grinding parts are hand wash only
- Parts do not swap with the plastic grinder’s
- One-year warranty
2. KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Mixer and Metal Food Grinder Bundle – Mixer and Grinder in One Box
If you are shopping for the best stand mixer with meat grinder included, this KitchenAid bundle pairs the 5-quart Artisan tilt-head mixer with the same metal food grinder reviewed above. There is no fit question: the grinder goes straight onto the Artisan’s front hub.
KitchenAid’s listing gives the mixer 10 speeds and a 5-quart bowl that it says handles up to nine dozen cookies in a batch, and it sells the bundle in a long list of colors. The grinder comes with its three plates, two sausage stuffer tubes and its storage case. In a Mexican home kitchen, the mixer earns its place beating masa for tamales and the grinder handles pork for chorizo, so one hub does two jobs.
The listing does not give the warranty for the bundle, so check the terms on the product page before you buy. The care rules are the same as for the grinder on its own: hand wash the grinding parts and dry them at once.
Why we like it
- Artisan mixer and metal grinder together
- Three grinding plates and two sausage tubes
- 10-speed mixer with a 5-quart bowl, per KitchenAid
- Grinder stores in its own case
Key specifications
| Model | KitchenAid Artisan 5-quart tilt-head mixer with metal food grinder |
|---|---|
| Fits | Mixer included |
| Body material | Metal grinder |
| Grinding plates | 3 plates |
| Sausage parts | 2 sausage stuffer tubes |
| Extras | 5-quart Artisan stand mixer, grinder storage case |
| Cleaning | Hand wash grinding parts |
| Warranty | Not stated in listing |
Why we recommend it
Cooks who do not own a stand mixer yet and want one that can grind meat as well as mix masa and dough.
Skip it if you already own a KitchenAid; buy the grinder on its own instead.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No fit questions at all
- Full metal grinder kit
- Many mixer colors
Cons
- Bundle warranty not stated
- Grinding parts are hand wash only
- Only worth it if you need the mixer too
3. KitchenAid Food Grinder Attachment, Plastic – Light Body, Simple Cleanup
KitchenAid’s plastic food grinder is the lighter and simpler of its two grinders. It fits the same power hub on all household KitchenAid stand mixers, and comes with a food tray, a food pusher and two plates: fine and coarse. KitchenAid’s spec sheet for this grinder gives the plates as 4.5 mm and 6 mm, and suggests the coarse plate for raw meat, chili and vegetables for salsas and sauces.
The trade-off is the material. A plastic body cannot be chilled the way a metal one can, so keep the meat itself very cold and grind in small batches. There are no sausage tubes in the box: KitchenAid sells a sausage stuffer kit separately, and it fits only this plastic grinder, not the metal one.
Cleanup is easier than with the metal model. Restaurant supplier WebstaurantStore lists the grinder body, grind screw, ring and pusher as dishwasher-safe. The same listing notes that this grinder’s parts do not swap with the metal grinder’s or with older KitchenAid grinders.
Why we like it
- Fits all household KitchenAid stand mixers, per KitchenAid
- Main parts dishwasher-safe, per WebstaurantStore
- Works with KitchenAid’s sausage kit and fruit and vegetable strainer
- Packs into its own storage case
Key specifications
| Model | KitchenAid KSMFGA |
|---|---|
| Fits | All household KitchenAid stand mixers |
| Body material | Plastic |
| Grinding plates | Fine 4.5 mm, coarse 6 mm |
| Sausage parts | None; sausage kit sold separately |
| Extras | Food tray, pusher, storage case |
| Cleaning | Body, screw, ring and pusher dishwasher-safe, per retailer |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why we recommend it
KitchenAid owners who grind a pound or two a few times a year and value easy cleanup over a metal body.
Skip it if you want a medium plate or sausage tubes in the box; the metal grinder has both.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Lighter than the metal grinder
- Main parts dishwasher-safe
- Takes KitchenAid’s strainer and sausage kit
Cons
- Plastic body cannot be chilled the same way
- Only two plates
- No sausage tubes included
4. GVODE Stainless Steel Meat Grinder Attachment – Dishwasher-Safe Steel for KitchenAid
GVODE makes attachments for KitchenAid mixers, and this is its stainless steel grinder. GVODE says it fits most KitchenAid stand mixer models; KitchenAid itself does not make or approve it, and KitchenAid’s grinder manual warns against using attachments it does not recommend or sell. That is worth weighing, and it is the same for every third-party grinder.
What you get for it is a full kit and steel throughout. The box holds the grinder body, two blades, four grinding plates, a sausage stuffing plate, three sausage tubes, a food pusher and a cleaning brush. GVODE states the whole attachment is dishwasher-safe, which neither KitchenAid grinder can claim, and it describes a larger stainless food tray. The auger and the inside of the body are left matte rather than polished, which GVODE says helps grinding.
A stainless body also chills well, like KitchenAid’s metal model. GVODE gives a one-year warranty from the date of purchase.
Why we like it
- Stainless steel body, dishwasher-safe, per GVODE
- Four plates, two blades and three sausage tubes
- Larger stainless food tray
- One-year warranty
Key specifications
| Model | GVODE G1707 |
|---|---|
| Fits | Most KitchenAid stand mixers, per GVODE |
| Body material | Stainless steel |
| Grinding plates | 4 plates, 2 blades |
| Sausage parts | 3 tubes, stuffing plate |
| Extras | Food tray, pusher, cleaning brush |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher-safe, per GVODE |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why we recommend it
KitchenAid owners who want a steel grinder with more plates and tubes, and want to put it in the dishwasher.
Skip it if you would rather stay with KitchenAid’s own parts and support.
Pros and cons
Pros
- All stainless, dishwasher-safe
- Biggest plate and tube set here
- Chills well before grinding
Cons
- Not a KitchenAid part
- “Most” models, not all, per GVODE
- Plate sizes not listed
5. Kenwood KAX950ME Meat Mincer Attachment – The Grinder for Kenwood Chef Mixers
Kenwood mixers use their own attachment outlet, so a KitchenAid-fit grinder will not go on one. The KAX950ME is Kenwood’s own mincer. The listing says it suits Kenwood’s KCC, KVC and KVL Chef models and the KMX kMix, and works on KM-series mixers with Kenwood’s KAT001ME adapter, sold separately. Kenwood puts it another way: a Chef or Chef XL with a twist-fit outlet takes it directly, while a slot-type outlet needs the KAT001ME adapter.
It comes with three steel plates, fine 3 mm, medium 4.5 mm and coarse 8 mm, two sausage stuffing adapters and a meat pusher; Kenwood’s product page also lists a kebbe attachment. Kenwood gives the body as die-cast aluminum and the weight as 1.8 kg, and the listing says the parts are dishwasher-safe.
The plate sizes match KitchenAid’s metal grinder, so the coarse 8 mm plate is the one for loose chorizo and the 4.5 mm plate for sausage you plan to stuff. The listing does not state a warranty.
Why we like it
- Kenwood’s own part for Chef and kMix mixers
- Fine, medium and coarse plates (3, 4.5 and 8 mm)
- Two sausage adapters and a kebbe attachment
- Dishwasher-safe parts, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | Kenwood KAX950ME |
|---|---|
| Fits | Kenwood Chef (KCC, KVC, KVL) and kMix; KM series with KAT001ME adapter |
| Body material | Die-cast aluminum, per Kenwood |
| Grinding plates | Fine 3 mm, medium 4.5 mm, coarse 8 mm |
| Sausage parts | 2 sausage adapters |
| Extras | Kebbe attachment, pusher |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher-safe parts, per listing |
| Warranty | Not stated in listing |
Why we recommend it
Anyone with a Kenwood Chef, Chef XL or kMix who wants to grind meat without buying a second machine.
Skip it if your mixer is a KitchenAid; it will not fit.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Made by the mixer’s maker
- Three plates plus kebbe attachment
- Dishwasher-safe parts, per listing
Cons
- Kenwood mixers only
- Older slot outlets need an adapter
- Warranty not stated
6. KitchenAid Food Grinder, Food Tray and Strainer Bundle – Grinds Meat, Purees Tomatoes
This KitchenAid bundle puts three parts together: the plastic food grinder, KitchenAid’s larger food tray and its fruit and vegetable strainer. The grinder runs off the power hub of any KitchenAid stand mixer, per the listing. The listing does not print the grinder’s model number, but the tray and strainer are both stated to need the KSMFGA grinder, so expect the plastic model reviewed above.
The strainer is the reason to choose it. It fits onto the grinder and, in KitchenAid’s words, purees and strains fruits and vegetables and removes seeds, for jams, sauces and baby food. For a kitchen that cooks down tomatoes for a smooth sauce, that turns the grinder into a two-job tool. KitchenAid says the strainer parts are dishwasher-safe, and the food tray can go on the top rack.
The larger tray holds more meat at a time than the tray that comes with the grinder. As with the plastic grinder alone, there are no sausage tubes; add KitchenAid’s sausage stuffer kit if you want to fill casings.
Why we like it
- Grinder, larger tray and strainer from KitchenAid
- Strainer removes seeds for smooth sauces and purees
- Strainer parts dishwasher-safe, tray top-rack safe
Key specifications
| Model | KitchenAid food grinder with KSMFT tray and KSMFVSP strainer |
|---|---|
| Fits | Any KitchenAid stand mixer power hub, per listing |
| Body material | Plastic |
| Grinding plates | As for the KSMFGA grinder (fine and coarse) |
| Sausage parts | None; sausage kit sold separately |
| Extras | Larger food tray, fruit and vegetable strainer |
| Cleaning | Strainer parts dishwasher-safe; tray top rack |
| Warranty | Not stated in listing |
Why we recommend it
KitchenAid owners who want to grind meat now and then and also puree tomatoes or fruit without a food mill.
Skip it if you only grind meat; the plain grinder alone takes less room.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Three KitchenAid parts in one box
- Strainer adds a second use
- Bigger food tray
Cons
- Grinder model not printed in the listing
- Plastic grinder, two plates
- No sausage tubes
7. Cofun Stainless Steel Meat Grinder for KitchenAid – Grinder With a Meatball Maker
Cofun’s stainless grinder adds one thing the others here do not have: a meatball maker that fits on the outlet and shapes freshly ground meat into rounds as it comes out. Cofun is clear that it works only with meat that has already been ground, so you grind first, then fit the meatball maker and run the mince through again. For albóndigas, that saves rolling dozens by hand.
Cofun says the grinder is made of 304 stainless steel and fits all household KitchenAid stand mixers with no adapter. The kit includes two blades, four grinding plates, three sausage tubes, the meatball maker, a removable food tray, a pusher and a cleaning brush. Cofun states that every part is dishwasher-safe.
As with GVODE, this is not a KitchenAid part, and the listing does not state a warranty. Cofun does not give the plate sizes either, so you cannot match them exactly to a recipe that calls for a particular grind.
Why we like it
- Meatball maker shapes ground meat as it exits
- 304 stainless steel, per Cofun
- Four plates, two blades and three sausage tubes
- All parts dishwasher-safe, per Cofun
Key specifications
| Model | Cofun 1707A |
|---|---|
| Fits | All household KitchenAid stand mixers, per Cofun |
| Body material | 304 stainless steel |
| Grinding plates | 4 plates, 2 blades (sizes not stated) |
| Sausage parts | 3 tubes |
| Extras | Meatball maker, food tray, pusher, brush |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher-safe, per Cofun |
| Warranty | Not stated in listing |
Why we recommend it
KitchenAid owners who make meatballs often and want a stainless grinder that goes in the dishwasher.
Skip it if you want a stated warranty or exact plate sizes.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Built-in meatball shaping
- Stainless and dishwasher-safe
- Full plate and tube set
Cons
- Not a KitchenAid part
- Warranty not stated
- Plate sizes not listed
Will a grinder fit your mixer?
Fit is the first thing to settle. KitchenAid’s household stand mixers share one power hub, and KitchenAid states that both of its grinders fit all of them, tilt-head and bowl-lift. GVODE says its grinder fits most KitchenAid models and Cofun says all of them; those are the sellers’ claims, not KitchenAid’s, and KitchenAid’s manual warns against attachments it does not recommend or sell.
Kenwood Chef and kMix mixers take Kenwood’s own attachments. Bosch, Ankarsrum and Cuisinart also sell grinders made for their mixers, but when we checked, the Bosch and Ankarsrum grinders were in short supply on Amazon and Cuisinart’s grinder for its SM-50 mixers was out of stock, so they are not reviewed here. If you own one of those mixers, check with its maker before buying a grinder from anyone else. Mixers without an attachment hub, like many budget models in our stand mixer guide, cannot run a grinder at all.
How to choose a stand mixer meat grinder
1. Metal or plastic
A metal or stainless body can go in the freezer before you grind, which keeps the fat firm so the grind stays clean rather than greasy. KitchenAid recommends pre-chilling its metal grinder for that reason. A plastic body is lighter and simpler to wash, and is fine for small batches of very cold meat.
2. Plates for the texture you want
A coarse plate, around 8 mm, gives loose chorizo and good burger meat. A medium plate, around 4.5 mm, is the all-rounder for sausage. A fine plate is for a second pass or smooth fillings. KitchenAid’s metal grinder and the Kenwood both have all three; KitchenAid’s plastic grinder has two.
3. Sausage parts
If you plan to fill casings, look for tubes in the box. The metal KitchenAid has two, GVODE and Cofun have three, and the plastic KitchenAid has none unless you add its separate sausage kit.
4. Cleaning
This is where the attachments differ most. KitchenAid’s metal grinder is hand wash only for the grinding parts. GVODE and Cofun say all of their parts can go in the dishwasher. Whatever you buy, take it apart and wash it as soon as you finish, before fat and meat dry on.
5. Batch size
An attachment shares the mixer’s motor and feeds through a small throat. For a few pounds at a time, that is fine. If you regularly grind a whole pork shoulder or more, a dedicated grinder with its own motor and a #8 or #12 head will be quicker and easier on the mixer.
Ground meat safety, from the USDA
Grinding moves bacteria from the surface of the meat all through it, which is why the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service treats ground meat differently from a steak. The FSIS guide to ground beef explains this, and the agency’s safe minimum internal temperature chart gives 160°F for ground beef, pork, veal and lamb, and 165°F for ground chicken and turkey.
FSIS also says color is not a reliable sign that ground meat is done, so check it with a thermometer; our guide to the best meat thermometer covers instant-read models. Keep the meat cold while you work: FSIS calls 40°F to 140°F the danger zone, where bacteria grow fastest. Chilling the grinder and working in small batches helps with that too.
How we chose these seven grinders
We did not test these attachments. We compared what each maker states on its Amazon listing, in its manual or on its own product pages: which mixers it fits, its material, plates, sausage parts, cleaning instructions and warranty. Where a fact came from a retailer rather than the maker, we say so. We checked that every attachment was in stock on Amazon when we wrote this, left out unbranded copies with near-identical listings, and limited the third-party KitchenAid-fit grinders to two makers that publish clear part lists. A search of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall notices did not turn up a recall for these attachments when we wrote this.
Stand mixer grinder questions, answered
What is the best stand mixer meat grinder?
For a KitchenAid owner, the KitchenAid Metal Food Grinder: it fits every household KitchenAid stand mixer, has three plates and two sausage tubes, and can be chilled before use. For a Kenwood, the Kenwood KAX950ME.
What is the best stand mixer with a meat grinder?
The KitchenAid Artisan 5-quart mixer bundled with the metal food grinder is the simplest answer: the grinder fits the mixer’s hub with no guesswork, and the mixer handles masa, dough and batters the rest of the week.
Is the metal KitchenAid grinder better than the plastic one?
For meat, usually yes. The metal grinder has three plates and sausage tubes and can be pre-chilled. The plastic grinder is lighter, its main parts can go in the dishwasher, and it takes KitchenAid’s fruit and vegetable strainer.
Can a stand mixer grinder handle bones?
None of the makers here lists bones as a use. Cut meat into strips or cubes, trim tough sinew, and leave bone work to a machine rated for it.
Will a KitchenAid grinder fit a Cuisinart or Kenwood mixer?
Do not assume so. KitchenAid states its grinders fit KitchenAid mixers. Kenwood mixers take Kenwood attachments, and some third-party sellers claim fits for other brands; check the mixer maker’s guidance first.
Our pick for chorizo night
If you own a KitchenAid, buy the KitchenAid Metal Food Grinder: three plates, sausage tubes and a body that chills. Choose the plastic KitchenAid grinder for light use and easier washing, GVODE or Cofun if you want stainless parts that go in the dishwasher, and the Kenwood KAX950ME if your mixer is a Kenwood. If you are buying the mixer too, the Artisan bundle covers both.
Prefer a crank? See our guide to the best hand meat grinder. For bigger batches, go back to the best electric meat grinder. Chorizo needs good dried chiles, and our guide to Mexican chiles explains which ones. And if you would rather someone else made it tonight, see the menu or call to order.