How to Grate Parmesan without A Cheese Grater (7 Alternative Methods that Work!)

Have you ever wanted to grate cheese without a cheese grater?

We’ve all been there. You’re in the middle of making dinner, and you realize you need to grate some parmesan. You start rummaging around your kitchen looking for a cheese grater, but no dice. You don’t have one! What do you do?

Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! In this post, we’ll teach you how to grate parmesan without a cheese grater.

Key takeaways

You don’t need a cheese grater specifically designed for cheese to grate Parmesan; alternative tools such as a vegetable peeler, blender, food processor, knife, zester, mandoline, and vegetable chopper can be used.
Parmesan cheese can be grated with a vegetable peeler by cutting it into small chunks and running the peeler over the cheese to create thin strips.
A blender can be used to grate Parmesan by blending small cheese chunks on high speed until finely grated, although the result may not be as satisfactory as using a grater or food processor.
Grating Parmesan with a food processor using the grating attachment is a quick and efficient method, producing a fine, uniform texture.
While a cheese grater is the most effective tool, using a knife, zester, mandoline, or vegetable chopper can also produce grated Parmesan, with varying textures and levels of efficiency.

Do you need a cheese grater to grate Parmesan?

No! You don’t have to have a cheese grater to grate Parmesan.

Parmesan is a hard, dry cheese that can be shaved or shredded. To grate it, you can use any type of grater—it doesn’t have to be one specifically designed for cheese.

There are many different types of alternative tools available, so it’s easy to find the right one for your needs. You can substitute a grater for a blender, food processor, a knife, zester, mandoline, and vegetable chopper.

How to grate Parmesan without a cheese grater

1. With a vegetable peeler

To grate Parmesan cheese with a vegetable peeler, follow these steps:

Cut the Parmesan cheese into small, manageable chunks, if necessary.
Hold the cheese in your hand and position the vegetable peeler over it.
Run the vegetable peeler over the cheese, using a back-and-forth motion to create thin strips of cheese.
Continue grating the cheese until you have the desired amount.
If the cheese starts to become difficult to grate, try using a sharper vegetable peeler or giving the cheese a rest in the refrigerator to firm up.

Using a vegetable peeler to grate Parmesan cheese is a quick and easy way to get thin strips of cheese without the need for a grater or mandoline.

Just be aware that it may take a bit longer to grate a larger amount of cheese this way, and the strips may not be as uniformly thin as they would be with a grater.

2. With a blender

Yes, it is possible to grate Parmesan cheese in a blender. However, it may not produce as satisfactory a result as using a cheese grater or a food processor with a grating attachment.

To grate Parmesan cheese in a blender, follow these steps:

Cut the Parmesan cheese into small, manageable chunks, if necessary.
Place the cheese chunks in the blender and any other ingredients you are using.
Blend the cheese on high speed until it is finely grated.
If the cheese is not fully grated, stop the blender and use a spatula to scrape down the sides, and blend again until the cheese is fully grated.

Keep in mind that grating cheese in a blender may not produce as satisfactory a result as using a cheese grater or a food processor with a grating attachment.

Additionally, the cheese may heat up and become oily as it is blended, which can alter the texture and flavor. So, it is best to use this method only if you don’t have access to a cheese grater or food processor.

3. With a food processor

You can use a food processor to grate Parmesan cheese. A food processor is often the fastest and most efficient way to grate cheese, as it can produce a fine, uniform texture quickly and easily.

To grate Parmesan cheese in a food processor, follow these steps:

Cut the Parmesan cheese into small, manageable chunks, if necessary.
Place the cheese chunks in the food processor and any other ingredients you are using.
Use the grating attachment to process the cheese until it is finely grated.
If the cheese is not fully grated, stop the food processor and use a spatula to scrape down the sides, and process again until the cheese is fully grated.

Using a food processor to grate Parmesan cheese is a quick and easy way to get a fine, uniform texture.

Just be sure to use the grating attachment and not the chopping blade, as the chopping blade may not produce as fine a result.

4. With a knife

Yes, you can use a knife to grate Parmesan cheese. While it may not be the most efficient method, it is possible to achieve finely grated cheese with a little bit of patience and effort.

To grate Parmesan cheese with a knife, follow these steps:

Cut the Parmesan cheese into small, manageable chunks, if necessary.
Place a chunk of cheese on a cutting board.
Hold the knife with a firm grip and use a back-and-forth motion to finely chop the cheese.
Continue chopping the cheese until it is finely grated.
Repeat with the remaining chunks of cheese until you have the desired amount of grated cheese.

Using a knife to grate Parmesan cheese will take longer than using a cheese grater or food processor, and the resulting texture may not be as fine or uniform.

However, it is a useful method to know if you don’t have access to a cheese grater or food processor.

5. With a zester

A zester is a kitchen tool with a long handle and a row of small, sharp holes on one end that is designed for grating citrus zest and other small, hard ingredients.

To grate Parmesan cheese with a zester, follow these steps:

Cut the Parmesan cheese into small, manageable chunks, if necessary.
Hold the cheese in your hand and position the zester over it.
Use a back-and-forth motion to grate the cheese through the holes in the zester.
Continue grating the cheese until you have the desired amount.

Using a zester to grate Parmesan cheese will produce thin, finely grated cheese, similar to the texture of grated Parmesan made with a cheese grater.

However, it may take longer to grate a larger amount of cheese this way, and the strips may not be as uniformly thin as they would be with a cheese grater or food processor.

6. With a mandoline

Yes, you can use a mandoline to grate Parmesan cheese. A mandoline is a kitchen tool with a flat surface and an adjustable blade that can be used to slice or shred food.

To grate Parmesan cheese with a mandoline, follow these steps:

Cut the Parmesan cheese into small, manageable chunks, if necessary.
Adjust the blade of the mandoline to the desired thickness.
Hold the cheese in your hand and position it over the mandoline.
Use a back-and-forth motion to shred the cheese through the blade.
Continue shredding the cheese until you have the desired amount.

Using a mandoline to grate Parmesan cheese is a quick and easy way to get thin, uniformly-sized strips of cheese.

Just be sure to use the appropriate thickness setting and be careful not to accidentally cut yourself with the blade.

7. With a vegetable chopper

A vegetable chopper is a kitchen tool with a series of blades that can be used to chop or shred vegetables and other ingredients.

To grate Parmesan cheese with a vegetable chopper, follow these steps:

Cut the Parmesan cheese into small, manageable chunks, if necessary.
Place the cheese chunks in the chopper and any other ingredients you are using.
Use the grating or shredding blade to process the cheese until it is finely grated.
If the cheese is not fully grated, stop the chopper and use a spatula to scrape down the sides, and process again until the cheese is fully grated.

Using a vegetable chopper to grate Parmesan cheese is a quick and easy way to get a fine, uniform texture.

Just be sure to use the grating or shredding blade and not the chopping blade, as the chopping blade may not produce as fine a result.

Tips for grating Parmesan cheese without a cheese grater?

Soft vs hard cheese

When it comes to grating cheese without a cheese grater, the type of cheese you’re using makes a big difference. Hard cheeses like Parmesan are much easier to grate than soft cheeses like mozzarella.

Reconsider using soft Parmesan and opt for a harder variety.

Hard cheeses have a firmer texture and can be easily cut into small pieces or shaved with a knife or vegetable chopper. Soft cheeses, on the other hand

Oil up your blade

Using a little bit of oil on the blade of your knife or grater can help prevent the cheese from sticking, but be sure to use a very light coat of oil to avoid altering the taste of the cheese.

Cold cheese is easier to grate

Freeze the cheese first.

Parmesan cheese is easier to grate when it is slightly frozen. If you have time, place the cheese in the freezer for about 30 minutes before grating.

Wear gloves

Wearing gloves is a good idea when grating Parmesan cheese, as it can help prevent your hands from getting too cold and uncomfortable while grating. It can also help to prevent the cheese from sticking to your hands, which can make the grating process easier.

If you don’t have gloves, you can try using a paper towel or a dishcloth to hold the cheese while you grate it. This will provide some insulation and help keep your hands from getting too cold.

Just be sure to use a clean and dry towel or cloth to avoid introducing any bacteria or moisture into the cheese. And be careful not to accidentally cut yourself with the grater or knife while grating the cheese, even if you’re wearing gloves.

Prepare for a big mess

Grate the cheese over a sheet of wax paper.

Grating the cheese over a sheet of wax paper will make it easier to transfer the grated cheese to a storage container or to use in a recipe.

How finely can you grate Parmesan cheese without a cheese grater?

The fineness of the grated Parmesan cheese will depend on the method you use to grate it and the specific tool you use. In general, a cheese grater or a food processor with a grating attachment will make the smoothest and most even texture. A knife or a vegetable chopper, on the other hand, will make a rougher texture.

Here is a general idea of how finely grated Parmesan cheese will be when made with different tools:

Cheese grater or food processor with grating attachment: Fine, uniform texture
Mandoline: Thin, uniformly sized strips
Zester: Thin, finely grated cheese
Vegetable peeler: Thin, irregularly sized strips
Vegetable chopper with grating blade: Fine, uniform texture
Knife: Coarse, irregularly sized pieces

Keep in mind that the fineness of the grated Parmesan cheese will also depend on the specific tool you use and the thickness setting on a mandoline or vegetable chopper.

Is grated cheese the same thing as shredded cheese?

Grated cheese and shredded cheese are similar in that they are both made by cutting cheese into small pieces using a grater, a mandoline, a food processor, or a similar tool.

However, grated cheese is made by using a grater or a similar tool to shave thin, finely grated pieces of cheese off a block or wedge.

The cheese that comes out of this is usually very fine and smooth, and it is often used as a topping or decoration.

On the other hand, shredded cheese is made by using a mandoline, a food processor, or a similar tool to cut cheese into thin, uniformly sized strips.

The resulting cheese is usually thin and uniform in texture, and it is often used in dishes where the cheese is meant to melt and coat other ingredients, such as in a casserole or on top of a pizza.

So, while grated cheese and shredded cheese are similar in that they are both made by cutting cheese into small pieces, the texture and use of the two types of cheese can be different.

Can you substitute shredded cheese for grated cheese?

In some cases, you can substitute shredded cheese for grated cheese and vice versa. However, the texture and appearance of the final dish may be slightly different depending on the type of cheese you use.

Here are a few things to consider when substituting shredded cheese for grated cheese, or vice versa:

Texture: Grated cheese is usually finer and more uniform in texture than shredded cheese, which may be more noticeable in dishes where cheese is a prominent ingredient.
Melting: Grated cheese tends to melt more evenly than shredded cheese, which may be important in dishes where the cheese is meant to coat other ingredients or create a smooth, creamy texture.
Appearance: Grated cheese is usually more finely grated and may be less noticeable in the final dish than shredded cheese, which may have a more prominent appearance.

In general, for the best results, it is best to use the type of cheese that is called for in a recipe. However, if you need to make a substitution, be aware that the texture and appearance of the final dish may be slightly different depending on the type of cheese you use.

You can always buy pre-grated cheese from the store

Many grocery stores carry a variety of pre-grated cheeses, including Parmesan, cheddar, and mozzarella. Pre-grated cheese is convenient, as it saves you the time and effort of grating the cheese yourself.

However, there are a few things to consider when using pre-grated cheese:

Quality: Pre-grated cheese may be of lower quality than freshly grated cheese, as it may be made from lower-quality cheese or contain additives to prevent clumping.
Flavor: Pre-grated cheese may not have as strong a flavor as freshly grated cheese, as the flavor can diminish over time.
Texture: Pre-grated cheese may have a slightly different texture than freshly grated cheese, as it may be coarser or more prone to clumping.

Overall, pre-grated cheese can be convenient, but it may not be the best choice for dishes where cheese is the main ingredient or for people who care about taste and quality.

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