How to Grate Cheese Without a Cheese Grater

You have everything you need to try that new recipe, except for a grater to grate the cheese needed for the finishing touch. If you have a food processor or heavy duty blender, you can grate the cheese easily in one of these appliances. You can also grate the cheese using nothing but a sharp knife, but this method is slow and time consuming, but it will work if you're really in a pinch.

Things You'll Need

• Food processor or blender
• Non-stick cooking spray
• Knife

Instructions

Food Processor or Blender

1. Spray the blades of the food processor or blender with non-stick cooking spray. This will stop the cheese from "gumming" up on the blades.

2. Cut the cheese into 1-inch cubes.

3. Process the cheese, in small batches, in the food processor or blender using the "pulse" button on the machine.

4. Repeat with any remaining cheese cubes when the cheese is grated to your needs.

With a Knife

1. Slice the cheese as thinly as possible.

2. Stack the cheese slices and make thin cuts into the stack from top to bottom.

3. Turn the cheese slices and cut into the desired length. For finely grated cheese, dice the strips into tiny pieces, much like you would if chopping herbs.

Tips & Warnings

• If the cheese sticks to the knife, spray the knife with non-stick spray before slicing.

• For extremely soft cheeses that you would like to grate, such as mozzarella, try placing the cheese brick in the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes. This will allow it to be grated easier.

References

• University of Nebraska: It's a Grate Thing - Grating Cheese and Nutmeg
• North Carolina Cooperative Extension: Meals in Minutes