If you are without a grater but still want to make your favorite carrot cake, don't worry! This post is all about how to grate carrots without a grater. I will show you four different ways to grate carrots, the tools needed to grate them, and how to store them. You will be able to make your favorite carrot cake recipe like a professional but without a grater!
We have all been in a situation when we are cooking or baking and realize we don't have a grater in the kitchen! This especially happens to me when I am cooking on vacation or staying at someone else's house. Well good news, there are four easy methods to grate carrots without a grater! I will give you step-by-step instructions on how to grate carrots without a grater using multiple different methods. I will also inform you what tools are best for grating carrots, how to store them, and even some recipes to use freshly grated carrots!
If you love learning about techniques in the kitchen, you should learn how to shape a pretzel and how to thicken chocolate ganache.
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how to grate carrots without a grater 🥕
There are four easy ways to grate carrots without a grater! If you don't have a hand grater or grater box, you can still use tools around the house as types of graters that will shred carrots into tiny pieces of food. Just follow these simple steps to have shredded carrots without a grater.
- Peeler method. Remove the bottom edge of the carrots. Remove the outer skin from the carrot. Using a vegetable peeler, cut thin slices of carrot. Then using a sharp knife, cut the large pieces into thin strips of carrot.
- Food processor method. Cut off the bottom edge of the carrot & remove the outer skin. Place your food processor on a flat surface and fit it with the fine shredding disc. Firmly grab hold of a carrot and place the thick end against the grating surface with small holes. Turn on the food processor and gently press the fresh carrots until you reach the pointed end of the carrot. Be careful not to press your finger into the blade at the end.
- Mandoline cutter method. Remove an inch off of both ends of the carrot. Remove the outer skin. Hold your mandoline at a right angle and firmly grab hold of a carrot. Move the large carrot in a downward motion gently pressing the surface area of the carrot onto the blade to produce thin carrot slices. Then using a sharp knife, cut the large slices into tiny strips.
- Blender method. Remove the top and bottom from several whole carrots. Cut those carrots into 2-inch chunks. You can also just use baby carrots. Then cut those chunks into small slices. Place those slices in the blender with the blade fitted at the bottom, and use the pulse button to blend until the carrots are the consistency you're desiring.
tools needed to grate carrots without a grater 🔪
Just a few simple tools are needed to grate carrots without a grater. You don't need all of these tools. It just depends on what method you choose to grate the carrots.
For basics, you will need a cutting board and a sharp knife. If doing the peel method, you will also need a vegetable peeler or julienne peeler. If doing the food processor method, you will need a small food processor with a shredding disc accessory or grating attachment. If doing the mandoline cutter method, you will need a mandoline slicer or plane grater. If doing the blender method, you will need a blender fitted with a shredding blade like a Vitamix or magic bullet. Just choose the best method for you with the tools you have on hand!
The main difference between all of these tools is the size of the carrot shreds will be. For small pieces or long strips, the peeler method is the best way. You will get similar results using the mandoline cutter method. The food processor is a quick way to get even smaller pieces, a similar result to a handheld grater. The easiest way is definitely the blender method, which will turn carrot pieces into finely shredded carrots.
how to store grated carrots 🫙
Grating carrots is one of those tasks that takes a little time. It can be done ahead of time and stored so that when you are ready to cook or bake, you have pre-grated carrots.
The most common way to store carrots is in an airtight container or ziplock bag. Be sure to have no excess air in the bag so they can stay as fresh as possible and not turn brown. You can also store pre-shredded carrots in a mason jar with a little bit of water to keep them fresh and moisturized.
Grated carrots will last about 4 days in the refrigerator or up to 6 months in the freezer. When ready to use just that and pat dry all the excess moisture.
what to use grated carrots for 🍽️
Some of my favorite recipes use grated carrots! Grated carrots can be used for a variety of different dishes as the star of the show or as a contribution to flavor and texture.
Of course, the most popular way to use shredded carrots is in carrot cake! This is a great way to use up a lot of carrots. Freshly grated carrots in carrot cake bring out the sweet taste of carrots. And cream cheese frosting adds that extra flavor that subtly ties all the flavors together. You must try my carrot cake with brown butter cream cheese frosting! You can even try making moist carrot cake muffins to take on the go!
A great way to use grated carrots is in a side dish with other hard vegetables. For example, roasted parsnips with shredded carrots on top are so delicious! An easy way to use shredded carrots is in a stir fry. Sweet carrots and Asian seasonings or sauces are made for each other!
Speaking of Asian flair, you could also make an easy carrot salad! Simply tossing thinly sliced or shredded carrots in an Asian ginger sauce is so refreshing and flavorful. It is definitely a favorite salad of mine! Shredded carrots go in pretty much any salad, so next time you have a bowl of leafy greens and lemon juice try adding some shredded carrots!
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