This Is How to Shred Cheese So Nothing Sticks to the Box Grater
Updated: Oct. 06, 2023
Say goodbye to cheese that sticks to the grater!
Turns out, there are plenty of surprising reasons to grate your own cheese: it melts more smoothly, you get more bang for your buck and it tastes better, since freshly grated cheese doesn’t contain added preservatives and chemicals. And since you’re shredding it on the spot, it will have a fresher, creamier taste. Yum!
But grating cheese can be a hassle. The cheese sticks to the grater, making it difficult to tell if you’ve shredded enough to make your favorite baked macaroni and cheese recipe. It also makes washing the grater a total pain.
Luckily, we have an easy hack for how to grate cheese that will keep all that cheddar from sticking to your grater.
How to Grate Cheese With One Simple Trick
TikTok user @HowDoesShe shared a super easy trick that will save you the frustration of picking out cheese from the back of the grater.
Here’s how it works: give the surface of your grater a quick spray with a little olive oil (inside and out) and watch the shredded cheese fall right off the grater. Check out how it works in this TikTok video:
@howdoessheTakes one second, but so satisfying! #tipsandtricks #earthday♬ SUNNY DAY – Matteo Rossanese
You can even freeze shredded cheese once you’re done with prep. How grate is that?
You’ve grated your cheese—now what?
Now that you know how to grate cheese more smoothly, here are some of our favorite recipes that call for lots of delicious, freshly grated cheese:
- Grilled Cheese and Pepperoni Sandwich: This gooey sandwich is filled with sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gruyere and Parmesan cheese.
- Slow-Cooker Grits: This Southern favorite mixes in cheddar and Parmesan cheese for a savory flavor.
- Cheesy Cauliflower Breadsticks: Enjoy a cheesy blend of mozzarella, cheddar and Parmesan cheese with every bite of these breadsticks.
If you buy big blocks of cheese to grate, this is the easiest way to store your leftover cheese.
Ways to Use Your Shredded Cheese
Mushroom and Olive BruschettaI tried this delicious bruschetta toast at a party and knew I had to make it myself. Since I couldn't find the person who brought the dish, I began trying to duplicate it on my own. The original was made on an English muffin, but party rye or baguette slices work as well. —Lynne German, Woodland Hills, California
Cheesy Cauliflower BreadsticksThese grain-free, cheesy cauliflower breadsticks are made with vegetables instead of flour. Serve them with your favorite marinara sauce.—Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
Broccoli-Cheddar Beef RollsMy grandma's recipe for beef rolls is easy to change up. Load them with ham, veggies, or even olives, as you like! —Kent Call, Riverside, Utah
Slow-Cooker GritsSince moving to the South, I have come to love grits! I also love my slow cooker, and I worked to find a way to make perfect grits without stirring on the stovetop. I knew this slow-cooker recipe was a winner when my mother-in-law overheard someone at a church potluck say that it just wasn't right that a Midwesterner could make such good grits! —Tacy Fleury, Clinton, South Carolina
Quick Tortilla PinwheelsPrepare these easy, cheesy pinwheels several days in advance if desired. Serve them with your choice of mild or hot salsa or picante sauce. —Barbara Keith, Faucett, Missouri
Deluxe Walking NachosThis slow-cooked potluck chili makes an awesome filling for a little bag of walk-around nachos. Cut the bag lengthwise to make loading your fork easier. —Mallory Lynch, Madison, Wisconsin
Bacon-Cheddar Potato CroquettesInstead of throwing out leftover mashed potatoes, use them to make this potato croquette recipe. The little baked balls are yummy with ranch dressing, barbecue sauce or Dijon mayonnaise for dipping. —Pamela Shank, Parkersburg, West Virginia
Egg-Topped Avocado ToastWe always have avocados on hand, so it's easy to make this quick breakfast toast for my husband and me. It's really tasty! —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California
Apple-Cheddar Pancakes with BaconAfter tasting a scrumptious grilled apple and cheese sandwich, I decided to try the same flavors with pancakes. The idea of adding bacon came from my bacon-fanatic sister. —Kim Korver, Orange City, Iowa
Almond-Bacon Cheese CrostiniFor a change from the usual toasted tomato appetizer, try this baked crostini recipe. If you like, slice the baguette at an angle instead of making a straight cut. —Leondre Hermann, Stuart, Florida
Quick Golden Squash SoupThis delectable soup feels like fall! Its golden color and rich, satisfying flavor have made it a favorite of mine—which is really amazing because I was convinced I didn't like squash until I tried this recipe. —Becky Ruff, Monona, Iowa
Deviled Egg SpreadI tried this egg salad at a luncheon and had to have it. I punched it up with pickled banana peppers. It’s a hit with my kids and picky mother. —Lisa Easley, Longview, Texas
Fry BreadWhile taking a trip to the Grand Canyon, my family drove through the Navajo reservation and stopped at a little cafe for dinner. I complimented the young waiter on the delicious Indian fry bread and he gave me the recipe. It is very easy to make. —Mildred Stephenson, Hartselle, Alabama
Jumbo Jalapeno Cheddar RollsAdd some excitement to your buffet with these colorful rolls. The cheddar cheese and jalapeno flavors are mild, but everyone loves the zesty taste. —Linda Foreman, Locust Grove, Oklahoma
Double Jack MacThis spicy mac and cheese recipe came about when I asked my two sisters what they would like to add to mac and cheese to make it special. One said pepper jack cheese and the other said black beans. I liked both of the ideas and this is the result. The black beans add color and nutrition. The pepper jack cheese adds zip and fun. —Andrea Johnson, Freeport, Illinois
French-Fry BakeWhen a friend brought this to a gathering at church, I simply had to ask for the recipe—what a fast and fun way to serve potatoes! It's always good to find a recipe that can sneak in a few extra veggies; the kids never find the carrots hidden inside this one. —Cheryl Newendorp, Pella, Iowa
Chili-Topped Cornbread WafflesMy daughter inspired this cornbread waffles recipe. Everyone in my family loves chili except her, so we had an idea—cornbread waffles topped with chili and all the fixings! It was a hit. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
California Chicken Club PizzaInspired by the California Club pizza from California Pizza Kitchen, I decided to whip up my own version. It's loaded with tons of fresh veggies, so that means it has to be good for you, right? —Robert Pickart, Chicago, Illinois
Nacho WingsSince I love both wings and nachos, I combined them for the perfect pairing! This recipe earned an award in a wings and ribs contest we held at our summer cottage.
—Lori Stefanishion, Drumheller, AB
Quick Cheesy BroccoliTopped with crumbs, this cheesy broccoli is a decadent side dish for any occasion. Plus, it can be on the table in just 10 minutes! —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Green Beans in Bacon Cheese SauceI like to take this side dish to potlucks because it is easy to make and is always popular. —Karen Lewis, Pleasant Grove, Alabama
Jalapeno Popper SpreadI've been told by fellow partygoers that this recipe tastes exactly like a jalapeno popper. I like that it can be made without much fuss. —Ariane McAlpine, Penticton, British Columbia
Pierogi QuesadillasWhen I had hungry children in the kitchen and nothing but leftovers, I invented these quesadillas. Now it's how we always use up our potatoes, meats and sometimes veggies. —Andrea Dibble, Solon, Iowa
Roadside Diner Cheeseburger QuicheMy savory main-dish quiche tastes just like its burger counterpart. Easy and appealing, this cheeseburger quiche is pretty enough to serve guests. —Barbara J. Miller, Oakdale, Minnesota
Cheese-Stuffed Burgers for TwoHere’s a sandwich that does traditional burgers one better—with a surprise pocket of cheddar! My family really enjoys the melted cheese center. —Janet Wood, Windham, New Hampshire
Yankee RancherosAfter my in-laws began affectionately referring to me as a Yankee, I decided I had to learn to make some Mexican dishes. These are super easy and make my Tex-Mex-loving family happy—even if they do come from a Northerner!. —Darla Andrews, Boerne, Texas
BBQ Chicken Waffle FriesThis is one of those dishes that sounds so wrong but tastes so right! Trust me—barbecue chicken leftovers are fantastic with the fries. We like it with lettuce, tomato and pickle, but you can add almost any toppings you like. —Janet Telleen, Russell, Iowa
Chili Coney DogsFrom the youngest kids to the oldest adults, everyone in our family loves these hot dogs. Inspired by the classic Coney dog, they’re so easy to throw together in the morning or even the night before. —Michele Harris, Vicksburg, Michigan
Speedy Cream of Wild Rice SoupAdd homemade touches to a can of potato soup to get comfort food on the table quickly. The result is a thick and creamy treat textured with wild rice
and flavored with smoky bacon. —Joanne Eickhoff, Pequot Lakes, Minnesota
Club Roll-UpsPacked with meat, cheese and olives, these roll-ups are always a hit at parties.
Originally Published: April 27, 2021
