A cheese grater is an indispensable tool for grating fresh cheese and making homemade breadcrumbs — two fresh ingredients that truly elevate your cooking without taking up much room in your kitchen. You can learn more about the benefits of making your own breadcrumbs here. As for the cheese, did you know that pre-shredded cheese contains cellulose, a wood by-product added to prevent clumping? Grating cheese from a fresh block takes just seconds and is worth it for your health, and it tastes so much better! If you need to add a cheese grater to your kitchen, here are three types for you to consider.
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Flat cheese grater
Box grater
Rotary cheese grater
A box grater with several sides is handy for grating foods of different sizes — cheese, vegetables, potatoes, garlic, spices, and stale bread for breadcrumbs. This all-purpose grater will come in handy.
A flat cheese grater only has one side, but I reach for this one the most often. It's ideal for quickly grating a bit of cheese, making a few homemade bread crumbs, and above all — using it as a serving tool. I love placing a block of Parmesan on the table along with the grater so everyone can grate fresh Parmesan over their pasta — and kids love this!
You work a rotary cheese grater by placing a piece of cheese inside and turning the handle to grind it down. It’s less versatile, but it has one special use I can't live without — grating eggs for eggs mimosa.
If I could only pick one, it would be the flat grater for grating Parmesan at the table. The good news is, these handy tools aren't expensive. Eventually you can add two, or all three, to your kitchen if you'd like.
Grating cheddar for mac and cheese
Grating stale bread for breadcrumbs
Warm goat cheese salad made with fresh breadcrumbs ... you can read more about homemade breadcrumbs here.
Parmesan and cheese grater on the table — ready for pasta!
Pasta Pancetta del Maresciallo
Rotary grater for dusting mimosas — French deviled eggs — with egg yolk for a beautiful presentation
