Potatoes are one of those few food items which can be cooked in a hundred ways! You can boil, sauté or fry it to create a number of mouth-watering dishes.
Be it mashed potato, hash browns or the classic French fry - potatoes taste amazing in any form.
However, you need to get the cutting and texture of this vegetable right for each of these recipes to work. That is why using the appropriate device or utensil during food preparation matters.
In case you don’t have the ideal one available, there are also some ways to make it work!
For instance, if you don’t have a grater in the house, you can try out a number of contingency plans to still have grated potatoes. Here we are to guide you on how to grate potatoes without a grater in six ways!
How To Grate Potatoes Without A Grater?
Food Processor
An effective way to get grated potatoes even without a grater is to use a food processor instead.
These devices are meant to carry out all the manual food preparation tasks so that you can use that time to take care of other steps. However, their features vary a lot according to their brands and models.
Some of them are designed to grate vegetables, while others can only chop. Regardless of the capabilities your food processor has, you can make it work to grate potatoes by simply making some tweaks to the usual process.
Start by setting up the processor with proper placement of the plastic bowl at its base and the grater or chopper blade on its respective shaft.
Since it is an electric device with a blade, it is always safer to keep it unplugged while setting it up.
Now add roughly cut cubes or slices of the potatoes in the processor bowl. Make sure it doesn’t cross the maximum filling limit as denoted on the bowl’s body.
Attach the lid on top and then press the respective pulse button to start shredding the potatoes.
One possible drawback of using a food processor to grate potatoes is how mashed up or watery they can get.
If the resulting shred potato is too watery for you, just put them on a sieve placed over a container and start pressing the back of a spoon over the shreds. This will get rid of the water content and leave you with perfectly neat grated potatoes.
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Mandoline
Mandoline is a kitchen utensil you can use for cutting vegetables into many varieties including thick slices, thin slices, juliennes and even grates!
So you can easily use it to grate potatoes. However, it may need much more manual labor than with a grater because of its horizontal design.
To get started, take out your mandoline and set it up with the right set of shredding blades.
You can now equip yourself with a handguard or similar accessory to protect your hands from accidentally getting injured by the blade.
Then take the whole peeled potato and start shredding it against the blade. The sliced or grated pieces will be automatically collected at the clean container placed below it.
Mixer
While it might seem like a very unconventional option, a mixer can actually help you to grate potatoes!
The trick is to use it at low speed and to let the blades be sprayed with a non-stick coating beforehand.
Doing this will help you later to get all the grated potatoes out of the mixing bowl or container. For the coating, you can use cooking spray or regular oil.
So peel the potatoes and cut them into slices or wedges - the smaller and lighter, the better. Then put them in the bowl where you will be grating them.
Take the mixer, press on the pulse and keep going until the pieces are as well grated as you need them to be. Usually, a few seconds of mixer gets the job done.
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Knife and Chopping Board
If nothing else works, why not go back to the good old days of just a knife and a chopping board?
In the case of urgency, just take them out and start doing it the old-fashioned way. Even if you don’t own a chopping board, just any clean flat surface will do.
Peel the potatoes one by one and clean them in a bowl. Cut down the big ones in half so that they are easier to work on. Make sure the knife is sharp enough to cut through the potatoes smoothly.
Put each large piece of potato on the board in such a way that its flat side is facing downwards.
This will prevent it from rolling or getting out of place while grating. Now put the knife against it at an angle of 45 degrees and start cutting it into slices as thin and as small as you can.
Once it is done, pick up the larger strips and stack them up on their flat side. Now cut them into long vertical slices or as long as you need them to be.
Even though this is a time-consuming and rigorous process, it will surely result in properly grated potatoes.
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Peel and Dice
Another possible way to grate potatoes without a grater is to use a vegetable peeler with a sharp knife.
Use the peeler to remove the skin off the potatoes and then shave it all over for producing thin slices. Spread it on the chopping board so that you can group them into small stacks later.
Take the knife and place it on each of these stacks at an angle. Start cutting through them in such a way that the resulting slices are as thin and narrow as grated ones.
These strips will be just like the ones you see after using wide blade graters.
DIY Grater
We know this may sound intimidating, but it’s not really that hard! All you need are an empty soda can, a can opener, a screwdriver and some spare time! You can also use sanding paper to go the extra mile.
Using the can opener, remove the entire top lid of the empty can, clean it well and dry it before proceeding to the next steps.
Take one side of the can and mark a column there to point out the positions of your grater blades.
Like an actual grater, these holes need to be created in multiple rows maintaining consistent distances between them.
The screwdriver you pick should have a head that is as wide as you want the grater’s blades to be. Now start poking the holes in the can as you marked them.
When you are done, put the screwdriver through the holes again and now pull it towards you so that the inner side doesn’t have sharp metal parts anymore.
You can use sanding paper to brush up both sides of this brand new DIY grater. Stay careful though since too much pressure can cause injury to your hands.
Wipe it with a cloth to make sure there are no metal remnants and keep it upside down in a dry area for a few hours.
The only limitation with this DIY grater is that you cannot grate something acidic with it since that might react with the metal body.
The Best Potato Peeler Tools
If you're not careful, you will spend too much time peeling potatoes. Luckily, many tools are available to make the job easier. Here are some of the best tools for peeling potatoes:
Vegetable Peeler
A vegetable peeler is a kitchen tool designed for peeling vegetables and can work wonders for potatoes. It's simple to use, and you can quickly remove the skin from potatoes of all shapes and sizes.
Pros of Using a Vegetable Peeler for Potatoes:
- Vegetable peelers are an efficient tool for quickly removing the skin from potatoes.
- Peeling potatoes with a vegetable peeler is much faster than using a knife and can be done in a fraction of the time.
- It can be used on various potatoes, from small new potatoes to large baking potatoes.
- Using a vegetable peeler is safer than using a knife because the blade is dull, and there is less risk of cutting yourself.
Cons of Using a Vegetable Peeler for Potatoes:
- It can be challenging to peel a potato with a vegetable peeler if it’s too small or too large.
- Peeling potatoes with a vegetable peeler can be time-consuming if you have a lot of potatoes to peel.
- If the potato is not firmly in place, the vegetable peeler can slip and cause cuts on your fingers.
- If the blade of the vegetable peeler is sharp, it can be easier to peel the potato evenly.
Sharp Knife
A sharp knife is the way to go if you're looking for more control over your peeling. Carefully slice off the skin from one side of the potato, then use the knife to scrape off the remaining skin carefully.
Pros of Using a Sharp Knife for Peeling Potatoes:
- A sharp knife can peel potatoes quickly and easily without much effort.
- The thin, even slices from a sharp knife are ideal for preparing potatoes for cooking.
- A sharp knife can help to preserve more of the potato's nutrients during the peeling process.
Cons of Using a Sharp Knife for Peeling Potatoes:
- A sharp knife can be dangerous if not used properly.
- It can be difficult to get an even peel with a sharp knife.
Electric Peeler
If you're looking for something fast and efficient, an electric peeler will do the trick. This is an excellent option for large batches of potatoes, as it can quickly and easily peel them in no time.
Pros of Using an Electric Peeler for Peeling Potatoes:
- An electric peeler is a great time-saver when it comes to peeling potatoes. It can peel a potato in seconds, making it much faster than a traditional knife.
- An electric peeler takes the guesswork out of peeling potatoes. Unlike a knife, it will peel the potato evenly and consistently, leaving no lumps or bumps.
- An electric peeler is also great for reducing waste. It will only take off the potato's skin, leaving the rest of the potato intact and ready to be used.
Cons of Using an Electric Peeler for Peeling Potatoes:
- Electric peelers can be expensive.
- They must be plugged in, and some are battery-operated, which means they will need to be charged or replaced over time.
- Electric peelers can only be used to peel potatoes. You cannot use them to cut or chop other vegetables or fruits.
- Electric peelers can be messy. The peels can fly around the kitchen and must be cleaned up regularly.
Alternatives to Grating Potatoes
You're in luck! There are several healthier and more accessible alternatives to grating potatoes. There are a variety of ways to prepare potatoes without having to use a grater. Here are a few of our favorite options:
Slicing
For a quick side dish or potato salad, slicing potatoes is a great way to go. Thinly slice the potatoes and cook in a skillet over medium heat with a bit of olive oil and seasonings of your choice.
Dicing
Diced potatoes are great for soups and stews. Peel and dice your potatoes into small cubes and cook in a pot with your favorite vegetables and broth.
Mashing
Nothing beats mashed potatoes for a creamy and comforting side dish. Boil potatoes until they are tender, then mash them with butter, cream, and salt.
Baked
Baked potatoes are a great way to enjoy potatoes without grating them. Scrub the potatoes and bake in a preheated oven for 45-60 minutes.
Roasted
For an easy and delicious side dish, try roasting potatoes. Cut the potatoes into cubes, toss with oil and seasonings, and roast in a preheated oven for 30-40 minutes.
No matter what type of potato dish you want, there's sure to be an alternative to grating potatoes that fits your needs.
Final Word
Clearly, there are some easier and some harder ways of grating vegetables without the ideal device.
While food processors and mixers are the most efficient way to get the job done, the other four may require a lot of time and effort to reach the same outcome.
Either way, knowing how to grate potatoes without a grater definitely has its perks!
Now you can make your favorite potato recipe even if your grater is broken, lost or unavailable. Get ready to cook it again and enjoy a fresh plate of deliciousness soon!
About the Author
Tamara J. Sims
EXECUTE CHEF
As a seasoned kitchen and food writer, Tamara has a remarkable ability to weave words together, transporting readers to the heart of the culinary world. Tamara’s articles are written with an engaging blend of insightful commentary, honesty, and real-world examples based on personal experiences. She has the ability to captivate seasoned food enthusiasts and novice cooks alike.
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