Say goodbye to cheese that sticks to the grater!
This Is How to Shred Cheese So Nothing Sticks to the Box Grater
Updated on Oct. 06, 2023
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
One-Pot Bacon Cheeseburger PastaWhen the weather's too chilly to grill, I whip up a big pot of this cheesy pasta. Believe it or not, it tastes just like a bacon cheeseburger, and it's much easier for my young children to enjoy. —Carly Terrell, Granbury Texas
Cauliflower BreadsticksThese cheesy cauliflower breadsticks are made with vegetables rather than grains but deliver all the savory, garlicky goodness of classic breadsticks.
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
Crock-Pot 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 PinwheelsFun to make and easy to enjoy, easy tortilla pinwheels are a food everyone will love and that you can customize in many ways.
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
Peanut Butter, Honey & Pear Open-Faced SandwichesI work a 12-hour night shift at a hospital, and when I come home in the morning, I don't want to cook a big breakfast. I love these sandwiches because they're versatile; sometimes I use apples instead of pears and different cheeses, such as Brie or grated Parmesan. —L.J.Washington, Carpinteria, California
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
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken DipMake this snack the star of your next gathering—this Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip is easy to prepare and loaded with flavor!
BLT Turkey SaladThis variation of a BLT salad is great with a side of garlic bread or garlic toast, and will satisfy even the pickiest eaters. —Sherry Conley, Noel, Nova Scotia
Quick Focaccia BreadGreen olives complement this quick focaccia recipe for an easy pizza-like bread. With very few ingredients, it’s still packed with flavor. Serve the focaccia as an appetizer or alongside pasta, soup or salad for a mouthwatering meal.—Ivy J Laffoon, Ceres, California
Beer DipBeer dip combines all the best things for party food: a creamy dip, ranch dressing, lots of cheese and, of course, beer. What else could you possibly need?
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
Pulled Pork TatersThis recipe is as hearty as it gets—part barbecued pork, part potatoes, but completely delicious. My family can't get enough of this comforting, warm-you-up baked potato dish. —Shannon Harris, Tyler, Texas
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
Confetti CornbreadMy grandmother Virginia always served Southwest cornbread. To honor her, I created a recipe that cuts down on the chopping but never skimps on flavor. —Angie Price, Bradford, Tennessee
Cheese & Herb Potato FansIt's downright fun to make and serve this potato recipe. The fresh herbs, butter and cheeses are just what a good potato needs. —Susan Curry, West Hills, California
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
Chicken Cordon Bleu PizzaThis recipe combines my two favorite foods—pizza and chicken cordon bleu. I've made this for my family and the teachers at my school. Now the teachers ask me to make it for them for lunch! —Justin Rippel, Colgate, Wisconsin
Fry BreadWarm, soft and puffy with a golden and crisp exterior, the Navajo fry bread recipe is a beloved treat with a complex history.
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
Cheeseburger QuesadillaThe cheeseburger quesadilla is a mash-up of comfort food's greatest hits. It takes all the flavors of your favorite cheeseburger—tangy, sweet condiments included—and packs them into the portable, dippable package of a quesadilla.
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
Cornbread WafflesThis cornbread waffles recipe puts a new spin on the classic cozy meal of homemade chili with a side of cornbread. And the waffles are gluten-free!
Breakfast EggrollsThese breakfast egg rolls are delicious and great to make ahead for mornings when you need to eat something fast. You can make these in an air fryer or try baking or deep-frying them.
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
Barbecue Chicken Cobb SaladI turned barbecue chicken into a major salad with romaine, carrots, sweet peppers and avocados. That’s how I got my family to eat more veggies. —Camille Beckstrand, Layton, Utah
Chipotle Ham ‘n’ Cheese DipIf you enjoy throwing dinner parties for friends, you can't beat a convenient slow-cooker recipe like this one. Who wants to be stuck in the kitchen? Just set the slow cooker on low and have fun visiting with guests. —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri
Slow-Cooker Chicken Enchilada MeltsAfter tasting a similar recipe at a sandwich shop, I knew I had to try my own version at home. I like mine even more! I like to mix equal parts salsa and ranch dressing to make a tasty sauce for these sandwiches. —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, Virginia
Sour Cream & Cheddar BiscuitsHere's my go-to recipe for biscuits. Brushing them with the garlic-butter topping before baking seals the deal! —Amy Martin, Vancouver, WA
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 always popular. —Karen Lewis, Pleasant Grove, Alabama
Cheese & Red Pepper LatkesThese zesty latkes combine three cheeses with a handful of garlic and a colorful burst of red peppers. —Christine Montalvo, Windsor Heights, Iowa
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
Garlic Bread Mini MuffinsThese little garlic bread bites make a terrific addition to any buffet spread. We make sure to serve them warm. —Kathy Yarosh, Apopka, Florida
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
Breakfast PizzaPizza for breakfast is a delicious idea, especially when it's a savory breakfast pizza topped with eggs, bacon and melted cheese.
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
Beer and Brats NachosHead to the Midwest for the big game with a platter of these crunchy snacks enlivened with a beer-laced cheese sauce. —Kelly Boe, Whiteland, Indiana
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
Golden Sweet Onion CornbreadBake up this hearty, savory cornbread, slather on delicious homemade cranberry butter and enjoy! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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 DogsHot dogs might be an American classic, but each of us has our own regional favorite that we’ll defend against all others. Make this Coney Island hot dog recipe and you’ll be rooting for Detroit. It’s the meat sauce that sets this tasty hot dog apart.Â
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
Fajita Burger WrapsThis combo gives you a tender burger, crisp veggies and a crunchy shell, plus fajita flavor. Kids love it. —Antonio Smith, Canal Winchester, Ohio
Club Roll-UpsPacked with meat, cheese and olives, these roll-ups are always a hit at parties.
