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Home » Kitchen Tips & Tricks » Kitchen Tip: The Many Uses of a Microplane
uses for microplane
October 26, 2010

Kitchen Tip: The Many Uses of a Microplane

From the Kitchen of Katie Kick

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I don’t have a lot of kitchen gadgets. Mostly just the basics and a couple more specialized pieces, but the specialized pieces I choose have multiple uses so I’m okay with having them. If I had to pick just one kitchen gadget, it would be a toss up between my Microplane and my Large Scoop. I really love both of these and don’t think I could part with either.

uses for microplane

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Since I told you one of my favorite ways to use my large scoop last week (see: Kitchen Tip: Trick for Filling Muffin Tins), I thought I’d tell you about my other favorite gadget and all it’s tricks this week: the Microplane. If you don’t have one, I highly recommend adding one to your gadget drawer. It’s worth it to buy the name brand. I’ve used knock-offs before with not as satisfying results.

The Many Uses of a Microplane:

  • Grating Garlic – I hate mincing garlic. I’m capable of doing it, but it gets old doing it almost every night when I’m preparing dinner. Grating it on the microplane is super fast.
  • Grating Hard Cheeses – The Microplane is PERFECT for freshly grating hard cheeses like Parmesan, Asiago, Romano, and more.
  • Chocolate Shavings – Chocolate shavings are a great way to garnish desserts and it’s really simple to make shavings with the microplane. (Examples: see White Chocolate Pudding and Orange Chocolate Chunk Brownies)
  • Citrus Zest – Zesting citrus with a microplane is a great way to get off the satisfying flavor from the peel of the fruit without the bitter pith. I love to add zest (lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit) to dishes and baked goods for extra flavor.
  • Fresh Coconut – If you want freshly shredded coconut, the microplane is your tool also!
  • Fresh Ginger – Instead of chopping or mincing ginger, I peel the skin off and grate it into a nice fine pulp with my microplane.

The method is the same for all of these uses. Just rub whatever it is you want to grate along the top of the microplane, just as if you were grating cheese. So simple – hardly any work at all!

Do you have any other favorite uses for a Microplane?


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Meet Katie Kick

My lifelong interest in cooking has shown me that part of the goodness in life is enjoying delicious food with friends and family. I love trying new foods, discovering new places & things that help my family live the good life.

More About Katie
Updated: January 21, 2025

Reader Interactions

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  1. naomi says

    October 28, 2010 at 11:50 AM

    My Microplane is one of my top ten tools in the kitchen. I love mine! Great review of it.

    Reply
  2. Tickled Red says

    October 28, 2010 at 7:12 AM

    I couldn’t live without mine. I use it for all of the above 🙂

    Reply
  3. anja says

    October 27, 2010 at 12:51 PM

    I use mine also for nutmeg. and sometimes the nails but this was not on purpose.

    Reply
  4. Andrea @ Simple Organized Living says

    October 27, 2010 at 8:15 AM

    Oh, I love my microplane grater…and I too use it for everything on your list!
    I’ve never had a problem with it coming clean…and I always just toss it int the dishwasher on the top rack.
    I love multi-functional kitchen gadgets!

    Reply
  5. pickyin @ life is great says

    October 27, 2010 at 12:20 AM

    I’ve used mine in all the ways you mentioned plus nutmeg. To clean just scrub in the same direction of the teeth, most stuck rinds and even ginger stringy bits will come off.

    Reply
  6. Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum says

    October 26, 2010 at 9:24 PM

    Why have I never thought to use it for garlic before?? Brilliant!

    Reply
  7. Jennifer says

    October 26, 2010 at 9:07 PM

    I have a quick question for those of you who have bought a Microplane: I have used many other zesters before but what really made me tick was how difficult they were to clean up afterwards! Citrus rinds caught in the back of the zester became clean-up nightmares on several occasions. So I’ve got to ask, is the Microplane as easy to clean as it is to use? Thanks for your help!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      October 26, 2010 at 9:08 PM

      I give mine a quick rinse, then toss it on the top rack of the dishwasher. I’ve only had problems with citrus if I don’t rinse it right after, so I’ve just gotten in the habit of rinsing it before putting it in the sink/dishwasher.

      Reply
  8. LimeCake says

    October 26, 2010 at 8:51 PM

    oh, microplane. how i love thee. mine is a box stand one with two sides – coarse and fine. can’t live without it!

    Reply
  9. Miranda says

    October 26, 2010 at 6:55 PM

    I love my microplane so much but I never thought of it for garlic! I’m so excited to try it!

    Reply
  10. robin says

    October 26, 2010 at 2:20 PM

    garlic!!! Love that one! I agree.. it gets REAL old!

    Reply
  11. marla {family fresh cooking} says

    October 26, 2010 at 1:19 PM

    Katie, I too love my microplane. Not only is it handy – but it looks cool too. Skinny with and edge…..Thanks for sharing these helpful tips with us 🙂 xo

    Reply
  12. Tessa says

    October 26, 2010 at 12:47 PM

    I adore my microplane!! It is SO much better than other zesters and graters out there. I love it for grating spices as well like Kendra.

    Reply
  13. Lindsey says

    October 26, 2010 at 11:03 AM

    I love my Microplane! I was lucky enough to find a great deal on the zester, spice grater, and cheese (box) grater set at Sam’s Club for $20 last Christmas-time. I haven’t looked back since. I use it for just about everything that needs to be turned into itty bitty pieces.

    Reply
  14. Seanna Lea says

    October 26, 2010 at 10:07 AM

    I mostly use mine for ginger, zesting and nutmeg (thanks to Kendra for reminding me of nutmeg). I have a box grater that has a fine side that I use for all of the other uses.

    Reply
  15. Anne says

    October 26, 2010 at 8:29 AM

    Ok, so i purchased a Microplane in the summer because I desperately needed a zesting tool!! But now you have opened my eyes to a variety of ways to use this gadget!! Thank you so much!! Love your blog!!

    Reply
  16. Kendra @ My First Kitchen says

    October 26, 2010 at 7:50 AM

    I love my Microplane, too, and for all the reasons you said. It’s also awesome for grating fresh nutmeg. And Amazon is the cheapest price. Restaurant supply stores are less expensive than regular stores, but yet again, Amazon comes in on top. Have fun in Napa this week! And I’m making your chocolate pumpkin cupcakes this week. Can’t wait.

    Reply
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Katie Kick from Good Life Eats in her kitchen

Meet Katie Kick

Hi, I’m Katie! Thank you so much for visiting my corner of the internet. I am passionate about cooking delicious and beautiful, yet accessible, food for my family and friends. I love tasting new foods, discovering new places and things that help my family live that good life.

More about Katie
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