Learn how to shred zucchini two ways with this easy guide. We’ll teach you all the best tips and tricks for shredding zucchini step by step! Use shredded zucchini in all your favorite baked goods!
This unassuming garden squash is the secret to so many perfectly moist and flavorful baked goods. We use it in countless recipes from banana zucchini bread to chocolate chip zucchini brownies.
Grate Your Own Zucchini
There are countless reasons to grate your own zucchini. The most common one is that you’re in the process of making a recipe that calls for shredded or grated zucchini.
Or maybe your backyard garden has gone a little overboard at harvest season. Zucchini grows fast and almost every gardener knows the predicament of suddenly having more zucchini than they know what to do with.
- In those cases, grating and freezing zucchini is an easy way to reduce waste and prepare for future baking needs.
If you’ve never grated zucchini at home before, breathe a sigh of relief: it’s easy!
This step-by-step tutorial covers two simple ways to shred zucchini using common kitchen tools: with a grater and a food processor.
Grab your zucchini bread recipe and let’s get started!
Shred Zucchini With a Box Grater
A box grater is the most popular way to shred zucchini. This method works with a cheese grater too!
- Wash and dry the zucchini. Cut off both tips.
- Hold the grater over a bowl or cutting board with one hand. With the other hand, run one side of the zucchini over the grater.
- Continue this motion until you’ve shredded as much of the zucchini as possible.
We like the box grater method because it gives you perfect control over the size of zucchini strands. It’s best if you only need to grate one or two zucchini for a recipe.
TOOL: Here’s our favorite box grater on amazon. It even comes with an attachable measuring cup!
Shred Zucchini with a Food Processor
The food processor method is ideal when you need to grate a lot of zucchini at once. It’s also quicker than grating by hand which is nice if you’re short on time.
- Wash and dry the zucchini. Cut away both ends, then slice the zucchini in half lengthwise.
- Fit your food processor with the grating attachment. This is usually a metal disc with grating holes.
- Add the zucchini to the food processor and turn it on. Use a food pusher to press the zucchini through the holes of the grating attachment.
TOOLS: We love the Cuisinart Food Processor on Amazon. Perfect for shredding vegetables, cheese, etc!
How to Use Shredded Zucchini
Once you know how to shred zucchini, you’re ready to bake!
Zucchini Bread is the most popular way to use shredded zucchini. Even though zucchini is the prominent ingredient, it doesn’t taste like squash or vegetables. We love our cinnamon zucchini bread made into muffins!
The slight sweetness of zucchini is ideal for quick breads of all kinds. Its mild flavor makes it perfect for pairing with other flavors like in this Pineapple Carrot Zucchini Bread. We even have a recipe for Instant Pot Zucchini Bread if you don’t feel like turning on the oven.
Don’t limit yourself to just the world of zucchini breads (although that’s a very delicious world indeed). Shredded zucchini works beautifully in Chocolate Zucchini Cake and Zucchini Brownies too!
On the savory side, you can use shredded zucchini to make Vegetarian Meatballs for your next meatless meal. It’s also delicious in zucchini fritters or mixed into egg bites for breakfast.
Recipe FAQs
That depends on the recipe. For most baked goods, there is no need to drain the liquid out of the zucchini. The liquid is where all the moisture comes from!
If you are making a recipe like zucchini fritters or quiche or other dish where you want to zucchini to stay firm, you should drain it first.
To drain shredded zucchini, place it in a colander allow the water to strain out. After about 15 minutes use paper towels and your hands to squeeze out as much of the remaining liquid as possible.
This depends on the size of your squash. A medium sized zucchini about 7 inches long and 2-3 inches in diameter will yield around one cup of shredded zucchini.
There is no need to peel zucchini before shredding it. In baked goods, the skin will become soft and add color and nutrients to your dish.
Removing the seeds is usually not necessary. If you notice the seeds are large and may affect your recipe, you can cut the squash in half and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds.
We recommend small to medium size zucchini for shredding.
Typically, the larger the zucchini the less moisture and sweetness it contains.
Shredded zucchini lasts about one week in the refrigerator when stored properly in an airtight container.
Yes, shredded zucchini can be frozen for up to 3 months. Transfer the zucchini to a freezer bag and squeeze out the excess air before placing it in the freezer.
More How To Guides
- How to Toast Coconut
- How to Zest a Lemon
- How to Make Buttermilk
- How to Heat Treat Flour
- How to Make Turkey Gravy
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How to Shred Zucchini
Ingredients
- 1 medium zucchini
Instructions
For using a box grater or cheese grater:
- Wash and dry the zucchini. Cut away both ends.
- Position the grater over a cutter board. With one hand holding the grater and one hand holding the zucchini at one end, apply even pressure and run the zucchini away from you, over the grater. Continue with this motion until only a very small piece of the zucchini remains.
For using a food processor:
- Wash and dry the zucchini. Cut away both ends and cut the zucchini in half lengthwise.
- Insert the disc for grating into the food processor with the grating holes facing up toward the top of the food prep bowl. Attach the top of the food processor and insert the zucchini in the food chute. Turn on the food processor and use the food pusher to press the zucchini into the grating disc.
If using in a quiche, zucchini fritter or other dish requiring zucchini to be drained
- For every pound of grated zucchini, place grated zucchini in a colander and add 1 teaspoon of salt to draw out the excess liquid.
- After about 15-20 minutes, using your hands, squeeze any remaining liquid from the zucchini and transfer to a plate lined with a paper towel.
Notes
- How much shredded zucchini will I get from a zucchini? This depends on the size of the zucchini. A medium size zucchini about 6-7 inches long and about 2-3 inches in diameter will be about 1 cup of shredded zucchini.
- Which hole size should be used to grate zucchini? For most recipes, the medium or large holes in a grater are the best choice.
- Should zucchini be peeled before shredding? Peeling the zucchini is unnecessary. In baked goods, the zucchini skin becomes soft and adds color and nutrients.
- Should I remove the seeds? If you feel like they are large and may affect your recipe, you can remove the seeds by cutting the zucchini in half, lengthwise, and then, using a spoon, scoop out the middle portion of the zucchini. In most small to medium sized zucchini, this step isn’t necessary.
- How long will fresh shredded zucchini last in the refrigerator? Shredded zucchini can be stored, in an air-tight container, for about a week.
- How do I freeze shredded zucchini? Add the shredded zucchini to a freezer-safe storage bag, compress the bag to squeeze out excess air, and label it with the amount of zucchini and date. Zucchini can be frozen for up to 3 months. Note: upon thawing frozen zucchini, the "yield" amount may be less than when fresh.
Nutrition
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Never waste zucchini again! These methods for shredding zucchini make it easy to turn your garden squash into delicious breads, muffins, cakes and more.
This post was so helpful! Excited for all the recipes I’m going to make with zucchini this year!
this was a super helpful post! thank you for sharing this informative post!
Great tips, thank you for sharing! So useful for summertime when zucchini is plentiful.