How to Shred Fresh Mozzarella – A Step-By-Step Guide

When it comes to kitchen choices, shredding your fresh mozzarella is among the top two things that may be unnecessary, and it isn’t number two. 

Because fresh mozzarella is heavily moisturized, shredding your fresh mozzarella cheese may not exactly be your best bet, it is usually easier to cut it into slices or tear it into chunks.

If in case you are insistent on going that route, we’ve outlined a step-by-step procedure on how you can shred fresh mozzarella to give you those thin pieces of cheese you want. 

How to shred fresh mozzarella – A step-by-step guide

  • Wrap your cheese in a cheesecloth and squeeze out some of the water. 
  • Refrigerate the mozzarella for about 10 minutes so it is firmer. 
  • Take the cheese out of the fridge. 
  • Use a large grater to grate it so that the cheese will not cause a mushy mess all over the grater. 

Viola! Your shredded mozzarella!

How to shred fresh mozzarella in a food processor

Grating fresh mozzarella manually with your grater may seem like a hassle. It may be unnecessary. A food processor is less stressful if you have to shred your fresh mozzarella. Here’s how to go about it:

  • Throw in your mozzarella cheese into a plastic bag and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
  • After 20 minutes have passed, bring out the cheese and cut it into square pieces to fit into the processor.
  • Cover the blade of the processor in olive oil or vegetable oil. 
  • Pour in as many pieces of cheese you need into the processor feed.

How to shred mozzarella without a shredder

The most straightforward way to shred fresh mozzarella cheese without a shredder is with a sharp kitchen or chef knife. 

  • Refrigerate the mozzarella cheese for 10-20 minutes. 
  • Afterward, grab a sharp kitchen or chef knife and cut out a thin slice of cheese from the block. 
  • Chop that thin slice of cheese into match stick-like pieces.
  • Keep doing so till you have enough shredded cheese.

You can also use a vegetable peeler to get thin slices of your mozzarella cheese. Simply run the peeler over the refrigerated block of cheese.

Read also: Best Pizza Stones for Traeger Grills

What is the difference between fresh mozzarella and shredded mozzarella?

Fresh mozzarella is manufactured using whole milk, with a simple production process, and is sold fresh. It is a soft cheese that can usually only last one week in the refrigerator. It is also creamy, has a milky flavor, and has a lot of moisture, which makes it low in fat. It is usually in a ball shape and sold with some liquid as well.  Meanwhile, its shredded mozzarella counterpart has most of its liquid taken out, hence its name ‘low-moisture’ cheese. It can be produced from whole milk, skim milk, or part-skim milk. 

Packaged shredded mozzarella has a slightly bland flavor. It’s usually sold shredded, but can sometimes be sold in sticks, balls, or slice form. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does fresh mozzarella melt in lasagna?

It most definitely does. Fresh mozzarella melts when you add it to your lasagna. 
Just remember to stir the cheese often so that it melts evenly.

Can you shred fresh mozzarella for pizza?

Most definitely. You can shred your fresh mozzarella cheese and add it to your pizza. 
Make sure to drain your fresh mozzarella of water for about 15 minutes. Refrigerate the ball of mozzarella for 10-20 minutes. Shred it with a grater or a food processor afterward. You can also use a sharp kitchen or chef knife to cut out thin slices to add to your pizza. 

Can I use fresh mozzarella instead of shredded?

Yes, you can. It doesn’t matter if you use either. They are both delicious and interesting additions to your recipes. All you need to do is shred it with a grater, food processor, or just simply cut it into slices.
Read also: Is Seafood Considered Meat or Fish?

By Luong Tan

Luong Tan, the creative and passionate founder of Bourbono, is a multi-talented individual with a deep love for the culinary arts. An accomplished food blogger, cookbook author, and former Ambassador of US cuisine in Vietnam (2015-2016), Luong has been on a mission to share his appreciation for food with the world.

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