Shopping

The 4 Best Ginger Graters

We only recommend products we love and that we think you will, too. We may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was written by our Commerce team.

by Anne Loreto Cruz

A little grated ginger can go a long way, but it can be hard to transform this spice’s knobby shape and fibrous texture into aromatic shreds without the right tool. The best ginger graters are sharp enough to cut through tough fibers and easy to clean to minimize food waste.

Ginger graters come in a few different styles, from zesters to grating plates and presses. A simple zester is easy to clean and is great for tapping small bits loose, but some come with plastic housing that easily collects your ingredients. If you choose a metal option, look for a grater made with sharp stainless steel blades, which requires you to apply less force. For ultimate protection, you might want to try a grater with a finger guard to keep your digits farther away from the blades.

Ceramic grating plates are also a safe way to go, since they don’t have metal blades at all, and they allow you to grind ginger and other herbs like garlic to a fine pulp. Some also have ginger presses extrude ginger through small metal holes using the force of your grip, but they require more force, so they’re not the best option for those with mobility issues.

Finally, consider how easy it is to collect the grated ginger and clean your tool after each use. With certain designs, ginger can get stuck in a grater’s small blades or holes, so it helps if it’s easy to wipe or brush clean.

If you’re ready to start adding some extra flavor to your dishes and teas, read on for the best ginger graters you can buy right now.

1. The Best Overall

With over 20,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, this Microplane zester is a true kitchen must-have. It's made from rust-resistant stainless steel, which won’t stain over time and will maintain its sharpness. You can easily collect every last bit of ginger by swiping down on the back of the steel plate of this microplane, and it’s dishwasher safe and easy to clean. This zester also has a plastic guard that will protect both you and the blades in between uses, and it has a convenient loop if you’d like to hang it on a hook or rack. This is one of the most used tools in my own kitchen — I frequently use it to grate ginger, garlic, and hot peppers for sauces and stir fry, and you can also use it to grate hard cheese and zest citrus.

One reviewer wrote: “I absolutely LOVE this microplane. It is sharp and does a quick job of zesting citrus. I also use it for ginger - keep it in the freezer and then grated and used it dishes. It’s like frozen ginger dust and melts right into whatever you add it to.”

2. The Best Ceramic Grating Plate

This ceramic grating plate is perfect for making ginger or garlic purees to add to sauces or stews. You simply take peeled ginger or cloves of garlic and rub it against the plate’s textured surface to grate your aromatics into a paste. This plate is also great for people who are concerned about cutting themselves with traditional graters or zesters, since there are no sharp metal blades. This plate has rubber feet to help keep it in place while you grate, and it’s dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. If the solid ceramic white finish isn’t your style, this grater also comes in a pretty turquoise color.

One reviewer wrote: “I use this almost every time I need garlic or ginger for my home dishes. It's easy to use, easy to maintain, and grates my aromatics to a fine pulp. I love it.”

3. The Best Safety Grater

If you want a stainless steel grater that has extra safety features, this two-in-one grater is a great choice. It has a handy plastic guard that helps press down ingredients while keeping your fingers away from the sharp blades, as well as a protective sheath to keep it covered during storage. Reviewers noted that the slicing component of this tool is perfect for creating paper-thin strips of ginger for sushi or lemon-ginger teas, and that the finger guard allows you to get the most out of your ingredients. To make things more convenient, this grater is dishwasher-safe, but it’s also easy to clean by hand.

One reviewer wrote: “I've been using this for about a month for both garlic and ginger. I even used it to make some paper thin onions for stir fry. It works well and you can put it in the dishwasher if you want to. I highly recommend this. It's sturdy and I think it will last a very long time.”

4. The Best Ginger Press

This stainless steel press quickly reduces ginger and garlic into a fine paste. Its stainless steel construction is dishwasher-safe, and it also swings open so you can easily rinse it clean. The built-in scraper helps you get the most of your ingredients with each press, and it also has weighted ergonomic handles that make it simple to crush ingredients.

One reviewer wrote: “I had been eyeing this garlic press for a while before deciding to purchase it, and I am incredibly glad I did! It has a weighty/sturdy feel in the hands (chocked up to its stainless steel construction, no doubt), a nearly effortless experience in pressing both raw garlic and ginger root, and a beautiful aesthetic. I am proud to have this piece in my kitchen and look forward to using it for years to come.”