Have you got a hankering for hash browns? If so, you'll need to prep some shredded potatoes. While there are many kitchen tools you could use for this job, most chefs prefer popping their potatoes in a food processor. Not only are food processors quick and efficient, but they are also safer than most box graters and mandolines. Please read the guide we’ve put together on shredding potatoes in a food processor the next time you want delicious hash browns.  

Follow these simple steps to shred potatoes in your food processor:

  • Carefully attach a fine shredding disc to your food processor. 
  • Wash, dry, and cut your potatoes in half. 
  • Turn your food processor on and push your potatoes through the machine with the provided lid.   
  • Once all of the potatoes have gone through the shredding disc, turn your food processor off.
  • Carefully remove the shredding disc and collect your shredded potatoes. 

As you can see, it’s easy to use a food processor to shred potatoes. However, there are other viable ways to make shredded potatoes at home. Please keep reading to find out more about shredding potatoes!

A woman peeling potatoes in the kitchen of her home, How To Shred Potatoes In A Food Processor In 5 Steps

How To Shred Potatoes In A Food Processor? – A Simple Strategy

While every food processor has a different set of instructions, the technique for shredding potatoes is relatively straightforward. Basically, all you have to do is attach a shredding disc to your machine, turn your processor on, and pulse as you push your potatoes with a plastic lid.

For those who aren’t aware, a “shred disc” is a circular attachment that you could place on top of your food processor. Each of these discs has a series of sharp blades with narrow openings that help create the “shredded” texture. Here’s an example of what a Cuisinart fine shredding disc looks like:

Click here to see this product on Amazon.

For a more detailed explanation on how to shred potatoes with this attachment, be sure to watch this popular video:

Of course, please refer to your food processor’s manual to find specific info on shredding veggies.

Do You Need To Peel Potatoes Before Shredding Them? 

Young woman peeling potatoes in the kitchen of her home

You should always wash, scrub, and dry your potatoes before shredding them. However, it’s not necessary to remove the skin. In fact, experts on the Idaho Potato Blog claim potato skin has the highest concentration of nutrients and fiber.

On the other hand, some people don’t like the tougher texture and appearance of unpeeled potatoes. Indeed, it may be harder to gauge your hash brown’s “doneness” with brown flakes of skin in your pan. Peeled potatoes also tend to cook more uniformly and look prettier on social media!  

Be sure to try shredded potatoes both ways to see whether you prefer skin or skinless hash browns.

Should I Rinse Shredded Potatoes?

Chef peeling potatoes in commercial kitchen

Before you throw those shredded potatoes in your cooking pan, be sure to give them a thorough rinse. You want to remove as much excess starch as possible.

After you’ve given your shredded potatoes a good dousing, wrap them in cheesecloth and strain. Use those mighty muscles to get rid of all the excess moisture in your potatoes. Your shredded potatoes should be as dry as possible to make crispy hash browns.

Click here to see this cheesecloth on Amazon.

What Can I Cook With Shredded Potatoes?

Potato pancakes with sour cream in plate on white wooden table

If you couldn’t tell already, the most common reason people shred potatoes is to make hash browns. However, there are a few other classic recipes that call for shredded potatoes. Here are a few other ways you could put those shredded potatoes to good use:

FYI: if you want to make the most delicious latkes imaginable, then you have to check out this viral video by Basics with Babish:

What’s The Best Potato For Shredding? 

Different types of potatoes on white background

Typically, chefs recommend using a starchy potato (e.g., Russet) when making hash browns. Unlike waxy varieties, starchy potatoes have very little water or sugar. This lack of moisture means Russets get extra crispy, which is what most people crave when they cook shredded potatoes.   

If you’d like to learn more about the dozens of potatoes now on the market, be sure to check out our post on the topic: 20 Types Of Potatoes Every Chef Should Know.

What Else Could You Use To Shred Potatoes?

You don’t need to purchase a food processor to shred potatoes. Sure, food processors are super-fast and easy, but you could use other kitchen tools for this task. Let’s review some of the most common ways you could shred potatoes without a food processor.  

Does A Mandoline Shred Potatoes?

Half a potato on a mandolin slicer

As long as your mandoline has a julienne attachment, you could use it to shred your potatoes. Take a look a the product below if you’re unsure what julienne shredders look like.

Find out more on this Amazon link.

While your mandoline can produce finely shredded potatoes, you have to be extra cautious when using this device. Please wear a cut-resistant glove to avoid the risk of bruising your fingers and knuckles.

Click this Amazon link for more info.

Can You Shred Potatoes With A Grater?

Potatoes with grater on the side

As long as you don’t mind working out your muscles, you could use a box grater to shred your potatoes. For the best results, chefs recommend using the sides with the medium or largest-sized holes.   

Click here to see this product on Amazon.

Like with the mandoline, we strongly recommend wearing a cut-resistant glove when shredding with a box grater. Even if you have years of experience in the kitchen, there’s always a risk you could nick your knuckles using one of these units.   

Can You Use A Spiralizer To Shred Potatoes? 

Spiralized raw sweet potato salad with tahini sauce

Zucchini isn’t the only food you could put through your spiralizer. While most people buy spiralizers to avoid starchy foods, that doesn’t mean you can’t use these gadgets to make shredded potatoes! Indeed, there are now plenty of recipes online that call for “spiralized spuds!”

If you are going to put your potatoes through a spiralizer, it’s best to use a fine blade setting. While your potatoes might be a bit longer than usual, they can still make tremendous hash browns. As a bonus, many spiralizers come with blade attachments that you could use to make curly fries or potato chips.  

Check out this spiralizer on Amazon.

Can You Shred Sweet Potatoes In A Blender?

Ripe fruits near blender on kitchen table

Traditionally, blenders are only used for making smooth sauces and smoothies. Food processors, however, are built to handle slicing, dicing, and shredding. However, if you don’t have a food processor on hand, you could technically shred your sweet potatoes in a blender.

Just be careful not to hold your blender button when you put your sweet potatoes in this unit. Holding this button will give your potatoes an undesirable creamy texture. Instead, give your blender a few pulses and check the consistency of your potatoes.   

If you’d like more info on using a blender instead of a food processor, we’d recommend reading our post on “22 Alternatives For A Food Processor.”    

Wait, You Could Make Hash Browns With Shredded Sweet Potatoes!? 

Chopped raw sweet potatoes on wooden table

Sweet potatoes are gaining mainstream attention today for many good reasons! Not only are these potatoes delicious, but they also have way more nutrients than most other potatoes.  

While most people enjoy sweet potato fries or baked sweet potatoes, you could also use these spuds to make a healthier plate of hash browns. Wash, shred, and dry your sweet potatoes as you would regular potatoes, and then add them to your pan.

For more details on using sweet potatoes as a hash brown alternative, be sure to watch this recipe in action:

Shred Your Potatoes Quickly With A Trusty Food Processor

Please don’t rely on those icky frozen hash browns in supermarkets. Now that you know how to use your food processor, you could make fresh, uniform hash browns in no-time. If you’d like to learn more about using your food processor like a pro, be sure to read our post on the “Five Main Sections Of A Food Processor.”

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