The Editor-Loved Microplane Tool Every Salad Lover Needs

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On June 7, 2025

It’s no secret that I’m a salad lover—I’ve written about the collection of kitchen gadgets I swear by to create the kinds of concoctions that would win Oscars in the food category (which really should exist) from family and friends. You don’t need a ton of things to make incredible bites, but there are a few go-tos like a salad spinner for clean and crisp lettuce, a mandoline for perfectly even slices (no human can match this tool, in my opinion) and a Microplane.

I can’t believe I haven’t yet written about the salad-making tool. A microplane is essential for a wide range of tasks and arguably irreplaceable for homemade dressings. I use it to grate garlic and ginger into superfine pieces, which I incorporate into the dressing. Don’t even think about zesting citrus without it. Oh, and if you’re a fan of hard cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano, you have to have this on hand. I don’t believe any serious salad aficionado should be without this kitchen tool.

Microplane Premium Classic Series Zester

Amazon

I have four cardinal salad-making rules: It needs to be flavorful, texturally exciting, filling and include seasonal ingredients. This tool helps with flavor and texture—the two most important, if you ask me. The reason you need it, even if you own a box grater, is because of its micro-fine holes (hence the name). They create light, delicate pieces that a standard box grater just can’t achieve, no matter which side you use.

There are a plethora of kitchen tasks you’d want to use a Microplane for—and many of them apply to salad prep. When you’re using aromatic ingredients like garlic, ginger or shallot, getting them into a fine grate makes a big impact on your salad. Not only do the smaller pieces soften the “bite” these ingredients can have, but they also ensure even flavor distribution. You won’t bite into chunks of garlic or shallot, which can be a bit off-putting for some (I am one of them). I like to grate these aromatics right into my dressing, typically in the vinegar, because it reduces the intensity of garlic or shallots. The dressing will coat all of your ingredients for balanced bites every time. Yum!

This grater also works beautifully for zest. When you’re grating a lemon, lime, orange or any citrus, the pith is your enemy. It’s the fibrous white part under the skin, and it’s bitter (and not in a good way). A Microplane’s gentle design allows you to graze the top layer of the fruit, which holds all of the oils and flavor you want.

As an Italian-American, I probably grate through blocks of Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Romano, ricotta salata and other hard cheeses monthly for salads. The microplane is my preferred way to add these flavor bombs into salads because you get cheese in every bite. I will mix heaps of the cheese into the salad, then top the finished dish with a snowy coating for a result that’s equally as tasty as it is beautiful. Trust me, you’ll get a whole lot of oohs and ahhs if you bring a salad like this to your next barbecue.

Now, aside from the coveted mini holes on this zester, I have to address the other design elements I love. The stainless steel material is long-lasting and seemingly impervious to damage—I’ve owned my grater for at least a decade and it looks as good as new. If you clean it with warm water, soap, and a sponge, it never absorbs odors or stains. The ergonomic tool is long and built with a sturdy handle, making it comfortable to use, whether I place it over a bowl or grate directly onto a cutting board. This Microplane is one of the most compact fine graters I have seen and fits into kitchen drawers with no problem.

If you love making tasty seasonal salads like I do, you need this Microplane tool. For just $18, it’ll last you a lifetime.