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    Home » Recipes » How-to's & Guides » How to Use a Mandoline

    How to Use a Mandoline

    Published: May 30, 2020 Modified: Oct 27, 2022 by Isabel Laessig

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    Learn How to Use a Mandoline fearlessly! These slicers might look intimidating at first, but they are so handy to have in your kitchen and make quick work of slicing foods of all kinds.

    how to use a mandoline: Holding the inner compartment of the mandoline containing perfect slices of potatoes

    Although using a mandoline slicer may seem intimidating at first, it is much more simple than it seems and makes cutting foods like potatoes so much easier than by hand.

    Plus, using a mandoline, you will get perfect, even slices every time. That means dishes like Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes are a breeze to put together!

    Jump to:
    • What is a mandoline?
    • What does a mandoline slicer do?
    • How thin does a mandoline slice?
    • Are mandoline slicers dangerous?
    • Is a mandoline slicer worth it?
    • What is the best mandoline slicer?
    • How to Use a Mandoline
    • What to Make Using a Mandoline
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    What is a mandoline?

    Mandoline slicers (also spelled mandolin, outside of the U.S.) are a kitchen utensil used for finely slicing and grating foods.

    For example, you can cut perfect french fries, steak fries, or thin potato chips all with the same utensil!

    What does a mandoline slicer do?

    I gave potatoes as an example, but you can use a mandoline slicer to cut everything from vegetables and fruit to blocks of cheese.

    They make quick work, and I mean quick work, of cutting all kinds of food to even and precise slices.

    Mandolines are perfect for slicing potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, you name it!

    I use mine constantly for making homemade potato chips, scalloped potatoes, or even the julienne vegetables for Beef Bulgogi bowls.

    How to use a mandoline: Holding three thin potato slices over a white dish of potatoes after slicing them with the mandoline slicer

    How thin does a mandoline slice?

    A mandoline slicer can cut slices as thin as paper up to ½ an inch in thickness, so you have options when you’re using one.

    Needless to say, it’s perfect if you need an exact thickness and want even slices every time.

    Are mandoline slicers dangerous?

    Though handy, this tool has quite the reputation for being dangerous! You may even see professional chefs cringe on Food Network shows when the mandoline is brought out.

    But the truth is, mandoline slicers are only a danger if you are not paying attention. If you know how to use a mandoline properly and safely and are paying attention, they are not dangerous.

    Many mandolines are sold with safety measures already put into place to prevent you from accidentally cutting yourself while using one, such as a guard placed over the food and blade itself.

    When I use a mandoline slicer, I use a safety food holder. Most mandolines come with these protective guards. These handy holders allow you to grip the food you’re holding while you slice it, so you can slice quickly without any risk to cutting yourself.

    In case yours did not come with a protective guard, you can buy one separately. They are inexpensive and safe!

    Is a mandoline slicer worth it?

    Without a doubt, yes. Mandoline slicers are easy to use and not as scary as you may have been led to believe. They make it so simple to cut everything from vegetables to cheese. I love my mandoline!

    How to use a mandoline: Holding a forkful of scalloped potatoes over a white plate near the casserole dish of potatoes

    What is the best mandoline slicer?

    If you don’t already own one, you may be wondering which slicer is best for you.

    My suggestion for picking a slicer is to find one that fits your budget but is as easy to use and as safe as possible. And of course, you want it to be sharp enough to cut everything you need to cut!

    Some slicers are sold with a rubber base to prevent slipping, and most mandolines have a built-in safety food holder so you can safely guide the food over the slicer. Look for a mandoline with these features to find the safest, best mandoline for your budget.

    How to Use a Mandoline

    1. Secure food in the safety food holder.
      Using a mandoline to slice the potatoes with a safety holder
    2. Grip the food in the holder over the blade and run it up and down to slice.
      Slicing the potatoes on a mandoline with a safety holder
    3. Remove the inner container of the mandoline (if yours has one), and there you have it! That’s how to use a mandoline safely and easily.
      Sliced potatoes in a white dish on a cutting board

    What to Make Using a Mandoline

    Do you already own a mandoline, or do you plan on buying one? Here are some of my favorite dishes to use this handy tool for!

    • Janssons Frestelse (Swedish Potato Casserole)
    • Gluten Free Au Gratin Potatoes
    • Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
    • Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
    • Gluten free au gratin potatoes in a skillet on a towel
      Gluten-Free Au Gratin Potatoes
    • Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad in a bowl
      Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad
    • beef bulgogi meal prep bowl
      Korean Beef Bulgogi (Korean BBQ Beef Bowls)
    • a bowl of cucumber tomato feta salad
      Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad

    Let me know in the comments below what you use your for or what you plan to make. I love to hear from you!

    Save the Video Pin

    📋 Recipe

    Close up of the mandoline and a safety holder cutting potatoes

    How to Use a Mandoline

    Isabel Laessig
    Learn how to use a mandoline safely and easily for perfect slices of food every time! Mandoline slicers cut everything from vegetables and fruit to cheese. They are so handy!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 0 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1
    Calories 164 kcal

    Equipment

    • Mandoline slicer

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 vegetable, fruit, or cheese of your choice
    Cooking Conversions

    See our Cooking Conversions Chart for help converting measurements!

    Instructions
     

    • Secure food in the safety food holder.
      Using a mandoline to slice the potatoes with a safety holder
    • Grip the food in the holder over the blade and run it up and down to slice.
      Slicing the potatoes on a mandoline with a safety holder
    • Remove the inner container of the mandoline (if yours has one), and there you have it!
      Sliced potatoes in a white dish on a cutting board

    Video

    Notes

    • If you do not already own a mandoline, find one that is as easy to use and as safe as possible. Ones with rubber feet that come with safety food holders are your best bet!
    • Even with a safety food holder, always pay attention when slicing with a mandoline.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 164kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 4gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 13mgPotassium: 897mgFiber: 5gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 4IUVitamin C: 42mgCalcium: 26mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword cutting fruit, cutting vegetables, how to use a mandoline, mandoline slicer
    Did you try this recipe?Tag #SundaySupper on social and leave a comment below!
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    Isabel, AKA Family Foodie

    About Isabel Laessig

    Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!

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    Isabel, AKA Family Foodie

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