How to Make Shaved Ice Without a Blender (+ Recipes!)

No blender? No problem! Learn how to make fluffy, refreshing shaved ice at home without any special appliances — and try our mouthwatering recipes!

Learn how to make shaved ice quickly and inexpensively using a metal cheese grater. Shaved ice, also known as ice flakes, is perfect for drinks and cold desserts.

Instead of using a blender or shaved ice machine, you can achieve great results by hand-shaving the ice with a knife. Another option is to place the ice block in a bag and pound it with a rolling pin. Skip the store and expensive machines by following these simple steps.

Enjoy a refreshing snow cone on a hot day without breaking the bank. We’ll also provide some recipe ideas to make the most of your chilled, crispy shaved ice.

How to Make Shaved Ice With a Cheese Grater

This is the most straightforward way to make shaved ice at home without any specialty appliances.

Equipment:

• Metal box cheese grater (available on Amazon**)
• Recyclable cardboard quart milk carton

Instructions:

1. Wash out the milk carton with soapy water.
2. Pour drinking water into the clean milk carton and put the cap back on.
3. Set in the freezer for two days.
4. Put a large freezable bowl in the freezer for later.
5. After two days, remove the milk carton from the freezer and place it on a large chopping board.
6. Tear the carton from the block of ice. Try not to touch the ice!
7. Using the coarse shred/grated cheese side of your grater, carefully shave the ice by firmly running the grater up and down the ice in a sliding motion.
8. When the center of the grater is full of shaved ice, remove the bowl from the freezer and place the ice inside. Continue grating.
9. Use the ice immediately or keep it in a freezer-friendly container in the freezer. Keep in mind that if you don’t use your shaved ice quickly, it may freeze back into a solid block.

Pro tip: Grate from the corners of the ice block to speed up the process.

Berry Snow Cone Recipe With Shaved Ice

This popular (and colorful!) summer treat is a hit with young and old alike. Give this berry snow cone recipe a try.

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1-2 tbsp cane sugar to taste
• 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries or blueberries
• 2 cups shaved ice

Instructions:

1. Simmer the fruit and sugar in a medium saucepan until the fruit softens and sugar dissolves.
2. Remove the mixture from the heat and use a potato masher to make it into a purée.
3. Press the purée through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl to get the juice. If it’s a little thick, add a tablespoon of water to thin the mixture out, then allow it to cool.
4. Place the shaved ice in serving bowls and press it down tightly.
5. Drizzle the fruit juice over the shaved ice.
6. Serve immediately.

Store any remaining juice in the refrigerator for up to a week.

You can also make red and blue snow cones with blueberries and cranberries to make the juice and pour it in stripes over the ice.

Vegan Taiwanese Shaved Ice Recipe

This shaved ice recipe is a bit more substantial and makes for a delicious, refreshing midday snack.

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 15 oz can coconut milk
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• 1 cup diced watermelon
• 1 cup of blueberries
• 1 cup diced mango
• 2 cups shaved ice
• Ice cream for serving (try some vegan nice cream or homemade ice cream without a machine)

Instructions:

1. Beat brown sugar and coconut milk in a small pan.
2. Boil the mixture on medium-high heat, then reduce to medium and simmer for 20 minutes until the volume is reduced by half.
3. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool.
4. Mix in the salt and vanilla.
5. Wash and slice the strawberries, watermelon, blueberries and mango.
6. Press the shaved ice into serving bowls and top each serving with sliced fruit.
7. Pour two tablespoons of the coconut milk blend over each bowl.
8. Serve immediately — with ice cream if desired.

How to Use Shaved Ice

You can use shaved ice to replace ice cubes or if you intend to eat it. It’s an excellent addition to a homemade frappuccino — much less expensive than buying cold drinks from overpriced chain coffee shops. Alternatively, if you prefer less caffeine, try an iced dirty chai latte made with shaved ice.

Instead of a snow cone, you can also make a homemade slushie from natural ingredients. Kids especially will love how the shaved ice melts into a cool, sweet juice. Maple taffy is another hit for kids (and adults)! It’s quick and easy to make at home using shaved ice.

One recipe purely for the grown-ups is classic peach punch, a sweet drink you can serve over shaved ice at parties and celebrations. For those who don’t drink alcohol, try the perfect summer margarita mocktail using shaved ice instead of ice cubes.

Finally, shaved ice makes great chilled desserts. Check out our sweet summer fruit soups, like melon surprise soup and Indonesian es buah, both of which will benefit from delicious homemade shaved ice.

Read more:

• When to Pick Watermelon for the Best Taste and Texture
• How Long Does Ice Cream Last? Are Ice Crystals Bad?
• 7 Proven Ways to Cool a Room Without AC: Escape the Heat!

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Tags: Freezing Green Living Guide Recipes Summer