How to Cut Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi is a healthy and tasty vegetable that can be turned into many delicious dishes. But before you get started, you need to remove the green leaves, peel and cut the kohlrabi in the way the recipe calls for. What a challenging task! In this article, I will show you how to cut kohlrabi with ease.

What kitchen utensils you need

You don't need any special tools to prepare kohlrabi for cooking. All that is required includes the following:

• Paring knife
• Sharp vegetable peeler
• Cutting board

Remove the stems with leaves

First, break off the kohlrabi stems as close to the bulb as possible. All you need are your own fingers and a little skill, no knife. Discard the leaves or use them in another recipe, as the kohlrabi greens are edible.

Cut off the bulb top

Use a knife to trim off the end of the kohlrabi where the roots are growing. This is a typically stiff part; proceed with caution when cutting.

How to peel kohlrabi

The easiest and most efficient way to peel kohlrabi is to use a vegetable peeler. Keep in mind that the outer skin of the bulb is tough and bumpy, so be careful. If there are large remnants of the stems, cut them off with a knife. 

Cutting kohlrabi for different recipes

The intention of what to do with your kohlrabi will determine how it should be cut. While a recipe for stuffed kohlrabi simply calls for hollowing it out, for roasted kohlrabi you need slices, and for a fresh salad you want to shred the bulb.

Slicing

Put the kohlrabi on a chopping board, and use a sharp knife to cut it into slices. Using a mandoline or other type of slicer is an option that is both faster and more convenient.

Shredding

For a veggie salad or slaw, you need finely grated kohlrabi. The best tool for this task is a hand grater with large or small holes, depending on how pronounced you want the kohlrabi to be in your dish.

Recipes using kohlrabi

• Sweet and sour braised kohlrabi