My Favorite Summer Kitchen Tool? I know it sounds like a sales pitch, but I think of it more as a great tip from a friendly neighbor 😉 I’m so passionate about this vegetable chopper, and I’ll show you why.
So many of my favorite recipes on the blog depend on my alligator chopper for their success (hello Cowboy Caviar).
And while I use it all year long, it really gets a workout in the summer months, so I thought it was a good time to share my secret weapon with you. Plus, it gives me a chance to show off some of my best seasonal recipes 🙂
Note: the link to the chopper is an affiliate link, and that just means that I get a small fee if you order one through my Amazon link, but of course you pay the same price, there’s no extra cost to you. That’s not the reason I’m sharing it today (it’s a pretty small fee!) but it does help tvfgi, so thank you!
The Alligator vegetable chopper is the tool I use almost every day in the summer
This is the one I love, it’s made of steel, with steel blades, and it works perfectly. Trust me, I’ve gone through the plastic versions and they don’t hold up; the plastic just isn’t durable or strong enough. I’ve used the steel model for years and yet I still get excited every time I take it out of the cupboard. It’s fun!!
By the way, if you’ve got kids or grandkids around this summer get them involved in the kitchen, this tool is easy enough for them to use and can help show them how to eat healthier.
The variety of foods I chop with this tool
- vegetables like carrots, zucchini, peppers, etc.
- fruit
- eggs
- olives
- tomatoes
- artichokes
- cheese, soft and hard
- dense lettuce like endive, radicchio, iceberg, cabbage, or gem
- some meat like deli chicken or turkey breast, ham, hard sausage
- I’ve even diced bread for making mini croutons
The problem with chopped salads
Chopped salads are a favorite of ours, I’ve loved them since I was a kid. All the ingredients are cut into small, even pieces and the result is not only pretty, but a pleasure to eat. Add some protein and a fabulous dressing and you’ve got an amazing summer meal. Only thing is…all that chopping! It can be exhausting, and very hard to do it evenly.
In my Chopped Chef Salad, above, and my Chopped Greek Salad, below, I used the larger grid (the tool comes with 3 grid sizes.) to chop everything, including tomatoes, feta cheese, cukes, red onions, and artichokes. Having all the ingredients chopped to the same size gives the salad a professional look, and makes it so much easier to eat than a classic Greek salad.
For my restaurant style salsa, below, I used the chopper’s smaller grid to get everything nice and tiny.
I like this technique so much better than making salsa in a blender, because you can still see all the wonderful ingredients, and it gives it great texture.
I use the Alligator chopper for just about all my salsas, whether they’re fine or chunky.
As any salsa lover knows, they can be a lot of work if you try to do it all by hand, and often you’ll crush delicate ingredients. The chopper doesn’t smash or bruise delicate fruits and veggies, so I can use it with tomatoes or berries, like in the strawberry jalapeño salsa, below. I’ve even used it with ripe peaches to make one of my favorite summer meals, grilled chicken with peach salsa.
One theme that runs through my summer meals is serving fish with some kind of fruit salsa. I serve my spicy fruit salsa over salmon in July and August when so many amazing fruits are in season ~ it’s one of my personal favorite recipes on the blog, just fyi. I do cherry salsa on whitefish, and kiwi on salmon, too.
If you read this blog you know I love my bean salads
and I definitely make use of the chopper in these recipes because I want any supporting ingredients to be approximately the same size as the beans, like in my rainbow bean salad, below. Sometimes it might just be colorful peppers and red onions, but it makes such a difference, not only to the look of the salad, but for the eating experience, as well.
It’s not summer here at tvfgi without several different gazpacho recipes
The chopper’s small size grid works perfectly for the onions, peppers and cukes in a classic gazpacho. And when I’m ready to serve I’ve got the perfect garnish.
One of the surprising ways I use my Alligator chopper is with tomatoes.
I adore bruschetta, but chopping soft tomatoes by hand is a challenge, and a mess. The chopper actually comes with a plastic ‘bin’ that collects the food and any stray juices. It’s genius.
If you love hot peppers like I do you’ll appreciate being able to perfectly dice jalapeños etc without ever touching them. I can make batch after batch of rosé wine hot pepper jelly without any issues.
For all you grillers out there, there’s a homemade relish just calling your name, and the chopper will help you make it quick and easy. I can’t do my famous tropical hot dog bar without it!
And lest you think this is all about fruits and veggies
I also use this chopper for chicken salad! I wasn’t sure that was going to work, but as you can see in my chicken salad with poppyseed dressing, below, it does. You can also use it for ham, bacon, etc.
And last but not least, the chopper makes pretty amazing fruit salads. You can chop hard fruits like apples, or soft ones like watermelon. It’s a lifesaver with a mixed fruit salad like my fruit salad with coconut dressing.
Happy Chopping!
Feel free to ask me questions in the comments, I’ll answer 🙂
40 Comments
Debbie
July 15, 2020 at 8:56 amI ordered finally based on this post and love it. I can chop 2 onions for my husband’s favorite cheese and onion enchiladas in no time. But I have a question about cleaning…I’m guessing not the dishwasher so I rinsed thoroughly (I thought) and set aside to dry. The blades on the chopping grid continued to have small shreds of onion that I did not see initially. No amount of sprayer got it off and I cut my finger trying to get the shreds out. What is your cleaning proces exactly and do you have any advice to share?
Sue
July 15, 2020 at 12:30 pmI do put mine in the dishwasher on occasion, but I generally rinse out with the sprayer, and use a sponge to ease out any remaining bits. A dish brush works well, too. Any teeny bits that I can’t get out I just leave, they dry and fall out anyway.
Cher Merriman
June 29, 2020 at 12:23 pmI would like to see this chopper in a demo. Looking at it just sitting there I can’t figure it out, and would therefore not be likely to order it.
Joycelyn
June 29, 2020 at 8:54 amI’m in Canada where your alligator chopper is $170 CD on amazon Canada compared to $126 USD on amazon US. Unfortunately this is all too often the case when I decide to check out a product a favourite blogger has recommended. Also, with the tax I’d have to pay on top of the 170 dollars my total cost would be $190.
I could order through your amazon US link which would be helpful for you, but know from experience when trying to order stuff in the past, besides the cost of the product, I would have to pay shipping costs, (which I don’t pay when ordering through amazon Canada ) I’d also have to pay customs and duty charges plus the exchange rate on the dollar as our Canadian dollar rate is lower than the US dollar, so in the end, it’s even more expensive to order from the US.
Although I wish I could buy your recommended alligator as it looks to have a lot of very good ratings, being a senior on a fixed income, $190 CD is a wee bit much to take from my pocket book that is constantly getting skinnier, so will have to settle for one of the less expensive brands offered on amazon Canada and hope to goodness the darn thing works “almost” as good as yours. : )
Have a great day everyone
stay well
Sue
June 29, 2020 at 9:34 amThat is so frustrating Joycelyn, I hope you can find a good alternative on Amazon Canada. The plastic versions of this tool should work ok for you, especially since you won’t be giving them the workout that I do here at tvfgi kitchen. Good luck!
Debbie
June 29, 2020 at 6:09 pmI just received mine and watched some YouTube videos. Looks easy and efficient.
Ellen Bryant
June 28, 2020 at 7:46 pmHi, I’m a subscriber for your recipes. I made your recipe for the Strawberry Lemon Blondies. They were Delicious!!!! I’m going to look at the alligator and possibly order one. Chopping isn’t my favorite part of making a recipe. Going to try some of your frozen popsicles. I had put my popsicle mold up and couldn’t remember where I put it. DUH. Found It!!!!!
Lorri
June 28, 2020 at 4:44 pmYes Yes Yes I LOOOOOOOVE the Alligator!!
Lorri
June 28, 2020 at 4:46 pmFOLLOW UP COMMENT to add: I have the “basic” one, that is a sturdy plastic – LOL – and I only use it for onions. But I do LOOOOVE the Alligator and I love this blog + your recipes so, if this fancy and much sturdier Kitchen Tool works good for you – then I’ll try it!
Sue
June 28, 2020 at 6:43 pmI appreciate the vote of confidence Lori! I think you’d benefit from the upgraded chopper, I don’t think of it as ‘fancier’…just better made :))
Louisa
June 28, 2020 at 1:48 pmI just ordered one from your Amazon Link about 10
minutes ago and hopefully it will last and holdup as well as the one that you have had for years. I also wanted to see what else you share on your Amazon Link, but was unable to see anything else. How do I find what else you recommend. Thank you for your help. Have a grand day.
Sue
June 28, 2020 at 3:02 pmI’m excited for you Louisa, I know it will hold up for you, the whole thing is steel, you couldn’t break it if you tried. I do have an Amazon ‘shop’ which is basically just a collection of stuff I like and use, there’s a link at the top of my blog, and I’ll leave it here.
Amy
June 28, 2020 at 1:36 pmI ordered one of these several months ago after reading about it on your site…I ABSOLUTELY love it and use it all the time. It makes chopping a breeze and so easy to clean up after using!
Sue
June 28, 2020 at 2:59 pmOh good Amy! I don’t sound so much like a crazy person now 😉
Debbie
June 28, 2020 at 11:34 amI just ordered this….I have so much arthritis in my hands I think I will love it!!!! I am going to order one for my son if I love it too. Thank you I love your recipes and all your super helpful hints.
I just made your chocolate chip peanut butter scones for my husbands birthday. DELICIOUS….they do melt in your mouth. We love scones!!!!
Sue
June 28, 2020 at 12:22 pmHey Debbie, this should certainly cut down on a lot of hand motion. And I’m so glad you loved those scones…I do too 😉
Donna
June 28, 2020 at 11:21 amI’m a lover of chopped salads also! I live in south Florida, and we eat a lot of different kinds of salads in the Summer. Will the alligator chopper chop head lettuce?
Thanks!
Sue
June 28, 2020 at 11:26 amI’ve used it for iceberg and radicchio, and it works great. It really just depends on how dense your head of lettuce is, the denser the better. Of course lettuce isn’t too hard to chop manually, but I’m often really pleased with the even results I get from the chopper. You need to slice the lettuce first into flat slabs, and then use the chopper.
Donna
June 28, 2020 at 11:42 amI’m going to give it a try. It’ll also be great for making salsa to put on grilled fish!
Thanks!
Sue
June 28, 2020 at 12:20 pmOne of my favorite things…
Patricia Walker
June 28, 2020 at 10:38 amThis looks amazing. I’l definitely consider this. Do you have a favorite mandolin? Thanks.
Sue
June 28, 2020 at 11:21 amGreat question, I’m in the market for an upgraded mandoline, it’s another tool I use all the time. I think I’m going to purchase a heavy duty one, but haven’t decided on a particular model yet.
Debbie
June 28, 2020 at 11:39 amI have the best mandolin..the brand is Horner….the original Horner….it is fantastic. So easy to use and
clean and I can stand it up in the corner of my counter….out of sight. I’m not sure where it was recommended but I LOVE it. It makes fantastic potato chips in the microwave. Takes a little time
but it so easy. They are amazing…and keep well too.
Sue
June 28, 2020 at 12:20 pmI’ll look it up today!
Cheri
June 28, 2020 at 2:22 pmIs your mandoline Horner or Borner? I can’t seem to find Horner brand mandoline and I’m in the market to replace almost my entire kitchen tools. Ordering this chopper as well!
marianne
June 28, 2020 at 10:22 amI love an Israeli salad but chopping everything so fine is a pain. So I ordered one. To the store to buy veggies.
Sue
June 28, 2020 at 10:27 amThis is ideal for Israeli salad, I like mine on the chunky side so I use the larger grid, but the smaller one is probably a better size for an authentic version.
KariG
June 28, 2020 at 10:20 amWhen I was a kid, even a young adult, my mom would set me to chopping an hour (!) before she needed the ingredient. It took me sooooo long. I think it’s one of the main reason I rarely cook.
Sue
June 28, 2020 at 10:28 amYou sound like the perfect candidate for this chopper. The main reason I hate chopping is that I inevitably nick myself, and this avoids all that.
Debbie
June 28, 2020 at 9:54 amThis has been on my list for awhile. But this post pushed me to order it! Ordered through your link and I plan to get another one for my daughter who hates chopping things!
Sue
June 28, 2020 at 9:57 amI’m pretty sure you both will love it 🙂
Debbie
June 29, 2020 at 6:11 pmIt arrived today. Just watched a couple of YouTube how-tos and can’t wait til my days off work this week to give it a try!
Candace
June 28, 2020 at 9:54 amOK – I’m just about there, Sue. Just one question before I lay out the big bucks – does it take a lot of force to press down on the harder veggies like carrots, onion and potatoes? I have issues with this and wonder if it will take calling in Mr. Squash for the harder veggies. Thanks!
Sue
June 28, 2020 at 10:25 amhaha, I know just what you mean…the chopping motion is very smooth and easy generally, the only time it takes pressure is with something extra hard like raw beets or thicker carrots. When I’m chopping peppers it helps to orient them skin side down for easier slicing. But good news, I’ve never had to ask the ‘Mr.’ for help!
Cheryl
June 28, 2020 at 8:56 amI ordered the Alligator plastic version in the smaller two grid sizes. I haven’t yet received it, but am very excited to start using. I’ve wanted this tool since I saw your post last year!
Sue
June 28, 2020 at 9:15 amThe plastic one will last you long enough to know if you want to upgrade. And if you aren’t doing heavy duty chopping it should be fine. Hope you love it Cheryl 🙂
Ruth
June 28, 2020 at 8:14 amWhat is the difference between the more expensive model 3093- Amd the less costly?
Sue
June 28, 2020 at 8:18 amHey Ruth ~ I’m not sure which other one you’re referring to but it could be “renewed”, meaning it’s a used model that’s been refurbished. The other less expensive models are made from plastic and they don’t hold up well, I’ve tried them.
Kathleen
June 28, 2020 at 7:43 amSue – how long have you had your chopper, and how does one keep the blades sharp? Is it dishwasher safe? thanks in advance – Kathleen
Sue
June 28, 2020 at 7:46 amI’ve had mine for about 4 years, and I was surprised to find that my blades haven’t dulled. Part of the way it works is the leverage you get when you chop down, so it isn’t all about sharpness, if that makes sense. It’s dishwasher safe, but mostly I just rinse in cold water.