Imagine you are preparing to prepare a tender London Broil to be the star of your tasty feast, and it requires one tablespoon of minced garlic. Then you find yourself staring at the garlic bulb on your counter and wondering how many garlic cloves are needed to make a tablespoon’s worth of minced garlic. Some cooking instructions may call for one clove of minced or mashed garlic, while others could say two teaspoons. You may need clarification and end up searching for conversions online while cooking. Understandably, measurements can be confusing, mainly when they are described differently in recipes, and you may only have a limited number of kitchen tools. Knowing how to convert kitchen measurements using available devices will be a valuable culinary skill.
We have the answer! Read below to find an easy cloves-to-minced-garlic conversion chart. You can also learn how to mince the garlic and what you can substitute it with if you do not have any. Try the recipes that use this kitchen staple.
Cloves and Minced Garlic
Garlic is an essential cooking ingredient that adds flavor to any dish. As soon as the garlic hits the pan, it releases a beautiful aroma that will excite your senses. They are found in almost every savory dish in different forms, from minced to powdered. Most recipes call for minced. How do you measure them correctly when using them in recipes?
The first thing you need to do is purchase a bulb of garlic from your local grocery store. You can get between 10 and 12 cloves per regular-sized bulb. You can then start to prepare the garlic cloves according to the recipe.
How much-minced garlic can you get from a clove?
Estimating how much garlic you will get from a single clove can be challenging. For an immediate answer, one small garlic clove equals 1/2 teaspoon of minced onion. To get an exact measurement, double or triple the amount if the recipe requires more than 1/2 teaspoon. You can use this guide to convert small cloves more precisely:
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic = 1 clove of garlic
- 2 cloves of garlic = 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of minced garlic = 3 cloves of garlic
- 2 teaspoons of minced Garlic = 4 cloves of garlic
Convert Clove to Minced garlic.
You may also not have any fresh garlic and choose to use the alternatives available at home. Here is a handy guide that will help you convert the measurements of garlic cloves to minced garlic.
The chart below shows the equivalent measurements of a small garlic clove in teaspoons. Knowing the number of teaspoons in a tablespoon is helpful if you are cooking larger quantities. This will help you estimate the ratio between minced garlic and cloves. In general, one tablespoon contains three teaspoons. You will need six cloves if you want to make one tablespoon of minced cloves.
How to Mince Garlic
The flavor of minced garlic is robust, despite its small size. The smaller the garlic is minced, the stronger its flavor. The enzyme Allicin is responsible for this. It increases the finer the garlic is chopped. Some recipes call for minced or chopped garlic, depending on the intensity of the flavor.
It is easy to add the familiar taste of garlic to your favorite dish. It is easier to use jarred or dried garlic, saving time. Don’t worry if you do not have any jarred or other tools at home, such as graters or food processors. Follow these simple steps for a quick and easy way to mince garlic.
- Trim the tips of your garlic cloves with a knife. As you do this, some parts of the skin may come off.
- Use your knife to crush each clove, the blade facing you gently. With just enough pressure, the skin will separate from the garlic. Peel off the remaining skin.
- Slice the garlic thinly and then mince it finely with a rocking motion until you reach the desired size.
Chopped vs. Minced vs. Crushed
There is little difference between minced, chopped, or crushed garlic except for their size. This tiny detail can make a massive difference to a recipe if you ignore the instructions.
Crushed garlic is crushed cloves. Chopped garlic can be large and chunky, while minced garlic has a finer texture. It is essential to note the apparent size difference when deciding whether you prefer larger or smaller pieces. You would want to avoid a large bite of garlic in your smooth and creamy mashed potatoes.
Substitutes for minced garlic in Dishes
If you do not have any fresh garlic cloves, don’t worry. You can still get the intense and distinctive flavor of garlic! You can substitute minced garlic with these alternatives:
- You can easily find this ready-made garlic paste in the stores. These are often grabbed off the shelf for convenience. You can get all the flavor you want in a paste by simply squeezing it!
- Garlic Powder – This alternative to fresh garlic is used in many recipes. The drying process makes garlic powder more concentrated and has a sweeter smell. It is less potent than fresh garlic.
- Garlic Salt This is garlic powder mixed with salt. Use 1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt to replace one clove. Garlic salt adds 3/8 teaspoons of salt to the dish. Remember to adjust the seasonings of your plate accordingly.
- Granulated garlic– Made from dehydrated garlic. It’s just a coarser or rougher version of the usual garlic powder. It is less concentrated than regular garlic powder, but you can still use more if necessary.
- Garlic flakes – This dried version is a good substitute if you cannot find another type in your pantry. Garlic flakes, which are dried garlic slices larger than other varieties, are the most common form of garlic flakes. It is better for dishes that call for larger pieces of garlic because it has this characteristic.
By following these alternative methods, you can add the same essential flavor of garlic to your dish without using freshly minced garlic. Refer to our handy garlic clove conversion chart for the measurements we created for you.
Minced Garlic Can Be Used to Make a Variety of Savory Dishes
You’ve now mastered the art of measuring garlic in all its forms. The next step is to prepare a tasty meal to share with family and friends. We have selected some delicious recipes that will make you smile!
- Chinese Red Cabbage Fried Rice– This classic fried risotto is a must for garlicky goodness. This Chinese fried rice is irresistible, with its delicious aroma. It contains ginger, green chilies, scallions, and garlic. Red cabbage gives the dish a nice crunch, sweetness, and a little crunch.
- Panera Bread Copycat Garden Vegetable Soup– Garlic brings bold flavors, and this recipe will satisfy your appetite! This soup may look simple but is packed with flavor thanks to the vibrant vegetables, herbs, and spices. This soup will be your go-to comfort dish during the winter months.
- Chicken Drumsticks Recreate this quick and easy dish. You can add the right amount or even a little extra for some extra flavor!
