This is a comprehensive guide on How to Mince Garlic. It includes instructions on how to peel (slice), cut (chop, grate), and make garlic paste. Discover how to use this versatile ingredient to give any recipe the perfect garlic flavor.
Garlic’s pungent, strong aroma is a great flavoring agent.
How Garlic is chopped directly affects its flavor. Learn how to peel Garlic, slice it, chop it, mince it, and grate the Garlic.
You can check out How to Store Garlic to make your Garlic last longer.
Garlic: How to buy it
We want to use the freshest possible Garlic. Shop at the supermarket to ensure the following:
- The bulb should be tight and free of any soft black powder.
- It is dry with thin, smooth skin. There are a few purple stripes on the side.
- Gentle pressure does not work.
- The Garlic is likely to be old if there are no garlic sprouts.
Garlic has many health benefits.
Garlic has many health benefits, including:
- This product contains a variety of natural antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress.
- It has been shown to reduce blood pressure and “bad” cholesterol (LDL).
- It can help to prevent illnesses such as flu and the common cold.
Fun fact: The flavor of Garlic comes from a chemical called Allicin. This compound is only formed when the cell walls of plants are ruptured. Allicin is released as soon as the garlic clove is cut.
How to Peel Garlic
Here are my top methods for peeling the Garlic in the least amount of time.
Step 1: Remove the bulb
Place the bulb with its root facing down on a flat board. Squash the garlic bulb with your fist. Alternatively, you can place a knife on top and smash it. The roots will be broken, and the bulb will become looser. Separate the cloves using your hands.
Tip 2: Peeling the Cloves
There are several ways to do this. Choose the option that is most convenient for you.
Mason Jar Trick Place loose cloves into a Mason Jar, close the lid, and shake it vigorously. Open the jar, and remove the cloves that have been peeled. This method is excellent if you have tons of Garlic to peel.
Crush & Peel:
Trim the clove’s root. It can be smashed with a knife. The peel will come off the clove. Then, separate the cloves and peels. This works great for peeling a handful of cloves.
Hand-written
Pull the tail of the clove with your fingertips to gently peel the skin. Trim the end that is closest to the garlic root. This works great for peeling a few cloves.
How to Cut Garlic
The fun part is now here! You can cut Garlic differently, depending on how it will be used in the recipe. Depending on your needs, you can use any of the following methods.
How to slice Garlic
Place the peeled whole garlic clove on a cutting board. Slice quickly and evenly with a knife.
How to Chop Garlic
Line up the garlic slices next to one another. Place one hand on the blade of the chef’s knife while moving the other in a semicircular motion. Chop Garlic into desired sizes.
How to Mince Garlic
Here are three ways of chopping Garlic:
Mincing with Hand:
- Place a chef’s blade over the garlic clove and crush it using the heel of your hand.
- Use two hands to chop the Garlic and then run it back and forth repeatedly.
- Keep one hand on the blade and move the other semicircularly.
How to Use a Garlic Press Place a peeled clove of Garlic in the chamber and squeeze both handles together. Every time, you will get perfectly sized pieces of Garlic.
How to use a Microplane: In one hand, hold the Microplane, and in the other, the garlic clove that has been peeled. Use gentle pressure as you go back and forward against the plane on the grater.
Do your hands smell like Garlic? Rub your fingers with one tablespoon of white vinegar and one teaspoon of baking soda to eliminate that smell. Rub your hands against a stainless steel plate or the kitchen sink.
Chopped Garlic vs. Minced Garlic
Despite the similarity in size between minced and chopped Garlic, the latter is usually more significant. The difference between chopped and minced Garlic can significantly impact the final flavor of the dish.
When a recipe asks for finely minced, grated, or minced Garlic, I find that it’s best to chop the Garlic into the smallest size.
Pro tip:
- Take a step forward and mince the cloves of Garlic into a smooth paste for use in sauces and dressings.
- Sprinkle generously with kosher sea salt.
- Continue to mince the cloves of Garlic while alternately scraping and turning the knife back and forth.
- Continue until the Garlic becomes moist and pasty.
How to make garlic paste
Garlic paste can be used to prepare your meal for the following recipe.
To prepare garlic paste: Place one tablespoon of oil and the peeled cloves of Garlic in a food processor or blender. Process until smooth. Scrape down the sides if necessary.
How to store
Store prepared Garlic in an airtight container, in the refrigerator, for up to a week.
Garlic can be stored in an airtight bag, container, or freezer for up to three months.
Common Garlic Conversions
Here are some garlic recipes based on the ingredients you have available:
- Garlic Flakes: Use 1/2 teaspoon of garlic flakes per 1 clove.
- Granulated Garlic: Use 1/4 teaspoon of granulated Garlic for each clove.
- Garlic powder: Use one-eighth teaspoon of garlic powder per clove.
- Garlic salt: Use half a teaspoon of garlic salt per clove. Note This adds 3/8 teaspoons salt. Decrease the salt accordingly.
From Minced Garlic: A medium clove will produce approximately one teaspoon of minced Garlic or 1/2 teaspoon of chopped Garlic. Three to four medium cloves will yield one Tablespoon of chopped Garlic or half a Tablespoon of minced Garlic.
Garlic Tips and Tricks
- The size of the Garlic is essential. The stronger the flavor, the smaller the pieces.
- As soon as possible, cut the Garlic. The harsher the flavor of chopped Garlic, the longer it sits.
- Only add the Garlic once all other aromatics are softened. Do not cook for more than 30 seconds.
- If Garlic is the only flavoring (i.e., Add the Garlic and oil to a pan over low heat. Allow it to release its natural sweet flavor.
- Rub your hands with one tablespoon of white vinegar and one teaspoon of baking soda to remove the smell of Garlic. Rub your hands against a stainless steel plate or the kitchen sink.
