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Home » How To: » How to Mince Garlic

How to Mince Garlic

Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon Jessica Randhawa
November 15, 2021
5 from 4 votes


Last Updated November 15, 2021 | 0 Comments

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Image of whole bulbs of garlic with text overlay
How to Mince Garlic Pinterest pin image and collage

Learn how to mince garlic using the simple step-by-step guide below. So easy, you may never buy the jarred stuff again.

Six bulbs of garlic on a large marble cutting board.

How to Peel and Mince Garlic

How to peel and mince garlic without a garlic press:

  1. Use a chef’s knife to cut the root end from the garlic bulb, or, place the bulb on a sturdy surface, root-side-down, and press firmly with the palm of your hand to loosen the cloves.
  2. Separate and remove the cloves from the root.
  3. Use a knife to trim a small amount from the root and tip from each end. Trimming the ends will make it easier to separate the peel from the clove.
  4. Remove the peel with your fingers.
  5. One at a time, use your knife to make thin vertical slices through the clove. Turn the knife and continue with horizantal slices. Make a small pile and continue to chop until the desired mince size is reached.
Collage of six images showing how to peel and mince garlic step-by-step.

Best Garlic Press

There are hundreds of garlic presses out there and while I can’t speak for all of them, I can speak for one – the ORBLUE Garlic Press. I have owned and used this garlic press for more than 5 years and it works just as well today as the day I bought it. You will still need to peel your garlic, but mincing it will be much faster.

Collage of three images showing the steps to use a garlic press.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many teaspoons of minced garlic equals 1 clove?

Unfortunately there isn’t an exact answer to this question given the size difference from one clove of garlic to the next or how finely the garlic was minced. With this is mind, it is estimated that one medium-sized clove will give about one teaspoon of minced.

Minced vs. chopped garlic?

Minced garlic is much more finely chopped when compared to chopped garlic, about 1/16-inch vs. 1/8-inch. Chopped garlic has more bite, whereas minced has stronger flavor. Chopped garlic is best for soups, stews, or cooking in oil to flavor chicken and vegetables. Minced is ideal for sauces and stir-frys.

Minced vs. pressed garlic?

Pressed garlic (when pressed with a garlic press) is “wetter” than garlic that is minced using a knife. It is also much stronger tasting. Garlic pressed using a microplane is even wetter, nearly pureed, with the strongest taste.

How long does garlic last in the fridge?

Individual peeled cloves of garlic will last for 1 day when stored in the refrigerator. Minced garlic will last for 2-3 days in the refrigerator when stored in a sealed jar and covered with olive oil.

Cloves of garlic

Minced Garlic Tips and Tricks

  • For best results, avoid chopping garlic too far in advance. The longer it sits, the harsher the flavor (and not in a pleasent way).
  • The finer the mince the more potant flavor.
  • When adding minced garlic to recipes, add it after all of the other vegetables (onions, carrots, celery, etc.) have been softened first.
  • Trouble removing the skin from the garlic cloves? Try microwaving the cloves for 10-15 seconds. The skins should peel off more easily.
Close up image of one whole garlic bulb surrounded by additional bulbs of garlic in the foreground and background.

Recipes that use minced garlic,

  • Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe
  • Rosemary Garlic Chicken Recipe
  • 10 Minute Garlic Bok Choy Recipe
  • Garlic Butter Sauce
  • Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe

Have you tried mincing your own garlic?

Tell me about it in the comments below! I always love to hear your thoughts. And tag me #theforkedspoon on Instagram if you’ve made any of my recipes, I always love to see what you’re cooking in the kitchen.

Close up image of one whole garlic bulb surrounded by additional bulbs of garlic in the foreground and background.

How to Mince Garlic

5 from 4 votes
Chef: Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked SpoonJessica Randhawa
Learn how to mince garlic using the simple step-by-step guide below. So easy, you may never buy the jarred stuff again.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 5 mins
Total Time 5 mins
Course Condiment, How-to
Cuisine American
Servings 10 teaspoons (approx.)
Calories 1 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 bulb garlic
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Instructions
 

  • Use a large and sturdy chef's knife to cut the root end from the bulb of garlic.
    Large knife cutting the root end from a large bulb of garlic.
  • OR, if you require only a few cloves of garlic, place the entire bulb of garlic on a sturdy surface, root-side-down. Press with the palm of your hand (or the bottom of a glass) to loosen the cloves.
    Hand pressing down on a whole bulb of garlic to loosen the cloves.
  • Gently separate and remove the cloves from the root.
    Hands separating the loosened cloves of garlic from the whole bulb.
  • Trim a small amount from the root and tip of each clove – this will help the peel be removed more easily.
    Trimming the ends from a single clove of garlic.
  • Remove the peel with your fingers.
    Removing the peel from one clove of garlic.
  • With a firm hold on your knife, use the tip of your knife to very carefully make thin vertical slices through the clove. Turn the knife and begin making horizontal slices through the clove. Continue to run the knife over the chopped pile of garlic.
    Image of minced garlic and sliced garlic.
  • For a smoother paste-like mince, scrape the minced garlic into a small pile and continue to chop until the desired consistency is reached.

Jessica’s Notes

  • How man gloves of garlic make one teaspoon (and vice versa) is impossible to calculate, however, the estimate is 1 clove of garlic equals about 1 teaspoon.
  • Finely minced garlic will have a stronger flavor compared to a less fine one.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 1kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 1mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)

Keyword Garlic, How to Mince Garlic, How to peel garlic
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About Jessica

Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

Jessica Randhawa is the head chef, photographer, and recipe developer of The Forked Spoon. Jessica fell in love with cooking while traveling through Asia and Europe, where she discovered her passion for good food and new adventures. Her recipes have been featured on Yahoo, MSN, USA Today, FeedFeed, and many more. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California.

56 shares
Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

About Jessica Randhawa

Jessica Randhawa is the head chef, photographer, and recipe developer of The Forked Spoon. Jessica fell in love with cooking while traveling through Asia and Europe, where she discovered her passion for good food and new adventures. Her recipes have been featured on Yahoo, MSN, USA Today, FeedFeed, and many more. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California.

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Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

I’m Jessica! Aka mom, wife, chef, and travel-obsessed photographer. Welcome to The Forked Spoon. Here you can browse hundreds of incredible family-friendly recipes covering dozens of diets, courses, and cuisines. Learn more about me.

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