How to Mince Garlic Cloves

Once you figure out How to Mince Garlic, you know the best way to have this flavorful ingredient ready for any dish. This foolproof method makes separating cloves from the bulb, peeling the skin off, and finely mincing or chopping the garlic a breeze. You don’t have to shy away from recipes that call for fresh garlic anymore!

Minced garlic is shown on a cutting board next to a knife.

Countless recipes call for the all-too common “minced garlic.”

If you’re new to the cooking world, this could stop you right in your tracks, maybe even scare you off from making the recipe entirely. You might want to reach for the garlic powder.

Well fret no more, my friend.

Because it is actually so very quick and easy to peel that pesky skin from garlic cloves and then mince them to your heart’s content.

And with just a few simple tips and tricks up your sleeve, you’ll be prepping those cloves like a pro in no time!

How to Make Minced Garlic

The simple steps to mince garlic are easy to follow:

Separate the Cloves

Place the whole bulb of garlic with the root end on the cutting board. Press down with the palm of your hand until the cloves have loosened.

You can also use two hands if you need a little extra force.

If you’re having trouble getting the cloves to break apart, another method is to make a small incision with a knife between two cloves. Feel for the junction where two cloves meet, there should be a small indentation here, and then cut into the peel.

Place your thumb into this spot and break apart the garlic bulb into cloves.

The full garlic bulb is pushed down with your hand. — Press the bulb down to loosen.

The skin is removed from the whole garlic bulb. — Press the bulb down to loosen.

Cut and Crush

Once you’ve separated the cloves, cut and remove both the root and tip end from one clove.

Place the flat side of the knife on top of the clove with the blade facing away from you and crush it onto the cutting board.

Continue this process until you have as many cloves as you need.

A knife is used to remove the tips of the garlic clove. — Slice off the ends.

Pressure is applied to the garlic clove with a knife. — Slice off the ends.

Peel the Skin

Feel for a break in the papery skin. Use your fingers to gently pull it away from the clove.

The peel should have broken apart after crushing and should easily slide right off. Discard the skin.

The skin is peeled from a garlic glove using your hands.

Mince with a Knife

Carefully cut the garlic clove into thin slices and then continue to chop until your desired size is reached.

It’s easiest to do this with your dominant hand on the knife’s handle, your free hand on the top of the blade towards the tip, and then work in a fanning motion, re-grouping the garlic as you go.

There is around ½-teaspoon of minced garlic in one clove. It will take two cloves to get 1 teaspoon, three cloves for 1 ½ teaspoons, and four cloves for 2 teaspoons.

The garlic clove is then finely chopped with a chefs knife. — Use a knife to dice the garlic.

A spoon is used to hold the mince garlic for recipes. — Use a knife to dice the garlic.

Garlic Press or Grater

There are also two other quick methods to mince garlic:

A garlic press – This method is preferred. It will give you perfect and uniformly minced garlic in the quickest amount of time.

A fine grater, or microplane – This works wonderful, too, but you do have to be extremely careful to not let your fingers get too close to the grate.

Meal Prep and Storage

To Prep-Ahead: It is best to use minced garlic immediately after preparing.
To Store: If needed, you can refrigerate for up to an hour. After this amount of time the garlic will begin to get bitter.
To Freeze: Store minced garlic in a tightly sealed freezer-safe airtight container for up to 3 months.

FAQs

Is minced garlic the same as chopped garlic?

No. Chopped refers to a larger cut, whereas minced is very fine.

How much minced garlic equals one clove?

One clove of garlic generally equates to around ½-teaspoon of minced garlic.

How long does minced garlic last?

Freshly minced garlic is best used within an hour. It can also be frozen for future use.

What do you use minced garlic in?

Minced garlic can give so much flavor and aromatics to your favorite dish. Add it to sauces, stews, soups, stir-fries, and more. Sauté cut garlic with onions as a delicious base to many recipes.

Expert Tips and Tricks

Peel with ease. Crushing the clove with the side of the knife breaks the peel and makes it easier to remove.
Use two hands. Stabilize the end of your knife with your non-dominant hand for better control of the knife.
Fan-shaped motion. Move the knife back and forth as you cut until you get the desired size.
Prep just what you need. As garlic sits in the refrigerator it will become bitter.
Speed it up. Squeeze peeled garlic cloves through a garlic press to save time.

A knife is used to finely chop the garlic on cutting board.

Recipes that Use Minced Garlic

Minced garlic is the perfect way to add a depth of flavor to any of these dishes:

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