How to Peel and Mince Garlic Like a Pro
Mincing is one of the 6 classic knife skills you need in the kitchen . If you know a few pro tips, peeling and mincing garlic isn't difficult. First, you'll need essential tools as well as some know-how on how to peel garlic and mince garlic. Here, we'll discuss the best way to mince garlic for your favorite recipe.
ESSENTIAL TOOLS
When mincing garlic, you'll need just two indispensable tools: a knife and a cutting board. Seido offers many knives that will make the job easier and give better results.
BEST KNIVES TO MINCE GARLIC WITH
What you want is a knife that's easy to handle, sharp, and sturdy. To get a proper mince cut, Seido offers a few standout knives.
Shop Our Kiritsuke Damascus Chef Knife Set →
Chef's Knife: A chef's knife, like our Kiritsuke Damascus Chef Knife, is a fundamental tool if you're chopping or mincing garlic. Its wide blade gives you the right size and heft to do the job.
Santoku Knife: Like a chef's knife, our 7-inch Santoku knife in our Awabi Damascus Chef Knife Set, provides a wide blade that's ideal for mincing garlic. In addition, the Granton edge will prevent your garlic from sticking to the knife's edge.
Paring Knife: Ever wonder what is a paring knife used for? Although a smaller knife than a Santoku or chef's knife, a paring knife is another good choice for mincing. The smaller size allows more precise work when you're mincing.
CUTTING BOARD
The quality of your cutting board is another important detail you'll want to pay attention to. Wooden cutting boards, made from bamboo or maple, offer soft, sturdy, and stable surfaces. They're also gentle on your knife's edges. Wood typically also offers antimicrobial properties that can help prevent the growth of bacteria, too.
Plastic cutting boards are another popular choice. They are lightweight and easy to clean. The downside of choosing a plastic cutting board is that they can accumulate knife grooves, which can harbor bacteria.
Shop Our Acacia Cutting Board Perfect To Mince Garlic →
HOW TO PEEL GARLIC
Peeling garlic is actually quite easy when you know how the pros do it!
STEP 1: SEPARATE THE CLOVES
Separate the cloves into individual cloves by applying pressure to the garlic bulb. When the cloves loosen, use your hands or a knife to separate them individually.
STEP 2: SMASH
Before smashing the cloves, use your chef's knife to trim the flat end off of the garlic clove. Next, smash the clove by placing the flat side of your knife over the clove and press down with your hand. This will loosen the skin.
STEP 3: PEEL
Using your fingers, peel off the now loosened skin.
HOW TO MINCE GARLIC
Now that the cloves are peeled, let the cutting begin.
Master Mincing Garlic Like a Pro With Seido Knives!
STEP 1: SLICE THE GARLIC
Make thin, vertical slices through the garlic.
STEP 2: CROSS-CUT
Now, gather your thin slices, turn them around 90 degrees, and make horizontal cuts with your knife. You should have small pieces.
STEP 3. CHOP
You can continue chopping the garlic until the small pieces become finer and finer.
HOW TO STORE MINCED GARLIC
If you don't intend to use your minced garlic immediately, you can store it in a few ways.
REFRIGERATION
Refrigerating your garlic slows down any enzymatic reactions. You can place your minced garlic in a small glass jar, a plastic bag, or another airtight container. For full flavor, use the minced garlic within a week.
FREEZER
If you have a lot of minced garlic, place it in an ice cube tray and freeze them. You can then thaw a cube whenever you need it.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MINCED, CRUSHED, GRATED, CHOPPED AND SLICED GARLIC
When cutting garlic, the way you prepare your garlic can significantly affect its flavor. Here are some choices of how to cut garlic.
MINCED GARLIC
You'll get a fine texture and intense flavor with minced garlic. Minced garlic is a good option when you want your garlic flavor to be evenly distributed throughout the dish.
CRUSHED GARLIC
Crushing draws out the compounds, where the flavor is. Crushing your garlic will give you small, uneven pieces. If you want finer pieces, chop the crushed garlic. How to crush a garlic clove is to place the flat side of a large knife over it and smash it.
GRATED GARLIC
Grated garlic is very fine, has an intense flavor, and is almost like a liquid. Grated garlic works for recipes where you want a smooth garlic texture.
CHOPPED GARLIC
If you want slightly larger garlic pieces, opt for chopped garlic. The sizes are larger than minced or crushed garlic, and the flavor is more gradual.
SLICED GARLIC
Sliced garlic gives you thin, long slices. Sliced garlic is a great option if you want a moderate flavor and visual appeal.
EXPERT TIPS FOR MINCING GARLIC
When you're mincing garlic, keep these expert tips in mind.
- Choose a sharp chef's knife, like the Japanese Master Chef Knife, that has a wide blade and sturdy handle.
- Choose a thick, stable cutting board.
- For even slices, use back-and-forth movements.
- Store your minced garlic in the fridge or freezer if you don't use it immediately.
Buy Our Japanese Chef Knife Great For Mincing Garlic →
HOW MUCH MINCED GARLIC DOES ONE CLOVE MAKE?
The size of your garlic cloves will make a difference in the amount of minced garlic you will have. However, here's a general breakdown:
- Small clove: About 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic
- Medium clove: About 3/4 to 1 teaspoon of minced garlic
- Large clove: About 1 to 1.5 teaspoons of minced garlic
BOTTOM LINE
Up your game the next time you're using garlic for a recipe. With these tips and the proper tools, you'll know how to mince garlic cloves like a pro.
