How to Mince Garlic 4 Ways to Infuse Your Recipes with Bold Flavor

Sheena Chihak, RD
·2 min read

Fresh garlic is a common ingredient in so many of the savory recipes you cook. Whether you're adding it to a pasta sauce or infusing butter for garlic bread, chances are good your ingredient list calls for minced garlic. If you've just bought a bulb of fresh garlic and want to prep it for your recipe, we've got several easy ways to mince garlic. While the most common method of mincing garlic uses a knife, there are some handy garlic tools and shortcuts you can take if you are going to use a whole lot of garlic in a reicpe.

How to Mince Garlic

Before you learn how to mince garlic using one of our easy methods, you'll want to know the best way to peel garlic to remove the papery outer layer. From there, grab your knife or one of the handy minced garlic tools below to add irresistible savory flavor to your recipes.

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Method 1: Mincing Garlic with a Knife

Knowing how to mince garlic with a knife is the most common and easy way to prep garlic for your recipe. Use a chef's knife ($40, Target) to make lengthwise cuts through the peeled clove, then cut the strips crosswise into tiny pieces.

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Method 2: With a Garlic Press

The best part about mincing garlic with a garlic press is that you can use peeled or unpeeled garlic cloves. Place the garlic cloves in the press, squeeze, and the minced garlic will come through the small holes.

Method 3: With a Microplane

A zester or microplane grater ($15, Bed Bath & Beyond) makes minced garlic in a flash. Rub peeled garlic cloves back and forth across the sharp side. Be careful to protect your fingers when the garlic clove gets to the bottom.

Related: How to Roast Garlic to Add Amazing Depth of Flavor to Your Dishes

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Method 4: Purchase Minced Garlic

Cut down prep time and buy your garlic pre-minced ($2, Target) in a jar. Just spoon out the amount you need for your recipe.

How Much Minced Garlic Equals a Clove?

Now that you know how to make minced garlic, you might be wondering how much you'll need. Use 1 clove of garlic to equal ½ tsp. of minced garlic. For reference, a whole garlic bulb is about 12 to 15 garlic cloves.

Put that minced garlic to delicious use in a delicious pot roast, atop flatbread, or an irresistible dip for guests.