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Garlic is one of those ingredients that seems to make the most ordinary recipe more flavorful, fresh and interesting. Numerous appetizers and main dishes use garlic so knowing how to chop garlic the right way can make your recipe come together fast and easy. This step by step tutorial was put together by a professional chef, so I hope you will find it useful and easy to remember going forward in your cooking adventures.

Garlic bulbs on wooden plate.

What You Will Need

Garlic bulb and cloves on wooden table.

In order to chop garlic properly, you will need:

  • garlic cloves (however many the recipe requires)
  • a small knife
  • a wide, flat knife (chef’s knife)
  • cutting board

Step #1. Peel the Cloves

Garlic getting peeled with knife.

Remove the peel using a small knife.

Pro Tip: A clove of garlic is one of the smaller, round pieces in the whole garlic. Here is a tip to separate the cloves and make chopping them easier. Use either a larger knife or the back of a wooden spoon to smash the garlic bulb. One good smash with your hand on it will separate the membranes and the cloves.

Step #2. Smash the Cloves

Garlic clove pressed under chef's knife with woman's hand.

Smash the peeled clove with a large flat knife (chef’s knife) to flatten the garlic.

Step #3. Cut into Strips

Chef's knife slicing garlic.

Cut the smashed clove lengthwise, forming long strips.

Step #4. Chop

Chef's knife chopping garlic on wooden cutting board.

Chop the strips into small cubes.

Keep the point of the knife on the cutting board, moving the knife up and down the garlic strips to chop as finely as needed.

Chef's knife chopping garlic on wooden cutting board.

Step #5. Ready to Use

Chopped garlic on cutting board.

Now your chopped garlic is ready to use in many dishes!

Storage

  • If you aren’t using it right away, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • You can also freeze it in a freeze safe container for up to 3 months.

Bonus: How to Mince Garlic

Garlic press with minced garlic.

Either continue to chop until the garlic pieces are much finer, or use a garlic press (the easy, quick way).

With a garlic press, you can easily mince garlic in seconds. Simply place one peeled clove (with some garlic presses, you can skip the peeling) at a time into the press and squeeze the handles together. Out comes minced garlic!

Minced garlic on cutting board.

Difference Between Minced, Chopped & Sliced Garlic

Minced, chopped and sliced garlic on wooden cutting board.

The above image shows the difference between minced, chopped and sliced garlic.

  • Sliced: Sliced garlic is fine vertical slices from the whole garlic clove. You can use it to make crispy garlic chips or in stir fries.
  • Chopped: Chopped garlic consists of larger pieces of the garlic clove and is great added to soups, stir fries and pickling recipes.
  • Minced: Minced garlic is much finer than chopped garlic. It is used in dips and sauces to add garlicky flavor without throwing off the texture with garlic chunks. I also like using it in mashed potatoes.

Sample Preparation: Garlic Bread

Garlic bread.

Serve with butter and salt over freshly baked bread and enjoy!

Raw or fresh, garlic is one of my favorite smells in the kitchen. Chopping it releases the pungent aroma. It bursts with flavor when sautéed and added to your favorite recipe. It will add dimension and freshness that is accomplished only with fresh, healthy ingredients. What are some of your favorite recipes that use garlic? Let me know in the comments and please share this tutorial!

Chopped garlic on cutting board.

How to Chop Garlic

Joss Dyckson
Knowing how to chop garlic the right way can make your recipe come together fast and easy.
No ratings yet
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Estimated Cost $0.67

Equipment

Cutting board
Small knife
Chef's Knife

Materials

  • 1 garlic clove

Instructions
 

  • Remove the peel from the garlic clove using a small knife.
    Garlic getting peeled with knife.
  • Smash the peeled clove with a flat knife on a cutting board.
    Garlic clove pressed under chef's knife with woman's hand.
  • Cut the smashed clove lengthwise, forming long strips.
    Chef's knife slicing garlic.
  • Chop the strips into small cubes. Keep the point of the knife on the cutting board, moving the knife up and down the garlic strips to chop as finely as needed.
    Chef's knife chopping garlic on wooden cutting board.
  • The chopped garlic is ready to use.
    Chopped garlic on cutting board.

Notes

  • If you aren’t using it right away, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • You can also freeze it in a freeze safe container for up to 3 months.
Keyword garlic
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