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    In the Kitch » Recipes » Tutorials

    Updated: Jun 8, 2024 · Published: Oct 29, 2018 by Joss Dyckson · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    How to Chop Garlic

    Jump to Recipe
    Garlic bulbs and chopped garlic with text overlay that says 'how to chop garlic like a pro'.

    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. I hope you will find this step by step tutorial useful and easy to remember going forward in your cooking adventures.

    Garlic bulbs on wooden plate.
    Jump to:
    • Love That Garlic Aroma
    • Difference Between Minced, Chopped & Sliced Garlic
    • What You Will Need to Chop Garlic
    • Instructions
    • Storage Tips
    • Bonus: How to Mince Garlic
    • Sample Preparation: Garlic Bread
    • Recipe FAQs
    • ❤️More Recipes With Garlic You Will Love
    • 📋Recipe

    Love That Garlic Aroma

    Fresh or cooked, 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.

    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 (such as my kimchi shrimp stir fry) and pickling recipes: pickled eggs and hot pickled sausage are my favorites.
    • 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 use it in my recipe for grilled pickles and garlic dip. I also like using it in mashed potatoes.

    What You Will Need to Chop Garlic

    Garlic bulb and cloves on wooden table.
    • garlic cloves - as many as the recipe requires
    • a small paring knife - to peel the cloves
    • a wide, flat knife - known as a chef's knife
    • cutting board

    Instructions

    Garlic getting peeled with knife.

    Step #1. Peel the Cloves. Remove the peel using a small knife.

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

    Step #2. Smash the Cloves. Smash the peeled clove with a large flat knife (chef's knife) to flatten the garlic.

    ⭐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.

    Chef's knife slicing garlic.

    Step #3. Cut into Strips. Cut the smashed clove lengthwise, forming long strips.

    Chef's knife chopping garlic on wooden cutting board.

    Step #4. Chop. Chop the strips into small cubes.

    ⭐Pro Tip: 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.
    Chopped garlic on cutting board.

    Step #5. Ready to Use. Now your chopped garlic is ready to use in many dishes!

    Storage Tips

    • If you aren't using it right away, store the chopped garlic in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
    • You can also freeze it in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. You can freeze it with olive oil in ice cube trays and add them directly to a hot pan when sautéing or stir frying.

    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.

    Sample Preparation: Garlic Bread

    Garlic bread.

    Serve with butter and salt over freshly baked bread or in this pumpkin garlic naan bread and enjoy!

    Recipe FAQs

    Do you peel garlic before chopping?

    Yes, it is best to peel the garlic before chopping.

    What happens if you don't peel garlic?

    Papery garlic skins aren't tasty or easy to eat, but they can be used to add great flavor to soups and stock.

    ❤️More Recipes With Garlic You Will Love

    • Roasted garlic head/bulb in tin.
      How to Roast Garlic in the Oven (Cloves, Bulbs + in Foil)
    • Chickpea and salmon salad in bowl with lemon slices.
      Easy Chickpea Salmon Salad
    • Baked bison sliders in white casserole dish.
      Baked Bison Sliders
    • Bison stew in bowl with fresh thyme.
      Bison Stew

    What are some of your favorite recipes that use 🧄garlic? If you tried this recipe tutorial for How to Chop Garlic or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!

    📋Recipe

    Chopped garlic on cutting board with blue background.

    How to Chop Garlic

    Joss Dyckson
    Knowing how to chop garlic the right way can make your recipe come together fast and easy. You can add your freshly chopped garlic to many dishes!
    5 from 1 vote
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    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Condiment
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1
    Calories 4 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 garlic clove - or as many as needed

    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.

    Equipment

    • Cutting board
    • Small knife
    • Chef's Knife

    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.
    • You can freeze it with olive oil in ice cube trays and add them directly to a hot pan when sautéing or stir frying.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 4kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 12mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.03gVitamin A: 0.3IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 0.1mg

    Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.

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