Your How-To Guide on Preparing Garlic: When to Chop, Mince, Slice, and Crush

April 19, 2024 at 20:54 PM EDT

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Originally Posted On: https://spiceworldinc.com/tips-and-tricks/your-how-to-guide-on-preparing-garlic-when-to-chop-mince-slice-and-crush/

Garlic fans unite: April 19th is National Garlic Day! Did you know that the way you cut your garlic greatly affects the concentration of garlic flavor? Cutting a garlic clove breaks its cells and releases stored enzymes that react with oxygen. That triggers healthy sulfide compounds, such as allicin, to form. The more you slice, chop, or crush garlic, the more allicin is produced and the more pungent the garlic flavor will be. Pro tip: let the chopped garlic stand for 10-15 minutes before cooking to allow the compounds to fully develop.

While the mildest garlic flavor comes from roasting whole cloves, the following methods are ranked from moderate to very strong garlic flavor. You’ll need Spice World Fresh Garlic, a clean cutting board, and a chef’s knife.

To peel or not to peel:

If starting with a whole bulb of garlic, grab the bulb with two hands and pull to separate the cloves. Once you determine how many cloves you need and remove them from the bulb, place each garlic clove flat on a cutting board. (The remaining cloves on the bulb will stay fresh for 7-10 days). Place the flat side of your chef’s knife over the clove and lightly press with the palm of your hand until you feel the squish. Now you can easily remove the papery skin.

Don’t feel like peeling garlic? Save time with Spice World Peeled Garlic or Organic Peeled Garlic.

Sliced Garlic

Flavor profile: Moderate

Sliced garlic’s potency falls between whole cloves and minced garlic. Use sliced garlic when you want to see as well as taste garlic in your food, ideal for sauces, stir fries, or homemade pickles.

How to Slice Garlic:

Use your chef’s knife to remove the tough root end of the clove.
Use your non-dominant hand to hold the clove while you use the other to slice the garlic clove (crosswise or lengthwise) into slices (as thin or thick as you’d like).

Use your freshly sliced garlic to add crunch and caramelized garlic flavor to soups, salads, sautés, and sides with crispy garlic chips.

Chopped Garlic

Flavor profile: Strong

Roughly chopping garlic is a quick and simple way to prepare it for dishes.

Chopped garlic will work well in soups, stews, chilis, and stir-fries, but may be too chunky for sauces or salad dressings.

How to Chop Garlic:

First, start by crushing or smashing the garlic cloves as written above and cutting off the tough stem end.
Then, run your knife back and forth over the garlic in a rocking motion until you obtain your desired size.

Use your freshly chopped garlic in this fragrant sauce, perfect on roasted or grilled meats and vegetables, or as a dip for crusty bread.

Minced Garlic

Flavor profile: Stronger

Mincing is the most common method for preparing garlic. Minced garlic is created by chopping cloves of garlic into smaller pieces. Use minced garlic when you want powerful garlic flavor.

How to Mince Garlic:

Start by smashing garlic cloves (as written above) OR slicing the garlic, cutting off the tough stem end.
Then, run your knife back and forth over the garlic in a rocking motion until it reaches your desired consistency (much smaller than chopped garlic).

Use your freshly minced garlic or Spice World Ready-to-Use Minced Garlic in this healthy and hearty Garlic Avocado Toast.

Crushed Garlic

Flavor profile: Strongest

Since crushing breaks the most cells, crushed garlic cloves taste stronger than coarsely chopped or sliced garlic cloves. Crushed garlic works well in slow cooked soups, stews, and marinades. You can fish it out after the garlic flavor has infused.

How to Crush Garlic:

Lay the flat side of the knife on top of a clove of unpeeled Spice World Fresh Garlic. Place the heel of your hand toward the spine of the knife (not on top of the blade) and press down on the knife with the palm of your hand using your weight to smash it, separating the clove from the skin. Remove the papery skin, then trim the root end.

Use your freshly crushed garlic in this versatile marinade for seafood, meat, or tofu.

After all that garlic prep, need a way to remove the garlic smell from your hands? Rub garlicky-smelling hands with a lemon wedge, salt, or baking soda, then rinse your hands well with water.

Any way you slice (or mince, chop, or crush) it, Spice World fresh and convenient garlic products are sure to infuse your dishes with bold and healthy flavor. Find more recipes and helpful cooking tips at Spice World Inc.