Minced garlic and garlic paste are two staple flavor builders you can use in many recipes, from pasta dishes to soups, from confit tomatoes to flatbread pizza.

Here we’ll show you how to first mince garlic with a knife. Then we show you how to turn minced garlic into a smooth garlic paste.

how to mince garlic

How to mince garlic

Step 1: peel the garlic

Place an unpeeled garlic clove on a cutting board, then take a large knife and lay the flat side of the knife on top of the garlic clove.

With your dominant hand hold the knife firmly in place by the handle.

With your free hand, smack down on the flat side of the knife to crush the garlic. You might have to smack two or three times.

smacking down the garlic

Now cut off the root end of the garlic clove and remove the peel. The peel should now come off on its own.

cutting off the root end

Step 2: slice the garlic

Slice the garlic clove on the long side. To learn the cutting technique see the video.

slicing the garlic

Step 3: mince the garlic

Hold on the knife firmly with your dominant hand, then place the other and straight on top of the blade. With a rocking motion, start chopping.

Keep your fingers straight so they won’t accidentally end up under the blade.

mincing garlic

Keep chopping until you reach your desired texture. It should take you about 30 seconds.

minced garlic

How to make garlic paste?

Minced garlic is delicious in many preparations, however, some people might not like to feel the garlic pieces in their mouth. Also, for some people, minced garlic might be hard to digest.

One way to make garlic less “aggressive” is to turn it into a smooth paste that will dissolve in your dish.

I love to turn garlic into a paste for most of our recipes, like penne arrabbiata or for marinara sauce for a pizza. It has a milder, rounder, more nuanced flavor this way.

Step 1: mash the minced garlic

(This step is hard to explain in writing, that’s why we made the video for you to learn the technique)

Tilt the blade of your knife towards yourself to create approximately a 45 degrees angle with the cutting board.

Hold the knife firmly by the handle with your dominant hand, then place the other hand on the side of the blade.

mashing garlic

Mash the garlic with the side of the blade till it turns into a fine, smooth garlic paste. It’s kind of a cutting movement, but with the side of the blade.

garlic paste

When to use minced garlic and when to use garlic paste

Minced garlic and garlic paste have very similar uses. You can use garlic paste anywhere you’d use minced garlic.

My favorite thing about garlic paste is that the garlic literally melts in the dish while cooking it, so you can’t really feel the garlic pieces, but you still taste the flavor and aroma of the garlic.

I also feel, but this is just my perception and might be completely wrong, that garlic paste is easier to digest than minced garlic.

Where to use minced garlic or garlic paste?

Storage

You can store minced garlic in the refrigerator for up to a week. However, make sure to store it in an airtight container or zip-lock bag, or else your fridge will smell like garlic.

minced garlic on black spoons

Minced garlic

By: Nico Pallotta
5 from 1 vote
Minced garlic and garlic paste are two staple flavor builders you can use in many recipes, from pasta dishes to soups, from confit tomatoes to flatbread pizza.
Here we'll show you how to first mince garlic with a knife. Then we show you how to turn minced garlic into a smooth garlic paste.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1 tablespoon
Course: How to, Plant-Basics
Cuisine: Italian

Equipment

  • large knife
  • cutting board

Ingredients

  • 3 cloves garlic

Instructions 

HOW TO MINCE GARLIC

    STEP 1: PEEL THE GARLIC

    • Place an unpeeled garlic clove on a cutting board, then take a large knife and lay the flat side of the knife on top of a garlic clove.
      With your dominant hand hold the knife firmly in place by the handle.
      With your free hand, smack down on the flat side of the knife to crush the garlic. You might have to smack two or three times.
      smacking down the garlic
    • Now cut off the root end of the garlic clove and remove the peel. The peel should now come off on its own.
      cutting off the root end

    STEP 2: SLICE THE GARLIC

    • Slice the garlic clove on the long side. To learn the cutting technique see the video.
      slicing the garlic

    STEP 3: MINCE THE GARLIC

    • Hold on the knife firmly with your dominant hand, then place the other and straight on top of the blade.
      With a rocking motion, start chopping.Keep your fingers straight so they won't accidentally end up under the blade.
      mincing garlic
    • Keep chopping until you reach your desired texture. It should take you about 30 seconds.
      minced garlic

    HOW TO MAKE GARLIC PASTE?

    • (This step is hard to explain in writing, that's why we made the video for you to learn the technique)
      Tilt the blade of your knife towards yourself to create approximately a 45 degrees angle with the cutting board.
      Hold the knife firmly by the handle with your dominant hand, then place the other hand on the side of the blade.
      mashing garlic
    • Mash the garlic with the side of the blade till it turns into a fine, smooth garlic paste. It's kind of a cutting movement, but with the side of the blade.
      garlic paste

    Nutrition

    Calories: 13kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Potassium: 36mg, Dietary Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 1IU, Vitamin B6: 1mg, Vitamin C: 3mg, Vitamin E: 1mg, Vitamin K: 1µg, Calcium: 16mg, Folate: 1µg, Iron: 1mg, Manganese: 1mg, Magnesium: 2mg, Zinc: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Leave a comment below or mention @theplantbasedschool on Instagram. We are also on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and TikTok.

    Happy cooking!

    Nico


    Nico and Louise in the kitchen

    Hi! We are Nico & Louise

    Welcome to The Plant-Based School, a food blog with easy, tasty, and wholesome recipes.

    Our aim is to help you and your family eat more veggies through delicious recipes with simple ingredients.

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