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    Home » Basics

    How to mince garlic and garlic paste

    Published: Sep 12, 2021 · by Nico

    Jump to Recipe

    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.

    Tap twice to watch the shorts video!

    HOW TO 001: Mince garlic + make garlic paste #shorts

    How to mince garlic

    minced 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?

    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 favourite 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 flavour 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?

    • Penne arrabbiata
    • Spaghetti aglio olio
    • Flatbread pizza
    • Confit tomatoes
    • Oven roasted broccoli
    • Vegan mushroom pasta
    • Lemon pasta with garlic and spinach
    • Pasta pomodoro

    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.

    Recipe

    minced garlic

    Minced garlic

    Author: Nico
    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.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share Recipe
    5 from 1 vote
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 0 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course How to, Plant-Basics
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 1 tablespoon
    Calories 13 kcal

    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

      Nutritional Values

      Nutrition Facts
      Minced garlic
      Amount Per Serving
      Calories 13 Calories from Fat 9
      % Daily Value*
      Fat 1g2%
      Saturated Fat 1g6%
      Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
      Potassium 36mg1%
      Carbohydrates 3g1%
      Dietary Fiber 1g4%
      Sugar 1g1%
      Protein 1g2%
      Vitamin A 1IU0%
      Vitamin B6 1mg50%
      Vitamin C 3mg4%
      Vitamin E 1mg7%
      Vitamin K 1µg1%
      Calcium 16mg2%
      Folate 1µg0%
      Iron 1mg6%
      Manganese 1mg50%
      Magnesium 2mg1%
      Zinc 1mg7%
      * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
      Did you like this recipe?We are not much on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Leave us a comment below instead, it would mean the world to us 🙂

      Happy cooking!

      Nico

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