Like learning how to slice and dice an onion or how to peel a mango, learning how to chop (or mince) garlic just takes patience and practice. Garlic cloves are rather small, so improving your knife skills here, particularly if you’re working toward a mince, will help you out with any recipe, no matter what you’re chopping.
What You’ll Need
Cutting boardChef’s knifeGarlicGarlic press
How to Peel Garlic
Peeling garlic is a must: The papery skins are not pleasant to eat. Once the bulb is peeled and you’ve separated the cloves, you can decide if you want to chop garlic (for larger pieces in your dish) or mince it (for smaller ones). In a few minutes, with this handy guide to how to peel and chop garlic, you’ll be ready to move on to the rest of your cooking endeavors.
How to Chop Garlic
Chopped garlic can add flavor to any dish. It’s common in Italian dishes—pasta, sauces, pizzas, etc.—but it can enliven vegetable dishes, stews, soups, and more, too. Once you’ve gotten the hang of chopping your own garlic, you’ll be adding it to everything. Tip: Finely chopped garlic releases more juices, which add flavor.
Need to Peel a Lot of Garlic Cloves Fast?
Attempting to cook a garlicky dish but don’t really want to spend all that time peeling each and every clove? Try this easy trick: Place the separated garlic cloves in a stainless steel bowl and cover with another bowl forming a sphere. Shake the bowls vigorously and the peels will flake off inside.
