How to Crush, Slice and Mince Garlic
Follow this quick step-by-step guide and learn how to prepare garlic, a popular flavor base for countless recipes.
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How-To: Crush, Slice and Mince Garlic
Garlic is a go-to ingredient in Italian cooking and for many other cuisines. In a few minutes, learn how to prep it properly, no matter the recipe you're making.
Step 1: Remove Layers of Skin From the Garlic
Garlic comes wrapped in layers of papery skin. Take off some of these layers.
Step 2: Break up the Cloves
Next, smash the head of garlic with the heel of your hand to loosen the cloves. Break up the cloves with your fingers. Tip: Only need a few cloves? Pull off a few and leave the head intact.
Step 3: Peel the Cloves
To peel the clove, lay it flat on the cutting board and trim away the root end with the tip of your knife.
Step 4: Crushed Garlic
Lay the flat side of your knife over the clove while holding the handle. With the heel of your other hand, carefully give your knife a good whack this will separate the skin from the clove. Now that you've peeled the clove of garlic it can be used in several ways: crushed, sliced or minced. To crush garlic, lay your knife over the garlic again and smash it a little bit more. Tip: Use this preparation in long-cooking stews, soups or roasts.
Step 4: Sliced Garlic
Take a peeled clove and lay it flat on the cutting board. Hold the garlic between the fingertips of one hand, curling them under just slightly. Using a rocking motion with your knife, make thin slices by moving the knife bit by bit across the clove.
Step 5: Minced Garlic
First, crush a clove of garlic. Then, give it a rough chop. Next, hold your knife and lay the other hand flat across the tip. Use a rocking motion to chop the garlic until finely minced. Tip: Minced garlic distributes the flavor more fully in a dish and is great in sauces and marinades.
Step 6: Practice
Practicing these techniques will also hone your knife skills so you can slice and dice your way to a more flavorful meal.