Three Ways to Peel Garlic
If you’re always cooking with garlic like we are, you know peeling it can be an annoying task! Those stubborn, flaky peels can turn a simple task into a sticky mess. The good news? Peeling garlic doesn’t have to be such a hassle. We’ll show you how to peel garlic with three clever methods so you can move on and get cooking!
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Garlic is one of our most commonly used ingredients! Garlic adds a depth of flavor to so many of our dishes, especially pastas like our lemon garlic pasta and garlic shrimp linguini, dips like our spinach pesto, and many of our protein-based meals like honey garlic chicken and this sausage potato skillet.
🤔 What is Garlic Skin?
Garlic is a vegetable and part of the onion family, and like onions, garlic has an outer layer of skin that can be flakey and difficult to remove. These skins protect garlic from debris and dirt.
❤️ Why We Love Garlic
Flavor– The rich, sweet, and nutty flavor of garlic enhances every meal, infusing it with unparalleled depth and amplifying the flavors of each ingredient it touches.
Aroma– There’s nothing like the irresistible, pungent aroma of sautéed or baked garlic filling the kitchen—it’s both mouthwatering and comforting, making everything feel a little cozier.
Versatility– From preparation (mince, chop, slice, crush) to meal selection (soup, sauce, pan-roast, marinade), you can use garlic in so many ways.
🔪Three Ways to Peel Garlic
The very first step is to break up your head of garlic. Simply lay your head of garlic on a cutting board and firmly put pressure on it with both hands until the cloves are loosened from the head. Then pick your peeling method!
1. The Knife Method
One of the most common ways to peel garlic is using the knife method.
Take a clove of garlic and lay it down on your cutting board. Slice off the core end; then lay the flat side of a chef’s knife (or any wide-bladed knife) on top of the clove. Use your palm and press down on the knife (careful of the blade!) to squeeze the clove and loosen the skin. It should peel off right away.
When to use the knife method: We recommend using the knife method when working with 1-3 cloves that will be minced or chopped, as they will already be partially smashed.
Pros: This method typically works without fail!
Cons: This is not a kid-friendly task, and adults have to be careful of their hands when applying pressure to the flat part of the knife.
2. The Container Method
The container method is a surprisingly simple and efficient way to peel garlic cloves. Simply place your garlic cloves in a container (Tupperware, mason jar, cocktail shaker etc). Close the container and shake it vigorously until the garlic pulls away from its skin, about 10 seconds. You can also use two bowls of the same size if you don’t have a container.
After shaking, open your container and see how the cloves have separated from their skins!
When to use the container method: This comes in handy when cooking with lots of garlic, like 5 cloves or more.
Pros: This task is quick, easy and safe for kids to take the lead on!
Cons: There may be a few stubborn cloves that don’t completely loosen from their skin. For those, I would use the knife method to remove any lingering skin.
3. The Microwave Method
A final way to peel garlic is using the microwave. Place your garlic cloves in a microwave safe dish and microwave for 10 seconds. Let cloves cool and then see how easy they are to peel!
When to use the microwave method: This is especially useful when cooking with a large amount of garlic.
Pros: The microwave is an efficient way to quickly loosen the peels off multiple garlic cloves at once.
Cons: If you overheat the garlic, it may start to cook. Also, you may have to wait to let the garlic cool down before peeling.
❓FAQ
Store garlic heads in a cool, dry place in an open container for ventilation.
Freshly peeled or chopped garlic can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to six months.
While some people do eat the skin, we don’t recommend it as the skin can be tough, papery and a potential choking hazard.
Garlic may be bad if cloves are shriveled, soft, or discolored, or if they are showing green sprouts. Peeled cloves should be firm and white or ivory, without brown or mushy spots.
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🧄 How to Peel Garlic
Equipment
- 1 chef's knife
- 1 container with a lid
- 1 microwave safe bowl
Ingredients
- 1 garlic head
Instructions
- First – lay your head of garlic on a cutting board and firmly press down with both hands until the cloves loosen from the head. Now pick your peeling method!
- The knife method. Lay a garlic clove on your cutting board and slice off the core end. Place the flat side of a chef's knife on top of the clove. Press down on the knife with your palm to squeeze the clove and loosen the skin. It should peel off right away.
- The container method. Place garlic cloves in a small container (or jar with a lid). Close the container and shake it vigorously for 10 seconds until the garlic pulls away from its skin.
- The microwave method. Place your garlic cloves in a microwave safe dish and microwave for 10 seconds. Let cloves cool, and then easily remove peels.
Video
Notes
- When buying garlic, check that the bulb is firm and free of brown spots to ensure it’s fresh.
- Knife method note – if you don’t have a Chef’s knife, any wide-bladed knife will do. Be careful of the blade!
- Container method note – you can use Tupperware, a mason jar, a cocktail shaker, etc. There may be a few stubborn cloves that don’t completely loosen from their skin. For those, simply use the knife method to remove any lingering skin.
- Microwave method note – be careful not to overheat the garlic, as it may start to cook. Also, note that you may have to wait to let the garlic cool down before peeling.
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
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