How To Peel Garlic 4 Different Ways
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.Learn how to peel garlic 4 different ways to make your meal prep easy and quick! These four different methods include pressing, microwaving, boiling in water, and shaking in a jar. Whether you’re looking for an easy way to peel one clove or a whole bunch, these amazing hacks will give you all the tips and tricks to peel your garlic cloves in no time flat!
I love fresh garlic, it’s one of my favorite ingredients – so it’s no surprise that I use a lot of garlic in my recipes! It is such an elemental and quintessential ingredient that creates a subtle undertone in soups, sauces, curries, chilies, stir-fries, and so much more. I even add it to my grilled cheese!
Peeling garlic can be one of those tedious tasks required for cooking, but if you’re looking for some tips on how to peel garlic cloves quickly, this is the guide for you! You won’t need any fancy equipment such as a garlic peeler – with these tips and tricks, peeling garlic will no longer be annoying, time consuming or cumbersome!
I prefer to peel a big batch of cloves at the same time, like a whole garlic bulb. My top tip is to store them in the refrigerator to retain their freshness. That way, I’ve got my garlic cloves ready to go whenever a recipe calls for it!
Table of Contents
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🎥 Video: How To Peel Garlic Easily (4 Ways)!
🧄 How To Choose The Best Garlic
Getting the best flavor from your garlic starts with choosing the best heads of garlic at the grocery store. Look for a bulb that is firm, large, and dry. Avoid ones with soft spots, ones that are starting to turn brown, or ones that have begun to dry out and shrivel.
❄️ How To Store Garlic
Garlic bulbs will last for quite some time when stored properly. If you haven’t yet peeled the entire bulb of garlic, keep it in a cool dry place (at room temperature) away from your other produce so that the odors are not absorbed. I recommend storing it in your pantry in a small open container. I keep mine with my onions.
If you have peeled your garlic already, I recommend storing it in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
✔️ How To Peel Garlic Fast: 4 Simple Hacks
Choose any of the simple tricks below for a better way to peel garlic fast and easily!
🔪 The Press And Peel Method
Press with your hands: Take the garlic head, root side facing up, place on a chopping board. Using the heel of your hand press firmly to break the cloves apart. Remove the cloves from the head.
Cut: Using a sharp knife cut off the end of each clove where it was attached to the root.
Press with your knife: Working one clove at a time; place the flat side of the knife blade on the clove, blade facing away from you, and press firmly with your free hand to break the skin away from the clove.
Finish Peeling: Using your fingers, remove clove from the outer layer. Repeat until all garlic has been peeled. Use your garlic press to easily mince your garlic.
NOTES:
- This is the most effective way to peel garlic when using a small amount of garlic, or individual cloves for cooking. By pressing on the clove with the heel of your palm, you’ll also flatten it slightly making it easier and quicker to chop and prepare for cooking.
♨️ The Microwave Method
Press: Take the whole head of garlic, root side facing up, place on a chopping board. Using the palm of your hand press firmly to break the cloves apart.
Remove cloves from head & cut: Using a chef’s knife cut off the end of each clove where it was attached to the root. Place the cloves into a microwave safe bowl.
Heat in the microwave for 20 seconds. Remove and allow to cool slightly.
When cool, remove garlic clove from the skin. Repeat with remaining cloves.
NOTES:
- Make sure to allow the garlic to cool before handling it.
- Possibly obvious tip, but do not use metal bowls in the microwave and be sure your bowl is microwave safe!
- This process is great however it does slightly cook the garlic.
🥣 The Shaking Method
Press: Take the whole bulb of garlic, root side facing up, place on a cutting board. Using the palm of your hand press firmly to break the cloves apart. Remove cloves from head.
Cut: Using a paring knife cut off the end of each clove where it was attached to the root.
Place the cloves into a mason jar with a lid (or any glass container) and vigorously shake until skins have loosened.
Remove the cloves from the papery skin and repeat if any skins haven’t been removed.
NOTES:
- Great method for storing and keeping whole cloves of garlic, however the cloves may get a little bruised from being shaken around in the jar!
- Tip: if you don’t have a mason jar, you can also use a cocktail shaker!
- This is my favorite way to remove the skins from an entire head of garlic, and is great for home cooks because it’s the quickest way to get the entire bulb peeled at once!
💧The Boiling Water Method
Press: Take the head of garlic, root side facing up, place on a chopping board. Using the palm of your hand press firmly to break the cloves apart. Remove cloves from head.
Cut: Using a sharp knife cut off the end of each clove where it was attached to the root.
Add to bowl: Place the cloves in a large bowl. Cover with boiling water and allow to sit for 5 minutes or until skins start to come away from the cloves.
Drain the water and let cool.
Once cool, remove the garlic skin.
NOTES:
- Similar to the microwave method, ensure the garlic has cool before handling it.
- This process is great however it does slightly soften the garlic cloves.
❓FAQs
How long does peeled garlic last in the refrigerator?
Transfer your peeled cloves of garlic to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Can you freeze peeled garlic cloves?
Yes, you can freeze peeled garlic! Place the garlic cloves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for one hour, then transfer to a freezer safe bag and store together. Frozen garlic cloves will last for 2-3 months.
What is the easiest method to peel garlic?
The easiest garlic peeling method depends on whether you are peeling large amounts of garlic at once, or only need a single clove of garlic.
If you’re only in need one or two cloves, use the press and peel method.
However, if you are meal prepping and want to get a bunch of cloves done at the same time, use the shake, microwave, or boiling water method.
Essentially, choose the method you find works the best for what you need!
Does this garlic peeling hack really work?
Absolutely!! Any of these tricks for peeling garlic will work. You just have to decide which one is best suited to your needs. Personally, I like the jar hack for peeling garlic the best!
How do you avoid transferring the garlic smell to your hands?
The best way to remove the smell of garlic from your hands is to wash them thoroughly with soap and water, rub lemon juice over your hands and rinse off with fresh water. The lemon will neutralize the smelly compounds of the garlic. (Just make sure you don’t have any cuts!)
Another effective method is to take baking soda, mix it with water until it forms a paste, and rub it all over your hands. Then rinse with soap and water.
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How to Peel Garlic 4 Ways (Peel Garlic Easily!)
Learn how to peel garlic 4 different ways to make your meal prep easy and quick! These four different methods include pressing, microwaving, boiling in water, and shaking in a jar. Whether you're peeling one clove or a whole bunch, learn all the tips and tricks to peel your garlic cloves the easy way in no time!
Servings: 4
Calories: 1kcal
Ingredients
- 1 garlic head
Instructions
Peel and Press
- Take the garlic head, root side facing up, place on a chopping board. Using the heel of your hand press firmly to break the cloves apart. Remove the cloves from the head.
- Using a sharp knife cut off the end of each clove where it was attached to the root.
- Working one clove at a time; place the flat side of the knife on the clove, blade facing away from you, and press firmly to break the skin away from the clove.
- Using your fingers, remove clove from the outer layer. Repeat until all garlic has been peeled. Use your garlic press to easily mince your garlic.
Microwave
- Take the whole head of garlic, root side facing up, place on a chopping board.
- Using the palm of your hand press firmly to break the cloves apart.
- Using a sharp knife cut off the end of each clove where it was attached to the root.
- Place the cloves into a microwave safe bowl and heat in the microwave for 20 seconds.
- Remove and allow to cool slightly. When cool, remove garlic clove from the skin. Repeat with remaining cloves.
Boiling Water
- Take the head of garlic, root side facing up, place on a chopping board. Using the palm of your hand press firmly to break the cloves apart.
- Using a sharp knife cut off the end of each clove where it was attached to the root.
- Place the cloves in a large bowl. Cover with boiling water and allow to sit for 5 minutes or until skins start to come away from the cloves.
- Drain the water and remove the garlic skin.
Shake in a Jar
- Take the whole bulb of garlic, root side facing up, place on a cutting board.
- Using the palm of your hand press firmly to break the cloves apart.
- Using a paring knife cut off the end of each clove where it was attached to the root.
- Place the cloves into a mason jar with a lid and vigorously shake until skins have loosened.
- Remove the cloves from the papery skin and repeat if any skins haven't been removed.
Notes
- The Press and Peel Method is the most effective way to peel garlic when using individual cloves for cooking. By pressing on the clove you’ll also flatten it slightly making it easier and quicker to chop and prepare for cooking.
- The Microwave Method: Make sure to allow the garlic to cool before handling it and make sure your bowl is microwave safe! Also, while the microwave method is great, keep in mind it does slightly cook the garlic.
- Best way to remove the smell of garlic from your hands is to wash them thoroughly with soap and water, rub lemon juice over your hands and rinse off with fresh water. The lemon will neutralize the smelly compounds of the garlic. (Just make sure you don’t have any cuts!)
- The Shake Method: This is a great method for storing and keeping whole cloves of garlic, however the cloves may get a little bruised from being shaken around in the jar! This is my favorite way to remove the skins from an entire head of garlic.
- The Boiling Water Method: Similar to the microwave method, ensure the garlic has cool before handling it. Keep in mind this process does slightly soften the garlic cloves.
Nutrition
Calories: 1kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 3mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g
An old chef taught me this, once it’s peeled put it in processor then put in jar cover with olive oil it will stay fresh til your jar is empty
Thanks Rose! That’s basically preserved garlic so you’re right, that would keep it fresh!
Peeling garlic is one of my least favourite tasks. Thanks for your suggestions. I like the idea of shaking them in a mason jar.
Totally! The mason jar trick is one of my favorites!
I’ve always done the press and peel method. It was good to learn some new tricks. Will try the shaking method next time I need to peel a bunch of garlic at once!
Thanks Kristen! Glad this guide was helpful!
Oh wow! Such great ways to save time when working with garlic. My kids would absolutely love shaking them in a jar.
My kids really love helping out by shaking the jar too! And they’re always surprised when it works!
Peeling garlic is the bane of my existence, so these tips are super helpful. I never knew about the microwave or boiling water methods, but I definitely think I’m gonna give them a try to see what works best for me!
So glad you found this post helpful Nathan!! 🙂