Buzz
There’s nothing quite like the intense, sharp aroma of garlic sauce or a pot of garlic-infused broth bubbling on the stove. Garlic is an ingredient packed with numerous health benefits. If you struggle with peeling garlic, smashing it might be a smart alternative. Read on to discover how to crush garlic using just a knife, a press, or even a stone.
Steps
Using a Knife
Remove the root end. Place the garlic clove on the cutting board and use a knife to cut off the root end.
- Only the root end needs to be removed, so be careful not to cut too much to avoid wasting the garlic.
- Removing the root end will make peeling the garlic easier afterward.
Place the garlic on the cutting board. Position it near the edge closest to you.
Lay the flat side of the knife blade on the garlic clove, keeping the sharp edge slightly away from your hand.
Apply firm pressure with your hand on the knife to crush the garlic. The garlic will break apart easily with the force from your hand. You can also rock the knife back and forth while pressing to crush the garlic thoroughly.
- The sharp edge of the knife should face outward from the handle. If you’re using your right hand, the blade’s sharp edge should face right; if you’re using your left hand, the sharp edge should face left.
Peel the skin off. The skin will come off easily after the garlic has been crushed and can be removed by hand.
Prepare the garlic for cooking. You can crush it, slice it, or chop it finely, depending on your preference. If you need a thin garlic clove, simply press down on it with the flat side of the knife and gently rock it until the garlic is flattened to your desired thickness.
- If there is a green sprout in the center of the garlic clove, it’s best to remove it. Simply pinch it out with your fingers. Avoid leaving it, as it can have a bitter taste when cooked.
Using a Garlic Press
Peel the garlic skin. Cut off the root end of the garlic clove to make peeling easier. There are several methods you can use to remove the skin.
- Use the heel of your hand to press down on the garlic clove. A gentle press will loosen the skin. Place your hand over the clove and press firmly until you hear a slight crack and the skin starts to come off. Lift your hand, and the garlic skin should peel away easily.
- As mentioned earlier, another way to peel garlic is by smashing it with the flat side of a knife. Keep the flat side of the knife on the garlic while ensuring the sharp edge is away from your hand. Press down firmly or tap the knife lightly several times. If you’re only peeling, no need to crush the garlic.
- You can also use a garlic peeler tool. This device has a thin tube designed to help peel garlic. Place the garlic clove inside the tube and press down with your palm. Roll the tube back and forth until you hear a “crunching” sound. Tilt the tube and gently tap it to release the garlic; the skin will have been removed.
- Another method involves heating the garlic. Place the garlic cloves in the microwave for about 5 to 10 seconds, and the skins will loosen on their own. You can even peel an entire bulb of garlic this way by microwaving it for 15 to 20 seconds. However, this method might cause the garlic to lose some of its flavor.
To crush garlic, you can use a garlic press. Place the peeled garlic clove into the press chamber of the garlic press.
- The type of garlic press you use will determine the results. High-quality presses often have more raised areas to push the garlic through multiple holes, so you’ll get as much crushed garlic as you put in. More basic presses might not be as efficient but still do the job well enough for home cooking.
Close the press and squeeze the handles together with force.
- Depending on the quality and weight of your garlic press, you may need more or less force. A heavier press will typically yield better results than a lighter one made from flimsy materials.
- The garlic that comes out from the other side of the press will be finely crushed.
Using a Stone
Find a smooth stone, roughly the size of your palm.
- In principle, this method is similar to using a knife. The advantage is that you don’t need a sharp-edged tool, and it’s perfect for camping or outdoor activities.
- A smooth stone works better than a rough or jagged one. The smoother the stone, the easier it will be to crush the garlic clove.
Wash the stone. Rinse it with water two to three times to ensure it’s fully clean.
- If you don’t have a sink or feel uncomfortable putting the stone in the sink, you can clean it with hot water, soap, and a small amount of bleach. After cleaning, dry it thoroughly.
Wrap the garlic clove in parchment paper. Fold the paper over the two ends of the clove.
- Technically, this step isn’t necessary, but it helps maintain cleanliness by preventing direct contact between the stone and the garlic. It also makes it easier to gather the garlic after crushing.
Use the stone to crush the garlic clove. Gently press down until the skin starts to come off.
- Be careful while performing this step to avoid hitting your fingers with the stone.
Remove the skin. The garlic skin should now peel off easily.
Continue crushing the garlic with the stone. You can keep going by either pounding or mashing it further.
- Crush the garlic by repeatedly tapping it with the stone.
- Place the stone on top of the garlic clove, apply pressure, and rock it back and forth.
Tips
- Sprinkle a little salt on the cutting board before crushing the garlic. The salt helps keep the garlic in place and prevents the board from absorbing its juices.
What You’ll Need
- Wide-blade knife
- Garlic press
- Microwave
- Garlic peeling tool
- Smooth stone
- Parchment paper
