I tested 4 different garlic-peeling techniques, and one stood out as the best.

With the busy holiday cooking season here, garlic is in high demand for peeling. You want those cloves ready to go, quickly. Sure, you could opt for pre-peeled garlic, but there’s something about fresh, peeled garlic that feels more vibrant, potent, and satisfying. Peeling garlic can be a chore, but there are some clever tricks (besides begging your partner to do it) that simplify the task. Plus, adding some variety to your kitchen routine makes cooking more fun. Why not change up how you peel garlic each time? I tried a few approaches, and here’s the one that worked best for me.

The Occasionally Effective Method: Shake the Cloves in a Jar and Peel Them Off

For this technique, you'll need a Ball jar with a secure lid and some arm strength to make it work.

1. Detach the garlic cloves from the bulb.
2. Place the garlic cloves into the Ball jar, close the lid tightly, and shake it with force.
3. Empty the jar and place the now-peeled garlic onto a clean surface, then separate the garlic from the skins.

The Verdict: Martha Stewart endorses this shake-and-peel jar method, and as a fan of jars myself (just take a look at the dry goods in my pantry), I was excited to find yet another way to use my beloved Ball jars. I first tested this method for a recipe requiring only two garlic cloves, but the jar didn’t generate enough friction to remove the peels. I dismissed the hack initially, but decided to try again with a larger number of cloves. To get the jar method to work, some pre-peeling was still necessary to remove the outer garlic layers, and a lot of shaking was needed to loosen the skins. When pouring the garlic out, it got a bit messy, and I still had to separate the garlic from some skins that stubbornly stuck. My jar smelled like garlic (which was fine, as I used it for shaking up salad dressing), but this hack felt more complex than needed—unless you're looking to add some bicep exercises to your meal prep. This method could work if you’re assigning prep tasks to someone who can’t handle sharp objects or wants to pace around using a culinary shake weight before starting in the kitchen.

The Retro-Chic Method: Microwaving Garlic

All you need is a microwave for this method, but be warned: your microwave might retain the smell of garlic after you’re done.

1. Separate the garlic cloves from the bulb.
2. Microwave the garlic for 20 seconds.
3. Let the garlic cool slightly, then peel off the skins.

The verdict: TikTokers swear by the microwave method for loosening garlic peels. By microwaving the whole garlic bulb for 20 seconds at full power, the heat helps steam the garlic, making the peel come off more easily. Afterward, allow the garlic to cool before peeling it. This technique does help loosen the garlic, but personally, I prefer to peel it right away without the extra waiting. It's helpful for stubborn skins, but not always necessary. If you need the garlic to remain intact or in thin slices, this method ensures it stays in shape.

The Home Cook Hack: Garlic Press With Skin On

For this classic and reliable method, you’ll need a standard garlic press.

1. Remove the garlic bulb from the clove.
2. Place the garlic in the press and squeeze.

The verdict: Many sources claim that you can use a whole garlic clove in your garlic press without peeling it first. Fascinating! The success of this method seems to depend on the size and freshness of the garlic, as well as the quality of your garlic press. I adore my garlic press, but this technique didn’t always work well for me. With some cloves, the garlic came out beautifully pureed, while the skin formed a thin, easily removable layer inside the press. However, with other cloves, the skin blocked the garlic, causing more mess and frustration than if I had just peeled it first. I can see myself using this in a rush, but personally, I don’t think the risk is worth it, and my fingers ended up smelling like garlic after trying to clean out the smashed skins.

The Winning Method: Smashing Whole Cloves

For me, this quick and simple garlic peeling method is clearly the best. All you need is a chef’s knife (which you can also use to chop the garlic later) and a bit of muscle.

1. Take a garlic clove from the bulb and place it on a cutting board.
2. Use the flat side of a chef’s knife to smash the garlic clove.
3. Peel off the skin, then chop or mince the garlic with the knife.

The verdict: This technique has been featured on FoodTok, in cooking classes, and in restaurant kitchens: smashing a whole garlic clove with the side of a chef’s knife using the palm of your hand creates enough force to break the clove free from its skin, which can then be easily peeled away. This is my go-to method, and I agree it’s the best. I separate the garlic cloves from the bulb, smash one or two at a time, then chop or mince them. It’s efficient, only requires one tool, and the cleanup is a breeze.

At times, a viral hack is just a trend, while the tried-and-true methods endure for a reason.