6 Ways to Peel Garlic That Every Home Cook Should Know

Almost every savory recipe calls for garlic, and for good reason. The root vegetable is an aromatic ingredient, meaning it adds deep flavors and aromas to dishes. However, before you can use this culinary staple, you need to know how to peel it. This can be tricky if you typically use pre-minced garlic, need to peel many cloves, or don't enjoy the smell of garlic on your hands. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to peel garlic, as outlined by chefs below.

How to Prep Garlic for Peeling

Before peeling and using garlic, carefully remove the outer layers of the bulb. These layers are usually the dirtiest, so it's important to discard them.

You can also trim the roots and top of the garlic bulb. This will allow you to separate the individual cloves with ease.

6 Ways to Peel Garlic

Shake It in a Jar

Shaking garlic in a jar is a time-efficient technique—and it's also Martha's favorite method for peeling garlic. The peels will loosen as the garlic hits the jar, allowing you to remove them with ease.

1. Put the garlic bulb in the jar. Screw on the lid.
2. Shake the jar to separate the cloves.
3. Remove the cloves from the jar. Remove the outer peels.
4. Return the cloves to the jar.
5. Shake until the peels separate from the cloves.

The best part? "This method is a time-saver if you need to peel a lot of cloves at one time," says Alex Mazzucca, chef and co-owner at Seed to Sprout, a plant-based restaurant in New Jersey. It's also especially useful if the garlic is on the drier side, notes Olivia Roszkowski, chef-instructor of plant-based culinary arts at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City.

Now, if you only need a few cloves, this method might be more effort than it's worth, says Mazzucca. It also requires some physical effort, which might not be comfortable for some people. "You need to be vigorous and swift with your shaking, or the method can be largely ineffective," says Roszkowski.

Press and Peel

For this technique, you'll need a chef's knife and a cutting board. Then follow these steps, according to Mazzucca:

1. Remove a clove from the bulb.
2. Place the clove on the cutting board, then place the flat side of the knife on top.
3. Firmly press down to smash the clove.
4. Once smashed, the peel will come right off.

"The pros of the 'press and peel' method are that it's quick, easy, and works well," explains Roszkowski.

"On the other hand, you may be left with smashed garlic cloves, which might not be helpful if you [need] whole cloves or sliced garlic." Additionally, the garlic will be slightly sticky, making it more likely to burn over high heat, says Roszkowski.

Microwave and Peel

Another option is to warm garlic in the microwave. This will help loosen the peels, making it easier to remove them, says Roszkowski.

1. Using a chef's knife, cut off the top of the bulb.
2. Heat in the microwave for 10 to 20 seconds.
3. Remove the bulb from the microwave and peel.

"There's no sticky residue with this method, and the process is essentially effortless," shares Roszkowski. "However, because the garlic was slightly heated, it's best to use it right away," she notes. Otherwise, it might start oxidizing (i.e., change color) if it's left at room temperature or sotred
in the refrigerator.

Peel With Your Hands

The simplest way to peel garlic is to do so with your hands. You'll need a cutting board, chef's knife, and paring knife, according to Roszkowski.

1. Separate the garlic cloves.
2. Use your nails or paring knife to slide the peel off the cloves.

Though convenient, this method will leave a garlic smell on your hands.

Soak and Peel

Briefly soaking garlic in hot water will help loosen the peels. Follow these steps:

1. Place garlic cloves in a heatproof bowl, says Mazzucca.
2. Pour hot water over the garlic.
3. Let the cloves steep for one minute, per Roszkowski.
4. Peel the cloves as needed.

With this method, you won't have sticky fingers after handling the garlic, says Mazzucca. But if the water is too hot, it will slightly precook the garlic, potentially affecting the flavor or texture, she says.

Use a Garlic Press

"A garlic press is a great tool to have on hand to quickly mince a few cloves," shares Mazzucca. Not only is it mess-free, but it's easy to use, she adds.

To use this method:

1. Put an unpeeled clove in the press.
2. Place the press over a bowl.
3. Squeeze the handle. The minced garlic will drop into the bowl.
4. Remove the peel from the press and repeat as needed.
   

The drawback to this method is that there's often minced garlic left in the press and it can be difficult to clean. But if you have a great garlic press that swings open for cleaning, it shouldn't be a problem—also, look for one that's dishwasher safe.