Tips

The Ultimate Guide to Peeling Garlic in a Flash

Garlic is an essential ingredient in cooking, but have you ever felt that peeling garlic is a time-consuming task? Today, Bach Hoa Xanh will share with you a super quick garlic peeling hack that will save you time in the kitchen.

Administrator

15 July, 2024

Peeling Garlic in a Bowl

Separate the garlic cloves from the bulb by hand, giving it a good whack as shown in the image.

A quick tip to peel garlic

Place the cloves in two upside-down bowls and shake vigorously. You should hear a rustling sound, indicating that the garlic skin has separated from the flesh. Alternatively, you can put the garlic in a lidded container and give it a good shake.

Using High Temperatures

Pop the garlic into a microwave and heat for about 10 seconds. Once removed, the cloves will slip out of their skins with ease.

Separate the cloves and give them a quick toss in a hot pan before peeling. You can also soak the garlic in hot water before peeling. All three methods utilize heat to loosen the skins.

Smash Before Peeling

Typically, you’d peel garlic before crushing it for dishes or sauces. Try doing it the other way around for a change—it’s much easier!

Trim the garlic’s root end, give it a good smash with a knife, then peel and chop. Simple as that.

The Rubber Band Trick

Place the separated cloves between a rubber band and roll back and forth. The skins will fall right off.

Frequently asked questions

There are several methods to quickly and easily peel garlic. One popular method is the ‘shake’ method, where you place the garlic cloves in a jar or container with a lid, and shake vigorously for 30 seconds to a minute. This action loosens the skin, and you can then easily peel off the skin with your fingers. Another method is to microwave the garlic cloves for 15-20 seconds, which also loosens the skin, making it easier to peel.

For peeling multiple garlic cloves at once, you can try the ‘soaking’ method. Soak the garlic cloves in water for 15-20 minutes, and then use a fork or your fingers to gently lift and remove the skins. You can also try the ‘rubbing’ method, where you place the garlic cloves on a cutting board and use the flat side of a knife or a garlic peeler to crush and roll the cloves, loosening the skins.

To minimize the garlic smell on your hands, you can rub your hands on a stainless steel object, such as a spoon or your sink, under running water. The sulfur compounds in garlic are drawn to the steel, neutralizing the odor. Alternatively, you can rub your hands with lemon juice or baking soda, which will help neutralize the smell.

Peeling and storing garlic in advance can be convenient if you use garlic frequently in your cooking. You can store peeled garlic cloves in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. However, keep in mind that pre-peeled garlic may lose some of its potency and flavor over time.

The best way to store peeled garlic is in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also freeze peeled garlic cloves by placing them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Frozen garlic will last for several months but may lose some of its texture when thawed.