Garlic can be prepared in many different ways, including minced and left whole in cloves. While both minced garlic and garlic cloves are the same plants, they have some key differences. When it comes to minced garlic vs. cloves, the main difference is the texture and intensity of flavor. When garlic cloves are cut, they release the strongest form of flavor. So minced garlic has a more intense flavor, while garlic cloves have a milder flavor.
What is Garlic?
Garlic is a pungent plant that is part of the Allium family, along with onions, leeks, and shallots. It is a bulbous flowering plant that grows long green leaves and a bulb. The bulb of the garlic plant is divided into cloves depending on the type of garlic. The bulb could contain ten to twenty cloves. When garlic is cut, it releases a strong, smelling sulfur-like scent that gives off the classic pungent garlic smell.
Garlic has been used to flavor food for the last 5000 years. Cuisines across the world have used garlic to make food taste better. Garlic is commonly associated with Italian food, but it's found in Chinese, Indian, Greek, and Japanese cuisine, just to name a few.
- The must-have convenient reference guide for every home cook!
- Includes more than 8,000 substitutions for ingredients, cookware, and techniques.
- Save time and money on by avoiding trips to grab that "missing" ingredient you don't really need.
In addition to using garlic as a food flavor enhancement, it also has medicinal properties. According to Healthline, garlic can lower blood pressure and cholesterol while boosting the immune system. And when applied topically, it can treat fungus and acne.
What is Minced Garlic?
Minced garlic is garlic that has been peeled and finely chopped, releasing an intense flavor. Minced garlic can be minced finely into tiny pieces or minced in bigger pieces and anywhere in between. The best way to mince garlic is to lay the cloves flat on the cutting board and use the broad side of the knife to smush them, and then use the blade to chop. One hand holds the knife while the other hand guides the blade.
Minced garlic is also available at the supermarkets in jars, although it isn't as strong. But if you don't have solid knife skills, jars of minced garlic may be better than risking your fingertips learning to mince.
Nutritional Differences
©
The nutritional difference between garlic cloves and minced garlic is minimal. They are both garlic- one is just chopped, while the other is whole.
When to Use Minced Garlic
When using minced garlic in the kitchen, the mincing releases sulfur compounds and that is where the pungent yet aromatic smell and flavor come from. Minced garlic has a stronger flavor than whole cloves and is best cooked in a little butter or oil before adding them to a dish. Raw minced garlic is often added to marinades, dips, and dressings, but since it is strong, it is used in smaller amounts. Cooked minced garlic is the start of many sauces, soups, and stir-fries.
Minced garlic can burn quickly. When you are cooking minced garlic in butter or oil, always start on low to medium and never walk away from garlic on the stove. If it burns, it will have a foul taste, and it's best to throw it in the trash and start over.
When to Use Garlic Cloves
Whole cloves of garlic that have not been crushed during the peeling process are much milder in taste than minced garlic because the sulfur compounds have not been released. Whole cloves still have a garlic flavor, but the intensity is dialed down. Adding whole garlic cloves to dishes gives the mild scent of garlic without overpowering the dish. Whole cloves are excellent in soups and stews.
One of the best ways to use whole garlic cloves is to roast them. Roasting garlic releases the aroma, and they turn into flavorful, buttery cloves. You can spread them on toast, add them to pizza, or mix them in mashed potatoes or dips like pesto and hummus. Roasting garlic is easy just take the entire bulb and cut off the end just the last bit. Then place it in aluminum foil or a garlic roaster, drizzle on some olive oil, and close the top. Set the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and roast for 45 minutes. Remove and let cool before using. When you are ready to use, just squeeze the clove, and the roasted garlic oozes out.
- The must-have convenient reference guide for every home cook!
- Includes more than 8,000 substitutions for ingredients, cookware, and techniques.
- Save time and money on by avoiding trips to grab that "missing" ingredient you don't really need.
Another easy way to use whole garlic cloves is in a garlic confit. Garlic confit is a slow-roasted garlic in olive oil. The slow roasting brings out the aromatic smell and flavor, and the olive oil keeps it from drying out. Making garlic confit is easy; just place peeled garlic in a roasting pan, cover with olive oil, and roast for one hour and a half in the oven at 195 degrees Fahrenheit. When it’s done, remove and let cool, and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Never store on the counter due to the risk of botulism. It keeps for ten days.
Tips to Help with Garlic Breath
Garlic breath is an unpleasant side effect of enjoying garlicky dishes. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help alleviate some of the strong odor. Start by drinking a lot of water to flush it out. Brush and floss after eating garlic. Finally, drinking green tea can eliminate some of the odor too.
A Great Recipe with Minced Garlic
Print
Easy Garlic Herbed Shrimp
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading…
Ingredients
2 pounds cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup oil
1 teaspoon celery salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried, minced garlic
1 pound egg noodles, cooked and buttered
Instructions
1. Layer shrimp on the bottom of an ungreased 13×9 baking dish.
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine oil, celery salt, paprika, basil, oregano and garlic.
3. Pork mixture over shrimp. Broil 4 to 5 inches from heat source on low-heat four 5 to 10 minutes or until shrimp are bright pink and hot. Serve with egg noodles. Makes 6 servings.
A Quick Comparison of Minced Garlic vs. Garlic Cloves
Mincing garlic will release all of the delicious flavors that we know and love, giving it a more intense flavor than garlic cloves. Depending on how it's chopped, minced garlic can have fine chunks or large chunks. Garlic cloves are still smooth and large, although they are generally chopped up or sliced before use. You can buy minced garlic in a jar, or you can make it yourself. Whichever method you choose is dependent on your personal preferences! Garlic is an important part of many dishes; it brings such a delectable and unique flavor to pasta, pizza, bread, and more. How do you plan to use your garlic?
- The must-have convenient reference guide for every home cook!
- Includes more than 8,000 substitutions for ingredients, cookware, and techniques.
- Save time and money on by avoiding trips to grab that "missing" ingredient you don't really need.