How to Grate Garlic: 5 Methods for Grating Garlic

When it comes to grating a clove of garlic, some kitchen tools work better than others. Food processors overdo it, turning pieces of garlic into a soupy puree. Instead, use one of these other methods for grating garlic.

1. 1. Microplane: Use a microplane to finely mince peeled cloves of garlic. To use this method, simply peel garlic cloves and gently run them one at a time over a microplane until all the garlic is shredded. This technique will produce very fine minced garlic that produces pungent garlic aromas.
2. 2. Garlic grater: A specialized garlic grater looks like a small cheese grater. Rub the garlic over this stainless steel grater just as you would a block of cheese on a full-sized grater. This is a fast and easy way to make grated garlic.
3. 3. Garlic press: A garlic press works a bit like a nutcracker. When you put a clove of garlic into the press’s bowl and push the two handles of the press together, the plunger pushes the garlic through tiny holes. This method creates a final product that is more mashed than finely minced. This approach may be ideal for sautés and salad dressings but perhaps less so for certain marinades.
4. 4. Chef's knife: You do not need exceptional knife skills to slice garlic into tiny minced pieces. Simply set peeled garlic on a cutting board and chop it finely with a sharp chef's knife. An advantage of this method is that you can fine-tune the exact size of your garlic bits.
5. 5. Fork: Press the fork face-down against a cutting board so that its tines are elevated slightly. Rub a peeled garlic clove over the tines repeatedly and watch the garlic shred away.

Keep the following tips in mind as you use and store grated garlic.

1. 1. Use garlic quickly after grating it. Minced or grated garlic oxidizes quickly, so it’s best to use it as soon as possible and avoid grating garlic ahead of time for future meals. For the best results and flavor, leave whole garlic bulbs intact until you are ready to use them.
2. 2. If you want to store grated garlic, pickle it or marinate it. The only way that grated garlic will last a long time is if you cover it in oil or pickle it in a combination of vinegar, sugar, and salt. All of these ingredients—oil, vinegar, sugar, salt—act as natural preservatives and can extend the life of your grated garlic for up to one week.
3. 3. Add a dash of grated garlic to your favorite dishes. When garlic is finely minced or grated, it's easy to add a tiny drop to just about anything. Try it in a salad dressing blended with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle a tiny bit on appetizers like bruschetta or roasted Brussels sprouts. It's an easy way to add a new flavor without notably adding to your total time spent in the kitchen.

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