A surprisingly easy meal prep hack, garlic paste is an essential ingredient in many Indian dishes. It adds a rich and savory flavor to anything it’s added to, making it a must have in every kitchen.
You can make your own at home using just a knife. It’s easy to do and will give your meals that extra zing of flavor that store-bought garlic paste doesn’t have.
1. Mince the Garlic
A garlic paste is a simple and quick way to add flavor to a recipe. It’s a great addition to soups, stews, sauces and even instant pot recipes.
To make the paste, mince the garlic cloves with a knife. You can use a knife or a fork to do this job, depending on the size of the garlic cloves.
With your dominant hand gripping the knife, use the other free hand flat on top near the blade’s tip to keep the cuts precise and the knife stable. Next, chop the cloves in a fanning motion with the knife. Continue this until they’re chopped to your desired fineness.
2. Sprinkle with Salt
A good garlic paste is an important ingredient for many dishes. It adds depth of flavor to sauces, soups, stews, marinades, and dressings.
Garlic paste is also an easy meal prep substitute to freshly minced garlic. It saves precious minutes in your weekly cooking routine.
Make this garlic puree in bulk ahead of time, and store it in the fridge or freezer for quick access during your weeknight meal prep. It’s the closest thing to using freshly minced garlic in any recipe!
3. Press the Garlic
One of the simplest ways to make garlic paste is with a knife. Using the blunt side of your knife, press and scrape it against the pile at a slight angle, releasing and flattening the garlic. In 2 minutes you’ll have a smooth and luscious garlic paste that will rival the best commercially available version.
The best way to store your homemade garlic paste is in a refrigerator or freezer. A resealable bag or an ice-cube tray will keep your garlic paste fresh for at least a week. You can also freeze it in small portions in a bowl or on a cookie sheet. The best part is that it keeps its shape well after you put it in the freezer. You could even freeze it in a glass bottle for the next time you’re entertaining and don’t want to run out of crock pot jam.
4. Press the Salt
While slicing, chopping, and mincing are all great ways to prepare garlic, sometimes you may want to make a smooth paste to use in dressings or sauces. A simple technique is to sprinkle the minced garlic with a little salt, then press it down with your knife until it becomes soft and paste-like.
This process will soften the garlic’s bite and make it more tender than a sliced clove, which means you’ll get more flavor in your recipe. When you’re ready to add it to a dish, the garlic will be easier to work with and cook faster.
5. Press the Garlic Again
If you don’t have a garlic press, just use a knife with a wide blade to crush the garlic and salt. This process abrades the garlic pulp, extracts garlic juice and produces a smooth paste.
Collect the minced garlic into a flat, neat pile on your cutting board. Hold the blunt side of your knife with both hands and drag the sharp side across the garlic, holding the blade at a slight angle so it presses and flattens the garlic against the board.
Repeat this process until the garlic becomes a thick, rich, blendable paste. Then store it in a refrigerator or freezer for 3-4 months.