Quick and Easy Garlic Peeling Hacks: Save Time and Keep Your Hands Odor-Free

Peeling garlic is often a tedious task that not only eats up your cooking time but also leaves a stubborn smell on your hands. However, with these smart garlic peeling tricks, you can tackle recipes requiring garlic without any hesitation. These methods will help you peel garlic quickly and keep your hands clean and fresh.

Peel Garlic Fast Using a Blender

Separate the garlic bulb into individual cloves and place them in a blender. Set the blender to a low speed and pulse once or twice. The agitation will loosen the skins from the cloves.
Transfer the garlic to a bowl of water, and simply skim off the floating skins. Your garlic is now ready to use!

Soak Garlic in Warm Water

Separate the garlic into cloves and place them in a bowl. Cover the garlic completely with warm water and let it soak for about 10 minutes.
After soaking, the skins will peel away easily with just a gentle rub between your fingers.

Microwave Method for Effortless Peeling

You can either microwave a whole bulb or separate the garlic into cloves. Place the garlic on a plate and microwave on medium power for about 15–30 seconds.
Remove from the microwave and let it cool slightly. You’ll find that the skins slip off effortlessly, making peeling faster than ever.

Use Friction to Peel Garlic Quickly

Wrap the garlic cloves in a piece of rubber or silicone mat. Press down gently on a table surface and roll it back and forth.
The friction between the garlic and the rubber will cause the skins to peel off quickly.

Smash Before Peeling

Instead of peeling the garlic first and then chopping, try smashing the clove with the flat side of a wide-blade knife before removing the skin.
Before smashing, trim off the root end of each clove. You can then easily peel away the skin in seconds. Alternatively, use the heel of your hand to press down on the knife if you prefer not to "smash."

Shake to Peel Garlic Fast

Separate the cloves and place them in a bowl. Cover with another bowl or a plate and hold them tightly together. Shake vigorously for about 10–15 seconds.
When you open the bowl, most of the skins will be detached from the garlic, saving you considerable time.

Use a Hot Pan

Heat a pan over medium heat, and toss in the separated garlic cloves. Stir gently for a few minutes, allowing the heat to loosen the skins.
Once cooled slightly, rub the cloves between your hands or a cloth—the skins will come right off.

Garlic Press Tool

Another handy option is to use a garlic press, available in most supermarkets. This tool crushes and presses the garlic through small holes, separating the pulp from the skins.
The peel remains inside the press while the minced garlic comes out ready to use.