One Clove Of Garlic Is How Many Teaspoons?

Think about cooking a tasty dish, and the recipe asks for either teaspoons or garlic cloves. Have you ever wondered how to switch one for the other?

This will frustrate you and possibly ruin your meal as a result.

How much is one clove of garlic anyway?

We are here to help you understand garlic in cloves and standard measuring tools like teaspoons.

So, one clove of garlic is how many teaspoons?

A clove of garlic equals 1/2 – 1 teaspoon chopped or minced garlic.

Garlic bulbs and cloves’ sizes vary; hence small cloves will equal 1/2 teaspoon, whereas the big ones will go up to 1 teaspoon.

In measuring these values, we use the popular US teaspoon, which is the standardized measuring teaspoon for ingredients.

This post will guide you through everything there is to know about garlic cloves and teaspoons.

We’ve got you covered, from comparing the two measurements to measuring with other standard kitchen utensils and incorporating garlic cloves in recipes.

Read on to learn more.

How much is a garlic clove?

Garlic cloves are the small, segmented pieces that make up the garlic bulb.

The cloves are covered in light papery skin to constitute a garlic head (bulb).

Naturally, garlic heads vary in size and number of cloves, but on average, one head contains about 10 – 12 cloves.

The size of garlic cloves also varies, but on average, one clove is about 1/2 – 1 teaspoon chopped or minced garlic.

Cooking with one clove also means cooking with 1/2 – 1 teaspoon of minced garlic.

Always measure garlic using a standard spoon; otherwise, your measurement will not be precise, which may ruin the dish’s taste.

For easy reference and checklist, you can use the guide below:

• 1 garlic clove = 1/2 – 1 teaspoon
• 2 cloves = 2 teaspoons
• 3 cloves = 3 teaspoons
• 4 cloves = 4 teaspoons
• 5 cloves = 5 teaspoons
• 8 cloves = 8 teaspoons
• 10 cloves = 10 teaspoons
• 12 cloves (1 bulb) = 12 teaspoons

Measuring garlic using tablespoons

A tablespoon is a popular kitchen utensil that many chefs are familiar with.

A typical US tablespoon is a standardized tool for measuring ingredients.

Its capacity is 15 ml, 3 teaspoons, and 1/16 of a standard cup.

When measuring garlic cloves using tablespoons, 1 clove equals 1/3 tablespoon.

This means that 2 cloves equal 2/3 tablespoons, and 3 cloves will make up 1 tablespoon.

This conversion is summarized in the guide below:

• 1 garlic clove = 1/3 tablespoon
• 2 cloves = 2/3 tablespoons
• 3 cloves = 1 tablespoon
• 4 cloves = 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon
• 5 cloves = 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons
• 8 cloves = 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons
• 10 cloves = 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon
• 12 cloves (1 garlic bulb) = 4 tablespoons

Always use a standard tablespoon when measuring your chopped and minced garlic.

Fill the tablespoon to the brim, then level it off using a flat knife or kitchen spatula.

This will ensure accurate measurements as per the recipe for the food to turn out correctly.

Teaspoons are more convenient and accurate for measuring small garlic amounts, while tablespoons are suitable for larger values.

If your recipe calls for a huge quantity of garlic, like many bulbs or cloves, then tablespoons will be preferable for better precision.

Measuring garlic using a cup

A cup is another common kitchen utensil that many home cooks and chefs are familiar with.

It’s mainly utilized for measuring larger amounts of ingredients, often in liquid form like milk, soup, or broth.

The standard capacity of a cup is 236 ml, equivalent to 8 fluid ounces.

A standard cup equals 16 tablespoons and 48 teaspoons (standard spoons).

When using cups for measuring garlic cloves, 1 clove equals 1/48 of a cup, while 2 cloves make up for 1/24 of a cup.

This means that 3 cloves will equal 1/16 of a cup, and so forth.

See the guide below for more specific conversions:

• 1 garlic clove = 1/48 cup
• 2 cloves = 1/24 cup
• 3 cloves = 1/16 cup
• 4 cloves = 1/12 cup
• 5 cloves = 5/48 cup
• 10 cloves = 5/24 cup
• 12 cloves (1 garlic head) = 1/4 cup

This also means that:

• 1 cup = 48 garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup = 24 cloves
• 1/4 cup = 12 cloves
• 1/3 cup = 16 cloves
• 2/3 cup = 32 cloves
• 3/4 cup = 36 cloves

When measuring minced garlic using a cup, place the cup on a flat surface and fill it to the required measurement.

Level the cup using the flat of a knife and read horizontally to ensure accuracy.

Recipes use a cup to measure vast amounts of garlic.

Using other-sized cups is not advisable if you don’t have a standard cup.

However, you can use other graduated or calibrated containers for measurements.

How to prepare garlic for cooking

Garlic is a versatile ingredient; to use it perfectly, you need to prepare it correctly.

The following are procedures for preparing garlic:

Separating the cloves

The first step is to separate the cloves from the garlic head.

You can do this by smashing the garlic head with your knife and then carefully peeling away the skin to reveal the cloves.

Once you have separated the cloves, you peel off their skins.

The easiest way is to place them in a small bowl and cover them with boiling water.

Leave them to soak for 1 – 2 minutes, then drain and rinse under cold water.

The skins should now slip off easily.

Chopping the cloves

Chop the garlic cloves by cutting them into tiny pieces using a sharp knife.

You can cut the cloves in different directions or stack them up and cut them together.

You can also grate them or use a garlic press if you want them in even smaller pieces.

Mincing the cloves

Mincing is a method that results in much smaller pieces than regular chopping.

To mince the garlic, chop it, then use a back and forth slicing motion while dragging the knife across the garlic.

You can use different kitchen utensils to mince your garlic, such as a pestle and mortar, food blender, garlic press, or food processor.

Finer pieces of garlic are recommended to release the ingredient’s flavor and aroma.

The garlic is more potent and will have a more powerful taste when used in mashed or minced form than in bigger pieces.

How can I store garlic?

You can store garlic in different ways, depending on how you plan to use it.

Safely store whole bulbs in a cool, dark place with good air circulation.

A kitchen cupboard away from the stove is ideal.

You can also keep garlic in the pantry or cellar.

However, check them regularly as garlic stored in warm or humid conditions can sprout or start to rot.

When you have peeled the cloves and exposed them to air, store them in the refrigerator, lest they oxidize and start turning brown.

They can stay in the fridge for up to two weeks.

If you want them to last longer, place the cloves in a freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to six months.

You can also buy garlic that has been previously peeled and stored in oil.

This garlic can last for several months when stored in the fridge.

Garlic will go bad if not stored appropriately.

Signs that garlic has gone bad include sprouting, browning, and mold growth.

If you notice these signs, throw the garlic away as it’s not fit for consumption.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What will happen if I use the wrong garlic measurements?

If you use the wrong garlic measurements, your dish will not taste as intended.

Using the correct measures to get the desired flavor and consistency is essential.

Can I combine garlic with other ingredients?

You can combine garlic with other ingredients as it goes well with a variety.

Common combinations include garlic with ginger, onion, thyme, and basil.

You can also combine garlic with vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and tomatoes.

Observe the cooking times of the other ingredients and ensure they blend well with garlic.

Can I use jarred garlic instead of fresh minced garlic?

You can use jarred garlic as a substitute for fresh garlic.

However, the flavor and aroma of jarred garlic are not as potent as that of fresh garlic.

Therefore, you may need more jarred garlic than fresh minced garlic to get the same flavor.

Is it necessary to peel garlic before using it?

You don’t necessarily have to peel garlic before using it.

If you’re pressed for time, you can use unpeeled garlic cloves.

However, peeled garlic cloves are easier to chop and mince.

They also release their flavor and aroma more easily than unpeeled cloves.

How can I make my garlic dish less pungent?

If the garlic flavor is too strong, add other ingredients such as onion, ginger, or lemon juice to balance it out.

You can also cook the garlic for less time or at a lower temperature to reduce its pungency.

Conclusion

Garlic cloves are the basic measuring units of this ingredient in recipes.

With this knowledge and guide of conversions between cloves, spoons, and cups, you can follow any recipe that calls for garlic without worrying about the measurements and their precision.

This will ensure that your dish comes out tasting as intended, and you’ll always enjoy great garlic dishes.

Use the right amount of garlic and enjoy its flavor and aroma in your food.

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