Capturing the right measurements is really crucial when cooking, especially with garlic because its taste absolutely pops.
When a recipe requires the use of a clove, it can be challenging to equate it to tablespoons.
There are about ⅓ to ½ tablespoons of garlic in a clove.
The amount is an average estimate as garlic cloves come in different sizes.
You’ll get more tablespoons of garlic while using big cloves.
This article answers the question: how many tablespoons of garlic is a clove?
Read on to find out the amount of garlic you’ll need when a recipe calls for using a specific number of cloves.
How many tablespoons of garlic are in a clove?
Garlic cloves come in different varieties, shapes, and sizes.
For this reason, knowing how many tablespoons are in a clove of garlic is challenging for most cooks.
Below is a table showing the equivalence of different numbers of cloves in tablespoons.
| Number of cloves | Amount in tablespoons |
| 1 | ½ |
| 2 | 1 |
| 3 | 1 ½ |
| 4 | 2 |
| 5 | 2 ½ |
| 6 | 3 |
| 7 | 3 ½ |
| 8 | 4 |
| 9 | 4 ½ |
| 10 | 5 |
The amount of garlic you get in tablespoons per clove, however, depends on the form of garlic you use.
Let’s look at them in detail.
How much garlic powder is a clove?
Garlic powder is a finely ground type of garlic with a flour consistency.
When a recipe calls for the use of a clove of garlic, you may be wondering how much garlic powder to use in tablespoons.
A big clove equals ⅛ tablespoons of garlic powder.
When a recipe requires a small clove, use minute amounts of garlic powder because of its potent flavor.
Since garlic powder adds more intense and concentrated flavors to foods, it’s advisable to use small quantities depending on the amount and type of food you’re preparing.
Better yet, it’s versatile, and you can add it to your food after cooking.
If you want to know how much garlic powder equals 3 cloves of garlic, multiply ¼ by 3 to get ¾ tablespoons.
Likewise, to know how much garlic powder is 4 cloves, take ¼ and multiply by 4 to get 1/16 tablespoons, which are minute amounts.
How much garlic paste is a clove?
Garlic paste is blended using water or oil.
It’s convenient because you can pre-make and store it in the freezer for months.
That’s why it’s convenient to use as a substitute for a clove.
A small clove of garlic is equivalent to ¼ tablespoon of garlic paste.
When using a big clove, use ⅛ tablespoons of the paste.
Below is a review showing the standard measurements of cloves and garlic paste.
| Number of cloves | Garlic paste in tablespoons |
| 2 | ½ |
| 3 | 1 |
| 6 | 2 |
| 12 | 4 |
How much is a clove of garlic when minced?
Minced garlic is an already mashed form of garlic, making it ready to use.
It’s milder in flavor than cloves and you should use the correct measurements when substituting with a clove.
A big clove equals ½ tablespoon of minced garlic, while a small one is equivalent to ¼ tablespoon.
If a recipe requires two cloves, substitute it with 1 tablespoon of minced garlic.
Minced garlic adds a strong flavor to foods and that’s why most recipes require small amounts of it.
You should therefore use accurate measurements to avoid over-spicing your food.
How much is a clove of garlic when chopped?
Chopped garlic comprises big chunks cut randomly using a knife.
They’re thicker than minced garlic and have a milder flavor.
A big clove is equivalent to ½ tablespoon of chopped garlic while a small one yields ⅛ tablespoons.
When a recipe requires you to use a medium-sized clove, substitute it with ¼ tablespoons.
Unlike other forms of garlic, the chopped variety is milder.
For this reason, adjust the quantity according to the type and amount of food you’re cooking to meet your taste.
How much is a clove in garlic salt form?
Garlic salt is a mixture of garlic powder and salt.
It contains ⅓ garlic powder and ⅔ salt.
Before using it in place of a clove, how much will you need in tablespoons?
A clove of garlic corresponds to ½ tablespoon of garlic salt.
When using small-sized garlic, it translates to ¼ tablespoons of garlic salt.
Garlic salt adds a concentrated flavor to foods, so you should taste the dish while cooking to adjust to your preference.
Since it contains salt, when using it in place of a clove, adjust the salt content in your food.
How much garlic juice is a clove?
Garlic juice is the liquid form of garlic made by pressing fresh cloves.
It adds a pungent and concentrated flavor to foods, and it’s essential to know how many tablespoons are in a clove of garlic.
There are ⅓ tablespoons of garlic juice in one big clove.
If using a medium-sized or a small clove, substitute them with ½ and ¼ tablespoons, respectively.
Garlic juice alters the consistency of foods, so you should ensure it doesn’t exceed the required amount when cooking with it.
How much is a clove in granulated garlic?
Granulated garlic comprises rough-textured pieces of cut cloves with the consistency of salt or sand.
It’s more concentrated than cloves, so it’s challenging to determine how many tablespoons are in a clove of garlic.
A clove of garlic is equal to ¼ tablespoon of granulated garlic.
When using a small clove, use ¼ tablespoon of granulated garlic.
Since granulated garlic adds a more concentrated flavor than cloves, be sure not to exceed the recommended amounts, lest your food become too spicy.
How much is a clove in garlic flakes?
Garlic flakes are small, dried slices of cloves.
You can use it in place of chopped garlic or fresh cloves in their accurate conversions.
A clove of garlic corresponds to ½ tablespoon of garlic flakes.
If a recipe calls for a small clove, use ¼ tablespoon garlic flakes.
When using garlic flakes, note that their consistency and texture change when added to liquids like water and oil.
This calls for an adjustment in measurements while cooking to meet your desired flavor.
How many tablespoons are in a clove of garlic?
Sometimes a recipe may require you to use tablespoons when measuring garlic.
Knowing how many teaspoons of garlic are in a clove prevents issues of over-spicing and under-spicing your food.
Below are the measurements to use in such cases.
| Garlic form | Number of teaspoons per clove |
| Garlic powder | ⅛ |
| Garlic paste | ½ to 1 |
| Minced garlic | ½ to 1 ½ |
| Garlic juice | ¼ to ½ |
| Granulated garlic | ⅛ to ½ |
| Garlic salt | ½ |
| Chopped garlic | 1 |
| One garlic head | 3 to 4 |
The amounts above are of an average-sized clove.
They vary depending on the size of the garlic clove you’re using.
When using a big or small clove, adjust the amounts to meet your preferred taste.
How much is a head of garlic in tablespoons?
Garlic heads come in different sizes, shapes, and varieties.
This makes it challenging to determine how many tablespoons are in one clove of garlic.
Generally, most garlic varieties have between 10 to 12 cloves per head.
Bigger and rare types have around 20 to 40 cloves.
All these cloves vary, measuring 1” to 1.5” in length and ⅜ to ¾” in width.
This makes it challenging to determine how much you need when a recipe calls for a whole head of garlic.
One head of garlic is equal to about 3 to 4 tablespoons.
When a recipe requires a full garlic head, use 3 ½ tablespoons of garlic paste or the minced and chopped forms.
Use small quantities like 1 ¼ tablespoon if you’re using garlic powder or garlic salt instead of the head because they are more concentrated in flavor.
It’s safer to taste the food while adding to determine how much is enough according to the type and amount of food you’re cooking.
These amounts, however, depend on the form of garlic you’re using.
Let’s look at them below.
| Garlic powder | Garlic paste | Granulated garlic | Garlic flakes | Garlic juice | Chopped garlic | Minced garlic | |
| One garlic head | 1 ¼ – 1 ½ tablespoon | 1 ¼ – 1 ½ tablespoon | 3 tablespoons | 3 – 5 tablespoons | 4 – 5 tablespoons | 3 – 5 tablespoons | 4 – 5 tablespoons |
FAQs
What’s 4 tablespoons of minced garlic in tablespoons?
4 big cloves of garlic equal 2 tablespoons of minced garlic.
Using medium-sized and small-sized cloves will correspond to about ½ and 1 tablespoon, respectively.
How many teaspoons are in one head of garlic?
There are around 8 to 10 teaspoons in one head of garlic of average size.
Since large garlic heads contain about 20 to 40 cloves, when a recipe requires it, use about 20 teaspoons.
How much is a head of garlic in grams?
Garlic heads differ in weight based on their size and variety.
Small-sized heads of garlic weigh 40-70 g, while average ones are 100 to 160g.
Conclusion
Although garlic is a healthy addition to your meals, using excess or fewer amounts of it alters the taste of your food.
When a recipe requires a clove, it’s essential to know the equivalent measurements in tablespoons and teaspoons.
These cloves vary in size, but with the correct conversion, you can adjust the quantities per your taste.
Often you’re forced to use different forms of garlic in place of a clove.
This calls for accuracy in conversion since some have higher concentrations and more intense flavors than others.
With the above conversion measurements, you can never go wrong when your recipe requires a clove of garlic.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
Equipment
- 2 large bowls
- 1 oven
- 1 saucepan
- 1 knife
- 1 cutting board
- 1 spoon
Ingredients
- 1/3 pound beef steaks
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon rosemary leaves minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice fresh
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes crushed
- 1 teaspoon thyme dried
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika smoked
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon mustard dry
- Pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 cup parsley finely chopped
- 1/4 cup chives finely chopped
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
- Step 1: Preparing the Steak Bites
- To begin, place your steaks in a large bowl and add the crushed red pepper flakes, Worcestershire sauce, and dry mustard.
- Mix well to coat both sides of each steak evenly.
- Let sit for 10 minutes before moving on to step 2.
- In another large bowl, mix together the butter, olive oil, garlic, rosemary, salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
- Stir until everything is combined, making sure the garlic is completely coated in the mixture.
- Add the steaks to the marinade and flip them over to coat both sides with the mixture.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let sit for 15 minutes.
- Don’t forget to turn the steaks halfway through so that they’re evenly coated.
- Step 2: Cooking the Steak Bites
- Once the steaks have finished marinating, it’s time to put them in the oven.
- Set the temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the steaks for 12 to 15 minutes per side.
- When done, remove them from the oven and set aside to cool down.
- Step 3: Creating the Garlic Butter Sauce
- While the steaks are cooling down, prepare the garlic butter sauce by melting the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Once melted, add the garlic and stir constantly for one minute.
- Next, add the rosemary, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, thyme, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and dry mustard.
- Stir until combined.
- Next, add the lemon juice and stir again until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Add the cayenne pepper, parsley, and chives and stir until everything is mixed thoroughly.
- Turn off the heat and pour the sauce into a bowl to cool down.
- Step 4: Assembling the Steak Bites
- After the steaks have cooled down, it’s time to assemble the garlic butter steak bites.
- Using a sharp knife, cut each steak into four equal pieces.
- Then, using a spoon, scoop out the center of each piece to create a cavity.
- On a cutting board, spread the cooled garlic butter sauce across the bottom of a large cast iron skillet.
- Make sure to cover the entire surface area of the skillet.
- Place the steaks into the skillet and fill the cavities with the parsley, chives, and grated parmesan cheese.
- Once the ingredients are placed, carefully pour the remaining sauce over the top and cook the garlic butter steak bites in the oven for five minutes.
- Remove from the oven and serve warm.
Video
Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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