The Biggest Mistake You're Making With Jarred Garlic, According To TikTok

Many recipes call for garlic, which is no surprise considering it's both tasty and good for you. According to Healthline, garlic is rich in nutrients and can help protect you against getting sick (hence why you find it in cold-fighting recipes, such as chicken noodle soup).

Garlic is a fantastic kitchen ingredient to have on hand, but it can be a pain to work with, especially if you buy whole garlic cloves and chop them yourself. Garlic cloves are already tiny and challenging to work with — not to mention, they can leave your fingers smelling of garlic for days. People who love garlic but don't want to run into these problems often opt for a jar of pre-minced garlic and spoon it out accordingly for their recipes. This is a great option, but many don't find jarred garlic as potent as the fresh stuff.

TikTok has addressed this issue for garlic lovers who use jarred minced garlic. The answer will save you a great deal of time, money, and energy. (Plus, you'll get to enjoy all the same benefits of garlic without the mess.)

Jarred garlic can come in two forms: crushed and chopped (minced). Both make for a quick, mess-free alternative to peeling garlic cloves by hand. However, many people claim that jarred garlic doesn't have as vibrant a flavor. People who think this aren't wrong, according to The Food Company. Jarred garlic is pasteurized, which means it will never compare to the real thing, as much of the flavor gets drowned out in the pasteurization process. Moreover, once you open the jar, the garlic will oxidize, taking a toll on its taste and becoming less fresh over time.

Still, jarred is a cheap alternative, especially if you buy your garlic in bulk — it can last up to three months in the fridge, according to Choosing Nutrition. But how can you still enjoy jarred garlic without sacrificing the garlicky taste you love?

TikTok user @stoveandgarden has addressed the issue by stating that when opting for jarred garlic, you should double the amount of garlic the recipe calls for. By doing this, you won't sacrifice the potency the recipe intended the garlic to have.

Freshly chopped, minced, and crushed garlic all release their flavors differently. Depending on how quickly you want the garlic's flavor to release into the dish, you'll want to use them separately. 

MyRecipes states that if you want a bold garlic taste, you're always better off using fresh garlic cloves. Raw garlic in its original form is more flavorful and fresh and has a kick to it that jarred garlic doesn't. If you're looking for a mild garlic taste that slowly releases, your best option is to chop your garlic. On the other hand, if you want a robust garlic flavor that's quickly released, minced or crushed garlic is the way to go.

Investing in a garlic press is one of many tricks when working with fresh garlic. Some garlic presses allow you to skip the peeling process and place the entire clove into the device. From there, it will evenly mince it without the mess many jarred garlic buyers despise.