Garlic Paste How To Make Store Use Spice Cravings

Garlic paste is a staple ingredient in my kitchen since I use garlic for curries, stir-fries, chicken, lamb, dal, vegetables and so much more!

Every weekend, I make a fresh batch of garlic paste along with ginger paste and onion-tomato masala (curry sauce) as part of my meal prep. Making this paste ahead of time is a super easy hack that has dinner on the table faster during weeknights. And that’s reason enough for me! And if you’re looking for ways to make garlic last longer, check out this detailed guide with tips on How to Store Garlic. Let’s get started!

What is Garlic Paste?

Garlic paste is just as the name suggests - blended garlic with a touch of oil or water made in the blender or food processor. It can be stored in the fridge or freezer and used as needed.

Garlic Paste Benefits

I love having some garlic paste ready and waiting because it gives me peace of mind and offers a simple, homemade convenience. Keeping that in mind, I cook with garlic any chance I get because of it’s health benefits, including that it’s:

Good for blood pressure and cholesterol levels. A natural antioxidant - those purple streaks are a natural indication of anthocyanins! A good defense against common sicknesses, including the flu and cold.

Why Make It At Home

I feel more comfortable making this easy garlic paste at home because:

The flavor is much more mild when compared to packaged varieties that have been sitting on store shelves. Store-bought paste often includes added salt and preservatives. It saves me and my family time every time we pop into the kitchen to prepare dinner or a savory snack. It’s cheaper and lasts longer when stored properly.

How to Make Garlic Paste

This paste comes together in a few easy steps. If you’re making a big batch and starting with whole garlic, check out multiple time-saving ways to peel garlic in my detailed guide on how to peel and mince garlic.

Peel the cloves

Place the garlic head on a cutting board, root side up. Smash it hard, then loosen and separate the cloves. Cut the root tip and peel the cloves. Skip this step if using store-ready peeled garlic cloves. Time saving tip: For convenience, buy peeled and ready cloves from the refrigerated produce section of supermarkets.

Blend with or without oil

Add garlic cloves and olive oil to the blender jar and blend for 30-45 seconds to make a smooth paste. Scrape down the sides of the blender jar once in between. Note: Oil is optional, but I find it produces a smoother texture and extends the shelf life. Using Water Instead of Oil: If you do not want to add oil, leave it out completely or replace it with 2 Tablespoons of water. This facilitates easier blending. Note: A large batch of garlic cloves is also much easier to blend than a smaller one.

How to Store

Here’s how to store it in either the fridge or freezer: Fridge: Place in an airtight container and store in the fridge if planning to use within 1 week. Feel free to top it off with a layer of oil to preserve its flavor. Freezer: Place in a small silicone ice cube tray and freeze until firm, about 1 hour. After that, transfer the cubes to a plastic freezer storage bag, label, date, seal tight and freeze for up to 3 months. For ease of use, pick between an ice cube tray that can hold 1 teaspoon or 1 tablespoon quantity. Don’t own an ice cube tray? Transfer the paste to a 1-quart plastic freezer storage bag and flatten the bag, making sure to push out all the air. Label, date and store flat in the freezer. When the time comes, break off the amount you need (1 teaspoon is roughly the size of your thumbnail), seal and place right back in the freezer.

How to Use in Recipes

If you’re wondering how to use this paste in recipes, then I’ve got you covered. Simply use 1 teaspoon garlic paste for every 1 large or 2 small cloves. There is no need to thaw frozen cubes from the freezer. Simply add the frozen cube and it will thaw out in seconds. What is Garlic Paste Used For: Check out this list of some of my favorite recipes using garlic, broken down into their appropriate cuisine or preparation. Indian

Chicken Karahi (Kadai Chicken) Chicken Biryani Saag Aloo Aloo Gobi Kala Chana (Black Chickpeas Curry) Rajma Masala (Kidney Beans Curry)

Mexican

Chicken Tinga Tacos Refried Beans Creamy Black Beans Cilantro Lime Rice

Mediterranean

Chicken Shawarma Tzatziki Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Thai

Thai Basil Chicken Massaman Curry

Ethiopian

Key Wat (Ethiopian Beef Stew) Ethiopian Chicken Noodle Soup Misir Wat (Red Lentil Stew)

Marinades

Mediterranean Chicken Whole Tandoori Chicken

Where To Buy

If short on time, it is easy to spot in frozen ice cube trays in the freezer aisle at most grocery stores. Indian, Asian and specialty global markets typically have better prices.

Garlic Paste Substitute

Substitute freshly minced or grated garlic at a 1:1 ratio. Check out How to Mince Garlic for more garlic substitutions. Important conversions to remember: 1 teaspoon garlic paste = 1 large or 2 small cloves = ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

How to Make Ginger Garlic Paste

You can use this recipe to make garlic ginger paste as well. Just use equal parts of ginger and garlic. You can refer to this detailed recipe with step by step photos to make ginger garlic paste.

Tips for Keeping Garlic Paste Fresh for Longer

Quality of garlic: Start with good quality fresh garlic. If using garlic bulb, look for tightly closed bulbs with firm cloves. If buying peeled cloves, avoid any cloves with green shoots or bruises. Top with oil: Adding oil is optional, but it helps in blending and extends the shelf life. Storage: Remove the amount you need and immediately return it to the fridge or freezer. Constant thawing and re-freezing will affect the taste and flavor.