Last Updated on May 2, 2022 by Share My Kitchen
This short guide will answer the question “How many tablespoons of minced garlic is equal to 4 cloves?” It also answers other related questions, such as what substitutes can be used for garlic cloves, and how to store garlic cloves.
How many tablespoons is 4 cloves of garlic?
1 tablespoon contains 3 medium-sized cloves of garlic. Therefore, 4 cloves (medium-sized and chopped) of garlic is equivalent to 1 1/3 tablespoons. 1 clove medium-sized garlic is then equivalent to 1/3 tbsp.
| 4 Cloves Garlic | Tablespoons |
| Medium (chopped) | 1⅓ |
| Medium (Minced) | 1 |
How much is a clove of garlic?
One clove of garlic is equal to 1 teaspoon of chopped garlic or 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic. This is a quick overview of the standard measurements, so you can get an idea of the amount of garlic cloves:
| Garlic cloves | Amount |
| 1.9 cloves of garlic | ¼ tablespoon of minced garlic |
| 5.6 cloves of garlic | ¾ tablespoons of minced garlic |
| 7.5 cloves of garlic | 1 tablespoon of minced garlic |
| 15 cloves of garlic | 2 tablespoons of minced garlic |
| 11.3 cloves of garlic | 1 ½ tablespoon of minced garlic |
What does a clove of garlic look like?
A clove of garlic looks irregular when it is simply examined. It has two ends: one end is flat; the other is a spearhead. Each garlic clove is also individually wrapped in paper skin.
A maximum of 11-12 cloves are individually wrapped, and connected to one another to form a bulb with a brownish to purple paper-skin. You can either peel the cloves and store them separately or keep the whole bulb together.
How do you know if garlic has gone bad?
Fresh garlic is distinctive in its smell and flavor. However, once it has gone rotten or spoiled, you will be able to tell by:
Spots on the surface
Brown spots will appear on the surface of the cloves if the garlic is spoiled. The color will also change from a particular off-white hue to a yellowish-tan.
Sprouts formation
The garlic has already gone bad if there is an expansion of green roots at the center of the cloves. These roots are sprouts which give the garlic bitter taste. The sprouts should be removed from the middle of the cloves, but they leave behind a milder flavor.
Squeeze test
A squeeze test is the best way to tell if garlic has gone bad or not. If the head becomes soft or malleable under pressure, then it is a sign that the garlic is already spoiled.
What can you use as a substitute for garlic cloves?
Fresh garlic is undoubtedly delicious, however, it can sometimes be replaced with an alternative due to its unpleasant smell. For instance, you can buy a pre-minced garlic jar from the market, then use the appropriate number of teaspoons for the recipe. The jar also keeps the garlic fresh for a relatively long time.
How to properly store garlic cloves?
Garlic has a comparably longer shelf life than other vegetables. However, it needs to be stored in the right conditions to ensure its long-term preservation.
It should be stored whole in an open container. Then, the container should be kept at a cool temperature, away from heat, and where there is good air circulation. Garlic should not be kept in the refrigerator as it can cause sprouting.
Additionally, garlic should be stored as a whole. Once one clove is removed, the shelf life of the garlic decreases.
Short term storage
Store garlic in a brown paper bag rather than a plastic bag for short-term storage. This prevents the chances of humidity to affect your garlic. This also preserves the garlic’s freshness and taste for as long as 4 to 6 months.
You can keep an unpeeled clove in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. On the other hand, peeled garlic cloves can be stored in a plastic bag for up to 2 days.
Long term storage
You can freeze garlic for long-term storage. You can also store whole, unpeeled garlic bulbs (garlic bulb as a whole) in the freezer for up to 1 year.
However, chopped and peeled garlic need to be stored in a freezer bag, then placed in the freezer to make it last for 1 year.
