Sizing Garlic Cloves

When recipes call for one garlic clove, what size should you be using?

In the test kitchen, we use the guideline that one clove of garlic yields 1 teaspoon of minced garlic. This translates to a clove of garlic weighing 5 grams, which in turn translates to 1 1/4 inches by 3/4 inch by 1/2 inch. While we do not expect you to pull out a scale or ruler each time you mince a clove, this is relatively close in size to a Jordan almond.

THE BOTTOM LINE: A clove that’s 1 1/4 inches long and 3/4 inch by 1/2 inch should yield about 1 teaspoon minced. Or you can use multiple small cloves or part of a larger one—just measure after you’ve minced.

Extra-Large Clove

Yield: 1 tablespoon, minced

Large Clove

Yield: 2 teaspoons, minced

Medium Clove

Yield: 1 teaspoon, minced

Small Clove

Yield: 1/2 teaspoon, minced

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