So it is time to cook, and you find yourself missing a valuable and hard-to-replace ingredient – minced garlic. Minced garlic is often used to infuse any dish with garlic flavoring without the hassle of having to hand-mince fresh garlic.
Minced garlic is generally cheaper in the long run, lasts longer, and is significantly more convenient than using fresh garlic. Whether it’s black, organic, or spiced minced garlic, the ingredient is essential to have in the kitchen. The only challenge is finding it on store shelves.
So, where do you find minced garlic in the grocery store?
Most grocery stores stock minced garlic in the produce section near other herbs. Look near the onions and ginger, which are popular flavor ingredients.
You can also see if there’s a display of pureed herbs in the produce section; minced garlic will probably be there, too.
If you can’t find minced garlic in the produce section, check near the salad dressings. For containers of dry minced garlic, check in the spice aisle.
Jarred garlic may either be dehydrated and then stored in preserves or, if fresh, undergo pasteurization. Before opening, minced garlic can be stored and stays fresh on the shelves at room temperature.
However, immediately after opening, minced garlic requires refrigeration. If stored properly, most jars of minced garlic will last for several months (usually 18-24).
Dried minced garlic is garlic chopped into fine pieces and dehydrated. It is stored at room temperature even after being opened and can last much longer than refrigerated garlic options.
What does minced garlic look like in the Supermarket?
Minced garlic usually comes in a plastic or glass jar. Sometimes it comes in smaller tubes or squeeze bottles. If you know where to look, you’ll be able to find minced garlic regardless of the bottle type, size, or brand.
What is the price of minced garlic?
The price of minced garlic varies according to brand and size. A small, 4.5-ounce of Spice World minced garlic costs about $2. Store brand options cost closer to $6 for 32 ounces. Dried minced garlic costs around $2 for 2.5 ounces.
What are the best brands of minced garlic to buy?
There are plenty of different brands of minced garlic at the grocery store. These are some of the best brands of minced garlic in jars or bottles:
- Spice World
- Goya
- Simple Truth
- Badia
- International Bazaar
If you’re looking for dried minced garlic, try these brands:
- McCormick
- Amazon’s Happy Belly
- Great Value
- Kroger Brand
Where to buy minced garlic near me
You can buy minced garlic at local grocery stores like Walmart, Albertsons, Vons, Target, Safeway, and Trader Joe’s.
Walmart often carries a variety of jarred and tubed minced garlic options, plus dried selections. Other stores are likely to have a broader range of minced garlic varieties, including those preserved in oil and various flavored spices.
Another excellent option for purchasing minced garlic near you is in smaller ethnic foods stores. It may be difficult to determine which local stores carry the product, but nearby markets are a good option if you don’t mind shopping in person.
How to buy minced garlic online
You can buy minced garlic online from stores like Amazon. You can even find minced garlic, especially dried versions, on eBay and Etsy.
Amazon:
- Badia Minced Garlic in Olive Oil
- Spice World Garlic
- Member’s Minced Garlic
- Premium Minced Garlic
- McCormick Gourmet Minced Garlic
- Iberia Minced Garlic
- Delish Gourmet Toasted Garlic
- Botticelli Fresh Minced Garlic
- Tropical Sun Minced Garlic
There are a surprising and overwhelming number of brands to choose from when it comes to minced garlic! Depending on the specific dish or personal preferences, certain brands might be more suitable than others.
For example, if a more neutral taste with minimal added preservatives is the goal, then Pampa Minced Garlic in Water might be best.
Spice World Garlic is an inexpensive minced garlic jar or tube of preserves that comes in varying sizes! The taste is strong and it releases a lot of flavors when sauteed. If you are aiming for an organic brand and do not mind spending a little more money, Oakville Grocery Organic Minced Garlic is a great choice. The store that carries it may not be in your area, but it can be ordered online.
In terms of dried minced garlic, McCormick is a solid choice due to its affordability, ability to be most frequently found in many stores, and ease of dispensing it. McCormick is a trusted spice brand for a reason, and you won’t be disappointed with the quality.
If you’re specifically looking for minced black garlic, it can also be found in the same aisle and stores as regular minced garlic.
Black minced garlic has aged under a set of particular conditions and gains a characteristic sweetener akin to molasses. After aging, the garlic is minced then preserved similarly to regular minced garlic. Due to its unique nutty sweetness and lack of the intense flavor that normal minced garlic has, it is usually ideal for specific recipes versus everyday cooking.
How long does store-bought minced garlic last after opening?
How long store-bought minced garlic lasts depends on what type you bought. If you bought an unrefrigerated jar, it contains preservatives. This type will last anywhere from 18 to 24 months after opening, as long as you store it properly.
Dried minced garlic stays good for two to three years. Keep dried minced garlic in air-tight containers in a pantry at room temperature.
How to properly store minced garlic after opening?
Once you open a bottle of minced garlic, make sure you keep it tightly closed and in the refrigerator. It stays fresh for about 18 to 24 months. Even if the expiration date has passed, the garlic can still taste good if you’ve stored it properly. You’ll know the garlic has gone bad if it smells strange, changes color, or has mold growing on it.
Minced fresh garlic is only good if you keep it in an air-tight container or Ziploc bag for about a week. The reduced time is because you minced fresh garlic yourself without using preservatives.
Dried minced garlic kept in a dark pantry will retain its flavor for two to three years. Don’t refrigerate or freeze-dry minced garlic. Instead, it should stay at room temperature.
Should minced garlic be refrigerated?
Yes, bottled minced garlic should stay in your refrigerator. Seal the lid tightly after each use to prevent air from getting inside and causing it to spoil and grow mold. You can freeze opened jars of minced garlic for 10 to 12 months if necessary.
What can i get instead of Minced garlic?
Minced garlic can most obviously be replaced with fresh garlic cloves. Simply cut fresh cloves into small, uniform pieces and use them wherever the recipe calls for garlic! Keep in mind that fresh garlic cloves have a stronger, more pungent flavor than preserved and dried garlic.
The ratio for jarred minced garlic is ½ teaspoon of jarred minced garlic to one clove of fresh garlic. The ratio for dried minced garlic is ⅛ teaspoon of dried minced garlic to one clove of fresh garlic.
Garlic powder is also a viable alternative to minced garlic. It is very similar in taste and potency to dried minced garlic. However, it is more common to find it available in your local grocery store. The ratio is ⅛ a teaspoon of garlic powder to one fresh garlic clove (or ½ teaspoon of jarred garlic).
Non-garlic alternatives include chives and shallots! Both are related to garlic as they are in the same vegetable family.
Both are great alternatives as they provide a mix between an onion and garlic flavor complex and release the characteristic smell of garlic when cooked and incorporated into the dish.
The ratio for shallots is one tablespoon to one clove of fresh garlic. The ratio for chives is one tablespoon to one clove of fresh garlic. These can both be minced also.
