Any recipe that uses garlic is a good recipe. (That’s our opinion, at least!) Not only does garlic help enhance a dish, but garlic also has proven health benefits. But garlic can be difficult to chop if using a normal kitchen knife.
This can make minced garlic an ingredient that people skip when following a recipe, and we believe that garlic should never be skipped.
That’s why you need a garlic press.
A garlic press will ensure you never skip adding minced or pressed garlic to your dish, all while keeping your hands clean.
Believe it or not, all garlic presses aren’t the same. Some garlic presses come with a built-in cleaning tool to make it easier to clean all of the garlic out.
We’ve researched the best garlic presses, and these are the 7 best that made our list.
Reviews of the Best Garlic Press
1. Best Overall: Alpha Grillers Garlic Press
The Alpha Grillers Garlic Press is made of rustproof 304 stainless steel, making it dishwasher safe. It has a large opening that measures a little over one cubic inch, which is large enough to hold and press a full garlic head.
The garlic press comes with a silicone garlic peeler tube and a cleaning brush for getting any garlic remnants out of the peeler.
All of the garlic press pieces are dishwasher safe, including the peeler tube and the cleaning brush.
Pros
- Dishwasher safe and rustproof
- Extra-large chamber holds an entire head of garlic
- Peeler tube and cleaning brush included
- Comfortable grip
- Can use peeled or unpeeled garlic cloves
- Strong and durable
Cons
- Can be difficult to clean
2. Best Budget Choice: ZESPROKA Garlic Press
The best budget choice is the ZESPROKA Garlic Press because it is basic, efficient, and easy to use. It is made of zinc alloy, making it rustproof and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
The chamber is large and can hold more than one clove of garlic, and the handles are ergonomic and fit comfortably in the hand as it is squeezed.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- The large chamber can hold more than one clove
- Rustproof and dishwasher safe
- Durable material
Cons
- Could be more ergonomic to fit in the hand better
3. Best Premium Choice: Zyliss Susi 3 Garlic Press
The Zyliss Susi 3 Garlic Press is our choice for the best premium garlic press because of its overall design and included accessories.
The ergonomic design of the handle makes it easy to hold and use. It has a large chamber that can hold more than one clove of garlic. It also has a built-in cleaning tool that conveniently fits into the handle of the garlic press.
The garlic press is made of durable aluminum should be hand washed to preserve the condition of the press.
Zyliss includes a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty to assure you that the product should last for years.
Pros
- Comfortable, durable, and ergonomic
- A large chamber holds many cloves
- Built-in cleaning tool
- Easy to use
- Cloves don’t require peeling before being pressed
Cons
- Hand-wash only
4. VSILE 2-in-1 Garlic Press
Another garlic press we made sure to include on our list is the VSILE 2-in-1 Garlic Press because it has more than one function and is relatively affordable.
Not only does it function as a standard garlic press, but it also has a built-in garlic slicer for those times when you need larger cuts of garlic.
Having a tool with more than one function is what put this garlic press on our list. It makes it more versatile and more useful to use in various applications.
The tool is made of 304 stainless steel, which makes it safe for food and the dishwasher. It is also anti-rust and anti-oxidation, making it the safest material possible for food consumption. It has a comfortable and ergonomic design that makes it easy to use.
Pros
- Versatile
- Affordable
- Comfortable and easy to use
- Anti-rust and anti-oxidation
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Not as durable as some comparable products
5. OXO Good Grips Garlic Press
Another great option that made our list is the OXO Good Grips Garlic Press. The OXO Good Grips Garlic Press is made of a combination of plastic and zinc with nonslip handles. The nonslip handles make the press comfortable and easy to use. It has a relatively large chamber that holds up to three cloves of garlic.
It also includes a built-in cleaner that will push out any excess garlic that has attached to the holes of the press. The handle can take on water if submerged or washed in a dishwasher, so we recommend washing the garlic press by hand to ensure this doesn’t happen.
Pros
- Built-in cleaner helps clean excess garlic from the press
- A large chamber holds more than one garlic clove
- Easy and comfortable to use with large nonslip handles
- Handle reverses for a full range of motion and makes cleaning easier
Cons
- The handle can hold water if washed in a dishwasher; try to limit water submersion
6. JACHI Garlic Press
The JACHI Garlic Press is an affordable and basic garlic press for the job. It’s comfortable, easy to use, and made of quality material.
The press is made of zinc, so it is rust-resistant and lightweight, but also sturdy enough to easily crush a garlic clove. The chamber is smaller than most, so it’s best for recipes that require small amounts of minced garlic.
The press can be placed in a dishwasher for easy cleaning and won’t retain water when submerged. The garlic press also includes a spoon to help you clean out the chamber of the press.
Pros
- Easy and comfortable to use
- Rust-resistant, dishwasher safe, and lightweight
- Included spoon for easy cleaning
- Affordable
Cons
- The small chamber only holds two or three cloves of garlic
7. The Pampered Chef Garlic Press
The Pampered Chef Garlic Press is the last garlic press on our list, and we made sure to include it because of its reputable name. The Pampered Chef makes many great kitchen tools and gadgets, and this garlic press is no exception.
First, it’s made of durable metal and has a contoured handle to fit comfortably in your hand. The chamber is large enough to hold more than one clove, and the cloves don’t require peeling beforehand; the garlic press will peel the garlic when it’s pressed.
The handles are curved and contour to your hand when squeezing the press. This is comfortable but also effective and makes squeezing the press easier.
The downside to the design of the handle is that it can hold water when washed in a dishwasher or submerged in water, so it should be cleaned immediately after it is used.
The good news is that it comes with a convenient cleaning tool that makes it easy to clean any excess garlic from the holes of the press.
Pros
- Durable and made of quality material
- Curved handles are comfortable to hold and squeeze
- The large chamber holds more than one clove
- Cleaner tool included
Cons
- Handles can hold water if they are washed in a dishwasher or submerged
The Best Garlic Press Ultimate Buying Guide
If you’re unsure of which garlic press to buy on our list, ask yourself some questions. This will make it easier to know how to choose the best garlic press for you. After all, you should be confident that the tool you’re purchasing will last. This buying guide will help you know just that.
Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Garlic Press
Chamber size, dishwasher-safe, material, and additional accessories are all features you should consider before purchasing a garlic press, and we’ve explained this in detail further below.
Large Chamber will Hold More Garlic
Consider the size of the chamber when making your decision, especially if you use many recipes that feed larger quantities. A large chamber will hold more than one clove of garlic, with some garlic presses holding an entire head of garlic in the chamber. This saves you time by mincing all the garlic you need in one fell swoop.
Design of the Handle for Comfort and Stability
You will be squeezing the garlic press with your hand, so it will need to be easy to use and comfortable. Consider the design of the handle when choosing a garlic press. A curved handle will be more ergonomic and will typically be more comfortable than a straight handle.
Additional Accessories Make Pressing and Cleaning Easier
Try to find a garlic press that comes with accessories. This will make using the garlic press easier. A garlic press may come with a garlic peeler or a cleaner.
A garlic peeler is a silicone tube that holds one or more cloves of garlic. You will roll the tube like a rolling pin on a hard surface. This will break the peeling from the clove, and you will be left with a perfectly peeled clove.
A cleaning tool is also highly recommended because it will make cleaning the press quick and easy. This is especially important because many garlic presses will retain water if washed in a dishwasher or submerged in water.
A cleaning tool will help remove any excess garlic from the tool, which will make cleaning easier. Simply rinse the garlic press with water once the excess garlic has been removed.
Warranty or Manufacturer’s Guarantee
A garlic press that comes with a warranty or manufacturer’s guarantee will ensure that you receive a quality product that will last. A warranty is best because it will likely cover any defect that occurs with the product during the length of the warranty.
A manufacturer’s guarantee may not cover certain defects, but it will likely mean you are getting a product that the manufacturer promises will last.
What Are Some Garlic Press Uses?
Perhaps the best part about having a garlic press is that it can be used for more than just pressing garlic. You can use a garlic press to mince shallots, ginger, olives, and horseradish.
Using a garlic press to mince or squeeze the pulp from ingredients is not only easy and convenient, but it also keeps your hands from getting dirty when manually chopping ingredients.
What Types of Recipes Utilize Minced Garlic?
Garlic is most commonly associated with Italian dishes, like pasta sauces and homemade bread, but it is often the first ingredient used when making dishes.
In addition to many Italian foods, garlic is found in recipes throughout the world. Garlic helps enhance flavors in a dish, all while providing nutritional benefits.
Minced garlic is often the basis for flavoring soups, meat, and marinades in all types of cuisines. Across the globe, minced garlic is used to season Mexican dishes and sides, including salsa and guacamole. It is also used in many roux, including soups, alfredo, and other cream sauces.
Soups, seasonings, marinades, sauces, and condiments all use minced garlic.
With so many dishes using minced garlic, a garlic press will come in handy every time.
How a Garlic Press Minces Garlic Easily
A garlic press minces garlic easily by taking the pressure of the hammer on one side of the handle and pressing the pulp of the garlic through the holes on the other side.
The force and pressure of the garlic being pushed through the holes of the garlic press mean you don’t have to peel the garlic beforehand. The garlic's pulp will remove itself from the peel during the process, saving you a step in the process.
Conclusion + Top Pick
A garlic press will help you quickly and easily mince garlic for any dish that calls for it, and the Alpha Griller Garlic Press is our overall best choice for the job.
It is easy to use, dishwasher safe, and can hold an entire head of garlic. It is comfortable while squeezed and comes with an additional garlic peeler and cleaning tool. Plus, you don't have to get your cutting board dirty!
FAQ
How Do I Clean My Garlic Press?
The best way to clean your garlic press is immediately after you use it. The excess garlic will be within the chamber of the press and can harden if the press sits out for too long.
Cleaning the garlic press with a cleaning tool will remove any bits of garlic from the press before it hardens. Then, simply place the garlic press under running water to rinse the press and let it dry.
Can I use My Garlic Press for Other Ingredients?
One of the best features of the garlic press is that it can be used for other ingredients. It can extract pulp from olives, shallots, ginger, horseradish, and capers. Using a garlic press for these ingredients keeps your fingers from becoming stained or messy from these potent ingredients.
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