We Found the Best Minced Garlic in a Jar

Jarlic (jarred garlic, for anyone who doesn’t know) is one of the internet’s favorite new words. Either that, or my algorithm is just honing in on my recent obsession, because I’m seeing it everywhere. It’s even a hot topic of debate: Should you use jarlic in dishes or buy fresh cloves to chop yourself? If you do buy it, what should you look for it in the best minced garlic to ensure you’re getting top quality? As someone who just tried a bunch of different jarlic brands, I have some thoughts on the subject. 

My online grocery carts, TikTok feed, and inner self reflection have all confirmed one fact: I am a garlic girl, through and through. I’m not convinced there is anything more delicious than a whole clove of garlic roasted in olive oil and served to me plain. I also know there’s a big difference between fresh cloves of raw garlic and minced garlic that comes in a jar. Whole raw garlic has a sharp, pungent taste that can be pretty intense. When garlic is minced, it releases more of its natural oils and juices, which creates a slightly sweeter (and to some people, spicier) flavor profile. The two have different culinary uses, but the best jarred garlic absolutely deserves a place in your fridge to throw in soups (garlic instant ramen, anyone?) and in stir frys, atop toasted bread, and more. 

Going into this taste test, I wasn’t sure how different brands of jarlic would really stand out from one another. The reality is that most jarlics share similar characteristics, but the devil is in the details: variations in tenderness, sweetness, size, and preservation methods can make a real difference. I tried these straight off the spoon, spread on plain crackers, and sauteed over bread and butter. Here’s all the best minced garlic (and the best crushed garlic) we found in our taste test. 

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Best Organic

Simple Truth Organic Minced Garlic

Instacart

The simple truth is that Simple Truth’s organic jarlic is pretty hard to fault. If this is your go-to jarred garlic brand, there’s really no need to change your ways. The minced garlic is on the crunchier side, making it a good choice for sauteing or using to coat veggies you plan to roast in the oven. If anything, Simple Truth is the the worst in terms of value on this list of the best minced garlic (about $4 for 4.5 ounces), which is why it’s sitting pretty here at #5. You can’t go wrong—but this isn’t the best minced garlic we found. 

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Quickest Crisp

Delallo Fine Chopped Garlic

Amazon

Instacart

There are a couple of things to point out about Delallo’s Finely Chopped Garlic. First, it derives from dehydrated chopped garlic. That means even though the garlic bits are on the thicker side, they crisp up faster on the stove than other brands. Second, the overall flavor profile is much sweeter than other brands we tried. Despite the short ingredient list (water, dehydrated garlic, citric acid), I suspect using dehydrated garlic changes the flavor. While I wouldn’t say this is the best jarred garlic for all culinary uses, it makes a great addition to a panko or breadcrumb mix, especially if you’re aiming for a crispy, flaky topping.

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

8.5/10

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Best for Garlic Bread

Polaner Crushed Garlic

Instacart

Polaner Crushed Garlic definitely puts the emphasis on crushed. These garlic cloves have been ground to tiny, tender morsels, and the result is something between minced garlic and a garlic paste. Smooth and potent, this stuff is incredibly easy to spread. It’s the best jarred garlic brand to make creamy garlic mashed potatoes, homemade garlic butter, and of course, garlic bread. It also comes in a huge 25-ounce jug for under $9. For comparison, that’s triple the value of Simple Truth. That said, this is texturally much different from regular minced garlic—so if you’re looking for that signature chopped jarlic, keep reading. But if you’re looking for the best crused garlic, look no further.

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

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Best Value

Kirkland Signature Minced California Garlic

Instacart

Fellow garlic girls: If you need a giant tub of minced garlic to keep around, Kirkland’s minced garlic is the way to go. The tub is massive, y’all. The garlic itself is extra minced, with tiny kernels that somehow manage to be super crunchy, sturdy, and yet so buttery. This has got to be one of the best minced garlic chili crisp bases I’ve come across to date. You could literally use half of it to make your own homemade spicy chili crisp, and still have months worth of regular minced garlic left over. At 48 ounces for $8.70, this is the best minced garlic for bargain hunters.

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Spice World Minced Garlic

Target

Amazon

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been buying Spice World jarlic for a long time, and I was really pleased to discover that my love for it has been justified after all these years. I promise: I’m being unbiased by placing Spice World in the #1 spot. Taste-wise, it has a noticeably stronger garlic bite, pungent smell, and less sweetness overall. Heated, it melts right into bread and spreads so smoothly. The garlic bits aren’t completely uniform in size, which I personally prefer. Out of all the brands, Spice World tastes the most like freshly minced garlic—and that’s simply why it’s the best jarred garlic. End of story. 

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other jarlic brands we tried: Bellino Minced Garlic, Christopher Ranch Garlic, Great Value Jarred Garlic, International Bazaar Minced Garlic