Ginger Garlic Paste Recipe (2024)

By Dassana Amit
Last Updated: January 29, 2023

Gluten Free, Vegan
4.82 from 11 votes12 Comments

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Ginger Garlic paste is a cornerstone of many Indian recipes. While I’ll typically just mash or crush the garlic and ginger called for in a given recipe, I’ve found that keeping some on hand in the fridge helps to streamline meal preparations. Try this simple Garlic Ginger Paste recipe for yourself and set your fridge up for several weeks’ worth of cooking success!

Ginger Garlic Paste Recipe (2)

About Ginger Garlic Paste

Ginger Garlic Paste is nothing but both ginger and garlic crushed to a fine paste together and bottled. It is one of the essential ingredient added to many Indian recipes.

The recipe shared here is my mom’s version. She always makes ginger garlic paste and keeps it in the fridge. I personally don’t usually make this paste ahead of time, rather just use the ingredients as I need them.

I have to admit, though, that having the paste makes life a bit easier and also saves time whilecooking. I just need to get the paste from the fridge to add to the recipe, no need for peeling, chopping, and then crushing the ginger-garlic. If you like to plan ahead, you’ll love this recipe.

Making the paste is easy, but peeling garlic feels like a never-ending task. I have tried the 2-bowl shaking method to get the peels come off easily, but it did not work for me. As such, I peeled them the traditional way, removing each peel one by one.

Of course, you can lightly crush or mash the garlic first to help you remove the peels, but peeling one by one suits me. So, when you have extra time, do this zen-like task.

You can also do this chore when watching tv or listening to music. Peeling garlic requires practice and patience. I suggest you meditate when peeling to make the time more productive. 🙂

Some people might have a burning sensation on their fingers while peeling the garlic. You can rub some oil on your hands to prevent the burning, but the flip side of this is that the peels stick to the oiled fingers.

That said, it’s still better than feeling the burning sensation several hours later. This burning sensation stays for a few hours or sometimes up to a day and then goes away. You could also wear gloves and peel the garlic cloves.

I have used an equal amount of ginger and garlic by weight. Please note that after peeling them, the weight did change significantly.

I used 250 grams of garlic and after peeling I was down to 186 grams of garlic. From 250 grams of ginger, I ended up with just 190 grams of ginger after peeling and chopping.

Make sure to account for some dried or wilted garlic cloves and a few ginger roots bruised or not in a good condition.

Step-by-Step Guide

How to make Ginger Garlic Paste

1. First separate the garlic cloves from 250 grams of garlic. Then peel the garlic cloves and set aside.

While peeling, discard garlic cloves that have wilted, dried or have black powder like substance on them or you see some black spots on them.

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2.Rinse 250 ginger roots a few times in water scrubbing the mud lodged in them with a brush if needed.

Then peel them. Use a paring knife or the back of a spoon to peel them.

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3. Then roughly chop the ginger and add it to the bowl containing the garlic cloves. Rinse again very well in warm water a few times. Drain all the water.

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4. Add them to a grinder jar or a high speed blender or a food processor with edible rock salt and oil. Both salt and oil help to preserve the paste and prevent oxidization.

Just keep in mind to add less salt to any recipe that you make using this ginger garlic paste since the paste already has some.

You do not need to any water while grinding or blending.

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5. Grind or blend or process to a smooth and fine consistency making sure that there are no small chunks of either the ginger or garlic.

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6. Transfer the prepared ginger garlic paste to a clean glass jar. Close the lid and refrigerate.

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Storage and Uses

7. Use Ginger Garlic Paste as required in any recipe that you make. This paste stays good for about 3 to 4 weeks in the refrigerator. You can also freeze it. On freezing it keeps well for about 2 months.

When removing the paste, always use a clean dry spoon. Any water or moisture if seeped into the paste, will spoil it.

Take the amount as needed for your recipes. Seal the jar with its lid and place back again in the fridge.

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Expert Tips

  1. Use garlic which has medium to large cloves and thus peeling them is easier. Small to very small garlic cloves take a lot of time. But on the contrary smaller sized garlic pods or cloves are more pungent and more flavorful compared to their larger counterparts.
  2. Avoid fibrous or dry or dense ginger. Use fresh and tender ginger. If the ginger smells awful, then discard them.
  3. Peel ginger quickly using the back of a spoon. You can also use a small knife or a paring knife.
  4. Use both fresh ginger and fresh garlic. Kindly do not use frozen garlic or ginger. Also refrain from using store-brought packaged peeled garlic as using these may reduce the shelf life of your homemade paste and the paste can get spoiled quickly.
  5. Both salt and oil act as preservatives and the color does not discolor or darken. Some people also add turmeric powder.
  6. You can add 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil to cover the top of the ginger-garlic paste in the jar to help prolong the shelf life.

FAQs

Why isn’t my ginger garlic paste as smooth as yours?

The consistency in a ginger-garlic paste largely depends upon the type of device you use to grind. A food processor may not give as smooth of a consistency as using a mixer-grinder or a high speed blender.

How do I know if the paste is still good to use?

If the aroma of the paste is good, then you can use it for a few months. If the color changes or darkens or it has an off odor, then you can get rid of the paste.

What is the ratio of ginger garlic paste?

The ratio of ginger to garlic which is 1:1 is what most people follow and one which I also follow. But then again it depends on personal preferences.

Feel free to increase the garlic and use a proportion of 1:2 or inversely use a proportion of 2:1 for the ginger and garlic respectively.

I would suggest to make a small batch using your proportions. While making Indian food, use the homemade ginger garlic paste and see how does your recipe or dish tastes. If has too much of a garlic flavor or more of the ginger flavors, then change the proportions accordingly.

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Ginger Garlic Paste Recipe (14)

Ginger Garlic Paste Recipe

By Dassana Amit

Ginger Garlic paste is a cornerstone of many Indian recipes. Try this simple homemade Garlic Ginger paste recipe for yourself and set your fridge up for several weeks' worth of cooking success.

4.82 from 11 votes

Print Pin Save

Prep Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Cuisine Indian

Course Condiment

Diet Gluten Free, Vegan

Difficulty Level Moderate

Servings 380 grams

Units

Ingredients

  • 250 grams ginger – after peeling yield is 190 grams ginger or 1.35 cups ginger chopped in large chunks
  • 250 grams garlic cloves or 13 to 14 small to medium sized garlic bulbs – after peeling yield is 186 grams garlic or 1.25 cups peeled garlic
  • 2 teaspoon rock salt – edible and food grade, or add regular salt or sea salt or pink salt
  • 3 tablespoons oil – can use sunflower oil or peanut oil or any neutral tasting oil

Instructions

Preparation

  • Peel the garlic cloves. Take them in a bowl.

  • While peeling, discard garlic cloves that have wilted, dried or have black powder like substance or black spots on them.

  • Rinse the ginger roots and then peel them. Then roughly chop them

  • Add the chopped ginger to the bowl containing the peeled garlic cloves. Rinse them again very well in warm water a few times. Drain all the water.

Making Ginger Garlic Paste

  • Add them in a grinder jar or food processor or a high speed blender.

  • Also add rock salt and oil. Both salt and oil help in preserving the paste and it does not turn dark too.

    Just do keep in mind to add less salt in any recipe that you make using this ginger garlic paste.

  • Grind or process or blend to a smooth and fine consistency. Make sure there are no small chunks of either the ginger and garlic in the ground paste.

  • You don't need to add any water while grinding or blending.

  • Transfer the prepared paste in a clean glass jar. Close the lid and refrigerate.

Storage and Uses

  • You can either opt to refrigerate or freeze the homemade ginger garlic paste. Use a clean, dry glass jar to store the paste.

  • In a refrigerator the paste keeps well for about 3 to 4 weeks. In the freezer for 1 to 2 months.

  • While removing the paste, always use a clean dry spoon. Take the paste as needed and then close the jar tightly with its lid and keep back again the refrigerator.

  • Use ginger garlic paste as required in any recipe that you make.

Notes

  • Use fresh and tender ginger. Always peel the ginger and rinse them well.
  • Ensure to use fresh garlic cloves separated from the garlic pod. Kindly do not use frozen garlic or store brought peeled garlic. It is better to peel the garlic yourself. Also do not use garlic chives.
  • I usually make small batches and store the ginger-garlic paste. According to your needs, you can make less or more quantities of the paste.
  • Note that the approximate nutrition info is for the entire amount of ginger garlic paste made with this recipe.

Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)

Nutrition Facts

Ginger Garlic Paste Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 944Calories from Fat 405

% Daily Value*

Fat 45g69%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Polyunsaturated Fat 3g

Monounsaturated Fat 36g

Sodium 4726mg205%

Potassium 2041mg58%

Carbohydrates 127g42%

Fiber 10g42%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 20g40%

Vitamin A 23IU0%

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 1mg67%

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.4mg24%

Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 4mg20%

Vitamin B6 4mg200%

Vitamin C 91mg110%

Vitamin E 18mg120%

Vitamin K 7µg7%

Calcium 495mg50%

Vitamin B9 (Folate) 35µg9%

Iron 6mg33%

Magnesium 170mg43%

Phosphorus 468mg47%

Zinc 4mg27%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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This Ginger Garlic Paste recipe from the archives, originally published in July 2016 has been updated and republished on January 2023.

Ginger Garlic Paste Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long does homemade ginger garlic paste last? ›

Use Ginger Garlic Paste as required in any recipe that you make. This paste stays good for about 3 to 4 weeks in the refrigerator. You can also freeze it. On freezing it keeps well for about 2 months.

What is the ratio of ginger to garlic paste? ›

A lot of people also add turmeric or salt as a preservative but I don't because this is how my mom always made & it keeps good for several months. I use equal parts of ginger and garlic. But this varies from every family and some people also use 1 part ginger and 2 parts garlic.

Does ginger garlic paste need to be cooked? ›

In its raw form, the paste is quite pungent and spicy, but when cooked in fat, it provides an earthy, warm, sweet, and zingy flavor to a dish. Ginger garlic paste is an extremely popular condiment. Many South Asian households make it fresh, then store it in the fridge for daily cooking.

Can I keep ginger garlic paste without refrigeration? ›

Salt Method: Mix equal parts of ginger and garlic paste and add salt to taste. Transfer the mixture to a clean and airtight container, and store it in a cool and dark place. This method helps to preserve the paste for a few weeks.

Is ginger garlic paste healthy? ›

Garlic and ginger are both famous for their health benefits. Decades of scientific research have shown that these popular ingredients have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and may offer some protection against disease. Combining them may also have health-promoting effects.

Is it safe to use green ginger garlic paste? ›

No, eating blue or green garlic is not dangerous. This colour change is the result of a natural chemical reaction and does not mean that the garlic is spoiled or toxic. Although the colour may be surprising, it does not affect the safety or nutritional quality of garlic.

Can we eat ginger garlic paste raw? ›

You can eat store bought paste. A big spoonful straight from the jar. When you make it yourself though. There's no way you can eat it straight when you make it fresh.

What is the best container for ginger garlic paste? ›

Store the paste in a glass jar with a metal lid. Avoid plastic jar. Try to keep the same jars for the ginger garlic paste each time you make it. You can store this paste in freezer up to 3 months and in refrigeration up to 3 weeks.

Can I freeze ginger garlic paste? ›

So here I am with the wonderful recipe for homemade ginger garlic paste which can last in your freezer upto 6 months or even more.

Do you put ginger garlic paste before or after onions? ›

Usually ginger garlic paste is added after the onions are sautéed. But you can also add it along with the onions and cook the onions and the paste together.

Is store bought ginger garlic paste good? ›

Well, the answer to this is a simple No! This is because store bought condiments are loaded with preservatives and additives to retain the taste, texture as well as freshness, which is why it is best to use homemade ginger and garlic paste.

How long does ginger garlic paste last in room temperature? ›

Shelf Life of 24 months at Room Temperature without Refrigeration. Once the pack is opened, it needs to be Refrigerated / Chill and can be used within 30 days.

How long does fresh garlic and ginger paste last in the fridge? ›

Store the ginger garlic paste in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. If you added natural preservatives like salt or oil to the paste, it should last in the fridge for 2-3 weeks. If you didn't use preservatives, the ginger garlic paste might only last a few days before it starts to turn.

Does ginger garlic paste go bad? ›

Ginger garlic paste has a long shelf life. If you follow all of the instructions, it will last for two months in the refrigerator. It will keep in the freezer for several months.

How long can you store homemade ginger paste? ›

Frozen ginger will be good for 2 to 3 months. You can also refrigerate the paste in a glass jar. This paste will stay fresh for 3 to 4 days.

How long does homemade garlic paste last in the fridge? ›

Store in the refrigerator in an air-tight glass container for about 7-10 days. To freeze, transfer the garlic paste to an ice-cube tray. Don't fill it to the brim and leave space for expansion. Once frozen, pop the cubes out and transfer it to a Ziploc or a silicone bag and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months.

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