How to mince ginger and do it the easy way. If you’re looking for a way to add extra flavor to your dishes, minced ginger is the way to go. You can use this versatile ingredient in sweet and savory dishes, which is a great way to add some spice.
Furthermore, you can even add ginger to some seltzer drinks. In this post, we’ll show you how to mince ginger so that you can start adding it to your cooking repertoire. Let’s get started!
What is Minced Ginger?
Minced ginger is when you chop ginger into small, tiny pieces. It’s a beautiful way to add flavor and aroma to your dishes without overpowering them. The parts of ginger are usually less than 1/8 inch in size. The small pieces make blending the ginger with other ingredients easier and allow it to disperse more evenly throughout a dish.
There really is little difference between minced ginger and grated ginger. When you mince herbs, chop them as small as possible to release the aromas.
My favorite way to mince ginger and release its incredible aroma is to use a dedicated grater, but if you don’t have one, we will go over the other methods for how to mince ginger.
What’s the Best Way to Mince Ginger? (How to mince ginger)
If you are wondering, “how do I turn ginger into minced ginger” we can help! If you freeze your ginger, it will mince up much easier. When ginger is frozen, it will be much less fibrous, so it’s easier to cut.
Freezing can also help soften the texture of the ginger, making it easier to blend with other ingredients. It works amazingly well when you are using minced ginger for seltzer drinks! You can use this hack for some Thai spices like galangal too!
- Use a ceramic ginger grater. The best way (and easiest) is to use the ceramic ginger grater.
- 4-inch small grater is dishwasher safe
- Rows of sharp teeth; roots such as ginger are quickly shredded, leaving the unwanted fiber behind.
- For ease of use, a silicone ring underneath holds the grater in place
- Non-corrosive bowl collects the gratings and flavorful juices, without altering the taste
- Also great for elephant garlic, daikon radish & parmesan cheese
- Mortar and pestle. If you don’t have a grater and don’t want to use a knife, then you can use the mortar and pestle to grind your ginger into a paste. Learn more about the best mortar and pestle for herbs here.
- Chef’s Knife. Using a sharp chef’s knife, you can chop your ginger into small pieces until it is as fine as you want.
- Carrot Shredder. Any carrot shredder can also multitask as a ginger mincer.
- Food Processor or Blender. If you don’t have any of the above tools, a food processor or blender will work great for mincing ginger.
- Microplane. If you have one, use a Microplane to grate your ginger.
- Cheese Grater. You can always use a cheese grater to grate the ginger if all else fails.
Do You Peel Ginger Before You Mince It?
It all depends on preference. If you are okay with the papery outer layer of ginger in your recipe, don’t peel it. However, in most cases, you’ll be happier if you peel the ginger before mincing it.
How to Peel Ginger
- Break apart your ginger into smaller, more manageable pieces.
- Use a traditional vegetable peeler/carrot peeler to take the ginger skin off.
- If you don’t have a peeler, then use a spoon. If you scrape a spoon along the outer skin of the ginger, it will come right off.
Do You Peel Ginger Before Grating It?
You can peel ginger before grating it; however, it won’t ruin your recipe if you don’t peel it. It’s all a matter of preference!
How To Cut Ginger?
You can break apart ginger into smaller pieces by breaking off each stalk. Then cut off circular pieces of ginger.
Once you have dime size circles, line them up and cut lengthwise. Once you have small thin pieces of ginger, stack them and cut crossways to make small chunks the size of a grain of rice.
What’s the Best Way to Crush Ginger?
You can crush ginger into a paste using the ceramic ginger grater we mentioned above or a mortar and pestle. We prefer the ceramic ginger grater, designed to handle ginger. So your final product should be a smooth paste rather than large chunks.
For an even smoother texture, you can freeze the ginger before crushing it in the grater or pestle. Furthermore, freezing will help break down those fibrous pieces of ginger and make the resulting paste very smooth!
Where to Buy Minced Ginger?
Any grocery store will sell minced ginger. You’ll usually find it in the refrigerated aisle since it is not a shelf-stable item. Grocery stores like H Mart, Whole Foods, Fred Meyers, and Shop Right will all sell minced ginger in a glass jar.
Can You Use Ground Ginger Instead of Minced?
Yes, they are both essentially the same thing in different forms. Ground ginger is more of a powder form, and minced ginger is either a paste, chunks, or tiny slices.
However, for recipes that call for minced ginger, it is better to use fresh ginger rather than ground unless you are pressed for time. Fresh ginger will provide a richer flavor to your dish. Ground ginger will be much more concentrated and robust, so you’ll need to adjust the amount of ground ginger you add to match the minced.
How Long Does Minced Ginger Last in the Fridge?
Well, it depends. The best way to store minced ginger is in a tight jar, which will last for about a week. If it’s in a sealed jar and you keep it there for about a week, it’ll be fine.
The airtight lid will help to keep out oxygen and moisture, which can cause your ginger to spoil. But what if you don’t have a jar? How long does minced ginger last in the fridge, then? Probably a few days at maximum.
Freezing is a great way to extend its shelf life and ensure you always have some on hand. An alternative method is to store it in the freezer. You can do this in ice cube trays. Pop out a cube or two as needed and thaw them or add it directly to a smoothie or curry.
Whether you’re using it fresh or frozen, ginger is a versatile raw ingredient that can add a zingy flavor to any dish. So go ahead and stock up – your dishes will thank you!
Do You Have to Peel Ginger Root Before Freezing It?
If you are freezing whole ginger root, you can stick the entire piece into the freezer; just put it in a freezer-safe bag. You can easily peel the frozen ginger with a veggie peeler as necessary.
How to Store Ginger Root After Cutting?
If you cut up your ginger root, but it’s still in semi-whole pieces, you can place the whole thing in the fridge for 1-3 weeks. However, if it’s smaller pieces with more surface area, it will only last about a week.
Alternatively, you can store the ginger root after cutting it in a glass jar with olive oil. The oil will give it a longer shelf life and keep the ginger from drying out.
Finally, you can also freeze ginger after cutting it up. Just arrange the pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer until they are solid. Lastly transfer the pieces to a freezer bag or air tight container and store them for up to six months.
No matter which way you choose, freezing ginger is a great way to make it last longer and keep its flavor!
Now that you know how to mince, crush, and store ginger root, why not give it a try? Ginger adds an incredible flavor to any dish, and with a few simple steps, you can easily incorporate it into your cooking! Bon appetite! So go ahead and give it a try – you won’t regret it.
What Does Bad Ginger Root Look Like?
When ginger starts to go bad, you’ll see it sprout and wrinkle. But is ginger sprouting safe to eat? It won’t get you sick. However, the nutritional benefits will decrease. Furthermore, you can plant the ginger root outdoors if you see the skin wrinkling and sprouting.
Final Thoughts for How to Mince Ginger
If you’ve ever wondered how to mince ginger, wonder no more! It’s pretty simple and only takes a few steps. First, make sure your ginger is clean – there’s no need to peel it first, but you definitely can if you don’t want the papery skin in your food. Finally, use a grater or knife to mince the ginger into fine pieces. Voila! Now you know how to mince ginger like a pro.