The RIGHT way to peel garlic revealed with a very simple 20-second hack (and we've all been doing it wrong)

  • Garlic's papery skin can be tricky to remove and can leave fingers smelling
  • Heat whole head in microwave for 20 seconds for easy peeling solution
  • You can also use a jar to shake a whole bulb for 30 seconds to remove skin 

Peeling garlic can be one of the fiddliest and most frustrating jobs in the kitchen.

But it doesn't have to be - if you learn a very simple trick that can remove the papery skin in just 20 seconds.

All it requires is a microwave.

Use the microwave to peel garlic in just 20 seconds - the heat makes the papery skin fall away easily

Use the microwave to peel garlic in just 20 seconds - the heat makes the papery skin fall away easily

As demonstrated in a video by Panasonic Asia, start by putting a whole head of garlic in the microwave, and heating for 10 seconds on high.

Use oven mitts to remove the head and check to see if the outer layer is falling away.

If not, heat for another 10 seconds, before letting it cool for a few minutes.

You should then find you can easily peel the cloves.

The video also advises peeling from the tip of the clove to make it even easier to take away the skin. 

Start by putting a whole head of garlic in the microwave, and heating for 10 seconds on high. Check and if it needs it, heat for another 10 seconds

Start by putting a whole head of garlic in the microwave, and heating for 10 seconds on high. Check and if it needs it, heat for another 10 seconds

The video also advises peeling from the tip of the clove to make it even easier to take away the skin

The video also advises peeling from the tip of the clove to make it even easier to take away the skin

The method is most effective if you require a lot of garlic for your recipe - but if you have any cloves left over, you can store them in an airtight container, advises cooking website Kitchn.

They will keep for at least one or two days. 

The life-changing hack will see an end to frantic clawing at the papery outer layer, leaving you with pungent fingers.

The method is most effective if you require a lot of garlic for your recipe - but if you have any cloves left over, you can store them in an airtight container

The method is most effective if you require a lot of garlic for your recipe - but if you have any cloves left over, you can store them in an airtight container

And if you're someone who chops off both ends of a clove to slide off the shell, it will mean less garlic wastage.  

The microwave method isn't the only time-saving trick you can use to peel garlic, however.

Videos online show how you can use a jar to peel garlic in just 30 seconds by shaking a whole head until the thin outer layers fall away.  

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.