How many grams are 2 cloves of garlic?

December 6, 2025 •

4 min read

While a medium clove of garlic is often estimated at 5 grams, placing the average for 2 cloves at around 10 grams, this is only a general guideline. The actual weight can vary dramatically depending on factors such as the garlic's variety, size, and growing conditions.

Quick Summary

The weight of two garlic cloves is approximately 10 grams, but this is highly variable. The size, type, and age of the garlic clove all influence its final weight. For precise cooking, measuring by weight or volume is more reliable than counting cloves.

Key Points

Average Weight is 10 Grams: Based on the common culinary guideline of 5 grams per medium clove, 2 cloves equate to roughly 10 grams.
Variability is High: Clove size and weight vary significantly based on garlic variety (e.g., softneck vs. hardneck) and growing conditions.
Use a Kitchen Scale for Precision: For recipes requiring accurate measurements, especially baking, a kitchen scale is the most reliable tool.
Measurement Substitutes Exist: A medium clove can be converted to about 1 teaspoon of minced garlic or 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder.
Taste Dictates Amount: How you cut and cook garlic affects its flavor intensity. The best practice is to taste and adjust according to personal preference.
Proper Storage Extends Life: Keep whole garlic heads in a cool, dry place with good airflow to prevent premature sprouting and maintain freshness.

The Average Weight of a Garlic Clove

For many home cooks, the inconsistency of garlic clove size is a familiar frustration. The average, medium-sized clove found in most supermarkets (typically a softneck variety) weighs between 4 and 7 grams. Some culinary experts, like those at America's Test Kitchen, use a standard of 5 grams per clove as a baseline for recipe testing. Based on this widely accepted figure, 2 cloves of garlic would translate to approximately 10 grams. However, this is a simplified view of a naturally variable ingredient. The key is understanding that 'average' is a fluid concept when it comes to garlic.

Size Variance in Supermarket and Gourmet Garlic

Not all garlic is created equal. The standard white garlic typically sold in grocery stores contains cloves that are fairly uniform, though they can still range significantly. Specialty and gourmet hardneck varieties, on the other hand, can feature much larger cloves that can weigh 10 to 16 grams each, or even more, as seen in elephant garlic. This means that two large gourmet cloves could easily weigh over 20 grams, double the amount of two average supermarket cloves. This is why relying on a scale is the most accurate method for consistent results, especially when making baked goods or delicate sauces where precision is key.

Factors That Affect Garlic Clove Size

Several elements contribute to the size and weight of a garlic clove, explaining the wide range you might encounter in the kitchen.

Garlic Variety: As mentioned, different garlic types inherently produce different-sized cloves. Softneck varieties often have more, smaller cloves, while hardneck varieties have fewer, larger cloves. Elephant garlic, while technically a leek, has significantly larger cloves than standard garlic.
Growing Conditions and Location: The soil, climate, and overall growing conditions can influence a garlic plant's development. Studies have shown that clove size is directly correlated with overall bulb size and yield.
Maturity: A garlic bulb's maturity at harvest also affects clove size. Older, larger bulbs tend to have larger cloves. This is one reason why fresh, farm-stand garlic can have different characteristics than store-bought versions.

How to Measure Garlic Accurately

If you're following a recipe where the amount of garlic truly matters, here are some reliable conversions to help you move beyond the imprecise "clove" measurement.


Measurement	Approximate Equivalent	Notes
1 medium garlic clove	5 grams	A standard figure used by many test kitchens.
1 medium garlic clove	1 teaspoon minced	A common rule of thumb for quick conversions.
2 medium garlic cloves	10 grams	The average weight, but expect variability.
2 medium garlic cloves	2 teaspoons minced	Use this conversion when a recipe calls for minced garlic.
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder	1 fresh garlic clove	For when you need a quick, dried substitute.
1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic	1 fresh garlic clove	Granulated garlic is less potent than powder, requiring more.
1/2 teaspoon garlic flakes	1 fresh garlic clove	A dried substitute for minced garlic.

Practical Tips for Cooking with Garlic

Given the natural variation, it's helpful to develop a few habits for cooking with garlic effectively.

Taste as you go: The most important rule for adding any aromatic is to taste your food as you cook. Add a little garlic, simmer, and taste. You can always add more, but you can't take it out.
Consider flavor intensity: The way you prepare garlic dramatically impacts its flavor intensity. For a sharp, pungent bite, mince or grate the garlic finely and add it toward the end of cooking. For a milder, sweeter flavor, slice it or add whole cloves and cook it longer.
Use a kitchen scale: If you are a baker or working on a delicate recipe where precision is critical, using a kitchen scale and measuring by weight is the best option.
Don't burn your garlic: Always cook garlic on a low to medium heat. Burnt garlic will turn acrid and bitter, spoiling the flavor of your entire dish.
Store garlic properly: To maintain its flavor and freshness, store whole garlic heads in a cool, dry, and dark place with good air circulation. Once you've peeled a clove, use it within a week.

Conclusion

While the simple answer to how many grams are 2 cloves of garlic? is about 10 grams, it's a number that requires context. The culinary world, and indeed the natural world, is full of variables that make exact measurements tricky without the right tools. For average supermarket garlic, 10 grams is a safe starting point. However, mastering the art of cooking with garlic means understanding its nuances—the variety, size, and preparation method—and adjusting based on the final flavor profile you desire. Armed with this knowledge, you can confidently navigate any recipe, ensuring a delicious and perfectly garlicky result every time.

For more detailed cooking tips and techniques, explore resources from authoritative sources like America's Test Kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Instead of counting cloves, which can vary greatly in size and potency, it is more accurate to measure by volume or weight. For instance, 1 medium clove is roughly 1 teaspoon when minced. If you have larger or smaller cloves, adjust the number you use accordingly or weigh the garlic on a kitchen scale for precision.

No, fresh garlic has a more potent and complex flavor than pre-minced jarred garlic. The processing and preservatives in jarred garlic diminish its taste. For the best flavor, it is always recommended to use fresh garlic if possible.

Yes, you can substitute garlic powder for fresh garlic, but the flavor profile is different. As a general rule of thumb, use about 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder for every clove of fresh garlic a recipe calls for. Remember that the powder has a more concentrated flavor.

Hardneck garlic typically has fewer, larger cloves that are uniform in size, making it easier to measure consistently. Softneck garlic, the variety most often found in supermarkets, has more cloves that vary in size within the same head.

The flavor changes based on how it's prepared and cooked. Finely mincing or crushing garlic releases more pungent compounds, resulting in a more intense flavor, especially when added late in the cooking process. Cooking it slowly, or roasting, mellows and sweetens the flavor. The 'smash' and 'rocking motion' knife technique is a standard for mincing.

For maximum shelf life, store whole heads of garlic in a cool, dry, dark place with plenty of airflow, like a pantry or cupboard. Avoid the refrigerator, which can cause sprouting. Once cloves are separated or peeled, they should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and used within a week.

Elephant garlic is a very large variety with mild flavor, having significantly fewer and larger cloves per bulb than standard garlic. Due to its mildness and size, you would typically use fewer elephant garlic cloves to match the flavor of regular garlic.