Garlic is a popular ingredient used in many cuisines around the world. With its pungent aroma and distinct flavor, garlic adds depth and character to savory dishes. When cooking with garlic, recipes will often call for a certain amount by weight, such as 1 pound (lb) of garlic. But how much is that really? Let’s take a closer look at how to measure garlic and determine how many heads make up 1 lb.
What is Considered a “Head” of Garlic?
A head of garlic refers to an entire garlic bulb. This is the form that garlic is most commonly sold and used in. The garlic head contains multiple cloves clustered together under papery skin. The number of cloves in a head can vary, but on average there are around 10-15 cloves per head of garlic.
So a “head” of garlic just means using an entire intact bulb, without breaking it down into individual cloves. This is the easiest way to add a good amount of garlic flavor to a dish without having to stop and count out each clove.
How Many Cloves Are in 1 Pound of Garlic?
Since garlic is sold by the pound but often used by the head, it’s helpful to know how they relate. To determine how many cloves are in 1 lb of garlic, we need to first estimate the average number of cloves in a single head:
- Average cloves per head: 12 cloves
Now we can take the average weight of a single garlic head, which is approximately:
- Average weight per head: 1⁄2 oz (14 g)
We know there are 16 ounces (oz) in 1 lb. So to find the number of heads in 1 lb, we calculate:
- Ounces per pound: 16 oz
- Ounces per head: 1⁄2 oz
- Heads per pound = Ounces per pound / Ounces per head
- Heads per pound = 16 oz / 0.5 oz per head
- Heads per pound = 32 heads
Now we can determine the number of cloves in 1 lb of garlic:
- Heads per pound: 32 heads
- Cloves per head: 12 cloves
- Cloves per pound = Heads per pound x Cloves per head
- Cloves per pound = 32 heads x 12 cloves/head = 384 cloves
So in total, 1 lb of garlic contains approximately 384 individual cloves!
How Much Does 1 Head of Garlic Weigh?
We determined above that on average, 1 head of garlic weighs around 1⁄2 oz or 14 g. But the exact weight can vary based on the size and variety. Here are some more details on the weight range for a single head of garlic:
- Small head: Around 1⁄4 oz (7 g)
- Medium head: Around 1⁄2 oz (14 g)
- Large head: Around 3⁄4 oz (21 g)
Certain garlic varieties also tend to produce larger heads on average, like elephant garlic which contains just 4-6 enormous cloves per head weighing up to 1 oz (28 g) each!
How Many Heads of Garlic in 1 lb?
Based on the average head of garlic weighing around 1⁄2 oz, and there being 16 oz in 1 lb, we can calculate:
- Ounces per pound: 16 oz
- Ounces per head: 1⁄2 oz
- Heads per pound = Ounces per pound / Ounces per head
- Heads per pound = 16 oz / 0.5 oz per head = 32 heads
So the final result is that there are approximately 32 heads of garlic in 1 pound, on average.
Tips for Measuring Garlic
Here are some useful tips for working with garlic measurements in recipes:
- Refer to the size guide – small head = 1⁄4 oz, medium = 1⁄2 oz, large = 3⁄4 oz
- Weigh heads for accuracy instead of guessing
- Break down heads into individual cloves when precise amount needed
- 1 lb garlic = about 32 heads or 384 cloves
- Start with less garlic if unsure, you can always add more!
Equivalents and Substitutions
These equivalents can help substitute quantities of garlic or garlic powder:
| 1 head garlic | = 3-4 garlic cloves, minced | = 1 Tbsp minced garlic |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tsp garlic powder | = 1 garlic clove, minced | = 1/8 tsp onion powder + pinch salt |
Storing Garlic
To extend the shelf life of garlic:
- Store heads in cool, dry place away from sunlight
- Use within a few weeks for maximum freshness
- Refrigerate cloves or minced garlic in airtight container
- Freeze for longer term storage – raw cloves up to 6 months; puréed in oil up to 1 year.
Popular Garlic Varieties
Some commonly available garlic varieties include:
- Softneck – Silverskin, Artichoke
- Hardneck – Porcelain, Rocambole, Purple Stripe
- Elephant – Has larger cloves and milder flavor
Hardneck varieties tend to produce larger bulbs with more cloves per head on average.
Health Benefits of Garlic
Garlic provides potential health benefits:
- Rich in antioxidants that can reduce inflammation
- Contains beneficial sulfur compounds like allicin
- May support heart health by lowering blood pressure
- Allyl sulfides could help strengthen the immune system
- Lab studies suggest antimicrobial effects against bacteria and yeast
However, more human studies are still needed to fully confirm some of these potential benefits.
Risks of Eating Too Much Raw Garlic
While garlic has many positive attributes, consuming it raw in high amounts could lead to:
- Heartburn or digestive upset
- Bad breath and body odor
- Allergic reactions
- Burning sensation in mouth and throat
- Increased bleeding risk for those taking blood thinners
Cooking garlic can make it easier to digest and reduce these side effects. Most healthy adults can safely consume 2-4 grams of garlic per day, about 1-2 cloves.
Cooking and Preparing Garlic
Tips for cooking and preparing with garlic:
- Peel cloves by pressing with the flat side of a knife to loosen skin
- Smash cloves with the flat side of a knife to release more allicin
- Roast whole heads in oven at 350°F for 50 minutes for sweet, softened cloves
- Fry sliced or minced garlic briefly in oil over low heat before adding other ingredients
- Avoid burning garlic as it can become bitter and harsh
Popular Garlic Recipes and Cuisine
Garlic is used extensively in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Asian, and American cuisine. Here are some examples of popular garlic recipes:
- Aioli – Garlic mayonnaise dip or sauce from Mediterranean cuisine
- Toum – Middle Eastern garlic sauce made with lemon juice and olive oil
- Bagna cauda – Italian warm anchovy and garlic dipping sauce
- Skordalia – Greek thick puree with garlic, potato, and olive oil
- Pesto – Italian uncooked sauce combining basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and parmesan
- Garlic bread – Bread spread with garlic butter and toasted
Garlic is also often used in stir fries, curries, pickling, and on pizza.
Where to Buy Garlic
Options for where to purchase garlic include:
- Grocery store produce section – Sold loose or prepackaged
- Farmers market – Fresh, locally grown varieties
- Food co-op or natural health store – More unique and organic options
- Ethnic market – Specialty imported varieties
- Online – Ordered from grocery or specialist garlic grower and shipped
For the freshest garlic, try to buy local in-season garlic and avoid pre-peeled cloves sold in jars.
The History of Garlic
Some key points in the origins and history of garlic:
- Native to Central Asia and spread via ancient trade routes
- Used in cooking and medicine for over 7000 years
- Found in ancient Egyptian tombs and Hebrew Bible
- Cultivated by ancient Greek and Roman civilizations
- Used as an antiseptic and pain reliever during World Wars I and II
- Traditionally thought to ward off vampires and evil spirits!
Garlic has been valued for both culinary and medicinal properties throughout recorded history around the world.
Conclusion
To summarize the key points:
- A head of garlic refers to an entire bulb containing multiple cloves
- On average, 1 pound (lb) of garlic equals 32 heads or 384 cloves
- The exact number of cloves per head and weight per head can vary based on variety and size
- Hardneck varieties tend to yield bigger heads with more cloves on average
- Garlic provides many potential health benefits but consuming it raw in excess can cause side effects
- It is important to store, prepare, and cook garlic properly to enjoy its flavor and nutritional value
Understanding garlic measurements and how many heads are in a pound is helpful for following recipes accurately. With its unique and versatile flavor, garlic is a valuable ingredient that home cooks, chefs, gardeners, and garlic lovers appreciate around the world.
