Is This Viral TikTok Hack the Best Way to Peel Garlic?

Seems like every time you turn on the computer there’s a new hack for trying to peel a clove of garlic. I didn’t realize peeling garlic was such a hassle, but then again, I am not much of a cook. (My garlic comes in a powder or freeze-dried, so all I need to do is add water.) But this new TikTok hack was intriguing and I’m always game for a challenge, and who knows—maybe an easier way to peel garlic would entice me to cook with fresh seasonings.

In this hack, the garlic is sliced in half longways—so if you’re looking for a way to peel the garlic whole, this isn’t the hack for you to begin with. Once sliced, the garlic is smashed with the knife’s flat end to release it from its skin. See the TikTok here for reference.

My garlic was tightly packed in its own skin, so I was skeptical that even one clove would come out clean. Not to mention the many factors to consider. Do I have a large enough knife? How much pressure should I apply to the smash? Is this video even real? The TikTok made it look so simple, but they’re also using a humongous diner-style spatula while I’m using a fairly large knife. Watch our Hack or Wack video to see how it went.