HOMEMADE GINGER AND GARLIC PASTE

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This Recipe Makes ± 1kg

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Homemade Ginger & Garlic Paste (Long-Lasting, Freezer Friendly)

If there’s one ingredient that quietly powers Indian cooking, it’s ginger and garlic paste. From curries and breyanis to marinades and masalas, this humble paste forms the base of countless dishes.

Making it at home not only saves time, but gives you better flavour, better texture, and full control over freshness. This method uses ginger with the peel on, canola oil, and no water, resulting in a paste that lasts months when stored correctly.

Why Make Ginger & Garlic Paste at Home?

• Stronger, fresher flavour than store-bought

• No preservatives or additives

• More economical in the long run

• Freezer-friendly and meal-prep approved

• Customised to your cooking style

Leaving the ginger peel on adds depth and aroma, and using oil instead of water dramatically improves shelf life.

Why Leave the Ginger Peel On?

Using ginger with the peel on might seem unusual, but it actually adds flavour, nutrition, and convenience:

1. Stronger, more aromatic flavour

The peel contains essential oils that add an extra layer of aroma and warmth to your paste, making curries, masalas, and marinades more fragrant.

2. Additional nutrients

Ginger peel contains antioxidants and fibre that are usually lost when peeled. Leaving it on boosts the nutritional value of your paste.

3. Time-saving & convenient

You don’t have to spend time peeling every piece, which makes prep faster especially useful when making larger batches.

4. Slightly textured, natural paste

The peel adds a subtle texture that makes the paste taste more “homemade” and authentic, without affecting smoothness too much when blended properly. Tip: If you prefer a perfectly smooth paste, you can peel, but leaving the peel on is traditional and helps the paste last longer in the fridge or freezer.

Homemade Ginger And Garlic Paste Ingredients:

• ±653 grams fresh ginger (washed very well, peel ON)
• ±638 grams whole garlic
• 250 ml canola oil
• 3 teaspoons fine salt

Method:

1. 1. I used 653g of ginger and 638g of whole garlic. The quantities don’t need to be exact – ginger and garlic paste works best at roughly equal parts, so anything close to a 1:1 ratio will give you excellent results.
   2. 
   3. 
   4. Start with the ginger and scrub and rinse the ginger thoroughly to remove all dirt.
   5. 
   6. Rinse the ginger well, then pat it completely dry. Any excess moisture can shorten the shelf life of the paste. Break into pieces
   7. 
   8. Trim off any dark, woody ends or tough nodes from the ginger. Slice into smaller pieces so the blender can process it more easily.
   9. 
   10. Once the ginger is prepped, move on to the garlic – which can take a bit more time.
   11. 
   12. When using whole garlic, peel away the outer papery layers and separate the bulbs into individual cloves.
   13. 
   14. 
   15. Peel each clove and discard the skins.
   16. 
   17. Once all the garlic is prepped, we can begin the blending.
   18. 
   19. For this recipe, I recommend neutral seed oils like canola, sunflower, or grapeseed oil and here’s why: Seed oils don’t compete with the strong taste of ginger and garlic. Using olive oil or coconut oil can alter the flavour of your paste, making it less versatile in curries, masalas, and marinades. Seed oils are stable at low temperatures and don’t go rancid quickly in the fridge. They help preserve the paste for months without any additives. Unlike butter, ghee, or extra virgin olive oil, seed oils don’t solidify hard in the fridge or separate. This ensures a smooth, spoonable paste even after long storage.
   20. 
   21. You can use any blender you have on hand. I’m using my Thermomix TM6, which makes the process super quick and easy. It effortlessly turns the ginger and garlic into a smooth, glossy paste in seconds.
   22. 
   23. Add the prepped ginger and garlic to the blender.
   24. 
   25. Add in the salt and seed oil – I’m using Canola. Salt acts as a preservative, slowing down spoilage, while the oil keeps the paste smooth and extends its shelf life.
   26. 
   27. Secure the lid and blend. Stop occasionally to scrape the sides of the blender or food processor. This prevents bits from sticking and ensures an even texture. I’m not even kidding when I tell you, mine was done in 10 seconds with my Thermomix.
   28. 
   29. Once blended, the paste should be thick, glossy, and smooth, with a pale beige to light yellow colour.
   30. 
   31. Slight graininess from the ginger peel is normal and adds texture. The aroma is strong, fresh, and slightly spicy, with the unmistakable punch of garlic balanced by the warmth of ginger. It should smell clean and vibrant, not sour or dull. Tip: If the paste looks dull or dry, you can drizzle a little more canola oil and blend briefly to restore shine.
   32. 
   33. Transfer the ginger and garlic paste to clean, sterilised jars. Use a spoon or spatula to move the paste without leaving any on the blender sides.
   34. 
   35. Use a spoon to smooth the top to remove air pockets.
   36. 
   37. Top with a thin layer of oil.
   38. 
   39. This extra layer of canola oil seals the paste, preventing oxidation and helping it last longer.
   40. 
   41. 
   42. If you’re storing the paste in other containers, follow the same steps: top the surface with a thin layer of oil to prevent oxidation and help the paste stay fresh longer.
   43. 

   44. Seal the jars tightly. Store in the back of the fridge for 5-6 months, or freeze for longer storage (6–9 months (best flavour & aroma) or Up to 12 months if kept frozen solid and unopened) Tip: Always use a dry spoon when scooping out the paste to prevent moisture from shortening shelf life.

   45. 
   46. For frozen paste stored in jars, thaw in the fridge rather than on the counter. If you’ve frozen it in portioned bags or ice cube trays, simply drop the cubes straight into hot oil when cooking – so convenient!
   47. 

   48. This homemade ginger and garlic paste is a true kitchen essential. Once you start making it this way, it becomes second nature and you’ll never want to go back to store-bought again. Simple ingredients, done properly, make all the difference.

   49.