How to Cut Ginger: Peel, Chop, Mince and Julienne

The ginger root is revered in the culinary world. This is because the wonder ingredient provides a fresh and lively kick to any recipe it is added to, and is also known for various positive effects when consumed.

Cutting and peeling ginger, however, can be a real daunting task if you don’t know how to do it the right way. Additionally, it is important to learn how to cut ginger right so that one can get the most out of this aromatic spice root.

So let’s get started as we show you how to cut ginger: peel, chop, mince and even julienne this awesome staple.

How to cut ginger

• Remove the ginger peel with a spoon or vegetable peeler.
• Use a sharp knife to slice rounds against the fiber grains.
• Julienne, stack the slices and cut them into thin strips.
• Chopping, stack the julienne and cut crosswise.
• Mincing, run your knife multiple times over the chopped ginger.

Sounds complicated? Don’t worry. Our detailed instructions and videos have got you covered. First, let us prepare our ginger roots for cutting.

Prepping the ginger for cutting

Peeling and cutting a ginger root is not the easiest task in the world. This is because it is a fibrous root with a rather gnarly exterior, having various nooks and crannies that makes peeling and cutting quite challenging.  

There are two things you need to do when prepping your ginger. The first thing is to know how you should clean it. Second, you need to be aware of what tools you will need for cutting this staple ingredient in more than one way.

How to clean ginger

You need to thoroughly clean your ginger to ward off germs and dirt before you begin to cut it. Here is how you’ll do it:

1. Run your ginger under tap water.
2. Use a scrubber or your hands to scrub away the dirt on the ginger root.
3. Pat dry with a paper towel.

Tools needed to cut ginger

• A sharp chef knife
• A hygienic cutting board
• Vegetable peeler or spoon for peeling the ginger skin
• Ginger grater
• Ginger root/roots

Peeling the ginger: is it necessary?

This question pops up quite often when dealing with ginger in the kitchen: do we really need to peel it? The answer is yes, and no. Let’s see what the reasons are for and against peeling ginger:

Reasons: for peeling ginger	Reasons: against peeling ginger
Peel doesn’t have a great flavour	You won’t realize it’s there once its cooked
Not so difficult to peel	Why waste time peeling?
Removes dirt and germs on the surface	Reduces food wastage

These are the various reasons you might want to, or not want to, peel a ginger. Nevertheless, if you do decide to proceed with the peeling process, here is how to do it:

How to peel ginger before cutting

Gingers are not that easy to peel due to the many nooks and crannies that get in the way. Using a knife or vegetable peeler is easy, however, it takes a lot of ginger in the process. The best way is to use a large spoon. Follow the steps below:

1. Position the ginger onto the cutting board with your non-dominant hand.
2. With your dominant hand, position a large spoon with the concave side facing away from the ginger.
3. Use the large spoon to scrape off as much ginger skin as possible.
4. Work your way around the entire root, across nooks and crannies.
5. If a nook seems unreachable, use the rounded part of the spoon to reach it or break the knob off for easier peeling.

Tip: Soak the ginger in warm water for a few minutes for easier peeling.

How to cut fresh ginger

Let’s get down to some ginger cutting business. There are many ways that a ginger can be cut, depending on how and where you intend to use it.

Juliennes are best for stir-fry and sautéed vegetables, grated ginger may be used when marinating and in soups, while you might need ginger slices when concocting your famous ginger tea in case you get the flu.

Slicing

Alternatively, use the steps below:

1. Place the peeled ginger on the cutting board.
2. Hold onto it with your non-dominant hand and make sure it doesn’t slip.
3. In your dominant hand, position your knife perpendicularly, in a way that it will allow cutting across the ginger fibers. The ginger fibers are tough, and placed in the direction of the root and its lobes. You must cut across them in order to get tender ginger pieces.  
4. Chop off one side of the ginger knob to have a flattened ginger side, which will allow for easier slicing.
5. Begin cutting the ginger in rounds, equally.

And with that, you have freshly sliced gingers ready.

Julienne cut

Alternatively, you can use the steps below:

1. Slice the ginger using the steps mentioned in “how to slice ginger”.
2. Stack the ginger slices (2 or 3 at a time) on the cutting board.
3. Cut the slices vertically, about 1/8 inches wide. You may want to cut thinner or thicker depending on how you intend to use them.
4. Repeat with other ginger slices.
5. Do not attempt to cut lengthwise along the fiber roots for longer juliennes, as it will result in long fibers running in the juliennes, as well as give a rough texture that is stringy and fibrous to eat.

Finally, you have a matchstick like juliennes ready for use.

Chopping

1. Follow the previous steps to create julienne cuts in ginger.
2. Place the juliennes onto the cutting board in the same direction.
3. Using a sharp knife, begin chopping the matchsticks according to your desired thickness.

Your chopped ginger is ready.

Mincing

Mincing ginger is rather simple. All you have to do is:

1. Follow the steps mentioned in “how to chop ginger”.
2. Proceed to make crosswise cuts with your knife.
3. In other words, just make the pieces smaller till it’s minced. You can place your hand on top of the knife and chop away in back and forth motions till it’s minced to your desired level.

Grating

Some recipes call for grated ginger. For grating ginger, it is advised to store it in the refrigerator first after wrapping it in plastic. This allows for easier grating:

1. Wrap the ginger root in plastic.
2. Store the plastic wrapped ginger root in the refrigerator for some time.
3. Take the ginger out of the wrap.
4. Peel the ginger with a spoon or peeler.
5. Place the ginger grater in your non-dominant hand.
6. Hold the ginger in your dominant hand and begin by pressing the ginger against the grater, scraping back and forth in quick motions.
7. Gather the grated ginger on the cutting board.

What is ginger good for?

Ginger, the renowned spice root, not only adds a distinctive flavor to dishes worldwide but also boasts a range of culinary applications. Embracing ginger in your cooking can elevate the taste profile of various recipes. Here’s how you can incorporate this versatile ingredient into your dishes:

• Flavor enhancement: Grated or minced ginger can infuse a warm and spicy note to both savory and sweet dishes, enhancing the overall taste experience.
• Stir-fries and curries: Sautéing ginger with garlic forms a flavorful base for stir-fries and curries, imparting a depth of taste that complements various ingredients.
• Marinades and dressings: Create tantalizing marinades for meats or add a zing to dressings for salads by incorporating ginger, providing a delicious twist to your culinary creations.
• Beverages: Ginger can be used to make invigorating teas, refreshing beverages, or even infused water, adding a refreshing kick to your drinks.

Simple ginger recipes

Now that we have perfect juliennes, chopped gingers, minced gingers, and grated gingers at our disposal, let’s get down to some ginger cooking. Here are some recipes for you to savour:

Ginger tea

If you’ve got a cold, have an upset stomach, or are simply looking to ditch the caffeine for something warm and cozy, this ginger tea is the perfect recipe for you. The spicy gingery taste with a dash of lemon and sweet honey makes for a nourishing and warm cup of tea.

Follow the recipe here to make a nice, hot cup of ginger tea. 

Ginger chicken

The famous ginger chicken is the perfect quick fix for your dinner prep made of chicken breasts, sautéed with ginger, garlic and some savoury sauces to enhance flavour.

Can’t wait to try it out? Jump to make this delicious quick stir fry recipe here.

Gingerbread man cookies

Who said ginger couldn’t make something sweet? These cookies made with this versatile root are the perfect holiday goodness sugar treats that one can make for Christmas.

Follow the recipe for the perfect gingerbread man cookies here.

FAQS

How do you make ginger paste and how long does it last?

You can make ginger paste by peeling and cutting the ginger in large chunks with a knife. Use a food processor to blend. Once done, store in the refrigerator for about a week.

How do you store fresh ginger?

You can store fresh ginger in a cool and dark place if you intend on using it within a few days. If you plan on storing it longer, such as a month, put it in an airtight container and place it in the fridge crisper drawer.

How can you tell if a ginger is fresh?

A ginger is fresh if it feels firm to the touch and is dense.

Is frozen ginger just as good as fresh?

Although freezing ginger affects its quality to some extent, the taste isn’t compromised much. Actually, since frozen ginger can be grated more easily as compared to fresh, it can actually save time when you are in a hurry.  The nutrients in frozen ginger do decline and expire over time.

Conclusion 

Alas, we are finally done learning how to battle with the fibrous ginger root. Now that you have learned how to cut ginger, you can finally make perfect juliennes, chopped garlic, minced and grated gingers, with relative ease.

Struggling with cutting other fruits and vegetables like grapefruits, potatoes, and even pineapples? Head over to our blog and get some amazing kitchen insights, hacks, tips and tricks to upgrade your kitchen skills now!