Garlic lovers, listen up. Whether you’re chopping cloves for a decadent garlic chicken or mincing up the good stuff for drool-worthy garlic bread, you’re likely utilizing a cutting board. And while you may not notice any funky odors now, you certainly will later when prepping fruit for a pretty peach tart. We’ll show you how to get that garlic smell and taste out of your cutting board—for good.
Know Your Materials
Before you reach for your cutting board, understand the type of material you’re working with. Nonporous boards—made from plastic, resin, marble or glass—will be easier to clean as they don’t absorb odors. Wood boards, on the other hand, are porous—and thus more likely to stink. Learn more about cutting board care.
How to Remove Garlic Smell from a Wooden Cutting Board
If you’ve chopped just a clove or two of garlic, you might get away with simply washing the board in hot, soapy water.
But on other occasions, you’ll need to give your cutting surface a spa-level treatment.
- Start by washing the board with equal parts vinegar and hot water.
- Sprinkle baking soda all over the board and spritz with even more vinegar and water.
- Exfoliate the board with a scrub brush, rinse well and let dry.
- Repeat as needed until the garlic odor is gone.
More Cutting Board Tips
Want to save yourself a little time? Buy a small cutting board and use it only for prepping garlic and onions. We like OXO Good Grips utility cutting board as it’s non-porous and has non-slip grips for safer cutting. Or, check out the best cutting boards on Amazon.
Now, here’s how to get the garlic smell off your hands.
Up Next: Recipes for Garlic Lovers
Garlic Lemon Shrimp
You'll be amazed that you can make this simple, elegant pasta in mere minutes. Serve with crusty bread to soak up all of the garlic lemon sauce. —Athena Russell, Greenville, South Carolina
Go to Recipe
Also, learning
how to store garlic means you'll always have these essential cloves on hand for your next recipe.
Chicken & Garlic with Fresh HerbsThe key to this savory chicken is the combination of garlic, fresh rosemary and thyme. I like to serve it with mashed potatoes or crusty Italian bread. —Jan Valdez, Lombard, Illinois. Looking for variations? Learn how to make
creamy garlic chicken.
Pasta and Veggies in Garlic SauceBig garlic flavor and a little heat from red pepper flakes help perk up this fresh-tasting pasta dish. It's wonderful with chicken and beef entrees. —Doris Heath, Franklin, North Carolina
Skillet Potatoes with Red Pepper and Whole Garlic ClovesYou'll be surprised that a skillet potato recipe this simple has so much flavor. I love how the whole garlic cloves turn sweet after being caramelized. Yum! —Anita Osborne, Thomasburg, Ontario
Garlic KnotsThese novel garlic knots are handy because they can be made ahead of time and reheated when needed. —Jane Paschke, University Park, Florida
Tomato-Garlic Lentil BowlsAn Ethiopian recipe inspired this feel-good dinner that's tangy, creamy and packed with hearty comfort. —Rachael Cushing, Portland, Oregon
Garlic-Dill Soda BreadIt's amazing how bread can be made in a slow cooker, which is why this recipe is awesome—who knew it could be so simple! Let the inviting aroma of dill and cheese fill your kitchen. —Melissa Hansen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Garlic Chicken & BroccoliThis simple riff on Chinese chicken proves you can savor the takeout taste you crave while still eating right. —Connie Krupp, Racine, Wisconsin
Onion & Garlic BiscuitsBake a dozen of these oniony, herby biscuits for a little something new in the holiday bread basket. They're also awesome with a bowl of chili, soup or stew. —L. Dorow, Fairmont, Minnesota
Greek Garlic ChickenLively flavors of the Greek Isles come through in this mouthwatering chicken entree. I created this dish so my husband and I could have a nice dinner after a busy day out and about. —Margee Berry, Trout Lake, Washington. If you like this, then you must try
Chinese chicken with garlic sauce.
Creamy Roasted Garlic & Spinach OrzoThis side dish brings instant comfort. I first made it without spinach so my husband and daughter would like it. The next time, I added spinach for the extra health benefits. They still devoured it, so in my book that's a win-win. —Dawn Moore, Warren, Pennsylvania
You can take your dishes to a whole new level by learning
how to roast garlic.
Garlic-Ginger Turkey TenderloinsThis good-for-you entree can be on your dinner plates quicker than Chinese takeout—and for a lot less money! Ginger and brown sugar flavor the sauce that spices up the turkey as it bakes. —
Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Garlic Green Beans with GorgonzolaI updated this green bean holiday side dish by adding a touch of white wine, fresh thyme and green onions. It's delicious, easy to make and my family loves it! —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Mozzarella Mushrooms with Garlic ToastI came up with this dinner using ingredients I had on hand. It turned out to be so delicious, my wife and I now make it for special occasions. —Marc Bushee, Moorhead, Minnesota
Garlic Salmon LinguineThe garlic-seasoned main dish calls for handy pantry ingredients, including pasta and canned salmon. I serve it with asparagus, rolls and fruit. —Theresa Hagan, Glendale, Arizona
Lemon & Garlic New PotatoesThis is a simplified version of a dish my Costa Rican host sister used to make when I was in the Peace Corps. It has become a favorite side dish at my house. —Katie Bartle, Parkville, Missouri
Gingered Short Ribs with Green RiceI love the flavors of Korean cuisine, so I created short ribs for the slow cooker. The dish is beautiful, too! —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Garlic-Mashed Rutabagas & PotatoesMy family absolutely loves mashed potatoes. I created this recipe to lighten up the calories and sneak in a serving of rutabagas. If you have the time, boil the potatoes in chicken broth to add even more flavor. —Rosemary Tatum, Sterlington, Louisiana
Garlic Lover’s ChickenThe garlic and lemon are great together on this breaded chicken. I've served this several times for special-occasion dinners. —Janice Steinmetz, Somers, Connecticut
Onion-Garlic Bubble BreadI've relied on this bread recipe often over the years. Frozen dough hurries along the golden pull-apart loaf. It's wonderful with Italian dishes, especially spaghetti and lasagna. —Charlene Bzdok, Little Falls, Minnesota
It may also be a nice side to these tasty
San Francisco style Vietnamese American garlic noodles.
Garlic-Apple Pork RoastThis is the meal I have become famous for, and it is so simple. The garlic and apple flavors really complement the pork. It's especially good with steamed fresh asparagus and roasted red potatoes. —Jennifer Loos, Washington Boro, Pennsylvania
Garlic Tortellini SoupI like to top bowls of this tasty soup with a little grated Parmesan cheese, and serve it with crusty bread to round out the meal. —Donna Morgan, Hend, Tennessee
Au Gratin Garlic PotatoesCream cheese and a can of cheese soup turn ordinary sliced potatoes into a rich side dish that's a perfect accompaniment to almost any meal. —Tonya Vowels, Vine Grove, Kentucky
Garlic-Cheese Crescent RollsUpgrade your basic crescent roll recipe! Here's a recipe that just couldn't be much quicker or easier and is sure to add a nice touch to any dinner. The garlic and Parmesan flavors really come through. Enjoy! —Lori Abad, East Haven, Connecticut
Garlic-Chive Baked FriesYes, you
do want fries with that—especially these crispy, golden fries, full of garlic flavor and just a little bit of heat. —Steve Westphal, Wind Lake, Wisconsin
Garlic-Butter SteakMade in a skillet, this quick-and-easy garlic butter steak is restaurant-quality and sure to become a staple at your house, too! —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Lemon-Garlic Cream FettuccineI've been making this lemony pasta for the family for years. It's both simple and indulgent enough to make it a go-to recipe. —Anne Miller, Glenfield, New York
Honey-Garlic Glazed MeatballsMy husband and I raise cattle on our farm here in southwestern Ontario, so it's no surprise that we're fond of these saucy meatballs. I know your family will like them, too. —Marion Foster, Kirkton, Ontario. If you enjoyed this recipe, then learn how to make
honey garlic chicken.
Garlic Shrimp & Orzo SaladI enjoy cold pasta salads and rice salads, so I decided to make one with orzo, a rice-shaped pasta. Feel free to add other favorite veggies—like asparagus and green beans—and serve with rolls or pita bread. —Valonda Seward, Coarsegold, California
Garlic Lemon ButterThis tangy flavored butter offers a nice change from plain butter and gives a refreshing new taste to an ear of corn. When I serve this on the side during fresh corn season, the same question always gets asked—"What's in the butter that makes it so delicious?" —Margie Wampler, Butler, Pennsylvania
