Issue: I was recently asked, “When a recipe calls for minced or chopped garlic, can I use a garlic press‚ or bottled pre-chopped garlic?

Answer: The way garlic is cut in a recipe – and subsequently cooked -  can have a big impact on the finished product.Chopped garlic is typically no more than an 1/8 inch in diameter whereas finely chopped or minced garlic is less than 1/16 inch in diameter. However, a garlic press will make a paste of garlic, and will release more of the garlic oils.
When a recipe calls for minced and you use chopped, which is bigger, you may end up eating raw and pungent garlic.
If you use minced or pressed when it calls for chopped, you may end up scorching (burning) the garlic.
That said, in the end, it is truly best to cut the garlic according to the instructions.
The good news is that many grocery stores now sell bottled minced and chopped garlic. However, nothing will ever beat freshly cut garlic, which is why I always keep some on hand.
If you really want to have some ready and waiting for those days you need some short cuts, I suggest chopping and or mincing fresh garlic then freezing it in amounts you typically cook with.