Storing Roasted Garlic: How Long Does It Last?

Roasted garlic cloves can be stored in a variety of ways, each with its own duration of preservation. One way is to store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Another method is to submerge the cloves in olive oil and store them in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Freezing is also an option, either as whole cloves or mashed into a puree, and they will last for up to 3 months.

Freezing roasted garlic

Preparation:

First, you'll need to roast your garlic cloves. There are a few methods to do this, but a simple approach is to preheat your oven to 400°F. Remove the loose papery outer skin of the garlic but leave the tighter paper skin on. Slice the top 1/4 to 1/2 inch off each garlic head to expose the inner cloves. Drizzle the heads with olive oil and a pinch of salt (optional). Place the garlic in a baking dish or wrap them in foil and put them in the oven. Roast for 35-45 minutes or until soft and golden brown. Let the garlic cool down before handling.

Freezing:

Once your roasted garlic has cooled, it's time to prepare it for freezing. Peel off the skins and arrange the cloves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the freezer. You can also mash the garlic into a paste and freeze it in an ice cube tray for easier portioning. Leave the garlic in the freezer until the cloves or paste are completely frozen.

Storage:

Once the garlic is frozen, transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag. Label the container with the date and store it in the freezer. Roasted garlic will keep well in the freezer for 2 to 3 months.

Thawing and Using:

When you're ready to use your frozen roasted garlic, simply take out as many cloves or cubes of paste as you need and leave them at room temperature to thaw briefly before using. You can add them to dishes such as soups, sauces, dressings, dips, or mashed potatoes, or spread them on crusty bread.

So there you have it! Freezing roasted garlic is a simple and effective way to preserve this delicious ingredient for future culinary creations.

Refrigerating roasted garlic

Once you've roasted your garlic, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The garlic will need to be placed in a sealed container and covered in oil to prevent it from spoiling. Olive oil is a natural preservative and will delay oxidation, deterioration, or moulding. However, it is important to note that roasted garlic should not be stored in olive oil at room temperature as this provides the perfect conditions for producing botulism toxin.

To prepare your roasted garlic for refrigeration, start by allowing the garlic to cool. You can then peel the garlic and place the cloves in a clean canning jar. Pour extra virgin olive oil over the cloves until they are completely covered and submerged. Cover the jar tightly with a lid and store it in the fridge.

If you want to keep the garlic cloves whole, you can carefully peel off and discard the skins. Alternatively, for a mashed texture, squeeze the roasted garlic out of the skins.

Another way to store roasted garlic is to make an infused oil. Add peeled roasted garlic to a small jar, cover with olive oil, and store in the fridge. You can use the mildly flavoured oil for cooking.

Roasted garlic in olive oil

Roasting the Garlic:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Prepare the garlic heads by peeling away the loose papery outer layers while keeping the cloves connected.
• Cut about 1/4 to 1/2 inch from the top of each garlic head to expose the individual cloves.
• Place the garlic heads in a muffin tin or a well-oiled baking dish, cut side up.
• Drizzle olive oil generously over each garlic head, ensuring the oil coats all the exposed cloves. You can also add a sprinkle of salt and pepper if desired.
• Cover the garlic with another muffin tin or a layer of aluminium foil.
• Roast the garlic in the oven for 35-45 minutes. Then, remove the covering and continue roasting for an additional 10-20 minutes until the garlic is caramelized and golden.
• Allow the garlic to cool before handling.

Storing Roasted Garlic in Olive Oil:

• Once the garlic has cooled, use your fingers or a fork to gently squeeze or pull the roasted cloves out of their skins.
• Place the peeled roasted garlic cloves in a clean jar.
• Cover the cloves completely with extra virgin olive oil. The olive oil acts as a natural preservative by isolating the garlic from air, delaying oxidation and moulding.
• Seal the jar tightly with a lid and store it in the refrigerator.
• The roasted garlic will stay fresh in the olive oil for up to 2 weeks. Do not store roasted garlic in olive oil at room temperature, as it can promote the growth of botulism toxin.

Using Roasted Garlic in Olive Oil:

• Spread it on crusty bread or baguette slices for a simple yet tasty appetizer.
• Mix it with hummus, guacamole, sour cream, or other dips for added flavour.
• Mash it into boiled potatoes instead of butter for a healthier, low-fat option.
• Stir it into mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, sauces, dressings, or softened butter for an extra kick of flavour.
• Add it to soups, stews, or purees for a rich, complex taste.
• Toss it with pasta or use it as a pizza topping for a sweet and mellow flavour.
• Blend it into salad dressings, combining it with olive oil, vinegar, and herbs.
• Mix it with softened butter, cream cheese, or mayonnaise for a delicious spread.

Roasted garlic in the freezer

Roasted garlic is a great ingredient to have on hand, as it adds depth and flavour to any meal. It's also a great way to preserve garlic. Luckily, it freezes well and can be kept in the freezer for up to six months. Here's a detailed guide on how to freeze roasted garlic:

Preparing the Garlic for Freezing:

Start by roasting your garlic. There are several methods to do this, but a common one involves:

• Preheating your oven to 400°F.
• Removing the loose papery outer skin of the garlic but leaving the tighter paper skin on.
• Slicing off about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch from the top of each garlic head to expose the inner cloves.
• Placing the garlic heads in a muffin tin, with each compartment containing one head.
• Drizzling olive oil over each head.
• Covering the tin with another muffin tin or aluminium foil and roasting until the garlic is soft and golden brown.

Once your garlic is roasted, let it cool. Then, peel off the skins and arrange the cloves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place this in the freezer.

Storing the Garlic in the Freezer:

Once the cloves are frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Roasted garlic will keep well in the freezer for 2 to 3 months, although some sources say it can last for up to six months.

Using the Frozen Garlic Cloves:

Take out as many cloves as you need and leave them at room temperature to thaw briefly before using. You can also mash the garlic into a paste and freeze it in an ice cube tray for easier portioning.

Additional Tips:

• If you plan to store your roasted garlic with olive oil, be sure to keep it in the fridge to prevent the growth of botulism toxin.
• While roasted garlic is great for freezing, it can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks without freezing.

Roasted garlic on bread

Ingredients:

• Loaf of crusty bread (e.g., ciabatta, sourdough, or French bread)
• Roasted garlic cloves (4 heads or about 1 cup of cloves)
• Butter (4 tablespoons, unsalted, softened)
• Salt (a pinch or 1/4 teaspoon, optional)
• Fresh herbs (e.g., parsley, oregano, thyme, or rosemary)

Optional Ingredients:

Parmesan cheese, grated (2 tablespoons)

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Slice the tops off the garlic heads, exposing the cloves. Drizzle the cut sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, if desired.
• Wrap the garlic heads in foil or place them in a well-oiled baking dish. Roast in the oven for 30-40 minutes, or until soft and golden.
• While the garlic is roasting, slice your loaf of bread in half horizontally. Place the bread, cut-side up, on a baking sheet.
• Once the garlic is roasted, let it cool slightly, then squeeze the cloves out of their skins into a bowl. Mash the garlic with a fork until smooth.
• Add the softened butter and salt to the bowl and mix until well combined. You can also add some freshly chopped herbs, such as parsley or oregano, for extra flavor.
• Spread the garlic butter mixture generously onto the cut sides of the bread.
• Broil the bread in the oven for 5-10 minutes, or until toasted and golden. Keep an eye on it to avoid burning.
• Sprinkle the bread with freshly chopped herbs or grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
• Slice the bread into serving pieces and serve warm. Enjoy!

Storing Roasted Garlic:

Roasted garlic can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days. To extend its shelf life, submerge the roasted garlic cloves in olive oil and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze roasted garlic for up to 3 months.

Frequently asked questions