How to Roast Garlic (and ways to use it)

You guys. Garlic makes my world go ’round. Many chefs love garlic and use it often, but I feel like my love for garlic transcends normality. I use garlic in any form, be it pressed, diced, minced, powdered, granulated, in a paste, from a jar, etc, etc. It is the one thing I will always add to my savory dishes, and I will never stop! Garlic lover forever!

Now that I’ve gotten that out (thank you!), I’m here to remind you of one of my favorite ways to infuse garlic, and that is to roast it. Roasted garlic takes on an incredible flavor, subduing the sometimes “sharp” flavor of fresh garlic, mellowing it, and giving food a special punch of garlicky taste that only comes from roasting it.

How easy is it to roast garlic?

So easy that you should be doing it weekly! Follow these steps:

• Pull off excess outer skin of garlic bulb.
• Cut off top 1/4 of bulb, exposing cloves.
• Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over top of bulb and allow to run in between cloves.
• Wrap completely in aluminum foil.
• Roast at 350 in the oven for 45 minutes.

The result will be so delicious that you’re in danger of just eating it all whole! I have done that, actually. It was amazing. The texture of roasted garlic is very soft, and easily made into a paste. Allow garlic to cool until manageable, then squeeze the cloves out. This is a very satisfying process!

So how do I use garlic once roasted?

Here’s a few suggestions:

• Garlic mashed potatoes, or add to baked potato
• It’s delicious in soups and stews
• Mix well with salted butter and spread on cut french bread or italian bread
• Add to bruschetta or pesto
• Use as a pizza topping
• Add to stir fry and fried rice dishes
• Spread over roasted corn on the cob

Can I freeze roasted garlic?

Sure can! Mostly I store mine in an air tight container in the fridge for the week and just use it as needed, depending on how many bulbs I roasted. For freezing, I recommend allowing the roasted garlic cloves to freeze on a sheet pan, then transfer to air tight container. It will keep this way in the freezer up to 3 months.

I hope you enjoy trying roasted garlic in your cooking! It’s an easy way to infuse another layer of flavor in your recipes that will leave your family and friends begging to know your secret!