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    Home » How-Tos » How to Roast Garlic

    How to Roast Garlic

    Oct 24, 2019 · by Valentina · 32 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    All garlic lovers should definitely know how to roast garlic! It's super easy and transforms the raw, often sharp, strong garlic into a creamy, mild, spreadable treat. close up of roasted heads of garlic

    I could literally use a small spoon and scoop out one creamy, delicious roasted garlic clove after another and eat them as they are.

    You know what I'm talking about if you've ever had roasted garlic -- and if you haven't, get ready to experience a dreamy culinary delicacy.

    a few heads of purplish garlic in black bowl.

    Roasting Raw Garlic

    There are many ways to roast garlic, and below are the most popular. All of these involve drizzling a bit of olive oil over heads of garlic with about ½ inch cut off the tops, and they all go in the oven.

    • foil - Wrap the prepared head of garlic in (preferably heavy-duty) foil with at least a couple of inches of air around it.
    • garlic roaster - Place the prepared head of garlic in the roaster and cover with its lid.
    • muffin pans - This is an awesome method if you want to roast a dozen heads of garlic at once. Place one prepared head of garlic in each muffin hole. Then place another muffin pan, upside down, on top.
    • casserole dish with foil or lid - You can line a casserole dish with foil, or not. Clean-up is much easier if you do. Place the prepared heads of garlic inside and then cover with foil, leaving a couple of inches between it and the garlic. Or, if the casserole dish has a lid, you can use that. 

    close up of several heads of garlic with tops cut off

    In my experience -- and I've tried it every which way -- as long as there's space between the lid/foil and the garlic, the vessel it's in doesn't seem to make a big difference. It's more about the temperature of the oven and the length of time it roasts.

    * More detailed instructions are below.*

    a few heads of roasted garlic in foil

    What does roasting do to raw garlic?

    Most flavors intensify when roasted -- interestingly, when you roast garlic, the flavor does the opposite -- it mellows out. It goes from sharp and pungent to sweet, creamy and unbelievably aromatic.

    Uses for Roasted Garlic

    Roasted garlic is an ingredient in many recipes, and it's also fantastic on its own.

    • You can spread it on toast as it is, or mix it with butter and then spread.
    • Add it to soups, stews, rice dishes and stir-fries.
    • It's also great in salads and in salad dressings.

    It's delicious in these recipes:

    • Roasted Garlic Basil Rice
    • Roasted Garlic Bread
    • Roasted Garlic Chicken with Basmati Rice

    one roasted head of garlic with one clove in a tiny spoon behind it

    How to Store Roasted Garlic

    Don't store roasted garlic at room temperature. It will go bad quickly!

    Refrigerator, method 1: You can store roasted garlic in tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for about 1 week. Do not remove the cloves from their skins until you're ready to use them.
    Refrigerator, method 2: Remove the cloves from their skins and place them in a clean jar with olive oil. They can be stored this way for at least 2 weeks.
    Freezer, method 1: Freeze the roasted garlic bulbs in a zip-log bag. When you're ready to use them, thaw at room temperature.
    Freezer, method 2: This method takes a little more work, but will ultimately be more efficient. Remove the skin, and place the roasted cloves on a parchment paper-lined paper plate or baking sheet (if it fits in the freezer). Be sure there is a bit of space between each clove. If you have enough cloves for a second layer, be sure you add another sheet of parchment paper between them. Once they're completely frozen, add them to a small container or zip-lock bag. Thaw at room temperature before using, and only as many as you plan to use at a time.

     * For both freezer methods, the roasted garlic will keep for about 6 months. *

    Since its existence, garlic has offered dozens of health benefits, so many that it's often called a "cure-all" food. Healthline is a great resource to learn more about why to love and eat garlic.

    And there's another benefit of roasting garlic -- the amazing aroma that will fill your home!  This is, of course, great weekend cooking!

    roasted garlic with cloves popping out of skin

    Roasted Garlic

    Valentina K. Wein
    All garlic lovers should definitely know how to roast garlic! It's super easy and transforms the raw, often sharp, strong garlic into a creamy, mild, spreadable treat.
    *Measurements do not have to be exact.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
    Cooling Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins
    Course Condiments, Ingredient
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24
    Calories 37 kcal

    Equipment

    • garlic roaster (optional)

    Ingredients
      

    • about 8 medium-sized heads garlic
    • about 3 tablespoons olive oil
    • salt and pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 400°F.
    • Cut approximately ¼ to ½ inch off the top of each head of garlic and save the removed portion. Place all of the garlic -- and the top portions -- face up on a large piece of heavy-duty foil or in a shallow, oven-proof casserole dish fitted with a lid (or have foil ready to use as the lid).
    • Drizzle the olive oil evenly over the open cloves -- about 2 teaspoons per 2 inch head of garlic. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover with lid or foil. If you're using foil, be sure to seal it along the edges.
    • Place the dish in the preheated 400°F. oven and roast until the garlic is super soft and will easily squeeze out of the skin, about 1 hour, 30 minutes. Halfway through the roasting process, at about 45 minutes, open the foil and remove the tops you cut off, as they will cook much faster than the rest. Be sure to reseal the foil.
      You will actually see that the cloves are popping out of the skin already.Unwrap the foil (or remove lid) and let the garlic cool until it's comfortable to touch. Then squeeze the soft, creamy garlic out of its skin -- or, if you'd like to keep the cloves whole, use a paring knife to help you gently remove them.

    NOTES

    Calorie count is only an estimate.

    NUTRITION

    Calories: 37kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g
    Keywords garlic recipes, recipes for spreads
    Have you tried this recipe?I'd love to see it on Instagram! Tag me at @cookingontheweekends or leave a comment & rating below.

    Cooking On The Weekends is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.


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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Julia

      May 31, 2011 at 5:13 pm

      Garlic ice cream, have you seen it? Not gonna lie, Im super tempted to try making it, I love garlic THAT much!

      Reply
      • valentina

        February 21, 2015 at 12:08 am

        Julia, I'm intrigued! Report back about the ice cream. 🙂

        Reply
    2. LDKS

      June 02, 2011 at 7:57 pm

      5 stars
      I LOVE roasted garlic, but these photos make it so appealing that people who don't
      know if they love it yet will want to try it.

      Reply
      • valentina

        February 21, 2015 at 12:08 am

        Now you know, LKS! Save it for the garlic. xoxo

        Reply
    3. valentina

      October 01, 2013 at 5:40 am

      Hi Sarah, sorry about that -- I just edited the recipe to show the cooking time. THANK YOU for letting me know. The garlic will roast for about 1 hr, 30. min. 🙂

      Reply
    4. valentina

      July 02, 2014 at 2:50 pm

      Vermouth is a red or white wine flavored with aromatic herbs. It's usually made in France or Italy, but you should be able to find it in most liquor stores. Hope you do. Thanks for visiting m site. 🙂

      Reply
    5. MARGARET

      February 19, 2015 at 10:46 am

      Great!
      My mom made garlic just like this!
      Nice memory!

      Reply
      • valentina

        February 21, 2015 at 12:10 am

        Food memories are the best. So happy I could bring you one, Margaret. 🙂

        Reply
    6. Marissa

      October 24, 2019 at 4:47 pm

      Thank you for your pro tips on roasting garlic, Valentina! Keith and I both LOVE roasted garlic, so I'll be giving your method a try soon.

      Reply
      • valentina

        October 24, 2019 at 9:15 pm

        Awesome, Marissa. Hope you both love it! Thanks and have a great weekend. 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    7. angiesrecipes

      October 24, 2019 at 7:50 pm

      I too can eat the roasted garlic just as they are! They are so GOOD!

      Reply
      • valentina

        October 24, 2019 at 9:16 pm

        Right!? I'm so with you, Angie. 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    8. Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop

      October 25, 2019 at 5:19 am

      I do love garlic, but often forget about roasting it! I really do need to make it more often. Thanks for all your tips! Looks great!

      Reply
      • valentina

        October 25, 2019 at 9:07 am

        Thanks, Cathy! Enjoy and hope you have a great weekend. 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    9. Eha

      October 25, 2019 at 4:14 pm

      How does one cook without roasted garlic . . . Usually I don't even bother cutting the tops off - just onto a pan and into the oven 🙂 ! Personally am somewhat energy wasteful making this in smaller amounts as I do not particularly love frozen roasted garlic - trying to have something else in the oven at the same time to save power . . .

      Reply
      • valentina

        October 25, 2019 at 6:12 pm

        That's a great idea to roast it while cooking other things at the same time! I usually only have it in the refrigerator a short time because I eat it so quickly. 😉 Thanks and I hope you have a lovely weekend. 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    10. Jeff the Chef

      October 26, 2019 at 6:42 am

      I love roasted garlic. It keeps for quite some time, refrigerated. I'll tell you one way to NOT roast it, though: in the microwave. I tried it once, and the garlic started on fire. I should probably have put it under the faucet, but instead my first thought was to run outside with it - to try to get it out of the house. That simply filled the house with burning garlic smoke. It was awful. I had to throw out the microwave, because the smell would not come out!

      Reply
      • valentina

        October 27, 2019 at 11:50 am

        WOW! That's quite a kitchen disaster story, Jeff. Hopefully it's funny in retrospect?? I can't believe you had to throw out an appliance as a result. Yikes! I hope it hasn't happened since. 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    11. Mimi

      October 26, 2019 at 6:54 am

      Whenever I roast garlic I love it. But then I forget to roast more! Does it keep that well when you make many heads of roasted garlic?

      Reply
      • valentina

        October 27, 2019 at 11:47 am

        Yes! It keeps really well! You can even freeze it, but you can use it for up to a couple of weeks from the fridge. Thanks! 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    12. Gerlinde @ Sunnycovechef

      October 27, 2019 at 6:54 pm

      I love roasted garlic, thank you for reminding me to make some. It’s good in almost anything. I like it spread on a piece of bread,

      Reply
      • valentina

        October 27, 2019 at 9:18 pm

        Me too! That's actually my favorite way to eat it -- all by itself, spread on toast. Okay, maybe a touch of salt. Thanks for visiting, Gerlinde. 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    13. Kelly | Foodtasia

      October 28, 2019 at 3:12 am

      Valentina, I love roasted garlic, and you've just inspired me to roast some up! I'm dreaming of all the things I could add it to. Love your tips on how to roast it. I also never thought about freezing it - brilliant idea!

      Reply
      • valentina

        October 29, 2019 at 1:39 pm

        Thanks so much, Kelly. Yes, the possibilities are endless! 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    14. David Scott Allen

      October 28, 2019 at 1:37 pm

      Well, I’m sure you didn’t think you would hear from me! All I can say is this: I wish I could try this! In the meantime, I’ll just eat everything else…

      Reply
      • valentina

        October 28, 2019 at 9:59 pm

        Awww, David, I seriously thought of you as I posted this, knowing you couldn't have it. Sorry! 🙁 You're very sweet for leaving a note. No garlic in my next recipe! 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    15. David @ Spiced

      October 29, 2019 at 4:58 am

      We roast garlic regularly here, too! In fact, I've always got a bag of roasted garlic bulbs in the freezer. I pop it out for all sorts of things from pasta sauces to soups + stews. Love the photos here, Valentina!

      Reply
      • valentina

        October 29, 2019 at 1:53 pm

        Thanks so much, David! Love it. 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    16. Christina Conte

      October 30, 2019 at 9:03 pm

      Absolutely one of my favorite ways to use garlic. And isn't it funny how it mellows the flavor? Spreading it on toasted ciabatta or French bread is just heaven! Hopefully others will give it a try who've never had it before, thanks to your great recipe and instructions!

      Reply
      • valentina

        October 31, 2019 at 7:46 am

        Spread on toast is my favorite way to eat this. Good call on the chiabatta. Perfect! Thanks so much, Christina! 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    17. LS Granger

      December 13, 2023 at 5:55 am

      I hope this works with fresh garlic, I just put 5 heads in the oven!

      Reply
      • Valentina

        December 13, 2023 at 9:25 am

        I hope you love it! Enjoy. 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply

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