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Learning how to roast garlic is a basic skill that can add TONS of flavor to any meal. Add it to your favorite healthy recipes like salad dressings, soups, spreads, garlic bread, and pasta dishes for a boost of budget-friendly flavor.
If you don’t usually care for raw garlic, this roasted garlic recipe is a must try! The oven-roasting process caramelizes the natural sugars in the garlic, completely transforming the flavor from sharp and pungent to sweet and mellow. Take a couple of minutes to prep, then let your oven do all the work.
You won’t regret it once you taste the rich, euphoric flavor! And all for just about $0.70!
What You’ll Need
This homemade roasted garlic recipe requires just a few staples:
- A whole head of garlic (or as many whole heads of garlic as you like!)
- Neutral cooking oil such as olive oil or avocado oil
- Piece of foil or two muffin tins
- Optional pinch of salt
How to Roast Garlic Whole
- Using a sharp knife, cut straight off the top of the whole bulb of garlic, just enough to expose the inner garlic cloves. Remove any loose papery outer layers, but do not peel garlic completely.
- Place the garlic on a sheet of foil just large enough to wrap the entire head of garlic. Drizzle oil on the surface of the exposed garlic cloves. Wrap garlic head tightly in foil and place on a baking sheet.
- Roast for 45 to 60 minutes, or until the garlic cloves are golden and soft. This exact roasting time can vary depending on the size of the garlic head.
- Remove from the oven and set aside until cool enough to handle. Then, squeeze the cloves out of the papery skin and use in your favorite recipes.
No aluminum foil? Follow my roasted garlic recipe using the individual cloves method below, OR place garlic heads in a muffin tin. Drizzle the top of the cloves with a little bit of olive oil. Place the second muffin tin, upside down directly over the bottom muffin tin. This will create a similar, airtight environment in the hot oven.
How to Roast Garlic Cloves
In need of the flavor of roasted garlic, but only have a few individual cloves on hand. No problem!
- Peel and remove the raw garlic cloves from the head of garlic.
- Add to a baking sheet and drizzle the top of the whole cloves with 1/2 tablespoon of oil. Using a spatula or your hands, toss the cloves in the oil to ensure they are properly coated.
- If desired, sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt.
- Roast the individual garlic cloves for 15 minutes, or until the garlic cloves are tender and have started to turn golden brown in color.
Skip the aluminum foil and parchment paper and roast the garlic cloves directly on the baking sheet. This will yield better browning and a greater caramelization, which yields a better flavor.
What to Do with Roasted Garlic
The question should really be What NOT to do with this roasted garlic recipe because the options are truly endless. Roasted garlic instantly adds flavor to any dish, including a basic slice of crusty bread!
Add this roasted garlic to any recipe that calls for regular minced garlic, or give it a try in one of these blog favorites:
- Garlic Bread
- Vegan Cheese Bread
- Tofu Bolognese Sauce
- Mushroom Pasta Bake
- Mashed Potatoes
- Tofu Banh Mi
- Vegan Potato Soup
- Roasted Garlic Soup
- Potato Leek Soup
- Salad Dressings
Is Roasted Garlic Healthy?
Roasted garlic is a great addition to a healthy diet. It’s a good source of several nutrients, including manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and selenium. It’s also high in antioxidants, prebiotic fibers that promote good digestion, and has anti-inflammatory and anti-fugal effects which can support a healthy immune system.
Storage Instructions
Leftover garlic will keep well in an airtight container or small jar in the refrigerator for 1 week. Before covering and storing, allow the golden garlic to cool to room temperature.
How to Freeze Roasted Garlic
If you have a ton of fresh garlic bulbs on hand, roast them all at once and freeze the excess garlic cloves! My favorite way to do this is to roast the whole garlic bulbs as usual, then squeeze out all of the garlic cloves into a mixing bowl. Then, pack the soft, gooey garlic cloves into an ice cube tray, creating small 1-2 tablespoon sized cubes of roasted garlic paste.
Once frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe container. Roasted cloves will freeze well for 3-6 months. Use frozen garlic straight from the freezer, or allow to soften overnight in the refrigerator for smearing on toast, etc.
Roasted Garlic Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 head of garlic ($0.57)
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil ($0.10)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Cut straight off the top of the garlic, just enough to expose the garlic cloves. Remove any loose papery outer layers, but do not peel garlic completely.
- Rip a piece of foil, just large enough to wrap the entire head of garlic. Place garlic cut side up and drizzle oil on the exposed surface of the garlic. Wrap garlic in foil and place on a baking sheet.
- Roast garlic in the oven until golden and soft, about 45 minutes or up to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the cloves.
- Set garlic aside to cool. Then, squeeze the golden brown cloves out of the papery skin.
Notes
- To roast individual cloves of garlic: Peel and remove cloves from 1 whole head of garlic (about 15 cloves). Add to a baking sheet. Drizzle with ½ tablespoon of avocado oil. Stir to coat. Optional: sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt. Roast for 15 minutes or until cloves are tender and start to turn golden.
- Storage instructions: Leftover roasted garlic will keep well in an airtight container or small jar in the refrigerator for 1 week. Before covering and storing, allow the roasted garlic to cool to room temperature.
- Freezing instructions: Pack the soft, gooey garlic cloves into an ice cube tray, creating small 1-2 tablespoon sized cubes of roasted garlic paste. Transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for 3-6 months. Use straight from the freezer, or allow to soften overnight in the refrigerator or on the counter until softened.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: The Nutritional Information provided for this recipe is only an estimate. The accuracy of the facts listed is not and cannot be guaranteed.
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