How to Make & Freeze Roasted Garlic

My secret to quick home cooking that tastes like it took all day? Roasted garlic. Its rich, sweet flavor adds depth and complexity to dishes.

Each year, after curing my garlic harvest, I save the largest bulbs to plant next year, store some to use fresh, and then use the rest to make roasted garlic.

If you have abundant garlic, don’t let it go to waste! Instead, consider making and freezing roasted garlic. 

Here’s how to make it. It’s simpler than you might think: 

Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C), cut off the top portion of each head of garlic to expose the cloves, and arrange them in a pan with the cut side facing up. 

Drizzle the exposed tops with olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Cover the pan tightly with foil.

Pop it in the oven for about 45 minutes or until the cloves are soft and caramelized. (Get ready for your house to smell amazing!)

For a more intense flavor, you can roast the garlic for longer until it becomes deeply caramelized.

To use right away, let the cloves cool slightly before squeezing them from their skins. The roasted garlic will be soft and spreadable, perfect for adding to various dishes like roasted veggies, soup, mashed potatoes, or as a spreadable bread topping. Store the extra garlic in a jar and use within a week.

How to Freeze Roasted Garlic

Allow the garlic to cool. Then, place the cloves in an individual layer in a ziplock-style bag. I like these reusable ones; seal them tightly and store the bags in the freezer for up to one year. 

Using Frozen Roasted Garlic

When ready to use your frozen roasted garlic, let a few cubes defrost on the counter for a couple of hours or pop them in the microwave for quick thawing. The flavor will remain just as delicious as when you first made it.

Roasted garlic is a simple yet flavorful ingredient that can elevate your cooking. You can always have this tasty addition on hand by making and freezing it. Whether you’re a home cook looking to add depth to your dishes or a gardener with abundant fresh produce, consider making roasted garlic today. Your taste buds will thank you!

Want to learn how to grow garlic? This article will teach you what you need to know.

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