How to Preserve Fresh Garlic

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Garlic is an ancient ingredient used to flavor food. To preserve fresh garlic for cooking, here is a quick guide.


Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Keep Fresh Garlic

PDF download Download Article
  1. Garlic is a very strong flavor, so a little bit goes a long way. It's easy to overestimate how much you'll need, so be careful not to get too much. [1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Preserve Fresh Garlic
    the best, freshest garlic. You want a very nice white shelled bulb, free of any black spots. Make sure the garlic you get all has its own distinctive shell. [2]
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Preserve Fresh Garlic
    Store your garlic correctly. This is key to keeping garlic fresh. Keep it in a dark, cool, dry place, maybe in a container or a glass. It's okay to leave it sitting out on a counter, but try to keep it away from heat, moisture, and too much sunlight. [3]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Preserve Fresh Garlic
    Garlic can go bad very quickly once you peel it, so make sure to do so only just before you use it. 
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Long-term Preservation

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Preserve Fresh Garlic
    This is the easiest way to preserve garlic for later use. Simply peel the garlic cloves, put them in a plastic bag, and stick them in your freezer.
    • Chop garlic before freezing to make it easier to throw into a dish quickly.
    • Freezing chopped garlic in oil prevents it from freezing solid, which will allow you to scoop only appropriate amounts out when you're ready to use it.
    • Using olive oil can make your garlic last longer than any other oil. [4]
    • Peel the cloves and purée them. Purée with oil in a blender or food processor using 2 parts oil to 1 part garlic. The puréed garlic will stay soft enough in the freezer to scrape out parts to use in sautéing. Freeze this mixture immediately—do not store it at room temperature.
  2. Dry your garlic. Use a food dehydrator, or bake at a low temperature on drying racks in your oven. [5]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Preserve Fresh Garlic
    garlic. This slightly alters the flavor, but it drastically increases the shelf life. [6]
  4. This is an easier way of pickling your garlic, and it will keep almost indefinitely. Simply submerge peeled cloves of garlic in red or white wine vinegar and add a tablespoon of salt for each cup of vinegar you used. If you want, add dried herbs like red pepper flakes or oregano to flavor. The garlic will keep as long as it remains submerged in the vinegar. [7]
    5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Can I use just white distilled vinegar and salt?
    Michele
    Top Answerer
    You can. Any type of vinegar will preserve the garlic. Wine vinegar just has a nicer flavor to it.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 12
  • Question
    Can I put peeled garlic in olive oil to preserve?
    Michele
    Top Answerer
    Yes. It's a good way to preserve the garlic and make a garlic-infused oil. Keep in a dark, cool area and a tightly sealed container. It should keep as long as plain olive oil, about 18 - 24 months. Refrigerate to extend the life of both the garlic and the oil.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 38 Helpful 20
  • Question
    Can I pickle garlic with green in it (unripe?)
    Michele
    Top Answerer
    You can. Green garlic has a milder flavor than fully-matured garlic bulbs, so know that it takes on more of the vinegary flavor.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 2
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Always use fresh garlic, and never any substitutes because it alters the flavor dramatically. This is true in Italian dishes that need to be cooked for long periods of time, sealed, dried crushed up garlic at room temperature does not give garlic room to breathe properly.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Video

      You Might Also Like

      The Best Ways to Store Fresh Garlic So It Stays Strong
      How to
      Measure a Tablespoon with and without Measuring Spoons
      How to
      Safely Boil Water in the Microwave
      How to
      Make Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs Every Time
      How to
      Blanch Green Beans
      How to
      Season a Stainless Steel Pan with Oil
      How to
      Pan-Fry the Perfect Steak on the Stovetop
      How to
      Make Olive Oil
      How to
      Poach an Egg Using a Microwave
      How to
      Boil Water (& How Long It Takes)
      How to
      Make Diffuser Oil
      The Quickest Way to Make a Reduction for Any Recipe
      How to
      Parboil Potatoes Perfectly Every Time
      How to
      Defrost Dough
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.cooksillustrated.com/how_tos/5837-yes-you-can-freeze-garlic
      2. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/ingredients/how-to-buy-and-store-garlic-article
      3. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/the-kitchns-guide-to-storing-garlic-231411
      4. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/a20707233/how-to-store-garlic/
      5. ↑ https://www.epicgardening.com/storing-garlic/#Drying_Your_Garlic
      6. ↑ http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/250668/pickled-garlic-cloves/
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otTVtxWj9C8

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to preserve fresh garlic, keep it in a cool, dry place. If you leave it on the counter, keep it away from heat, moisture, or direct sunlight. Don’t peel your garlic until you’re ready to use it; otherwise, it will spoil much more quickly. The garlic will last up to a month unpeeled. If you need to preserve the garlic longer than that, peel the garlic cloves and place them in a resealable plastic bag, then place them in the freezer. Read on to learn how to freeze garlic in olive oil to extend its life even more!

      Did this summary help you?
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 66,536 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Carolyn Fleming

        Jan 25, 2020

        "I was so glad to find out how to preserve garlic in various ways. What pleased me as well was that the article was ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement