How to Caramelize Garlic

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If you love the taste of garlic, there's one thing that you may like even more -- caramelized garlic. Cooking the garlic slowly brings out its natural sugars, so it takes on a sweet, rich flavor that's delicious in sauces, soups, marinades, and even spread on crackers. Best of all, you can caramelize garlic on your stove top, in your oven, or in your slow cooker, and even smoke it on the BBQ or in a smoker, which means you can enjoy it whenever you want.

Ingredients

Sauteed Caramelized Garlic

  • 5 to 6 garlic cloves
  • Olive oil

Roasted Caramelized Garlic

  • 1 or more heads of garlic
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 ml) olive oil

Slow Cooker Caramelized Garlic

  • 4 heads garlic, halved horizontally
  • 2 tablespoons (15 ml) olive oil
  • Salt
  • 4 sprigs thyme
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Sauteeing Garlic to Caramelize It

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Caramelize Garlic
    Take 5 to 6 cloves of garlic, and pound the side of a chef’s knife blade against them to smash them. Once the cloves are smashed, remove their skins and discard. Set the garlic aside for a moment. [1]
    • When you’re selecting your garlic, try to find cloves that are as large and thick as possible.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Caramelize Garlic
    Place a large skillet on the stove, and add approximately ¼ inch (.63 cm) of olive oil to it. Turn the burner to medium, and allow the oil to heat for 3 to 5 minutes. [2]
    • You can reduce the oil to ⅛ inch if you prefer. However, keep in mind that by caramelizing the garlic in it, you’ll infuse the oil with the flavor so you can use it for pasta, salad dressings, and other dishes.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Caramelize Garlic
    When the oil has heated for several minutes, place the smashed garlic cloves in the skillet. Lower the heat to medium-low, and allow the garlic to cook until the edges have a golden color, which should take approximately 2 to 6 minutes. [3]
    • If the garlic looks like it’s turning brown, turn the heat down to low.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Caramelize Garlic
    When the garlic has caramelized, use a slotted spoon to remove it from the skillet. If you plan to use it right away, separate it from the oil. However, if you plan to store the garlic for later use, it’s a good idea to leave it in the oil because the oil will help preserve it. [4]
    • The garlic will keep for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
    • If you’re separating the oil and garlic but want to save the oil for future use, pour it in a glass jar and store in the refrigerator.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Roasting Garlic to Caramelize It

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Caramelize Garlic
    To ensure that your oven is hot enough to caramelize the garlic, it’s important to preheat it. Set the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius), and make sure that the oven rack is set in the middle position. [5]
    • Keep an eye on the oven so you know when it’s fully preheated. Many models will beep or flash an indicator light to let you know that it’s reached the desired temperature.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Caramelize Garlic
    Leave the head of garlic intact, but peel away the outer papery layers from the bulb. Use a sharp knife to carefully trim away approximately ¼ inch (.63 cm) from the top of the head so the tops of the individual cloves are visible. [6]
    • When you’re peeling and trimming the garlic head, make sure that all the cloves remain connected to one another. You don’t want them to come loose.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Caramelize Garlic
    Once the garlic is peeled and trimmed, place it on a piece of foil. Next, drizzle approximately 1 to 2 teaspoons of olive oil over it to cover all of it. [7]
    • When you’re pouring the oil over the garlic, make sure that it sinks down into and between the individual cloves.
  4. Wrap the foil up over the garlic head, and place it on the middle rack of the oven to bake. After 40 minutes, unwrap it and check the garlic. The individual cloves be a deep golden color and soft when pierced with a knife. If the garlic isn’t fully caramelized yet, let it keep baking but check on it in 10 minute intervals until it’s done. [8]
    • The exact roasting time necessary to caramelize the garlic will depend on its size, age, and variety.
    • When you check on the garlic, be sure to use an oven mitt or pot holder because the foil will be very hot.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Caramelize Garlic
    When the garlic has finished baking, remove it from the oven, unwrap it, and allow it to cool for approximately five minutes. To remove the garlic from the paper, push on the bottom of the clove. You can use the caramelized garlic right away or store it in the refrigerator for later use. [9]
    • The garlic will last up to two weeks in the refrigerator. If you freeze it, it can last up to three months.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Caramelizing Garlic in a Slow Cooker

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Caramelize Garlic
    Take four heads of garlic that have been cut in half horizontally, and place them on a piece of foil. Drizzle 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of olive oil over the garlic halves, and sprinkle a pinch of a salt over them.
    • You can omit the salt if you’re trying to limit sodium in your diet.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Caramelize Garlic
    Once the garlic halves are covered with the oil and salt, put them back together to form a full head. Tuck four sprigs of thyme among them, and fold the foil up around the garlic to create a sealed pouch.
    • If you aren’t a fan of thyme, you can substitute rosemary or omit the herbs entirely.
  3. Place the foil pouch with the garlic inside your slow cooker. Turn the heat setting to low, and allow the garlic to cook until it is caramelized, which should take approximately six hours.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What can I do to avoid burning my garlic?
    Stephen Servis
    Private Chef
    Stephen Servis is a Private Chef and the Co-Owner of Servis Events Fine Dining along with his twin brother, Nicolas. Based in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Stephen and Nicolas focus on using locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, building close relationships with farmers and community members, and educating people on how to cook and eat more seasonally and sustainably. Servis Events operates at the intersection of health-focused meals and luxury dining, offering both private dinner parties and event catering services. Stephen and Nicolas graduated from the Culinary Arts program at Middle Bucks Institute of Technology and received their associate degrees in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Bucks County Community College.
    Stephen Servis
    Private Chef
    Expert Answer
    To avoid burning caramelized garlic, start by slowly heating it in oil at room temperature. Gradually increase the heat with close monitoring, as garlic can turn bitter if toasted excessively. Opt for either a basket egg fryer for toasting or a slow heating method to maintain control and achieve the desired results. Keep a watchful eye on the garlic throughout the process to avoid burning.
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      Things You’ll Need

      Sauteed Caramelized Garlic

      • A knife
      • A large skillet
      • A slotted spoon

      Roasted Caramelized Garlic

      • A knife
      • Foil
      • Oven mitts or pot holders

      Slow Cooker Caramelized Garlic

      • A slow cooker
      • Foil

      Smoked Garlic

      • A BBQ or Smoker
      • Wood Chips
      • A knife
      • Tin Foil
      • Olive Oil
      • Tongs

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      References

      1. ↑ http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/19/carmelized-garlic-and-garlic-oil/
      2. ↑ http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/19/carmelized-garlic-and-garlic-oil/
      3. ↑ http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/19/carmelized-garlic-and-garlic-oil/
      4. ↑ http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/19/carmelized-garlic-and-garlic-oil/
      5. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-roast-garlic-in-the-oven-5341
      6. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-roast-garlic-in-the-oven-5341
      7. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-roast-garlic-in-the-oven-5341
      8. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-roast-garlic-in-the-oven-5341
      9. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-roast-garlic-in-the-oven-5341

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To caramelize garlic on the stovetop, first crush your garlic cloves with the flat side of a knife blade to release the juices and loosen the peels. Remove the peels and set the cloves aside. Next, fill the bottom ¼ inch of a skillet with olive oil and warm it over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes. Put the garlic cloves in the skillet and turn the heat down to medium-low. Let the cloves simmer in the oil for 2 to 6 minutes or until they turn golden around the edges. Remove the garlic from the oil with a slotted spoon and serve or store it. For more tips, like how to caramelize garlic in the oven, keep reading!

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