Learn how to roast garlic with this easy Roasted Garlic recipe … works with whole heads and individual cloves!
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I am on a Roasted Garlic kick lately!
It’s truly amazing how baking garlic can transform a humble clove into something special. I love this yummy garlic spread on bread, added to dips, mixed into quesadillas, and so much more.
If you’ve never baked garlic before, then this recipe is for you! I’m going to walk you through the easy process, sharing lots of tips along the way, plus you’ll learn how to use it and store it.
Ready to dig in? Let’s go!
About This Recipe
Have you ever had Roasted Garlic?
Baking garlic transforms raw garlic in a way that’s almost magical! The cloves become soft and spreadable, the flavor is milder, nutty, and little sweet.
You can eat Baked Garlic on its own, or use it in other recipes (I’m working on a few to share with you!) … it’s healthy, low cal, and easier to digest than raw garlic. Not to mention, super delicious!
Ready to learn how to roast garlic in your oven? Then, keep reading for all the details! And by the way, this method works for Roasted Garlic Bulbs / Heads and for individual Roasted Garlic Cloves.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for this easy recipe:
- Garlic (Whole Heads and / or Cloves)
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Salt (I prefer Kosher salt.)
So simple, right?
You’ll also need some aluminum foil to wrap the garlic in when baking. If you’d prefer not to use aluminum foil, then I’d recommend using a Garlic Roaster or another oven-safe dish (with a lid) instead.
How to make Roasted Garlic in the Oven
So let’s talk about how to make this recipe.
This really is the easiest and best way to roast garlic, and once you master the simple process, you’ll want to make baked garlic all the time!
You’ll start by removing any excess papery skin from the garlic, leaving the cloves intact if you’re using whole bulbs.
Then, take a sharp knife and cut off about 1/4 to 1/2-inch from the top of the bulb, exposing the individual cloves. Make sure to get all the cloves … you will probably need to cut around the outside of the bulb to get everything.
For individual cloves, just trim off the top of each clove.
Next, place the garlic on a large piece of aluminum foil (or in your Garlic Roaster), then drizzle the heads of garlic with about one teaspoon of olive oil each. Use your fingers to rub the oil onto the cut side of the cloves, then sprinkle them lightly with salt.
If you have any individual cloves, rub their cut side in the oil and sprinkle with salt.
Wrap the cloves with the foil. You want to wrap the garlic just well enough so that the foil is sealed, but not so tightly that you can’t check on the garlic while it cooks.
Tip: If you’re using a garlic roaster, make sure to read the package directions. Some of the terracotta roasters require you to soak the lid before baking.
How Long to Roast Garlic
Cooking times can vary, depending on the size of your garlic heads. And Individual Roasted Garlic Cloves will also cook faster than Roasted Garlic Bulbs.
At 400 degrees, the garlic heads should be ready in about 45 minutes. I like to start checking on it at about 40 minutes though and gauge how much longer is needed from there.
You’ll know that garlic is ready when the cloves have softened and turned light brown, like below. Avoid burning the garlic, or it will be bitter.
Once the garlic is cool enough to handle, simply squeeze the cloves from their skins, and it’s ready to use.
Tip: the temperature to roast garlic in this recipe is 400 degrees, but feel free to throw garlic in with whatever you are baking. That way, you’ll always have some on hand. Just adjust the roasting time up or down depending on your oven temperature.
How long will Roasted Garlic keep?
Baked Garlic is best when it’s fresh, however it will keep for about three days in the refrigerator.
Refrigerate the garlic in an airtight container or zip top bag until you’re ready to use it.
You can also store the cloves in olive oil (make sure to refrigerate to oil) or freeze the roasted garlic. To freeze the garlic, place the cloves on a baking sheet, then freeze. Once the cloves are frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or bag, and keep frozen until ready to use.
Roasted Garlic Uses
Now that you know how to roast garlic, you may be wondering what do you eat it with?
There are so many Roasted Garlic uses, each one more delicious than the next! Here are some of my favorite ideas:
- Spread the cloves on thick slices of your favorite bread.
- Fold into mashed potatoes … these Garlic Mashed Potatoes are next level delish!
- Mix into Mac and Cheese.
- Use the Baked Garlic (on its own or mixed with mayo, mustard, or both) as a sandwich spread.
- Add to garlic bread spread. It would be delicious mixed in my Garlic Bread recipe … or even better, Cheesy Garlic Bread!
- Toss with veggies, pasta, and Parmesan cheese for a simple dinner.
- Mince or mash the garlic, then add it to your favorite vinaigrette.
- Make this delicious Roasted Garlic Hummus!
- Mix with sour cream and fresh herbs to make a simple dip.
- Blend with ricotta (and a few other ingredients) for the best Baked Ricotta appetizer ever!
- Use anywhere you might use butter, such as on a baked potato.
- Stir into soup as it simmers … it would be delicious in this Minestrone or this simple Vegetable Soup.
- Spread over a pizza crust for a no fuss sauce.
- Toss with sauteed, steamed, or Roasted Veggies just before serving.
- Add a pop of flavor to almost any recipe, like dips, casseroles, Garlic Bread, gravy, Pesto, and other sauces.
However you use it, this is a recipe you’re sure to return to time and time again!
Roasted Garlic
Ingredients
- 1 head garlic
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Remove any excess papery skin from garlic head, keeping cloves intact.
- Use a sharp knife to cut 1/4 to 1/2-inch from top of garlic head, exposing cloves.
- Place garlic on a piece of aluminum foil (or in a garlic roaster). Drizzle cut garlic with oil, then use fingers to rub oil into garlic. Sprinkle lightly with salt.
- Wrap garlic with foil (or close roaster), then bake until garlic cloves are soft and browned, about 40 to 50 minutes.
- Set aside garlic until cool enough to handle, then squeeze garlic from skins.
- Use Roasted Garlic immediately, or store in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
What is your favorite way to eat roasted garlic?