Wondering what to do with Roasted Garlic? This versatile ingredient couldn't be easier to make or more delicious to eat. You won't be able to resist these creative ideas and recipes for using Roasted Garlic!
Roasted Garlic is—hands down—the BEST way to use up lots of garlic! It's truly amazing how a little heat completely transforms raw garlic's pungent, spicy flavor into something so sweet and nutty tasting.
It's hard to resist gobbling up those softened, buttery cloves the minute they come out of the oven. But if you're looking for clever ways to use Roasted Garlic (that go beyond simply spreading it on bread), then this guide is for you!
You'll find 30 mouthwatering recipes and tips below ... enough to keep you busy for a long time! Keep scrolling for all the details.
What to Do with Roasted Garlic
Roasted Garlic is the perfect way to add a pop of flavor to almost any dish, from appetizers to entrées. And with these easy recipes and ideas, you'll never be stumped about what to do with all those yummy heads and cloves again!
1. Mashed Potatoes
Fold those an entire bulb into these creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes for a side dish no one can resist.
2. Salsa
Add another layer of flavor to your favorite salsa! Try it in this Restaurant Style Salsa, your favorite Pico de Gallo recipe, or this Black Bean and Corn Salsa.
3. Macaroni and Cheese
Mash a few cloves into the cheese sauce to level up your favorite macaroni and cheese. Try it in this Broccoli Mac and Cheese or this Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese.
4. Garlic Bread
Create the ultimate garlic bread spread! It would be delicious paired with the fresh garlic in my favorite Garlic Bread recipe, or even better, this Cheesy Garlic Bread!
5. Pasta
Toss a head with veggies, pasta, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese, and dinner is done! You could also add it to Pasta Primavera or your favorite pasta salad (try it in the dressing for this Kale Pasta Salad), or use it in pasta sauces, like Homemade Alfredo or Marinara Sauce.
6. Salad Dressing
Pair this tasty Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette with a classic Garden Salad, or mince the garlic, then add to any salad dressing. It would be an excellent addition to this simple Lemon Olive Oil Dressing!
7. Bagels
Make a crave-worthy spread for garlic lovers, by combining it with cream cheese and fresh herbs.
8. Sandwich Spread
Use the softened cloves of Roast Garlic as a sandwich spread (on their own, or mixed with mayo, mustard, or both). It would be delightful in this Tomato Avocado Sandwich or this Hummus Sandwich!
9. Aioli
Blend with mayo to making an amazing aioli that's ready in mere minutes! Then, use as a dip for veggies or fries, serve on sandwiches, drizzle over a vegetable-grain bowl, and more.
10. Dip
Treat your favorite garlic fan to this amazing Roasted Garlic Hummus (or mix into any hummus recipe)! Combine with sour cream, lemon juice, and fresh herbs to make a simple dip, or add it to your favorite recipe ... try it in this scrumptious Caramelized Onion Dip or this luscious Cream Cheese Herb Dip.
11. Roasted Potatoes
Pair potatoes and garlic for a match made in heaven! There are a couple ways to do this: either blend a head of roasted garlic with olive oil, then mix with the potatoes before roasting; or toss chopped cloves with roasted potatoes about five minutes before they're done baking. Either way ... so delicious!
12. Compound Butter
Combine a stick of softened butter with a head of Roasted Garlic and a pinch of salt (perhaps some fresh herbs or lemon zest, too), and you have the dreamiest garlic butter ever! Use it on corn and other fresh veggies, spread on warm bread, toss with pasta, and so much more.
13. Soup
Treat yourself to this creamy, dreamy Roasted Garlic Soup, or add it to any of your favorite soup recipes! It would be delicious in this Minestrone, Creamy Potato Soup, Barley Vegetable Soup, Potato Kale Soup, or this 15 Bean Soup.
14. Beans
Pair with basic, down-to-earth beans for an easy way to add tons of flavor. Toss with a two or three different beans, plus a little olive oil and vinegar and maybe some fresh veggies, and you have a simple bean salad. Or add them to a main course, like this Black Beans and Rice or these Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas, for an extra pop of flavor.
15. Butter Replacement
Save calories by spreading these creamy cloves anywhere you might use butter. It's especially great on baked potatoes and savory baked goods!
16. Guacamole
Give your Guacamole an upgrade! This is an easy way to incorporate extra flavor without the bite of fresh garlic.
17. Pizza Sauce
Spread mashed or chopped cloves over an olive oil-brushed pizza crust for a no fuss sauce, or add it right to the sauce itself. It would be yummy in this Homemade Pesto or this easy Pizza Sauce.
18. Pizza Topping
Sprinkle your Homemade Pizza with whole cloves, too! It's distinctive sweet, nutty taste will have everyone coming back for a second (or third) slice.
19. Veggie Topping
Toss whole or chopped cloves with sautéed or steamed vegetables, Grilled Veggies, or Roasted Vegetables just before serving. You could also blend the garlic with olive oil to drizzle over veggies, or add mashed / chopped cloves to other veg dishes, like these Twice Baked Potatoes with Broccoli, Roasted Grape Tomatoes, or these Glazed Carrots.
20. Ricotta Dip
Blend with ricotta (and a few other ingredients) for the best Baked Ricotta Dip ever! It would be so delish in this Ricotta Blue Cheese Spread, too!
21. Pesto
Skip the fresh garlic (or use both) to give any Pesto Recipe a richer, more complex flavor profile.
22. Gravy
Add richness to your gravy—with very little effort—by mashing in a few cloves. It would be a great flavor enhancer for this Onion Gravy or this Mushroom Gravy!
23. Avocado Toast
Upgrade your avocado toast! Mash it together with the fresh avocado, or sprinkle it on top. Either way, you'll love it!
24. Potato Salad
Give your potato salad a gourmet twist. Although you could add it to most recipes, it would be especially tasty in the lemon-herb vinaigrette used on this Red Potato Salad!
25. Cheese Board
Take your Cheese Plate to the next level by adding a bowl of your now favorite ingredient. The warm, nutty flavors pair so well with cheese and crackers.
26. Bread
Amp up your homemade bread! If you're a bread maker, adding whole or chopped cloves will give your next loaf (like this delish Garlic Rosemary Bread) an amazing, earthy flavor. You can even stir it into quick breads, like this easy Beer Bread recipe.
27. Croutons
Blend a whole head with olive oil, then toss with bread cubes for a garlic lover's delight! Check out this this Easy Croutons Recipe (or these Sourdough Croutons) for inspiration and baking times.
28. Fries
Top homemade fries with minced garlic, shredded parmesan, and chopped parsley for one of the tastiest snacks / side dishes ever!
29. Burgers
Kick your burger game up a notch by mashing into the patties or spreading on the buns. It would be great on almost any Veggie Burger, especially these Black Bean Edamame Burgers or these Mushroom Swiss Veggie Burgers.
30. Spread
Last, but certainly not least, skip the fuss and spread directly on thick slices of your favorite bread, crispy crackers, or homemade Crostini. This is the best way to eat Roasted Garlic fresh from the oven!
I hope you found lots of delicious recipes to try! You'll find more helpful tips about storage below, so keep reading.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Store whole heads of roasted garlic in an airtight container or zip top bag in your refrigerator. It will taste best when eaten in about three to five days. You can also squeeze out the cloves and cover with olive oil before storing.
To freeze roasted garlic, place the cloves in a single layer on a baking sheet, then freeze. Once the cloves are frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or bag. Use within one month of freezing for best results.
Roasted garlic tastes best when freshly made, however you can store it in your refrigerator for up to five days or in your freezer for up to one month.
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