Roasted garlic has a robust, nutty, mellow and caramelized flavor as opposed to the sharp, pungent taste of fresh garlic. It's simple to make and will add layers of complex and delightful garlicky flavor to your recipes.
Roasted Garlic is not only delicious and simple, it's almost magical. Roasting garlic in oil completely transforms the flavor of this delicious addition to your favorite recipes.
Whether you're making it for a favorite salad dressing or savory dip, your home will smell amazing and you'll have everyone clamoring for you to give them a bite.
Why Make Roasted Garlic?
For one thing, the taste and texture is amazing! Roasted garlic is creamy with an umami flavor. As it roasts, the crisp bite of the garlic caramelizes into a nutty, somewhat sweet, totally different flavor. It's so soft and smooth, you could spread it on toast instead of cream cheese (but vegan!).
Plus, the chemical structure of the garlic is altered and it becomes easier to digest.
If you've got a sensitive stomach or are giving your system a rest, roasted garlic allows you to enjoy the myriad health benefits of garlic with an easier to process make up.
How To Make Easy Roasted Garlic
As amazing as the flavor of roasted garlic is and as simple as it is to make, it's a wonder more people don't use it regularly.
You can add this gourmet flavor to your kitchen with just minutes of hands on time.
The best way to roast garlic is to wrap it in aluminum foil and roast until tender. Alternatively, you can roast garlic in olive oil (you'll have to peel it first).
To roast the garlic bulb, cut the tips off the head, exposing the ends of the cloves, so that it's easier for you to peel them later.
Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and black pepper and wrap each head in a piece of aluminum foil. Roast for 35-40 minutes until tender and aromatic.
Make sure to check this How to Roast Garlic web story for quick instructions.
How Long Should I Roast My Garlic in the Oven?
On average, about 30-40 minutes, however some heads will need as many as 75 minutes in the oven.
The size of the garlic, the age of it, as well as the variety will impact how long it takes for it to roast to a golden softness.
Using Roasted Garlic
Roasted garlic is so versatile.
You can spread it on bread or crackers as an appetizer. You can use it in delicious salad dressing. You can add it to soup, like my butternut squash soup. It's also delicious in sauces (for example, vegan bechamel), dips and hummus recipes. You can even eat it plain.
Adding roasted garlic to pasta, rice, buckwheat, or other side dishes will give a savory, comfort food flavor to them, as well.
How To Store Roasted Garlic
Roasted garlic can be stored in the fridge for up to ten days in olive oil (I recommend a glass container or jar as it will flavor stain plastic) and in the freezer for several months.
Because of this, you can make it up ahead of time and enjoy it whenever you're in the mood.
Let it cool completely before storing it, to avoid condensation and unnecessary water adding to it.
Cook's Tips
- To roast the garlic, cut the tips off the head, exposing the ends of the cloves, so that it's easier for you to peel them later.
- Store the roasted garlic cloves in olive oil in the fridge for up to 10 days or in the freezer for several months.
- Add roasted garlic for a variety of dishes: pasta, rice, buckwheat, soups, any type of vegetable or grain-based side dishes, dips and sauces. Spread it on bread or crackers as an appetizer. You can even eat it plain.
- One of the best ways to use roasted garlic is to make a roasted garlic sauce that you can use for salads, casseroles, buddha bowls, pasta, veggies or any dishes that you'd normally add mayo to.
Recipe Variations
- As an alternative to roasting a whole bulb of garlic, you can roast individual garlic cloves in olive oil. Place them in a baking dish and cover with oil completely. Roast for 30-35 minutes under 200 °C or 400 °F. Let cool and transfer to a jar together with the oil.
- Alternatively, you can cook individual cloves on the stove in olive oil over low heat. They will be ready in 30-35 minutes when golden and fragrant.
- Olive oil can be substituted for sesame oil.
How to Roast Garlic
Ingredients
For the roasted garlic:
- 2 big heads garlic
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- pinch of salt
- pinch of black pepper
Instructions
Roast the garlic
- Preheat the oven to 200 °C or 400 °F. Cut the tips off the head, exposing the ends of the cloves, so that it's easier for you to peel them later.
- Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and black pepper and wrap each head in a piece of aluminum foil.
- Roast for 35-40 minutes until tender and aromatic. Let it cool and peel. Store it in a glass container or jar with olive oil in the fridge for up to 10 days.
Notes
Cook’s Tips
- To roast the garlic, cut the tips off the head, exposing the ends of the cloves, so that it’s easier for you to peel them later.
- Store the roasted garlic cloves in olive oil in the fridge for up to 10 days or in the freezer for several months.
- Add roasted garlic to a variety of dishes: pasta, rice, buckwheat, soups, any type of vegetable or grain-based side dishes, dips and sauces. Spread it on bread or crackers as an appetizer. You can even eat it plain.
- One of the best ways to use roasted garlic is to make a roasted garlic sauce that you can use for salads, casseroles, buddha bowls, pasta, veggies or any dishes that you’d normally add mayo to.
Recipe Variations
- As an alternative to roasting a whole bulb of garlic, you can roast individual garlic cloves in olive oil. Place them in a baking dish and cover with oil completely. Roast for 30-35 minutes under 200 °C or 400 °F. Let cool and transfer to a jar together with the oil.
- Alternatively, you can cook individual cloves on the stove in olive oil over low heat. They will be ready in 30-35 minutes when golden and fragrant.
- Olive oil can be substituted for sesame oil.
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