After making your decision, you might be curious about the best way to store garlic because it can greatly affect the flavor of your food. Reviewing the ideal methods for storing garlic, keep reading.
You need to store whole garlic at room temperature, store peeled garlic in the fridge, store lots of garlic in the freezer, and dehydrate garlic.
Read on for more detailed information.
How to Store Garlic?
To begin with, pick your garlic cloves carefully. Look for whole heads of garlic with firm cloves and tightly closed skins. Avoid anything that feels flimsy, and keep an eye out for sprouting (bright green shoots emerging from the top of each garlic clove).
Purple-tinged garlic is totally fine—it’s just a different variety altogether. Purple garlic, called hardneck garlic, has a woody stem running through the center of its head. All-white garlic, or softneck garlic, does not have this stem. It is possible to switch between the two types.
No matter what type of garlic you pick up, here’s how to store your supply to make it last:
Store Whole Garlic at Room Temperature
Store whole heads of garlic in a cool, dry place in a bag or bowl with good airflow (such as a mesh bag or loosely woven basket). Store it away from the sun in your pantry or a basket on your counter.
Store Peeled Garlic in the Fridge
While we’re not fans of storing whole heads of garlic in the refrigerator (it can stimulate sprouting), the fridge is a great place for whole peeled cloves, sliced or minced garlic. If you cut up a lot of garlic for a recipe and have extra, for instance, store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Use it within two to three days.
Store Lots of Garlic in the Freezer
Here is a quick (and delicious!) way to use up lots of heads.) way to use them up: Heat the oven to 400°F. Garlic cloves should have their tops cut off by 1 inch and thrown away. Sprinkle salt and pepper over each garlic head before arranging it on a sheet of foil and adding olive oil. Wrap tightly and place in a baking dish. Roast for 50 to 60 minutes, or until golden brown and tender. Let cool slightly, then squeeze the garlic out of their skins into ice trays, cover and freeze.
Alternatively, finely chop, grate or press raw garlic cloves into ice trays, cover with oil, and freeze. Quick food safety note: According to the CDC, it’s important to freeze this mixture right away to avoid foodborne illness. Avoid keeping or keeping it at room temperature.
Dehydrate Garlic
Fresh, firm garlic cloves without any bruises can be dried to make tasty garlic “chips” that’ll add flavor to everything from rice to chicken dishes. To prepare, peel and cut cloves in half lengthwise, then follow instructions on your dehydrator. In an oven, dry garlic at 140°F for two hours, then lower the heat to 130°F and let it dry for another four to six hours, or until it is crisp. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.
How Long Does Garlic Last?
If it has been peeled or not, how you store it also matters. A whole, unpeeled garlic head will last quite a while (about six months). The shelf life of an unpeeled clove that has been separated from the head is approximately three weeks.
You should use peeled garlic within a week of pealing it. If you don’t intend to use the garlic right away, don’t even consider mincing or cutting it; you’ll be lucky if it keeps for 24 hours in the refrigerator.
How Do You Know When Garlic is Bad?
Gently squeeze the unpeeled head of garlic. It should be fine if it is firm. Conversely, if it’s soft, it might be past its prime.
Peeled garlic cloves should be much more white than yellow; otherwise, they are bad garlic. A change in color indicates decay.
Can You Freeze Garlic?
Garlic can definitely be frozen. It’s a fantastic way to get the most use out of the bulbs you won’t be using right away. However, there are a few easy steps you must take if you want it to retain its flavor and texture.
How to Freeze Garlic?
Garlic freezes well whether it’s whole, peeled, or minced:
- To freeze whole garlic heads: Put the heads in a freezer-safe bag, date-mark it, and freeze it.
- To freeze peeled garlic cloves: Each garlic clove should be peeled and separated, then arranged evenly on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Wrap plastic wrap around the baking sheet, then freeze it overnight. After being frozen, the cloves should be wrapped in foil, sealed in a freezer-safe bag, and marked with the date.
- To freeze chopped or minced garlic: All of the garlic cloves should be peeled and separated before being evenly and finely minced (if you’re freezing in large quantities, use a food processor). Spread the garlic paste over a baking sheet with parchment paper after coating in oil. Wrap the baking sheet in plastic and freeze all night. Slice the frozen sheet of garlic paste into chunks that are all the same size, put them in a freezer-safe bag that has the date on it, and then put it back in the freezer.
FAQs
How Do You Store Garlic Long Term?
Just store in a cool (60 to 65 degrees), dimly lit place with air circulation. Garlic should not be stored in airtight containers as this will cause it to rot. Plastic bags are also not a good idea because they will trap moisture and cause garlic to rot more quickly. Instead, use paper wrappers or mesh bags.
Should I Store Garlic in the Fridge?
Whether you’ve separated and peeled the whole thing or you just a few exposed cloves, refrigeration is going to be your best bet. It should be placed in the refrigerator after being sealed in an airtight bag or container. Even though it might lose some of its pungency after just a few days, it will still be safe to use for about a week.
Does Garlic Last Longer in the Fridge Or on the Counter?
Garlic can be stored in the refrigerator, but it won’t last as long. Compared to months in a cool, dry cupboard, the garlic will only keep in the refrigerator for a few weeks. However, if you must store your garlic in the refrigerator, place it in the main compartment rather than the crisper drawer.
What is the Best Container to Store Garlic?
Garlic cloves should be stored peeled in an airtight food storage container (jar, plastic bag, etc.).), and keep them in the refrigerator. Likewise, if you chop any extra garlic, store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Summary: How to Store Garlic?
You need to store whole garlic at room temperature, store peeled garlic in the fridge, store lots of garlic in the freezer, and dehydrate garlic.
The flavor and depth of many dishes are enhanced by the delicious and widely used ingredient of garlic.
Garlic comes in a variety of forms, but most of them can be used in everyday cooking.
In addition to being kept at room temperature, garlic can also be kept in the freezer or refrigerator. You can also dehydrate, pickle, or roast it for variety.
However, keeping fresh garlic in a cool, dry area of your kitchen is still the simplest and best method.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment. My Prime Home tries to give you the best furniture information. Thank you for reading.
