This sweeter, milder, caramelized garlic is the perfect addition to an endless host of dishes.
Choose Fresh, Firm Garlic: Opt for heads of garlic that are firm and free from any signs of sprouting or soft spots. Fresh garlic will yield the best flavor and texture when roasted.
Prep the Garlic Heads: Trim off the top quarter-inch of each garlic head to expose the cloves. This allows the garlic to roast evenly and makes it easier to squeeze out the softened cloves later.
Drizzle with Olive Oil: Place the prepared garlic heads on a piece of foil or in a small baking dish, cut side up. Drizzle them generously with olive oil, ensuring that each clove is coated. This helps to prevent the garlic from drying out during roasting and adds richness to the flavor.
Wrap or Cover: Enclose the garlic heads in foil or cover the baking dish tightly with foil. This helps to trap steam during roasting, which softens the garlic cloves and prevents them from burning.
Roast at Moderate Heat: Preheat your oven to around 375°F (190°C). Roast the garlic heads for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the cloves are soft and golden brown. Cooking times may vary depending on the size and freshness of the garlic heads, so keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking.
Check for Doneness: To test if the garlic is done, carefully unwrap or uncover one of the heads and gently squeeze a clove. It should feel soft and buttery, indicating that it’s fully roasted.
Cool and Store: Allow the roasted garlic to cool slightly before handling. Once cool enough to touch, gently squeeze the cloves out of their skins and use them immediately in your favorite recipes. Alternatively, store the roasted garlic cloves in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week, or freeze them for longer storage.
Experiment with Flavorings: For added depth of flavor, you can customize your roasted garlic by sprinkling it with herbs, such as rosemary or thyme, before roasting. You can also add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or honey for a touch of sweetness.
With these top tips, you’ll be well-equipped to achieve perfectly roasted garlic every time, adding a deliciously rich and mellow flavor to your favorite dishes.
Leftover oil from roasting garlic can be used to saute meats and vegetables!
Try mashing a few roasted cloves with room temperature butter and spread it onto crusty warm crusty bread. Serve up with a bowl of Lasagna Soup.
We use roasted garlic in a number of our dishes and because it’s so easy to make ensuring there is always plenty on hand.
How to Make Oven Roasted Garlic
Ingredients
- One or more whole heads of garlic
- extra virgin olive oil Generous Pour
- kosher sea salt
- fresh red and/or black cracked pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (205° C). (A toaster oven works great for this.)
- Peel and discard the loose papery outer layers of the whole garlic bulb.
- Using a sharp knife, cut 1/4 to a 1/2 inch from the top of cloves, exposing the individual cloves of garlic.
- Place the garlic on a large square of heavy-duty aluminum foil, enough to be able to wrap the head fully.
- Drizzle with olive oil: Drizzle a generous pour of extra virgin olive oil over each exposed head, using your fingers to rub the olive oil over all the cut, exposed garlic cloves.
- Sprinkle with Kosher Sea Salt and Fresh Red or Black Cracked Pepper.
- Wrap head with the foil it’s sitting in, place in a ceramic baking dish or garlic roaster as pictured.
- Bake at 400°F/205°C for 50-60 minutes, or until the cloves are lightly browned and soft when squeezed.
- Cool and remove roasted garlic cloves from their skins: Allow the garlic to cool enough so you can touch it without burning yourself. Slip cloves out of their skins, carefully, with a sharp knife or squeeze out with your fingers.
Notes
- Prep times are approximate.
- Store Oven Roasted Garlic in an airtight container, covered with extra virgin olive oil. Keep the oil-packed cloves in the refrigerator up to a week.
- To freeze cloves, spread out on a baking tray and place into the freezer. After they freeze, store in a sealed zip bag or container up to 6 months.
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Step Into My Kitchen!
Hey there, fellow food enthusiast! Welcome to Mean Green Chef, where every dish tells a story and every recipe is a labor of love. I’m thrilled to share a bit about myself and the journey that led me here, stirring pots and sprinkling spices for over three decades!
I have made this many times exactly like this! I can attest to its deliciousness! And it is to easy! I pop the cloves into our salads and people always ask what that flavor is. It is so subtle and sweet. They love it!
They do make such a great addition to so many dishes, it’s amazing how roasting creates such sweetness! Thank you for visiting, Tricia! 🙂