How to freeze garlic cloves

Freezing garlic in bulk every 3-4 months makes it easy to have on hand to throw in recipes when you’re in a pinch. Yes, frozen garlic won’t have the crunchy texture of fresh garlic. But the flavor definitely stays strong and robust, and it’s way better than the jarred garlic you would find at the grocery store.

Chop garlic, wrap it tightly in a plastic freezer bag or in plastic wrap, and freeze. To use, grate or break off the amount needed. 2. Place garlic bulbs or cloves (peeled or unpeeled) in a freezer bag or container and freeze; remove cloves as needed.

Just separate the cloves, but don’t peel them. Put them in a mason jar or other lidded container and freeze them. When you’re ready to use the garlic in a recipe, you can peel and chop as many cloves as you need. Freezing whole garlic cloves changes the texture a bit: they’ll be a little bit spongy once they thaw.

Favor good air circulation

Keep garlic cloves in unpeeled head form in a well ventilated terra cotta garlic cellar at room temperature is ideal for wicking away moisture and keeping it away from your garlic bulbs. Storing garlic in a basket in a dry, dark area with plenty of air circulation is ideal.

Pickled in Vinegar

An easier way is to make refrigerator pickles, which involves nothing more than tossing your peeled garlic cloves into a jar with some salt and vinegar and leaving that in the back of your refrigerator until you run out; they’ll keep indefinitely.

Garlic cloves are best kept either in a cool, dry and dark place or preserved in oil or frozen. If they are stored in the refrigerator, they will deteriorate quickly and grow mold. If you have leftover garlic, mince the garlic, then store refrigerated in an airtight container.

Raw garlic cloves can be safely stored in oil for up to 4 days when refrigerated. Cooked garlic cloves can be safely stored in oil for up to 2 weeks when refrigerated.

Use your frozen garlic as you would fresh garlic. It is actually fairly easy to chop frozen so you do not need to plan for defrosting time. The quality of garlic after it is frozen is not quite as good as it is fresh, but we find it to be better than the jars of garlic cloves you can buy that are already peeled.

Leftover minced or chopped fresh garlic can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container, or zipper lock bag. This refrigerated product will stay fresh for a short amount of time, so be sure to use it as soon as possible. Throw out any extra after a week’s time.