How to Freeze Garlic in 4 Easy Steps

Garlic is a staple ingredient in nearly every savory dish, so it makes sense to always have some on hand. But if you don't use a whole head before it goes bad or even if you have a major surplus, freezing is the best way to keep it on hand.

Not only does it keep the garlic from going bad as quickly, but it's the speedy cook's best friend no more time spent peeling and chopping. It's perfect for meal prepping or when you just want to get dinner on the table now.

How to Freeze Whole Garlic Cloves

1. Separate cloves from the bulb and peel each clove

2. With a paring knife, carefully remove the brown stem end of the garlic.

3. Scatter cloves on a parchment or silicone-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Place baking sheet in the freezer and freeze garlic until frozen solid, about three hours or overnight.

4. Once the garlic is fully frozen, funnel the cloves into a zip-top bag. Label the bag and date it.

How to Freeze Minced Garlic or Garlic Paste

1. Separate cloves from the bulb and peel each clove

2. If you have a food processor, put all the cloves into the bowl of the food processor and pulse until the garlic is minced or made into a thick paste. Stop and scrape down the sides after every few pulses so the garlic is evenly minced.

3. Using a rubber spatula, scrape the garlic into a bowl.

4. From here, you can freeze your garlic in ice cube trays. Or, if you don't have an extra ice cube tray, use a teaspoon to scoop portions of garlic onto a parchment or silicone-lined baking sheet. Freeze the portions until frozen solid, or about three hours. Then, place the portions into a zip-top bag with a label and date.

How to Use Frozen Garlic

You may have noticed that all your favorite savory recipes call for a few garlic cloves, so start there! Minced garlic can be added to your pan straight from the freezer; no need to defrost it first. The same goes for whole cloves if you plan to keep them whole in the recipe like you would for garlic-roasted potatoes.

Use your garlic press and make something with garlic to freeze. For example, keep it simple with delicious garlic compound butter to melt over steak and roasted veggies. Or simply toss portions of frozen minced garlic in the pan whenever you start to saute veggies or meat for stir fry. It's also super handy for soups, marinades for meat, and especially slurpable garlic pasta and noodles.

FAQs About Freezing Garlic

How long does garlic last in the freezer?

Following the above directions, your garlic should last about six months in the freezer. However, try to use it in three to four months to get the best flavor and texture.

Does it taste different?

There is little to no flavor difference between fresh and frozen garlic. You may notice it has less of that sharp, spicy bite that raw garlic can have, but overall the flavor is very similar. When mixed into your favorite dishes, you won't be able to tell the difference.

Is the texture the same as fresh garlic?

Freezing items like fruit and vegetables with high water content can change the texture. This is because the water inside the produce swells as it freezes, and the ice crystals can rupture the pockets where water used to be.

Because of this, frozen garlic loses some of its crunchy texture and is softer than its fresh counterpart. The good news is, once it's cooked, the difference in texture is nearly unnoticeable.

Can I use pre-peeled garlic?

Pre-peeled garlic is a great way to reduce the time and labor that freezing garlic requires. Just make sure there are no green sprouts and cut off the brown stem end if your garlic still has that.

Related:

• How to Store Garlic So It Stays Fresh
• 100 Recipes for Garlic Lovers
• Recipes That Prove Garlic Butter Makes Everything Better