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    Home » Recipes » Green Kitchen

    Preserving Garlic

    Published: Jul 21, 2017 · Updated: Jul 15, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Preserving garlic by any method is not a substitute for fresh, but it does have its own charms and advantages, especially if you grow it yourself and have a bumper crop!

    Here we'll explore how to preserve garlic: freezing, drying, garlic vinegar, garlic salt, garlic oil, and refrigerator garlic pickles. 

    Different methods of preserving garlic lend themselves to their own culinary uses, so explore them all and see which ones best suit your needs. There are six excellent methods for preserving garlic.

    garlic cloves
    Jump to:
    • Freezing Garlic
    • Drying Garlic
    • Garlic Vinegar
    • Garlic Salt
    • Garlic Oil
    • Refrigerator Garlic Pickles
    • Comments

    Before we examine the specific preservation methods, I want to emphasize that preserving garlic in oil is not safe unless the garlic oil is frozen.

    Garlic is a low-acid food and oil provides an oxygen-free environment, a combination that allows the growth of the bacteria Clostridium botulism, which causes botulism.

    However, if you follow the methods in this article for freezing garlic-and-oil mixtures and keep them frozen until needed, it is safe.

    Here are a few useful gadgets for garlic lovers, that will help with peeling, mincing, storage, and the like:

    • Tube-Shaped Silicone Garlic Peeler
    • NexTrend 3rd Generation Clear Garlic Twist
    • Norpro Large Garlic Baker
    • Norpro 5-Inch Ceramic Garlic Keeper
    • OXO Steel Garlic Press, Stainless
    Fresh garlic

    Freezing Garlic

    Perhaps the easiest way to preserve garlic is to freeze it. Just peel the cloves and place them in freezer bags in the freezer. Easier yet, simply place the unpeeled garlic in freezer bags and remove as needed.

    With both these methods, the cloves become a little mushy when they are thawed, but their flavor remains good.

    Another method for freezing garlic is to chop it and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. With this method, you can simply grate or break off small amounts of chopped garlic as needed, which is helpful for cooks who often must quickly throw a meal together.

    You can also freeze garlic that has been pureed in oil. This is nice because the oil keeps the mixture from freezing solid and it can be spooned out as needed, another help for busy cooks.

    To make frozen garlic oil puree, place one part peeled garlic cloves in a blender or food processor along with two parts olive oil. Puree the mixture, then immediately transfer it to a freezer container. Cover the container and place it in the freezer.

    Do not store the garlic oil puree at room temperature or in the refrigerator because the mixture can support the growth of Clostridium botulism bacteria.

    Drying Garlic

    Peel the garlic, making sure to discard any bruised or damaged cloves. Cut the cloves in half lengthwise, place them in an electric food dehydrator, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for drying. (This Hamilton Beach dehydrator is a good, inexpensive option.)

    If you do not have a food dehydrator, you can dry the garlic in your oven. Make drying racks by stretching cheesecloth over the oven racks and securing it with toothpicks. Place the garlic on the racks and turn the oven to 140 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours, then lower it to 130 degrees until the garlic is completely dry and crisp.

    Garlic Vinegar

    To make garlic vinegar, take a bottle of white or red wine vinegar and drop in either whole or chopped garlic. Use as much garlic as you wish, as long as it is completely submerged in the vinegar.

    Store your garlic vinegar in the refrigerator and use both the vinegar and the garlic in salad dressings or any dish that calls for both vinegar and garlic.

    Garlic vinegar will keep, refrigerated, for about four months. If mold develops, discard the mixture.

    Garlic Salt

    Place dried garlic in a blender and process it until it turns to powder. Add four parts sea salt for each one part garlic powder and process for just a second or two to combine the two ingredients.

    Do not process the garlic salt too long because it will cake. Store the garlic salt in an airtight glass jar.

    Garlic Oil

    Fresh garlic and oil are a dangerous combination if left at room temperature. Because of garlic’s low acidity and oil’s lack of oxygen, they can cause botulism toxin to develop. However, peeled cloves of garlic can be added to oil and stored in the freezer for several months.

    Commercially prepared garlic in oil contains a preservative to increase the acidity of the mixture and keep it safe. To make garlic-flavored oil at home, add dehydrated garlic to olive oil in a wide mouth jar, screw on the lid, and place the jar in the refrigerator.

    If the olive oil turns solid, just spoon it out. Be careful, however, to always use a dry spoon.

    Refrigerator Garlic Pickles

    Loosely fill a glass jar with peeled garlic cloves. Add enough red or white wine vinegar to cover the garlic and then add about one tablespoon of sea salt per cup of vinegar.

    Dried (not fresh) herbs such as red pepper flakes, bay leaves, and oregano may be added to taste.

    Cover the jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake to distribute the salt and herbs. Refrigerator garlic pickles will keep almost indefinitely in the refrigerator, as long as the garlic remains submerged in the vinegar.

    We hope you've enjoyed learning the various methods of how to preserve garlic and welcome more of your comments, below.

    Vicki Chelf is the author of Vicki's Vegan Kitchen* and other healthy cookbooks. Visit her on the web at Vicki's Vegan Kitchen.

    More recipes you may enjoy

    • EWG’s 2018 Dirty Dozen™ and Clean Fifteen™ Produce List
    • How to Grow Fresh Vegetables With Hydroponics All Year Round
    • Benefits of Growing Your Own Vegetables
    • How to Pickle Anything Like a Pro

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sam says

      June 22, 2011 at 10:07 am

      I just came across your site when I was looking up my garlic question. I puree garlic in bulk ( the Sams club size botte) with a little salt, put them in small freezer bags and freeze them to use. Recently I found that the 'frozen' garlic in the freezer remains in a semiliquid form ( soft sticky pulp, not frozen) even when the other items in the freezer are adequately frozen! Why does this happen? Should I be concerned about botulism?

    2. Nava says

      June 22, 2011 at 10:11 am

      Sam, this is a good question. This is a guest article written by another author, so I will ask her to respond here as soon as she can. Thanks for stopping by!

    3. Victoria Renoux says

      June 22, 2011 at 10:56 am

      Hi Sam,
      I believe it is probably the salt that keeps the garlic from being frozen hard. Think of the salt sprinkled over icy roads in wintertime to melt the ice. Salt is a preservative, and the freezer is obviously cold enough to freeze other foods, so it feels safe to me, but I am a cook, not a scientist.

    4. Sam says

      June 22, 2011 at 2:17 pm

      Thanks Nava and Victoria for your replies. I have cooked with this garlic and had no issues ( medically), though my food gets thoroughly cooked when spiced with garlic!

    5. Emily says

      June 26, 2011 at 10:40 am

      I would think that garlic could be refrigerated (or home canned) in citric acid and water. I mixed 1 t. of citric acid in 8 oz. of water and using a pH strip, it registered a solid 1 which is extremely acidic. What does everyone think of this? Would it work?

    6. Richard W says

      June 27, 2011 at 4:34 pm

      Emily,
      Re: Canning garlic and acidity.
      I suggest that you look up UC (University) of Davis "preserving garlic"- it explains that it it EXTREMELY difficult to home can garlic.

    7. Emily says

      June 27, 2011 at 8:37 pm

      I decided against the home canning method and am keeping it at 33 degrees with a pH of 1. I have the pH strips and am adding citric acid as needed to keep it at this extremely acid level. I just can't stand the idea of wine flavored or vinegar flavored garlic...but a "lemony" favor is far less objectionable. If I'm still alive in 6 months we'll know it's effective!

    8. Judith Smith says

      August 21, 2011 at 5:34 pm

      I have been chopping homegrown garlic and covering with EVOO then storing in fridge for use. We usually use it in a week or two and I repeat the process with fresh garlic from our stored heads, as the jar gets empty. We spoon it out of jar, oil and garlic together for use. Am I putting my family at risk doing this?

    9. Nava says

      August 21, 2011 at 10:27 pm

      Judith, I'm not the garlic expert, so I'll get the author of this article to answer your question. Stay tuned...

    10. Victoria Renoux says

      August 24, 2011 at 5:30 pm

      Hi Judith,

      I think if it is in the refrigerator, and used quickly it may be ok, but frankly, I wouldn't take the risk. Why not add some salt, and vinegar, or place it in the freezer? It will not freeze solid, and not be much different than in the fridge.

    11. mike says

      August 26, 2011 at 10:43 am

      hi
      i live in mijas publo southern spain
      most restaurants in this part of spain
      just put olive oil and garlic in bottles and leave it on the tables at room temperature (can be +35c) untill it is used
      i am sure this is not safe but after 12 years i have never heard of any problems!!

    12. John Cowan says

      November 16, 2011 at 9:30 pm

      Hullo all,

      Have just harvested & dried this year's garlic crop (South Coast NSW) & am currently plaiting like a madman! However I will have lots left over that is not suitable suitable for plaiting & therefore will be looking to preserve some for that short period of each year between the old lot sprouting - Septemberish - & harvesting the next crop - mid to late Novemberish. Has anyone tried preserving peeled garlic cloves in brine? Did it work? What proprtion of salt?

      John.

    13. Nava says

      December 02, 2011 at 6:17 pm

      John, sorry for the delayed response. I've just gotten so behind on responding this month. I'll contact the author of this post and see if she can weigh in on your question of preserving garlic cloves in brine. Stay tuned ...

    14. Emily says

      December 26, 2011 at 10:24 am

      Well...it's been 7 months and I'm still alive. The best method I've found is indeed using citric acid and maintaining the pH of 1 in plain water refrigerated. The garlic remains firm and the perfect color. Unfortunately I just ran out...so next May I will have to put up a half gallon instead of a quart. It held it's flavor perfectly and was much better than any store bought. Runs a close second to fresh.

    15. Kris Graham says

      March 10, 2012 at 7:28 pm

      can someone give me the recipe for using citric acid and water? I have a lot of peeled garlic that I thought I was going to cook, but I know that I will never finish it all.

      thanks KGraham

    16. Linda says

      October 02, 2012 at 2:48 pm

      Even better than pickling is to culture the garlic cloves (like traditional saurkraut, with whey from yogurt or other culture medium). It is a very old and more nutritious way of preservation. Needs refrigeration after fermentation.

    17. Barb says

      December 02, 2012 at 6:49 am

      I saute garlic in olive oil and then put in jar with more olive oil and refrigerate. How does this sound?

    18. Nava says

      December 03, 2012 at 10:32 pm

      Barb, this sounds really good and delicious, though I have no idea how long this would last. Likely it would be used up quickly, as it goes with everything.

    19. MARTHA says

      December 22, 2012 at 1:17 pm

      I placed a lot of peeled garlic in a glass jar with olive oil covering it in the refrigerator for about a couple weeks now. I just looked up how to preseve garlic. I'm afraid to use it now. Will it still be good if it has been in the refrigerator with only the oil?

    20. Nava says

      December 22, 2012 at 1:22 pm

      Martha, since it has only been a couple of weeks, and refrigerated, it should be OK, though this method is specified more for freezing. I can't say, though, with 100% certainty, so if you feel uneasy about it, don't use them.

    21. Leonardo says

      January 04, 2013 at 3:28 am

      Hello,
      Thank you very much for this list of methods. I found it very helpfull. Just one point that might be improved... Botulism is caused by Clostridium botulinum (not by C. butulism).
      Thanks again
      Leonardo

    22. Nava says

      January 04, 2013 at 6:44 am

      Thanks for this valuable information, Leonardo.

    23. sandiepac says

      January 28, 2013 at 3:18 pm

      Yesterday just made a larger than normal batch minced garlic and covered in olive/sunflower oil and refrigerated to give to some friends. After reading, now nervous,should I recall? Can I now add salt or vinegar or both to the refrigerated batch at this stage and still use?

    24. Nava says

      January 28, 2013 at 3:50 pm

      Hello — why don't you advise your friends to use this batch within a week, and if it is too much to use in such a short time, to freeze small portions. This should be fine.

    25. Ralph says

      February 02, 2013 at 4:36 pm

      I noticed that supermarkets have garlic in jars that seem to be in water,and they are on the store shelves.how sre these preserved, they seem to have a really fresh flavor.
      Thank you

    26. Nava says

      February 03, 2013 at 9:02 am

      Hi Ralph — the garlic in jars in supermarkets has some sort of preservative to keep it fresh. One that is used is phosphoric acid, the same ingredient that's used in cola drinks. While it's probably safe in minute amounts, phosphoric acid is not considered a healthy ingredient and too much can lead to side effects. Before you consider buying, see what is used as a preservative and do a quick search on it!

    27. Cheryl says

      March 05, 2013 at 10:03 pm

      I'm addicted to garlic stuffed olives.I realized I like the garlic better than the olives. Would it work to buy cheap bottled olives and put the garlic in the olive brine? Would it work for pickles too? Should I heat the brine? Blanch the garlic? Any ideas.

      Also, the place I buy the stuffed olives has gotten rid of the brine & covered in olive oil. After reading about not storing garlic & olive oil is this olive garlic & olive oil combo safe?

    28. naomi chumo says

      May 09, 2013 at 4:42 am

      thank you guys for all your comments. They are all very informative

    29. Debbie says

      May 10, 2013 at 4:48 pm

      Hello, what about lacto fermentation. Myself and others in our off grid community have been lacto fermenting a lot of our veggies as we believe it is excellent for our stomachs. We put 2 tablespoons sea salt to one quart of water . This works well. You can do a search to find wonderful recipes.

    30. joyce says

      May 15, 2013 at 7:16 am

      how long can u preserve garlic bn it in oil, salt or vinegar

    31. Nava says

      May 15, 2013 at 11:19 am

      Debbie, sorry for the lag in approving your comment, it went under my radar. Thank you so much for this suggestion, which sounds very simple and effective.

    32. Nava says

      May 15, 2013 at 11:19 am

      Joyce, can you clarify your question? It's hard to understand what you mean. Thanks!

    33. Wyatt says

      June 20, 2013 at 1:44 pm

      When freezing garlic, how long can it be kept in the freezer?

    34. Mel says

      June 22, 2013 at 9:16 am

      Where can I find ph test strips thta measure to a 1. most start at 4.5?

    35. Nava says

      June 22, 2013 at 11:55 am

      Hi Mel -- Amazon has a bunch of choices, though I wouldn't know which to recommend: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ph+test+strips

    36. Nava says

      June 22, 2013 at 11:57 am

      Wyatt, this is a really good question, but I couldn't find a straight answer (and I couldn't reach the author of this article). Like all fresh foods, probably the sooner used, the better. My semi-educated guess is 1 to 3 months. If you find anything more specific, can you come back and post it here? Thanks!

    37. Eve says

      July 19, 2013 at 5:32 pm

      I am roasting my garlic cloves drizzled with EVOO and sprinkled with salt and pepper. Can I freeze them when cooled for later use in dishes?

    38. Lorna says

      July 20, 2013 at 7:27 am

      I have harvested a lot of garlic this summer and have read all the above comments on preserving, I am going to try the puree and oil method and freeze in ice cube trays so I can pop a small or large amount straight into my cooking, I have in the past simply put the garlic into olive oil with peppers and herbs, but will stop this method now.

    39. Nava says

      July 21, 2013 at 1:16 pm

      Eve, this sounds like a good way to store garlic in the freezer. Just make sure that there is as little air as possible in your container. My best guess it that these will keep well like this for 3 months.

    40. Nava says

      July 21, 2013 at 1:18 pm

      Lorna, this sounds like a good plan; as I said in the comment above to Eve, just make sure that you cover this in such a way that there is as little air as possible, and that no air can get in, to avoid freezer burn.

    41. mick says

      November 30, 2013 at 4:20 am

      Hi all I am going to try several methods of preserving garlic as has been described but will vacuum pack for the fridge and freezer methods.

    42. Green Thumbalina says

      December 04, 2013 at 6:03 am

      After peeling my freshly harvested garlic and then minceing, it was placed in a steralized jar and put in the fridge, no salt, no oil..... I used this very large jar of garlic, over a period of 18 months, whenever fresh cloves were not available, this was always used cooked in dishes. All members of the family and visitors alike are still alive and very healthy....

    43. Azul says

      January 13, 2014 at 4:00 pm

      I am almost 40. My whole life I saw my mom and aunts buying garlic by bulk and making into puree with canola oil. Then put it into a glass container and stored in the refrigerator. I am doing the same but using EVOO instead the canola. We all are very alive and healthy. I am not saying it is the right thing to do, I j ust wanted you guys to know it.

    44. philip litrel says

      January 15, 2014 at 3:19 am

      After experimenting with most of the mentioned methods of preserving garlic I have ended up just roasting fresh peeled cloves with evoo and salt & pepper and refrigerating. When I need garlic just a quick chop and and then used in any application. I find that the previously roasted has a sweeter taste and lacks the bitter bite that I get ( usually just the smell) sometimes when sauteing fresh uncooked garlic. So I buy bulk peeled garlic (US grown only) and roast and refrigerate for future use Garlic is GREAT!

    45. GEORGE WASHINGTON LR says

      February 28, 2014 at 2:27 pm

      I have a large jar of granulated garlic which I cannot use all at once.to keep it I am thinking about putting it in storage bags as I have a food saver and I can get the air out of the bags---will that work geneorge

    46. Nava says

      February 28, 2014 at 2:33 pm

      That would probably work … might be good to store in small portions in the freezer.

    47. Bj says

      March 24, 2014 at 10:15 pm

      I had a very good batch of pickled garlic! I finished it but now i put raw garlin in the pickle juice! Will this be ok?

    48. Nava says

      March 24, 2014 at 10:27 pm

      That should be fin, BJ - I almost always re-use pickle juice for at least one more batch of something or another.

    49. nikolas says

      April 07, 2014 at 4:36 am

      Lacto fermentation is the best way to store foods and was used for millenia around the world till big business came along and wanted us under their control so they can bleed our bank accounts if we just rely on them and their unhealthy products that is dead food, lacto fermented food is living and our bodies just love it.
      My grand mother did this to all her vegetables and lived over 100 years in health.

    50. Cheryl Smith says

      June 22, 2014 at 10:01 pm

      I keep ginger in the refrigerator in a small jar of soy sauce. Wouldn't this work for garlic as well? Thank you!

    51. Nava says

      June 22, 2014 at 10:09 pm

      Cheryl, I suppose that the salt in the soy sauce would be a means of preserving garlic (especially for those who don't need to avoid sodium!) but I have no experience with this. Let us know if this works for you, and perhaps someone else will weigh in as well.

    52. Barbra says

      July 18, 2014 at 10:14 pm

      Helpful article, totally what I was looking for.

    53. Diana says

      July 19, 2014 at 7:30 pm

      I've seen lots of articles about drying different things in your oven, but in my 50 years, I've never seen an oven that you can set below 170, so why all these articles about setting ovens to 130 and below? Ridiculous.

    54. Lewis says

      August 01, 2014 at 4:42 pm

      What sort of oven have you got? Our Neff oven starts at 50.

    55. Diane says

      August 03, 2014 at 1:08 am

      Hi there
      Does anyone have any ideas/experience with preserving roasted garlic??? Might sound odd, but I have replaced mashed potatoes with cauliflower mash (aka cauli-rice or faux-tatoes) and my recipe says to flavour it with roasted garlic. I tried fresh garlic and as much as I love garlic - ew - it's way too intense and oniony tasting. I don't want to have to turn the oven on to roast a few cloves of garlic each time I want that flavour so I'm looking for bright ideas.

    56. Merle says

      September 13, 2014 at 5:24 pm

      I just roast as many cloves as I want, push them out of their jackets, mash them. Using a cookie sheet or cardboard, Put tbsp of the mashed, roasted garlic on plastic wrap. I leave an inch between the mounds. Put another piece over the mounds. Put in freezer. When frozen, remove the mounds from the cookie sheet. Fold them up. Put in a quart freezer bag & take out as much or as little as you need.

    57. lenna says

      October 06, 2014 at 4:59 pm

      Our new oven has a dehydrate setting I wanted
      To make that clear for (PM) so no it's not rediculous:)

    58. Barbara says

      October 12, 2014 at 8:23 am

      Is it safe to freeze and store roasted garlic with no oil?

    59. Cheryl says

      October 19, 2014 at 10:33 am

      Thank you so very much for all your wonderful ways of preserving garlic! I have a huge bowl of the cloves we grew this year in the garden that I must preserve! Thank You!

    60. em says

      October 19, 2014 at 8:28 pm

      my ancient Jenn-Arie has a "warm" setting,and I checked it with an Oven thermometer I can keep it consistently at several temps (my choice) below 170, and dry even a bit quicker if I prop the door open with a wooden spoon . I use a sliding metal window screen and dry tons of stuff,peppers, herbs, kale, celery, turnips, etc beautifully!

    61. Tweet says

      November 09, 2014 at 6:24 pm

      This may seem like a completely ignorant question but could someone please further explain the ratio of garlic to oil? I have a large amount of garlic that I want to puree with EVOO. If I used 1 cup of garlic would I use 2 cups of oil? Any help would be appreciated. Sincerely, a novice cook.

    62. KT says

      November 17, 2014 at 8:36 am

      Love these ideas , just wanted to say thank you for all your work and knowledge and also for sharing this . I tried the dehydrating in my oven and it was perfect . I used wooden clothes pins to keep the cloth on the rack . My oven is digital so I can set it at any temp . My older dial setting oven wouldn't , thank u again . I found some garlic regrowing itself in the bag so I've planted those in the house . Soon I'll have fresh garlic again ,

    63. Thora says

      December 08, 2014 at 3:53 pm

      I have always made olive oil flavoured with garlic or roasted garlic. Provided you do NOT leave the garlic in the oil, you can store it at room temp. I make it by warming oil on low, and dropping the bulb of garlic in it. When the bulb is golden (for fresh garlic) or darker (for roasted garlic), I take it out (do not let it burn). Let the oil cool and pour into sterilized bottles. The remaining oil will keep as long as any other olive oil.

    64. John says

      December 12, 2014 at 1:30 am

      Diane,to roast a few cloves without turning on the oven simple toss the unpeeled cloves into a skillet over medium heat on the stove for 10 to 15 minutes turning often till the skins start to blacken. Peel and mash.

    65. Randall Sieunath says

      January 20, 2015 at 3:08 pm

      Hello I am trying to package garlic for resale how do I prevent the peeled garlic from turning blue/green. Is there a preservative that I can use similar to sodium benzoate to help preserve it, Need to know urgently thanks.

    66. Pat says

      February 19, 2015 at 7:22 pm

      I have a recipe for Lebanese Garlic Sauce and it states that the recipe, which makes 2 cups will keep in the refrigerator for one month. I see that there are many recipes on the web when I google it and they all do not say anything about this garlic sauce being unsafe. Do you have any advice on this issue?

    67. Nava says

      February 19, 2015 at 8:06 pm

      Pat, I feel like this is out of my realm of expertise. Unless there is some preserving agent in the sauce, like vinegar or lemon, you may want to freeze it in small portions and thaw one small portion at a time to use.

    68. Ken says

      March 28, 2015 at 8:48 am

      Regarding the temperature for drying garlic and why it needs to be lower than most ovens can cope with I read an article that explained that the essential oils of garlic change above 140 degrees and you lose most of the goodness of garlic. Technnically crushing or chopping garlic releases an enzyme called alliinase that catalyzes the formation of allicin. Allicin rapidly breaks down to form a variety of organosulfur compounds. Use of microwaves or temperatures above 140 degrees prevents this chemical reaction so the goodness is not created. Incidentally moistening your dried garlic powder in a little water before cooking will result in greater production of allicin. So if you don't own a dehydrator and your oven's lowest temp is 170 like mine then wait for a cool day (so you can reap the benefits) and leave the oven door open a bit to keep the temp at less than 140

    69. Cheryl says

      May 17, 2015 at 6:19 pm

      I LOVE garlic stuffed olives. Actually I Love the garlic from the olives. Does anyone know if its possible to use the brine from olives to pickle or preserve garlic? has anyone tried it?

    70. Mary says

      June 27, 2015 at 7:36 am

      both my electric oven and wood burning range can be used to dry garlic. The oven starts at 50 deg and with the range if you wait until the fire is low and leave the oven door slightly ajar, all your herbs, fruits, veg etc are dried by morning and retain their colour.

    71. gene prepchuk says

      June 28, 2015 at 8:28 pm

      can I freeze peeled garlic whole

      thanks for your time and answer

    72. jef eatchel says

      August 18, 2015 at 4:50 pm

      can you store garlic shallots and black pepper in wine

    73. Nava says

      August 19, 2015 at 7:48 am

      Jef, this would probably be good for a few days in the fridge, but beyond that, I'm not sure how long it will last.

    74. Nava says

      August 23, 2015 at 11:50 pm

      Jef, this is a good question but I'm not sure of the answer. I'd think it could be stored like this in the fridge for a week or so, or in the freezer for a few months.

    75. Ann says

      September 29, 2015 at 2:27 am

      Is it safe to freeze and store roasted garlic with no oil? This was asked by Barbara but got no response.

    76. Althea says

      September 29, 2015 at 11:10 am

      I want to know when preserving garlic, whether in oil or vinegar - do you have to heat/boil the oil/vinegar and then cool
      it down. Thanks

    77. Nava says

      October 01, 2015 at 11:57 am

      Althea, I don't think it's necessary to boil vinegar or oil. Just use as is.

    78. Nava says

      October 01, 2015 at 12:01 pm

      Hi Ann -- it seems like it's actually safer to store garlic in the freezer with no oil. Here's a full article on the oil/no oil technique and how to avoid the risk of botulism! http://www.hgtvgardens.com/freezing/can-you-freeze-garlic-cloves

    79. Lynette says

      February 22, 2016 at 12:24 am

      Thanks lots for this. Had all the detail I wanted and also stopped me from possibly poisoning myself and family. Well done

    80. Jim Koehler says

      March 11, 2016 at 10:45 am

      Hello!
      Very nice site you have here...
      ...keep up the good work!

      If the cloves acquire a bluish tinge while in Rice Wine vinegar after a week, what does that condition indicate?

      Tnx...
      ...Jim

    81. Nava says

      March 11, 2016 at 1:04 pm

      Jim, I would be suspect of garlic that acquires a bluish tinge ... not sure exactly what that means, but it doesn't sound good!

    82. Jim Koehler says

      March 12, 2016 at 1:53 pm

      Good advice....
      However, I'm going to let it stand and see what happens.
      Wish me luck!
      (noooo...I'm not going to ingest it!)

      ...Jim

    83. Philip Litrel says

      March 17, 2016 at 3:57 pm

      what about preserving garlic in soy sauce??
      and how?

    84. Nava says

      March 18, 2016 at 11:40 am

      Philip, that's an interesting idea, as soy sauce is so salty, but unfortunately we haven't tried this, so can't say if it works or if it's safe to do. Maybe experiment with a few cloves and see what happens after a few weeks?

    85. Larry W Mayes says

      April 18, 2016 at 10:42 pm

      While my daughter avoids garlic like a vampire, I would eat it in place of Halloween candy. I would prefer a Balsamic vinegar for storage in my refrigerator. Attributing garlic to great cholesterol numbers, does this seem reasonable from a guy who fries up bologna for an occasional sandwich?

    86. Alvin says

      May 20, 2016 at 11:34 pm

      Hi, Does anyone knows how to store Chili Garlic Sauce? and how to prolong shelf life? i prepare my very own chili garlic sauce.

    87. birdie says

      July 02, 2016 at 1:38 pm

      What is the shelf life for keeping garlic in the freezer?

    88. Rutledge says

      August 27, 2016 at 4:53 pm

      Discolored Garlic

      Garlic contains sulfur compounds which can react with copper to form copper sulfate, a blue or blue-green compound. The amount of copper needed for this reaction is very small and is frequently found in normal water supplies.

      Garlic Can Turn Blue
      Raw garlic contains an enzyme that if not inactivated by heating reacts with trace amounts of sulfur in the garlic and copper from water or utensils to form blue copper sulfate. The garlic is still safe to eat.

    89. Lamont says

      December 03, 2016 at 9:07 pm

      I don't know if anyone else has done this but I pack peeled garlic in jars and then heat honey and pour over to top. screw on lid and then refrigerate for 6 months or longer.

      garlic flavor and water go into solution and garlic absorbs sweetness. yummy honey is oerfect preservative.

    90. Cheryl says

      December 06, 2016 at 11:59 am

      I have a recipe for preserving garlic handed down from generations must be ok as no one has been harmed yet
      1/2 lb. garlic cloves
      2 cups vinegar (pickling or distilled)
      2/3 cup sugar
      1 tsp. kosher or pickling salt
      red pepper flakes
      1/2 tsp. mustard seeds and 1/2 tsp. celery seeds
      place seeds in a cheese cloth bag tied
      bring vinegar sugar salt and seed bag to a boil place pepper flakes into sterile jars fill with garlic cloves remove and discard the seed bag cover the garlic with the vinegar seal and store in pantry

    91. Nava says

      December 06, 2016 at 12:39 pm

      This sounds wonderful, thanks!

    92. Jeannette says

      December 20, 2016 at 6:51 pm

      I put garlic in white vinegar for a week. Went to use them they turned green???????are they still good???????

    93. Jim Koehler says

      January 24, 2017 at 12:49 pm

      Jeanette?....See post #30

      ...Jim

    94. Lita Watson says

      June 18, 2017 at 8:59 pm

      I think that if we preserve the garlic with boiled vinegar and cloves peeled, it can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a year.

    95. Yael Tamar says

      July 24, 2017 at 8:45 am

      What a fantastic ideas!! I go through so much garlic, so all of these would be great to give a try. Thanks for sharing!

    96. Dee Turner says

      January 10, 2021 at 3:59 pm

      U.C. Davis recommends 1tablespoon of citric acid in 2 cups of warm water (otherwise the crystals won't dissolve), added to 2/3 cup of chopped garlic. I put this in the fridge and have used it for up to two months with no adverse effects. I do drain the liquid from the garlic just prior to use.

    97. Bonnie Boudreaux says

      July 13, 2021 at 2:22 pm

      My method for peeling fresh garlic:
      Put whole pod of garlic in plastic bag, I bought a rubber mallet (hammer just smashed too much cloves). I then add garlic pods to very hot tap water for about 10-15 minutes, after time, I cut root end first, and 98% of the time garlic peeling just EASILY sides off. Excellent way for me, especially since I use lots of garlic in my cooking.

    98. Rosslyn says

      July 15, 2021 at 2:30 am

      Hi
      I know I can preserve ginger in cooking cherry
      Can I do the same for garlic and turmeric
      Would be interesting

    99. Nubia Cree says

      July 26, 2021 at 7:30 pm

      Up up up, good

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