Description
Roasted garlic elevates this super-creamy recipe with rich, mellow flavor. Garlic heads caramelize slowly, releasing sweet notes that complement countless dishes, and home cooks can easily freeze portions for future culinary adventures.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 bulbs garlic
- 3–4 tablespoons (tbsps) olive oil
- salt (to taste)
- pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare oven to 375°F, positioning rack in middle to ensure even roasting of garlic bulbs.
- Using a sharp knife, carefully trim the top portion of each garlic bulb, exposing the individual clove tips by cutting approximately ¼ to ½ inch from the peak.
- Arrange trimmed garlic bulbs on a rimmed baking sheet with cut sides facing upward, creating a stable roasting surface.
- Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the exposed garlic cloves, ensuring even coverage, then sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper for enhanced flavor.
- Completely seal the baking sheet with aluminum foil, creating a steamy environment that will help soften and caramelize the garlic during roasting.
- Roast in preheated oven for 40-60 minutes, checking tenderness by piercing center cloves with a toothpick; garlic should be golden brown and extremely soft when fully cooked.
- Remove from oven and allow garlic to cool for 10-15 minutes, which helps prevent burning and makes squeezing out cloves easier.
- Gently squeeze roasted garlic cloves from their papery skins, using a small spoon or paring knife to assist if needed.
- For long-term storage, spread individual cloves on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a sealed freezer bag.
- Alternatively, mash roasted garlic and portion into ice cube trays, freezing for convenient future use in cooking and meal preparation.
Notes
- Roast garlic at a consistent temperature to ensure even caramelization and rich, sweet flavor development.
- Choose fresh, firm garlic bulbs with tight, unbroken skin for the best roasting results.
- Drizzle olive oil generously to help garlic cloves soften and prevent burning during roasting.
- Check garlic frequently during the last 10-15 minutes to avoid over-browning, which can create bitter taste.
- Let roasted garlic cool completely before handling to prevent burns and make squeezing easier.
- Freeze roasted garlic in individual portions for convenient future use in sauces, spreads, or marinades.
- Store frozen garlic cubes or whole cloves in airtight containers for up to 3 months without losing flavor intensity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 40 kcal
- Sugar: 0.1 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 4.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 0.8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg