Can You Freeze Garlic (Whole, Peeled, Puree)? [Detailed Guide]

Garlic has a strong flavor and distinctive smell due to allicin.

Allicin is formed after the garlic cloves have been broken or chopped.

Garlic is a great addition to add flavor to everyday foods and recipes.

It can be used as a seasoning or fresh in foods.

So what do you do with all that garlic? Sometimes you end up with more than you know what to do with, but it’s not always easy getting rid of it.

You can’t just throw it away, or you’ll regret it. But there are ways to make sure your garlic doesn’t go to waste.

Many people use garlic in cooking, and a lot of times, they end up with more than they can use for that recipe.

You may have heard of freezing garlic to preserve it. It’s easy to do and, yes, it can be frozen.

You can freeze your garlic whole, in puree form, or peeled.

In this article, we will guide you through the garlic freezing process and give you several tips to make sure your frozen garlic lasts a long time.

Does Freezing Affect Garlic?

Some information on freezing fresh vegetables, fruits, and meat is readily available.

However, not a lot of people know how to freeze garlic.

This may be because it has such a long shelf life at room temperature.

Since it can last for so long without refrigeration, people don’t think freezing it would do anything.

But did you know freezing garlic can do a lot more than just make it last longer?

The truth is that freezing garlic does maintain the taste and smell, but it’s also a great way to add garlic flavor to your foods without using fresh garlic.

For example, you can use frozen garlic to make soups and stews that don’t already have garlic in them.

Or mix the frozen cloves with mayonnaise or butter for an easy spread on bread, or use them to make garlic butter.

And, of course, you can fry your frozen cloves with some olive oil, and they’ll taste great.

How to Freeze Garlic (Whole and Peeled)?

Preparing your garlic for freezing is easy.

If you’re a beginner in the kitchen, we recommend purchasing fresh garlic from the grocery store and using it right away.

It’s better to learn how to freeze garlic before tackling something more advanced.

Freezing Whole Garlic Bulbs

Wrap each bulb individually with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. You can also place them in a freezer bag or airtight container.

Label and date the packages before sticking them in the freezer. Frozen garlic will last for 6 to 8 months, so you shouldn’t have any trouble using it all up.

Freezing Garlic Cloves (Peeled)

Place the peeled cloves in a plastic freezer bag or container.

You can also leave the cloves in their original wrapping if you have enough containers to hold all of them—label and date the packages before placing them in your freezer.

Frozen garlic will last for 6-8 months, so you should be able to use it up within that period.

How to Freeze Garlic Puree?

Garlic puree can be frozen for longer periods, and it also has a better texture.

It’s often used as an ingredient in other foods, so you can mix it with mayonnaise or spoonfuls of butter to spread on bread or use it in cooking.

Put the cloves into a food processor. Process them until they’re ground to a fine consistency.

Garlic puree can be frozen for 1 to 2 months.

All you have to do is transfer the pureed garlic from its original container into a freezer bag or an airtight container and pop it in the freezer.

The flavor will keep intact this way, so when you need it, you’ll be able to use it in any recipe.

How to Thaw Frozen Garlic?

Frozen garlic can be easily thawed in a pan of warm water.

You don’t want to use hot water, because it might affect the taste and smell.

The ideal temperature is around 60 degrees Celsius. Place the frozen garlic cloves into the water for about 10 minutes or until they thaw completely.

If you’re dealing with frozen raw garlic, then you should cook it completely before consuming it.

You can also leave the frozen garlic in the refrigerator for a few hours.

The thawing process will happen gradually, but you should check on it every once in a while to make sure that it’s not getting soft and soggy.

How to Use Thawed Garlic?

You can use your thawed garlic to make a variety of dishes.

It’s most common to just use it in something that already has garlic in the ingredients list, like soups, stews, and sauces.

Garlic butter is another great option since it’s so versatile. Make sure you have some bread to go along with the spread.

It’s great for garlic bread, but you can also use it to make garlic shrimp or cheesy garlic bread.

You could even just spread it on a roast or meat before roasting it.

It’s much easier and healthier than using garlic salt, which is full of high sodium.

If that’s what you’ve made, frozen raw garlic can be fried and used to enhance the taste of plain old veggies, such as carrots or potatoes.

It can also be used to make garlic dips, salad dressings, and sauces.

How to Tell if Frozen Garlic is Bad?

Garlic is a very sturdy food. It can last for months in the freezer, so you don’t need to worry about spoilage.

But if it does go bad, then you’ll notice some unpleasant changes in both its smell and taste.

When thawed, garlic will start to ferment and grow mold because the temperature change affects the enzymes that normally slow down decay.

Once it’s thawed, the garlic will quickly start to rot and develop an unpleasant smell that may become quite strong.

You can also tell if frozen garlic is bad by looking at its color.

A healthy bulb of garlic has a bright white hue, but once it’s been frozen for a long time, you’ll notice that the edges have a greenish tint.

This happens because of a chemical reaction between certain enzymes and oxygen in the air.

Conclusion

In conclusion, frozen garlic is a great way to preserve this pungent and flavorful food.

Not only do you have an alternative to other preservation methods because of the different types of frozen garlic, but it’s also easy to prepare and comes in handy when cooking.

It keeps your dishes from becoming bland since it gives them a pungent taste that most people love.

It also adds a unique flavor that’s difficult to obtain elsewhere, making your dishes more delicious and special.

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