How To Store Garlic Whole Cloves Peeled Spice Cravings

Make the most of your garlic and preserve its flavor for longer with these tried and tested storage tips! I don’t think there is any other ingredient that can be compared to the small but mighty flavor of fresh garlic. It’s incredibly savory with a strong, pungent aroma that transforms into a sweet flavor addition.

My family and I love the garlic-y flavor and I put it in just about everything. Which is why I always have extra on hand. Because of this, I thought it best to share my tried and true tips on how to store garlic properly, to make it last longer. And if you love this, be sure to check out How to Peel, Cut & Mince Garlic and make Garlic Paste, too!

What is Garlic?

Garlic is a member of the lily (allium) family, along with onions, leeks and shallots. It grows underground in the form of a bulb, with an inedible skin that protects it’s small, off-white cloves. The bulbs of garlic are most often referred to as heads in the culinary world. And each head contains anywhere from 10-20 cloves. Fun Fact: When left in the ground long enough, green shoots produce garlic scapes, flower stalks that can be eaten. They are a common ingredient spotted at Farmer’s markets and specialty food stores throughout the spring season.

How to Use Garlic - What Does it Taste Like?

Garlic is one of those popular ingredients that complete the dishes of just about every global cuisine. When raw, it is sharp, pungent and astringent. For this reason, it is often adding as a flavoring agent during cooking to mellow it’s flavor. Depending on how the garlic is cut, the flavor can range from mild to strong. Once cooked, the flavor mellows significantly to a sweet, savory aroma. To take is a step further, roasted garlic transforms in a creamy, somewhat nutty ingredient that can be enjoyed all on its own. (Think Bruschetta!)

Health Benefits of Garlic

Garlic has been used for millennia as a medicinal ingredient for it’s abundance of nutritional properties. According to Healthline, garlic has the ability to:

Reduce oxidative stress since it naturally contains antioxidants.Reduce blood pressure and is good for the cardiovascular system.Improve cholesterol by reducing the total and “bad” (LDL) cholesterol levels.Detoxify heavy metals in the body because of its high sulfur compounds.Help prevent and reduce sickness, like the flu and common cold.

How to Buy - Tips & Tricks

One of the best ways to ensure your garlic lasts as long as possible is to first purchase the freshest garlic available. Here are some tips on how to buy garlic at the grocery store:

The bulb should be firm to the touch and does not give against gentle pressure.It should be tight, with smooth, dry skin and no signs of black powder (aka mold).A few purple stripes are natural - the purple color is a sign of anthocyanins!If the garlic shows signs of sprouting, that’s an indication the garlic is old.

Quantity Tip: Most garlic you can find in the grocery stores these days is average in size. I have found that 1 bulb of garlic is made up of about 10 to 12 cloves.

Where to Buy

Garlic is available at the supermarket in the produce section, usually near the onions and potatoes. It can be sold as individual bulbs and as a package in small, mesh bags. Grocery Shopping Tip: I prefer to buy whole bulbs of garlic rather than already peeled cloves or minced garlic packed in olive oil. Fresh garlic is far better in flavor and much better for your wallet when compared to the pre-packaged variety. But when I’m running on a tight schedule, my next preference is to buy peeled cloves.

Best Way to Store Garlic

Garlic can be stored in a number of different ways - as a whole bulb, individual cloves, peeled or even as garlic paste. Follow any of the methods below, depending on your needs.

How to Store Fresh Garlic

Believe it or not, but garlic actually hates the cold, which is why I never store fresh, unpeeled garlic in the refrigerator. These are the storage practices I follow: Whole Bulb: Store the whole bulb in a cool, dark, well-ventilated cupboard. Garlic will last the longest stored in a temperature between 60 - 65 degrees F. Because of this, I keep it in a cupboard away from the stove and near the floor. The garlic should last a few months. Individual, Unpeeled Cloves: If you happen to have broken off a few extra cloves than you needed, store these right alongside the whole bulbs of garlic in your cupboard. Use within 10 days.

How to Store Peeled Garlic

Peeled garlic cloves are a great way to get ahead, especially if you know you’ll be cooking throughout the week. Break apart the clove and peel away the thin, papery skin. Place the peeled cloves in an airtight container or plastic storage bag, seal tight and store in the fridge. Use within 5-7 days.

How to Store Garlic Paste

Garlic paste is a wonderful meal prep ingredient to have on hand to toss in meat, vegetables, stir fries and more. To make garlic paste: Peel the entire head of garlic and slice off the stem ends. Place in a blender or food processor with 1 Tablespoon olive oil and blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. Place in an airtight container and store in the fridge to use within 1 week. Check out Garlic Paste Recipe to learn how to store in the fridge and freezer, along with recipes on how to use it!

How to Freeze Garlic

Garlic can even be frozen, but the method will vary depending on whether it’s whole or peeled. Frozen garlic should last indefinitely. Whole Heads and Individual, Unpeeled Cloves: Place the garlic in a freezer safe plastic storage bag, push out all the air, seal tight, label, date and freeze. Peeled Cloves: Spread the individual cloves out on a small baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 1 hour. Wrap the frozen cloves in foil, then place in a freezer safe plastic storage bag, seal tight, label, date and freeze. Garlic Paste: Place in a small silicone ice cube tray and freeze until firm, about 1 hour. Transfer the cubes to a plastic freezer storage bag, label, date, seal tight and freeze for up to 6 months.

Tips to Make Your Garlic Last Longer

Keep the bulb whole. This ensures the bulbs stay cool and dry, which are exactly the conditions garlic needs.Store in a cool, dark, uncrowded cupboard. Garlic will spoil under conditions of heat and light, so it’s best to keep it in the coolest part of your kitchen, ideally away from the stove and near the floor. A well ventilated cupboard or pantry works best.Do not store whole garlic in a plastic bag unless freezing. Garlic needs ventilation and air to breathe, which is why an uncrowded (or empty) cabinet is best. If you would prefer to store it in a bag, mesh bags are the best and paper bags are a close second. However, when storing in the freezer, use a plastic bag to keep all the moisture out.