Learn How to Make Roasted Garlic, which is an easy way to add a huge burst of flavor to any recipe!

How to Make Roasted Garlic

Name: How to Make Roasted Garlic
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 0
Ingredients: 4 heads garlic; 1 Tbsp. olive oil; pinch of salt and pepper

In my late twenties, I finally learned how to make roasted garlic. After my first attempt, I was mesmerized and wondered why I hadn’t done it so much sooner! The long roasting of garlic makes it so sweet and soft. It has a very different flavor from raw garlic. I love including it in healthy recipes like this Roasted Garlic & Lemon Dressing and Crock Pot Chicken, Quinoa & Roasted Garlic Soup for a pop of flavor without all the fat and calories. It is also great for putting a twist on a classic, like this Roasted Garlic Potato Salad.

The process is a bit time consuming as the garlic needs to bake for close to an hour, BUT the hands on time is quick and simple. To get started, take 3-4 heads of garlic and slice the tops off so each clove is exposed. This is important because if you leave some cloves intact, they will be difficult to get out later.

Place the heads of garlic on a sheet of tinfoil, cut side up and drizzle with a tablespoon of olive oil. Be sure to cover them thoroughly, so they don’t burn. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and fold the tinfoil into a packet to enclose the garlic completely. Bake for 50 minutes or until the cloves are all golden brown.

Once the garlic is done cooking, remove it from the oven. If you are patient, wait for the garlic to cool. If you are like me and completely impatient, use an oven mit to squeeze each head from the bottom to release the individual cloves.

I like to make at least double the garlic I need for a given recipe so I have some to freeze. Because it is somewhat of a time consuming process when making roasted garlic, it isn’t ideal to make with a last minute meal…which are most of my meals. I pop the roasted garlic in a ziploc bag and throw it in the freezer. This way I can break off a piece whenever I need some for a recipe!