Oven Roasted Garlic Bulbs and Puree

Our Oven Roasted Garlic Bulbs and Puree recipe shows how to roast whole garlic bulbs and cloves in the oven to make aioli, butter and more! I always have some in my fridge or freezer.

How to Make Roasted Garlic

Raw garlic has a sharp, harsh and distinctive taste.  When you roast garlic the subtle, mellow, flavor is definitely sweeter and so smooth, not overpowering. 

You will even love the way your house smells while you are preparing this roasted garlic recipe.  

This Oven Roasted Garlic Puree adds flavors to dishes with a milder, sweeter garlic flavor that will surprise you. 

I never thought roasting garlic in the oven could change and even improve a dish as much as it does until I tried it.

Remember that when you replace raw garlic with roasted garlic, you’ll need to add more roasted garlic because of the smoother, milder flavor.

Now I have a special, bright colored container I keep it in so I can always find it in my fridge.  My husband always says he needs a GPS to find anything in our refrigerator so this container helps!

Roasted Garlic Recipe

We use it with potatoes, in sauces, dressings, vegetables and more!  The possibilities are endless.

This Oven Roasted Garlic Puree makes the most delicious garlic bread I have ever tasted.  Really.  Combined with salted butter and spread on bread that is heated or toasted and you will never make it using regular minced garlic again! 

Roasted garlic alone is so creamy, sweet and definitely spreadable all by itself!  You won't believe it until you try it!

To be honest I make a dozen Oven Roasted Garlic Bulbs at a time, just so I have enough in the fridge or freezer for whenever the need arises and in our house the need arises often!  After you try it you might just do the same.  You never know!

These Oven Roasted Garlic Bulbs make the nicest puree, perfect to use with any dish that requires garlic!  You should notice the difference in the taste.  It cooks the same and lasts for up to three days in the refrigerator!

If you store it in an airtight container, mashed or whole, it will last about 3 days in your fridge. If you store it in your fridge, as whole cloves, totally covered in olive oil, the roasted garlic will last between 10 and 14 days.

My favorite way is to freeze the whole cloves. Then when frozen place the cloves in a resealable bag and take them out of the freezer right before you want to use them. That way I always have some around!  

The difference between a Garlic Clove and Bulb or Head

Garlic Cloves and Garlic Bulbs or Heads are not the same thing. You need to know the difference, especially when cooking, otherwise you might end up with too much garlic in your dish!

A garlic bulb is also known as a head of garlic. It's the entire thing! 

A garlic clove is the individual, smaller, pieces of garlic you end up with when you peel and pull apart the bulb.

So a head or bulb of garlic contains many cloves of garlic inside it.

Roasting Garlic 

Once you learn how to roast garlic in the oven and try it you will not stop making it. I can almost guarantee it.

I never prepare my mashed potatoes without some Oven Roasted Garlic Puree and some parmesan or cheddar cheese. I am always asked what I did to make the mashed potatoes taste so good!  

As I have probably already mentioned you can easily substitute this Oven Roasted Garlic Puree in any recipe you are making that calls for regular garlic. 

I especially love using it in any sauce I prepare for a nice change, you really have to consider trying it! 

Having some oven roasted garlic in your freezer or fridge is the only way to go. 

Whole Roasted Garlic Bulb

Learning how to roast garlic in the oven could not be easier or almost fun for me. I have a little ritual I do every time I make it. You might even laugh.

My husband thinks I'm hilarious and I don't even care. Okay, here it is.

One of my favorite things to do after roasting whole garlic bulbs is to spread one clove, or two, on a fresh piece of baguette or bread. As soon as the bulbs or heads are out of the oven.

My husband thinks I'm nuts.

I almost always burn myself in one way or another because I'm always in a hurry for the first garlic bulb to be ready.

Hopefully you can wait a little longer but I urge you to try it just once.

The flavor of roasted garlic is so special. The way the roasted garlic cloves spread like butter on the bread.

Ugh. Just thinking about it makes me want to make more. Just to experience that moment. So smooth. Oh so good.

You'll see.

I can't wait to hear what you think after you try roasted garlic for the first time and have smeared a warm garlic clove on a cracker. 

How to Roast Garlic

This is all you'll need to learn how to roast garlic in the oven.

• garlic bulbs
• olive oil
• salt
• pepper

How to Roast Garlic in the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with aluminum foil. Peel and discard the papery outer layers of the whole garlic bulb.  You can cook one bulb or as many as you have!  You can never have too much!

Cut the top quarter off each garlic bulb so all the cloves are exposed.  If you see any green sprouts inside, that’s ok, just dig them out with a knife as best you can.  Place cut side up on the prepared baking sheet.

Pour each tablespoon of oil on top of each bulb and season lightly with a dash of the salt and pepper on each.

How Long to Roast Garlic

Cover tightly with tin foil and bake until the cloves are soft and golden brown, about 55 minutes to 1 hour. 

Cooking time will vary depending on age of garlic, size, age, variety etc. Luckily, it is very difficult to over cook garlic.  You will know when they are done because they will be soft and a nice caramel color and your house will smell great!

Let the garlic cool for 15 minutes. Squeeze the soft garlic flesh from each head into a bowl.

You now have two choices. 

Option 1

You can squeeze out each clove and leave it as is.  I usually place the cool cloves onto parchment paper and put them in the freezer and once frozen, put them into a container or resealable bag.  Then I can take them out as I need them. 

Option 2

Mash the flesh with a fork to blend it into a purée.

How much Roasted Garlic per Bulb or Head?

Generally speaking, each garlic bulb or head will yield between 1 and 2 tablespoons mashed roasted garlic, depending on the size of your garlic bulbs.

Average garlic bulbs are closer to 1 ¼ tablespoons in my experience.

How to Store Roasted Garlic 

Now that you know how to roast garlic in the oven you're going to need to know how to store it!

The garlic will be super hot right out of the oven as you would expect.

Only allow to cool for 10 to 15 minutes. As soon as roasted garlic is cool enough to handle you must handle it!

Don’t leave your roasted garlic to at room temperature for too long.

According to The Food and Drug Administration, extreme caution must be taken when it comes to storing garlic in oil at room temperature because of the threat of botulism. 

For those of you that don't know, botulism is a rare and potentially fatal illness caused by a toxic bacteria that causes weakness, blurred vision, fatigue, trouble speaking, weakness and possibly respiratory failure.

Proper food storage is crucial so do not leave your garlic sitting at room temperature for any longer than it has to.

As a rule, no more than 2 hours out of your refrigerator and after 7 days in your fridge, all used up because you won't be able to tell if and when the garlic has turned toxic.

No different smell. Nothing.

Fridge

This purée can be stored in an airtight container, mashed or whole, it will last about 3 days in your fridge.  

Stored in an airtight container in your fridge as whole cloves, refrigerated, covered completely in olive oil, for a week.  The olive oil preserves the garlic and leaves you with garlic infused olive oil. 

Freezer

You have lots of freezing options.

Pureed Garlic on Parchment

You can place little piles of pureed roasted garlic, maybe 1 to 3 tablespoons each, depending on how much you love garlic, on a parchment covered baking sheet in your freezer. 

Leave it there for between 1 and 2 hours or totally frozen and then place frozen piles or pieces into a large resealable bag until ready to use. They will last for up to 3 months in your freezer.

They defrost so quickly and are so convenient. 

Freeze Whole Roasted Garlic Cloves

Same procedure. Squeeze cloves out of the roasted garlic head or bulb place them all on a parchment lined baking sheet for an hour or two.

Once frozen, place the cloves in a resealable bag and take them out of the freezer right before you want to use them.

I highly recommend freezing roasted garlic.  Really.

Freeze in Ice Cube Trays

Spoon amounts into ice cube trays and freeze. Once frozen, pop out the cubes and place them all inside an airtight container or a resealable freezer bag.

Each ice cube section holds a heaping tablespoon or more. Depending on how much you want to use at a time, make the ice cube tray work for you. 

Ice cube trays make controlling roasted garlic pureed or mashed portions so much easier.

Glass or Air Tight Containers

You can also package your roasted garlic in glass freezer jars or air tight containers, leaving ½ - 1 inch space at the top of each for the garlic.

Freeze your garlic in whatever quantity you desire.

My close friend Julie stores her garlic in baby jars with different amounts in them. She marks each with ¼ to ½ cup amounts and has it ready when she's making a tomato sauce or mashed potatoes.

Regardless of how you decide to freeze remember to label, date and freeze.

Warning and How to Store Pesto

I have to mention this but the same issue exists with pesto. I figured best I share the information rather than anyone getting sick.

Use it within 7 days and store it safely inside your fridge or freeze for up to two months.

With pesto, treat it just as you would garlic. 

Roasted Garlic Recipes

soft cloves spread like butter on bread or crackers, garlic cheese bread and flatbread

mashed with butter

Maple Garlic Glazed Chicken Breasts, Garlic Parmesan Chicken, chicken, pork, steak or our Baked Garlic Balsamic Steak

mashed potatoes, Supreme Mashed Potato Casserole

Simple Spinach Artichoke Dip, The Ultimate Roasted Garlic Hummus, vegetable dips, Easy Tomato Salsa

salad dressings

sauces

pizza

soup

pasta, Awesome Alfredo Sauce, Loaded Awesome Pasta Alfredo, Easy Garlic Shrimp Pasta, The Best Shrimp Pasta Salad

Roasted Garlic Compound Butter Recipe

I LOVE making compound butters. Not only do I make a terrific honey butter but I make The Best Bacon Butter and garlic butter as well.

All are in the same post with a few other amazing compound butters if you're interested.

I have included my roasted garlic butter recipe right here in this post but for regular garlic butter you'll have to take a look at any of the butter links above. 

This roasted garlic recipe is nothing short of divine. Yep a little dramatic perhaps but I believe it to be true. Just wait until you try it.

Best Roasted Garlic Butter

• ½ cup unsalted butter, soft
• 1 teaspoon salt (if you use salted butter skip the salt!)
• 2-3 heaping tablespoons roasted garlic, mashed
• 2 tablespoons fresh minced parsley or 1 teaspoon dried, if desired

Using a fork, mash garlic, butter, and salt in a small airtight container or small bowl until blended together.

Cover with lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Serve with steaks, pastas, on warm, fresh bread, or use to make garlic toast to accompany any meal. There are so many things to do with roasted garlic.

Easy Garlic Aioli Recipe

I love making garlic aioli. I love making roasted garlic aioli even more.

Maybe it's the sweet garlic flavor from the roasted garlic? All I know is I can't stop eating this stuff.

I have created a monster of sorts out of my close friend. She eats this stuff almost every day and I'm not even kidding.

She dips her potato wedges in them. When I say everything I mean everything.

This quick recipe is 

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• ⅓ cup lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• salt
• pepper

Remove roasted garlic bulbs from oven, squeeze the pulp from the skins and mash it.

Allow roasted garlic to totally cool.

You're going to need about ½ cup.

Using your food processor, or using a whisk, combine roasted garlic, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Parmesan, Dijon mustard, cayenne pepper, Worcestershire sauce and salt and pepper.

Pulse or mix until well incorporated.

Refrigerate for at least an hour, if not 24 hours, to allow all of the flavors to meld together. 

Here is our video for Oven Roasted Garlic Bulbs and Oven Roasted Garlic Puree below.  You have to check out how easy this is to make!

Oven Roasted Garlic Bulbs and Puree Video