How to Prepare Roasted Garlic

Whether you prepare roasted garlic in the oven, on the grill, or in an electric garlic roaster, its so easy to transform the pungent, crunchy segments of this vegetable (related to the onion) into rich and creamy morsels for use in a wide range of recipes.

Once you learn how simple it is to make roasted garlic, you may find yourself with dinner guests more often! Use the cloves in mashed potatoes, on pizzas, with stir-fried vegetables, salads, sauces and appetizers. We even incorporate roasted garlic into homemade salad dressings!

Roasted garlic can be prepared several days ahead. You can refrigerate for up to 4 days before using in your favorite recipes.

Prepare Roasted Garlic in the Oven

You can make roasted garlic in the oven with either a whole head of garlic (my favorite method) or individual cloves of garlic. In about 45 minutes, you’ll have an aromatic kitchen!

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Second, prepare the garlic heads for roasting by slicing them in half, horizontally. If any of the cloves starts to slide out of the surrounding membrane, gently push them back in. In a rimmed baking pan, place the garlic heads, cut side down and add about 1/4 cup of olive oil. Be sure to leave space around each garlic head to allow them to caramelize.

Bake the garlic, uncovered for 30-40 minutes, until they reach a golden brown. Garlic juices will be oozing around the edges of each clove.

For a slightly different texture and faster baking time, you can roast individual cloves of garlic. Peel and remove fresh cloves from the head and add to a baking pan, along with 1/4 cup of olive oil. Bake at 350 for about 15-20 minutes. Compared with the heads of garlic, individual cloves will have a slightly crunchy exterior. These are great in pastas and salads!

Some people like to make roasted garlic in foil. Simply preheat the oven to 350 and slice off the top of the heads of garlic. In a large square of olive oil with the sides slightly turned up, add 3-4 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the garlic heads cut-side down. Fold the foil around the garlic loosely, leaving the top open. Roast the garlic for about 45 minutes.

Make Roasted Garlic in a Garlic Roaster

I absolutely love using an electric garlic roaster! Its simple, convenient and uses far less energy than roasting garlic in the oven.

Simply slice off the top 1/4 to 1/2 inch of the garlic bulb. Pour about a tablespoon of olive oil into the base of the roasting dish, then place the bulb into the oil, cut side down. Place the dish into the electric garlic roaster, plug it in and press the button! In less than half an hour, you’ll have tender, delicious roasted garlic.

If you wish, peeled fresh garlic cloves can also be roasted in this appliance. Use slightly less olive oil and reduce the roasting time approximately 5-8 minutes.