🥶 Freeze garlic easily: raw, blanched or cooked
Have you bought a beautiful braid of pink garlic and want to keep it fresh longer? Or do you just want to save time in the kitchen and always have garlic ready on hand? Good news: freezing garlic is ultra-practical, quick and perfect for avoiding waste 🧄❄️! Whether you're a raw, blanched or already cooked garlic fan, I'll explain how to do it step by step, with tips, mistakes to avoid and answers to all your questions. Ready to become the king of homemade garlic stash? 🥇
- Whole raw garlic: peel, put the cloves in a bag, remove the air, and put in the freezer. Perfect for grating or chopping directly 🧄.
- Blanched garlic: immerse the peeled cloves in boiling water for 10 seconds , drain, dry, then freeze. Ideal for maintaining a mild flavor!
- Already cooked garlic: roasted or candied garlic puree (see this guide on Lautrec pink garlic ), freeze in portions (ice cube trays or mini-jars). Ready to use 😋!
Why freeze garlic? Daily benefits
Freezing garlic simplifies your life while retaining all the benefits of this superfood 💪. No need to peel every time, no more cloves drying out at the bottom of the cupboard. You save time, you preserve the aromas, and you always have garlic on hand to boost your dishes: stir-fries, sauces, soups, marinades or summer grills. Perfect for cooking quickly, healthily, and with zero waste!
You can also buy garlic in large quantities (like a braid of Lautrec pink garlic ), prepare it in advance and use it all year round, whether you're a pro batch cook or a gourmet in a hurry 😜.
Easy Ways to Freeze Garlic
| Method | Preparation | Easy to use | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole raw garlic | Peel the pods, place them in a freezer bag, and remove the air. | Grate or chop while still frozen, directly into the pan or sauce. | Practical for stews 🥘. |
| Blanched garlic | Peeled pods, blanched for 10 seconds in boiling water, dried. | Milder, less spicy taste, perfect for sauces or purees. | Ideal if the garlic is a little strong 🤏. |
| Chopped garlic | Blended or crushed, frozen flat or in ice cube trays. | Ready to dose in sauces, dressings, marinades. | Add a drizzle of olive oil 🫒. |
| Cooked/candied garlic | Prepare a batch according to our express recipe , then freeze in portions. | Ideal for toast, mashed potatoes or as a gentle substitute for fresh garlic. | Perfect in risottos 🍚! |
Step-by-Step Instructions for Freezing Garlic (All Options)
- Peel your garlic cloves (or separate them if you prefer to freeze them whole). Remove any damaged parts.
-
Choose the method :
- Raw : Place the pods in a bag, seal tightly, crush slightly to save space.
- Bleached : immerse for a few seconds in boiling water, then in cold water, dry well.
- Chopped : mix with a little olive oil, place in ice cube trays.
- Cooked : use candied garlic ( our Air Fryer recipe ), let cool, portion.
- Wrap carefully to avoid odors in the freezer. Use zip-top bags, airtight containers, or tightly wrapped plastic wrap.
- Label ! Write down the date and the type of garlic (raw, blanched, candied, etc.). This will avoid surprises and waste 😉.
- Freeze flat if possible, especially for chopped or pureed garlic.
- Use without prior defrosting: grate, cut or throw directly into the saucepan, frying pan or blender 🥗.
Frequently Asked Questions About Freezing Garlic
Does frozen garlic lose its flavor?
Not really! Raw garlic retains all its flavor, even after several weeks. Blanched or cooked garlic becomes milder, perfect for varying uses.
Can you freeze unpeeled garlic?
Yes, but it's a little less practical to use. Ideally, peel first, you save time and avoid the chore of taking it out of the freezer!
How long can I keep garlic in the freezer?
Up to a year without any problems. After this time, it is still edible but it may lose a little of its aromatic power.
Can I freeze candied garlic?
Yes! It's actually delicious. Portion it into small jars or ice cube trays, and pop it in the freezer. Perfect on toast, mashed potatoes, or in a risotto 🥄.
Does freezing garlic change its texture?
Garlic becomes a little softer after freezing, but in cooking, it's not noticeable. For raw recipes (pickles, vinaigrette), prefer chopped or blanched garlic.
How to avoid the smell of garlic throughout the freezer?
Wrap well: zip bag, double wrap, or airtight container. You can also put a small ramekin of baking soda in the freezer to neutralize odors 🍃.
Can frozen garlic be used as a substitute for fresh garlic in all recipes?
Yes for cooked dishes, sauces, stews, pan-fried dishes... For raw uses (tartare, salad), prefer blanched or pureed garlic for a more pleasant texture.
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