Buying or harvesting garlic in bulk is budget-friendly. I mean, you wouldn’t have to buy garlic for the next three to four months.
Nevertheless, you have to incorporate the correct storage methods for garlic to survive for an extended period. So, how do your preserve garlic for a long time?
Before we even talk about the storage methods, ensure that you buy garlic bulbs that are in good condition.
Avoid buying garlic bulbs that look feeble or destroyed. This way, you can get the most out of their lifespan.
The majority of homeowners prefer storing garlic in woven baskets or mesh bags. Although this is a relatively good storage technique, it might not be able to preserve garlic for a long time.
First, you have to keep in mind that garlic thrives in temperatures of about 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Storing garlic in heated homes during winter can, therefore, be difficult. In fact, if your pantry or storage room has a heater, the garlic bulbs will shrivel and harden after a few weeks.
Best ways to preserve garlic for a long time
Place the garlic in the refrigerator:
A fridge can help you keep garlic fresh for a long time. However, ensure you use the crisper drawers of your refrigerator to store garlic.
Garlic only needs cool temperatures, not cold temperatures. However, garlic is likely to sprout when stored in the fridge.
Dehydrate garlic before storage:
The next way to ensure garlic stays in good condition for a long time is by dehydrating it first. Luckily, dehydrating garlic is relatively straightforward.
All you have to do is chop garlic into thin pieces. Then place the slices into a dehydrator and leave for a few minutes.
It is always advisable to dehydrate your garlic at a temperature of 115 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once the garlic pieces become completely dry and crisp, it is best to place them in a container with a tight lid.
Then, store them at room temperature. Dehydrated garlic lasts for months without going bad.
Place roasted garlic in the freezer:
Before storing garlic, roast it in the oven first. Then, store it in the freezer. You can always roast garlic in the oven for a few minutes.
All you have to do is spread olive oil in a baking dish. Then, place the clean pieces of the garlic bulbs on the tray.
Bake the garlic bulbs for about 45 minutes at a standard temperature of 350 degrees. Ensure the garlic bulbs are squishy before removing them from the oven.
Put the garlic bulbs in an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator. Expect the roasted garlic to stay fresh in the freezer for about seven days.
The oil in the roasted garlic will retain the soft texture of the garlic. The best thing about roasting garlic is that you won’t spend hours trying to peel garlic. You can always roast them in their original state.
Picklein vinegar:
Another way to preserve garlic for a long time is by pickling in vinegar. Use airtight container pickle garlic in vinegar.
You can always consume them whenever you want.
Is it OK to keep garlic in the fridge?
Generally, garlic survives in temperatures ranging from 60 to 65 degrees. So, garlic does not need cold temperatures; instead, it needs cool temperatures.
If your pantry or kitchen has a room temperature of 60 degrees, then you are good to go.
But this is impossible, especially during winter. During winter, you’ll have to keep your heater switched on at all times. Thus, the room temperatures might be too high for garlic to survive.
On the flip side, your fridge could incorporate cooler temperatures of less than 60 degrees.
Thus, it might not be safe to store your garlic here. But you can always find a warmer section in the fridge, such as the lower crisp drawer that allows you to keep garlic in the refrigerator.
Alternatively, look for a cooler area in your kitchen to keep garlic.
Can I preserve garlic in olive oil?
You can always preserve garlic in olive oil. First, you have to cut your garlic cloves into pieces.
Then, dry them thoroughly using a dehydrator. Put these pieces in a small container and cover them with olive oil.
From there, keep them in the fridge. Leaving fresh garlic clove pieces covered in olive oil at room temperature leads to the growth of botulism.
Botulism can damage all the garlic pieces. Thus, always store this mixture in the refrigerator immediately. Expect it to last for about 21 days.
Does roasted garlic in olive oil need to be refrigerated?
Storing roasted garlic is relatively simple. There are two main methods of storing roasted garlic. They include:
- Keeping roasted garlic in the freezer: After roasting garlic with olive oil in the oven, get rid of the outer skins. Then, place them on the baking sheet and put them in the freezer. After the garlic has frozen, place them on a container and return them to the freezer. You can leave them here for about a week. Feel free to remove the portions you need when preparing meals.
- Store Roasted Garlic in Fridge with Olive Oil. The first method will not work for you if you need to use your garlic for more than a week. So, consider storing roasted garlic in the fridge with olive oil. First, peel the roasted garlic cloves. Then, place them in a clean container and pour a generous amount of olive oil into the garlic cloves. Cover the container using a tightly-fitting lid to prevent the entry of air. Then, place the container in the fridge. Expect the garlic cloves to last for more than two weeks. Note that olive oil is a natural preservative. Thus, it seals roasted garlic and prevents it from rotting.
Typically, you have to refrigerate roasted garlic if you want it to last for a long time.
Conclusion
There is a wide range of techniques that can help you preserve garlic for long periods. Garlic thrives in temperatures of about 60 to 65 degrees.
Placing garlic in the fridge may not be a good idea. However, you can always place dried and olive oil roasted garlic in the refrigerator.