How to Roast Garlic: A Simple (and Tasty) Method

Garlic is a common ingredient in many dishes. The strong taste and smell of garlic give an intense flavor to different dishes. But did you know that you can roast garlic? Roasting garlic is a super easy way to take the flavor of your dish to a whole new level. In this blog, we share everything about roasting garlic, from what it is exactly to the ingredients and the step-by-step process. We also give you some delicious recipes in which roasted garlic plays the leading role.

What is garlic roasting?

Before we delve into how to roast garlic, it’s important to understand what roasted garlic actually is. Roasted garlic is made by roasting whole garlic bulbs in the oven. This softens the garlic and gives it a mild, sweet flavor. Roasting garlic tempers the sharp, spicy flavor of raw garlic while preserving its signature garlic flavor. The result is a smooth, flavorful garlic paste that can be used in a variety of dishes.

The unique taste of roasted garlic

What makes roasted garlic so special is the unique flavor it gets during the roasting process. Roasting in the oven caramelizes the natural sugars in the garlic bulbs, which gives it a mild and sweet flavor. In addition, roasted garlic loses its sharp and spicy flavor, making it much milder than raw garlic. The flavor of roasted garlic is subtle and creamy, and adds a delicious soft garlic flavor to dishes.

Umami flavor by roasting garlic

Are you familiar with the term “umami”? It’s one of the five basic tastes, along with sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. Umami is often described as savory or meaty, and can be found in foods like meat, cheese, and mushrooms. Roasting garlic adds a subtle umami flavor to dishes, making it a great complement to a variety of flavors.

Ingredients for roasting garlic

If you want to make roasted garlic, you don’t need much. All you need are whole garlic bulbs, olive oil, and an oven. Below is an overview of the most important supplies:

Choosing the right garlic

Choosing the right garlic is essential for roasting. Always choose fresh, firm garlic bulbs with undamaged cloves. It is best to use organic garlic, as this is often of better quality and free of pesticides.

Other supplies

In addition to garlic, you will also need an oven, baking paper , aluminum foil, and olive oil. You use the oven to roast the garlic, the baking paper and aluminum foil are used to wrap the garlic so that it cooks evenly. Olive oil is used to rub the garlic and helps with roasting and caramelizing.

The Step-by-Step Process of Roasting Garlic

Now that you have gathered all of your supplies, it’s time to explore the step-by-step process of roasting garlic. Here’s a breakdown of the steps:

Preparing the garlic

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Cut the tops off the garlic bulbs with a chef's knife , so that the cloves are visible. Place the garlic bulbs on a piece of baking paper and sprinkle them with olive oil. Make sure that all the cloves are covered with a thin layer of oil. Fold the baking paper closed and wrap the garlic bulbs in aluminum foil. This ensures that the garlic cooks evenly and does not dry out during roasting.

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Roasting the garlic

Place the wrapped garlic bulbs in the preheated oven and let them roast for about 35-40 minutes. The garlic is ready when the cloves have become soft and golden brown. Remove the garlic from the oven and let it cool down before unwrapping it.

Cooling and using the roasted garlic

Let the roasted garlic bulbs cool until you can touch them. Then gently squeeze the base of the garlic bulbs to release the soft garlic paste. You can use the roasted garlic paste right away in various dishes, or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Delicious recipes with roasted garlic

Now that you know everything about roasting garlic, you probably want to know how to use roasted garlic in dishes. Below we share some delicious recipes in which roasted garlic plays the leading role:

Roasted garlic as a seasoning

Use roasted garlic as a flavoring in various dishes, such as pasta, stews and risotto. Add a few cloves of roasted garlic to the sauce or dish and enjoy the subtle and creamy flavor.

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Roasted garlic in soups and sauces

Add roasted garlic to soups and sauces for an extra boost of flavor. Mix a few cloves of roasted garlic with stock, vegetables, and herbs for a delicious and flavorful soup. Or mix the roasted garlic with yogurt, lemon juice, and herbs for a flavorful dip.

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Roasted garlic in salads and side dishes

Use roasted garlic in salads and side dishes for a soft and mild garlic flavor. Add the roasted garlic to dressings, spreads or purees for a delicious flavor. For example, combine the roasted garlic with roasted vegetables, goat cheese and nuts for a tasty salad.