How to Roast Garlic (PLUS Recipes to use it in!) | Don't Go Bacon My Heart (2024)

FAQs

Is roasted garlic good for your heart? ›

The antibacterial properties make it an excellent choice for fighting off infections, while its cardiovascular-protective effects can help keep your heart healthy. With so many potential benefits associated with roasted garlic, it's no wonder that it has become such a popular addition to meals around the world!

The same goes for roasting garlic, by the way. A whole head of garlic that's been halved, rubbed with oil, and wrapped in foil then baked in an oven turns sweet, creamy, and spreadable. But keep the temperature no higher than 375˚F, or the outer edges will burn before it has time to soften.

Although no official recommendations exist for how much garlic you should eat, studies show that eating 1–2 cloves (3–6 grams) per day may have health benefits ( 1 ). If you notice any side effects after eating more than this amount, consider reducing your intake.

Garlic might lower blood pressure. Taking garlic along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.

Eating two crushed garlic cloves on an empty stomach has the maximum benefit.

We recommend storing roasted garlic in a small, sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Or store in the freezer for up to 1 month. If you want the garlic cloves to remain whole, carefully peel off and discard the skins. Otherwise, for a mashed texture, squeeze roasted garlic out of the skins.

Once frozen, transfer to a gallon plastic bag or other airtight, freezer-safe container and use within 2 to 3 months. Can roasted garlic go bad? It can. It's best to store cooked garlic in an airtight container in the fridge for no longer than a week.

Yep, You Can Eat Garlic Clove Skin—Sort of

If you're making a sauce that you're going to strain anyway, just smash the clove and leave the skin on to add maximum flavor. If you're mincing garlic for a recipe, save the skin and throw it into a stock or broth later.

Old garlic typically loses its firmness and is soft to the touch. If the skin on your garlic bulb has started to brown, it's likely too old for use. Garlic that has begun to sprout or with yellowish or withered cloves are also terrible candidates for roasting.

Use your roasted garlic immediately, or promptly refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to several months (be sure to label your containers with a use-by date). Do not leave roasted garlic at room temperature, as botulism toxins can grow quickly under these conditions. Learn more about safe garlic storage here.

How does roasting garlic change the flavor? ›

But when whole cloves are simmered or roasted, the heat transforms the alliin into new, larger molecules before they meet the alliinase. This new structure gives the garlic a soft, sweet buttery flavor that surprises many first-time eaters.

Garlic contains fructan, a compound that causes many problems for the stomach and intestines. Eating too much garlic will directly stimulate the digestive tract, which can damage the stomach lining. From there can cause symptoms of nagging, heartburn, flatulence even peptic ulcers.

Some studies have shown that aged garlic may help slow the process of hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart disease.

A study published in the Journal of Nutrition revealed how garlic can help with weight loss. Garlic contains some compounds that promote the fat-burning process in the body. Hence, garlic for belly fat is something you all should consider.

Be it in any form—roasted or raw—it helps the body to stay healthy. Some health benefits of roasted garlic are as follows: Helps in regulating cholesterol, cleaning the arteries and protecting against heart problems. For those suffering from high blood pressure, roasted garlic helps in lowering and improving it.

Boosted Immune System: Roasting garlic concentrates its beneficial allicin, a sulfur compound with potent antimicrobial and antiviral properties. This can help ward off infections and boost your overall immune function.

Helps combat atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)

Because garlic may help lower high blood pressure, it may also help prevent the scarring and hardening associated with atherosclerosis. Some research has also shown that aged garlic extract can help reduce the amount of "soft plaque" in the arteries.

Interestingly, some research suggests that allicin could help enhance the function of your immune system and may offer some protection against conditions like heart disease and cancer ( 1 ). However, studies show that roasting, boiling, heating, or pickling garlic can significantly reduce its allicin content ( 2 , 3 ).