How To Freeze Garlic

To preserve your bulk garlic harvest or take advantage of seasonal garlic sales at your local grocery store, you may often wonder how to freeze garlic safely because cloves sometimes sprout until you can use them all.

Freezing garlic is a perfect way to preserve the fresh taste and meal-prep loads of garlic months in advance. This will allow you to avoid the peeling and prepping that is very laborious for some people. Many people often dislike it. You won’t look back until you start freezing garlic, and you’ll definitely realize how much time you save. Also, See How To Freeze Onions and How To Freeze Apples.

How To Freeze Garlic?

Freezing garlic is very easy and versatile. You can freeze garlic in many different ways.

1. Whole garlic bulbs
2. Whole  Garlic Cloves
3. Chopped Garlic
4. Garlic paste

After reading the details of all these methods, you will find the way that best meets your needs.

Freezing Garlic-The lazy way

This is one of my favorite ways of freezing garlic, as this allows me to do anything I want after thawing the garlic. This involves cutting, thinning, grinding, or making garlic paste with a blender and grinder.

Whole Garlic Bulbs

Choose good quality garlic bulbs. Remove all dirt that you can only see by softly rubbing. Place garlic bulbs in a freezer bag without peeling.

Label the date of freezing on the freezer bags. This is an important step; this will let you know how long you can use it. Put the freezing bags in the freezer and use them for up to six months.

To use, just take off a clove of garlic, peel it, and use it as usual. It won’t take long to thaw, so if you’re careful, you can grate or chop it while it’s still frozen.

Whole Garlic Cloves

Remove all the cloves from the bulbs. The cloves can be peeled or left unpeeled. It’s all up to you. I peel them in advance so I wouldn’t have to worry about it when I prepare the meal.

Place them in a freezer bag or container. Label the date of freezing on the freezer bags and put them in the freezer. To use, take off the garlic cloves from the freezer and use it as normal.

Freezing Garlic-the Delayed Gratification Way

This freezing garlic method takes more early preparation, but you will be rewarded with a quicker prep period when it comes to cooking with frozen garlic.

Chopped Garlic

Remove all the cloves from the bulbs and peel. Then, chopped them in a food processor. Remember that you’ll be adding this garlic straight to the recipe, so it needs to be properly prepared.

Place the minced garlic in a freezing bag. Take care to spread it thinly rather than putting it in a huge lump. You’ll be free to break out as much as you want this way. Remove all air from the freezing bags, seal it, and mark the date of freezing. Place the bags into the freezer and freeze.

When you want to use it, take out the bag from the freezer, break the required amount of chopped garlic, and place the rest of it back in the freezer.

Garlic paste

Since I avoid pureed garlic with oil, I choose it as the last preference. Remove the large green sprouts from the garlic and completely peel them. Then add them to a high-powered blender or food processor. Add oil in a concentration of 2 cups of oil to 1 cup of garlic. Blend well to make a puree. Fill the freezer containers halfway with the mixture and close it. Immediately place in the freezer.

Please keep in mind that the pureed garlic with oil must be packed and frozen as soon as possible. It is important not to leave the puree at room temperature. You would be safe if you prevent the growth of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum (UCANR).

The same goes with thawing; defrost the puree in the fridge before using it. It is not safe to leave it on the counter to thaw.

Tips For Freezing Garlic

1. Choose the best organic garlic you can find at the supermarket. The fresher and higher quality garlic has a better taste after freezing. The garlic will feel solid, indicating that it is new. Be sure that there are no moist spots, mold, or green sprouts anywhere.
2. Pat dry the garlic after peeling and cutting any sprouts or roots. Controlling moisture helps to maintain a fresh and strong taste after freezing.
3. As previously said, use freezer-safe airtight containers or bags that fit for you. This not only serves to keep the taste fresh but also reduces the chance of freezer burn.

How To Thaw Garlic?

You can thaw garlic in different ways:

• In the refrigerator

This option works well regardless of the freezing process you use. The only drawback is that the aromatic takes about an hour or two to defrost.

• On the kitchen counter

This method is ideally suited for frozen bulbs or whole cloves. You take out as many cloves as you need and slice them so that they can thaw quicker. After 10 to 20 minutes, the slices should be smooth enough to be refined further, such as mincing, grinding, or using a garlic press. Keep in mind that garlic puree with oil is not an alternative.

• Place it in the freezer

If you freeze the garlic in chopped or paste form, you can always add it straight to the dish you’re preparing without thawing it. Keep in mind the defrosted garlic should be used as early as possible.

How Long Can Garlic Be Freeze?

Garlic can be frozen and used for up to 6 months. You can store it in a deep freeze or upright freezer for up to a year.

Is Frozen Garlic Good For You?

Freezing garlic is a great way to prepare garlic or garlic paste on hand for hectic weekend night dinners. Additionally, you’re purchasing garlic in bulbs and saving it up beforehand; it also saves money. It’s far cheaper than buying jarred garlic from the local supermarket, and the flavor of homemade frozen garlic is also far better.

How To Use Frozen Garlic?

Garlic lovers would want to try these meals, including: 

• Garlic rice
• Gluten-Free Garlic bread
• Vegan garlic alfredo sauce
• Vegan Garlic butter

Health And Nutritional Benefits Of Garlic

Along with enhancing the flavor of dishes, garlic is also considered an excellent natural antibiotic. Although garlic is a low-calorie snack, it isn’t especially high in the nutrients you need on a regular basis. However, according to the United States Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate recommendations, it is one of the safe and healthy ingredients you should use in your diet.

 Fresh Garlic has vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, and iron. Garlic is also a source of amino acids (protein building blocks) and enzymes, which will help the body develop muscles and maintain gut health.

Garlic has traditionally been used for the following medicinal purposes:

• Seasickness
• Blood pressure regulator
• Constipation
• Colic
• Cough
• Appetite stimulant
• Diarrhea
• Depression
• Wounds
• Infections
• Muscle pain relief
• Menstrual symptom relief
• Skin diseases
• Fever
• Rheumatism
• Intestinal parasites
• Strength-building

Most of these therapeutic effects are now supported by research.

Good For Heart Health

Garlic has been shown to decrease cholesterol and triglycerides. This provides the heart with overall protection, such as lower blood pressure and cholesterol. In particular, people with low blood pressure are more likely to eat garlic.

Fight Against Common Cold

While the evidence is small, some studies suggest that taking garlic supplements reduces the risk of getting a cold. Garlic’s antimicrobial and antibiotic effects, which inhibit the growth of unwanted organisms, are believed to be the reason for this.

Lower Cholesterol

Garlic will also help to lower your cholesterol levels. Research participants who took a garlic supplement for five months had their cholesterol levels drop. Commitment is imperative in this case. Garlic’s effects take some time to sink in, as they do with certain herbal treatments, so you’ll have to let the minerals and vitamins develop up in your body. Using garlic in your everyday routine is an excellent way to develop a long-term habit that constantly supports your health.

Contains Anti-Cancer Properties

A lot of evidence suggests that garlic can help reduce cancer and prevent its growth. Garlic’s high phytochemical content is responsible for its cancer-fighting and cholesterol-lowering properties. Phytochemicals are plant-derived chemical compounds that shield cells from damage that is the major cause of cancer.

A Powerful Antibiotic

Garlic has potent antibacterial agents that can help protect you from a variety of infections. Garlic can provide preventive benefits as a supplement, but it cannot be used in place of medical treatment.

See Also

1. Freeze Strawberries
2.  Freeze Brussels Sprouts
3. How To Freeze Cauliflower
4. How To Freeze Broccoli

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