Every home cook should know how to roast garlic in the oven. Roasted garlic adds delicious flavor to recipes, it can be spread on bread or mixed into softened butter. I've been roasting my own for years and it's very easy to do with no special kitchen equipment required!
Why Roast Garlic?
Roasted garlic is sweet and mild and adds incredible flavor to so many recipes. The magical transformation that occurs when you roast garlic in the oven is going to yield soft and caramel-colored cloves of garlic that can be added to sauces, dressings, bread and even pizza. The smell that will permeate your house will make you swoon with delight and will have your family waiting with mouths watering at the table for dinner to be served!
Roasting garlic in the oven mellows out the flavor so you do not get that strong and pungent garlic taste. The garlic will be fragrant and golden with a nice creamy texture that is perfect for spreading on homemade bread and it is undeniably delicious when added to this Cheesy Beer Bread recipe. I love adding this garlic to whipped butter or salad dressings or replacing raw garlic with roasted garlic in recipes like my 25 Minute Marinara Sauce.
Equipment / Ingredients Needed for Roasted Garlic
You really only need some aluminum foil and an oven. No fancy clay oven baker required. I think you should be able to roast a few bulbs of garlic even in the smallest of kitchens without using any fancy equipment. It should be fragrant, golden, and creamy enough to spread on bread or use in your favorite recipe.
You will need a few bulbs of fresh garlic and some good olive oil. If you'd like you can also use a few fresh herbs. I prefer rosemary as it makes it so fragrant.
Steps to Roasting Garlic in Your Oven
Get the full ingredients list and instructions in the recipe card below.
- Peel the outer, loose skins from the garlic and use a sharp knife to chop off the top of the bulb.
- Place the bulb on a piece of foil and drizzle with olive oil. If adding herbs, add them now.
- Seal the garlic in the foil and place it in a preheated 350F oven for 45-50 minutes.
Tips for Roasting Garlic
- Don't forget to cut the tops off of the garlic bulbs. If you skip this part the garlic will likely burn.
- If you plan to roast multiple bulbs of garlic, wrap each one separately.
- Place the wrapped garlic on to a pan to catch any oil that escapes from the foil packs.
- Allow the cooked garlic to cool slightly, squeeze out the cloves and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Use within 24 hours or store it in the freezer for longer storage.
- No foil? Wrap the garlic in parchment paper and tie it with a piece of twine.
- Rosemary is our favorite herb but you can try other herbs as well. Thyme, dill and oregano are great choices.
Health Benefits of Garlic
The flavor of roasted garlic is matched only by the health benefits of garlic. It's so yummy and can also protect you against heart disease, cancer and infection. There are a lot of claims about the benefits of garlic but over and over again data has shown that regular consumption of garlic can lead to a 10% drop in cholesterol and up to a 5 to 8-point drop in blood pressure.
Your kitchen will smell heavenly and your heart and body will thank you. Your breath might not, but it's okay. Just chew some gum or have breath mints, and you will be fine. Serve it to your whole family or date and no one will notice!
More Recipes that Include Garlic
- Homemade Marinated Olives Recipe
- Easy Chicken Cacciatore
- Marinated Mushroom Salad
- Cheese Tortellini with Sausage and Mushrooms
Have you tried roasting garlic before? As you can see, it is so easy to roast garlic in the oven. Give it a try today and add roasted garlic to your favorite recipes!
If you like this recipe for Roasted Garlic, please give it 5- stars below.
RECIPE
Oven Roasted Garlic
Ingredients
- 3 bulbs of garlic
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- fresh herbs, if desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Peel the outer skins off the garlic bulbs and cut the tops off the heads while keeping cloves intact. Drizzle with olive oil and wrap loosely in aluminum foil with fresh herbs. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until garlic is soft and golden. Enjoy!
Nutrition
First Published January 2018; Updated January 2021
Subscribe to Jersey Girl Cooks if you would like more recipes like this one. You can also order my Super Easy Cookbook for Beginners and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.
corinne & kirsty
I have never had roast garlic! Nor made or eaten. I am so curious now coz it looks so good on your pictures!
Jelena
Thank you very much for this idea. I really like the garlic and I can not wait to try your preparation.
Vishal Vashisht
We do the same thing with Onions and they really taste well. In addition to the oil, we add herbs and some salt and pepper. But I know, Garlic can be more tasty and healthy too. I should try one this weekend.
Diana
I have never had roast garlic! I can not wait to try your preparation. It looks so good on your pictures!
Bobbi
This was such a helpful post! There are so many recipes that call for garlic and so many times not knowing what to do with it.
Caitlin
My stomach starting growling while reading this! I LOVE garlic in all forms, and roasting it takes it to the next level. Loved these pictures too!
Sudip Saha
Garlic is well known for its properties. Didn't knew that roasted garlic is easy to prepare.
Tiffany
Roasted garlic is the best! I love the smell of it and like to add it when I make homemade mashed potatoes.
Khushboo
That is a super useful lesson for someone like me who always ends up burning garlic while aiming to roast. 🙂
Ada
I've never tried roasting garlic before so this was certainly helpful!
Stephanie Jeannot
Ooh I really like roasted garlic
Betty Griffen
Roasted garlic is great ! It tastes wonderful and can be used for so much. BUT it should be frozen after use. It can be kept in a refrigerator but at the max only 2 weeks. Can grow botulism here's a educational PDF from UCDavis http://ucfoodsafety.ucdavis.edu/files/250352.pdf
judith M. holmberg
I can't thank you enough! My last try at oven roasting garlic it exploded and I had hours of clean up. I haven't been game to try it again. Now armed with your recipe I will. Garlic is so good for your body why wouldn't you use it in as many dishes as you can?
lisa
Glad it worked this time 🙂
Cathleen
Garlic has to be one of my favourite things ever. This is right up my alley, I know that I am going to be making this over and over. Thanks so much for the recipe 🙂
kushigalu@gmail.com
Love garlic and use it in most of my recipes. This is a great post with interesting tips. thanks for sharing.
veenaazmanov
Bursting of flavors and so many health and medicinal benefits. Best way to enjoy it all.
Suzy
This is the best way to make it! Instructions are simple and clear! Now we make it like this all of the time!
Heather Johnson
so good - love the additional recipe ideas - i tried the garlic bread!