If you’re a true garlic lover, this easy garlic confit recipe is going to be your new favorite kitchen secret. Using just a few simple ingredients, you can transform raw garlic cloves into soft, golden gems with a rich, mellow garlic flavor that lasts.
The slow cooking process creates tender, spreadable garlic cloves and a fragrant garlic oil that’s a great addition to soups, stews, pasta sauces, salad dressings, or simply drizzled over crusty bread.
The word confit comes from a French culinary technique traditionally used for preserving foods like duck confit or pork confit. The meat is cooked slowly in its own fat. Garlic confit follows the same principle. Instead of meat, we gently simmer whole cloves of garlic in enough olive oil (or another good cooking oil) at a low temperature until they’re soft and flavorful.
Why Make Homemade Garlic Confit?
- Big payoff for little effort. With just a small saucepan, fresh garlic, and enough oil, you’ll have something that tastes gourmet with almost no work.
- Versatile use. Use the confit garlic cloves or the garlic-infused oil in your favorite ways. From spreading on garlic bread to stirring into pasta sauces.
- Preserves garlic. A great way to use up heads of garlic you’ve grown, bought from the grocery store, or found at the farmers market.
- Homestead friendly. Store in a sterilized glass jar or mason jar for later use. Or freeze in ice cube trays for longer storage.
- Along with using the garlic, you’re left with a richly infused garlic oil. Perfect for drizzling over pastas and roasted or grilled meats. Whisk it into vinaigrettes, dressings and sauces.
Easy Garlic Confit for Pasta, Bread, and More
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Ingredients
- 3 Heads Garlic peeled into whole cloves of garlic
- 1 1/2 Cups Extra Virgin Olive Oil or neutral oil such as canola oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil, just enough oil to fully cover the cloves in your pan
- 3 Sprigs Fresh Thyme or other fresh herbs such as rosemary
- ½ Teaspoon Black Peppercorns
- Optional: a pinch of red pepper flakes or red chilli flakes for subtle heat
Instructions
- Separate your heads of garlic into cloves. You can use pre-peeled garlic cloves from the grocery store, but the freshest garlic will give you the best flavor.
- Place the peeled cloves in a small saucepan with the fresh thyme, and black peppercorns. Add enough olive oil (or other cooking oil) to fully submerge the garlic.3 Heads Garlic, 1 1/2 Cups Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 3 Sprigs Fresh Thyme, ½ Teaspoon Black Peppercorns, Optional: a pinch of red pepper flakes or red chilli flakes for subtle heat
- Cook low and slow. Set the saucepan over low heat and bring it to a gentle bare simmer (around 200–225 degrees F). The goal is slow cooking. Cook for 45–60 minutes, or until the cloves are tender, fragrant, and lightly golden brown.
- The garlic cloves should be soft and easily pierced with a fork. They should also have a slightly translucent appearance.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the garlic cloves. Transfer garlic and oil into a clean, sterilized glass jar or mason jar. Allow to cool to room temperature before sealing.
Notes
Important Note on Garlic Confit Safety
On the homestead, we all want to get the most out of our harvest and make food last a long time. But garlic in oil is one recipe that needs extra care. When garlic is submerged in oil, it creates a low-oxygen environment that can allow Clostridium botulinum (the bacteria that causes botulism) to grow. Botulism is a serious food-borne illness. It can happen if garlic confit is left at room temperature for long periods of time. To keep your family safe, here are the best ways to handle homemade garlic confit:- Always refrigerate in a sterilized glass jar or other airtight container.
- Use within a reasonable timeframe. Up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
- For longer storage, freeze garlic confit in ice cube trays and transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
- Always use clean utensils when scooping out garlic or oil.
Nutrition
Serving Ideas and Uses for Garlic Confit
- Spread the soft cooked garlic on crusty bread or toast.
- Stir into pasta sauces for an instant flavor boost.
- Use the garlic oil in salad dressings, drizzle over roasted vegetables, or brush onto meat before grilling.
- Mash into butter for the ultimate garlic bread spread.
- Use as a base for a tomato confit recipe or other meat confits.
- Add slices on pizza or spread on the edge of the pizza crust for extra flavor.
- Mash into your next hamburger before making the patties and frying your burgers.
- Add to potatoes when roasting or into you next mashed potatoes.
Flavorful Garlic Confit
The end result of this easy garlic confit recipe is rich, versatile, and full of mellow garlic flavor that can take your home cooking to the next level.
From simple garlic bread to elegant salad dressings, it’s one of the best things you can make ahead to add depth to your meals. For garlic fans, this is truly the best way to enjoy garlic in a new, exciting form.
easy and delicious recipe to take raw garlic to the next flavor level.