How Long Do Garlic Cloves Last?

Plus, signs for when they've gone bad.

Cooking with garlic cloves is an essential part of many home cook’s repertoire. Fresh garlic, whether roasted and added to a dip or dressing, or sliced thinly and sautéed with leafy greens or cut up chicken, is an indispensable kitchen ingredient.

This workhorse adds loads of flavor to everything it touches (looking at you, garlic bread). But garlic, like other alliums, has a shelf life. The taste and flavor of garlic changes once it’s gone bad, which is why it’s important to know how long garlic cloves last. But how long garlic cloves last depends on a couple of things—namely, whether the garlic gloves are peeled or unpeeled.

Related: How To Plant Garlic From A Clove

How Long Do Unpeeled Garlic Cloves Last?

Unpeeled garlic cloves can last "quite a while" according to Rodney Freidank, a corporate chef at Table 301 Restaurant Group in Greenville, South Carolina. Proper storage will contribute to how long cloves will last. It's safe to say that unpeeled garlic cloves will last for at least seven to ten days when stored in a pantry, but Freidank notes that some can last for weeks and likely months.

How Long Do Peeled Garlic Cloves Last?

Peeled cloves have a lot shorter shelf life than unpeeled cloves. Freidank says you can expect these cloves to stay good for about a week stored in a sealed plastic bag or container and kept in the fridge.

While the busy Chef often buys peeled cloves for the restaurants and for cooking at home, it might not be the best avenue for home cooks who don’t go through garlic as quickly. That said, if you do end up buying peeled cloves in bulk (we get it, peeling garlic can sometimes feel like a tedious task, especially when you need a lot for a specific recipe), you can always pop them in the freezer in an airtight container and thaw as needed.

“When they are thawed, their texture will be softer and they will be somewhat translucent, but their flavor will still be great,” Freidank says.

And if you’ve ended up chopping more garlic than you need, Freidank recommends drizzling a little olive oil over the chopped or minced cloves and placing that in the fridge where it will stop the garlic from oxidizing. It will keep like this for a few days, and you can use the infused oil in myriad ways too.

Related: Use This Easy Garlic Peeling Hack To Save Time In The Kitchen

How To Determine If Garlic Cloves Have Gone Bad

Garlic that is getting old will get moldy, explains Freidank. It might also start to smell—a very strong or unpleasant smell is a telltale sign the garlic has gone bad. This is a result of oxidation, says the Chef, adding, “If that happens, don’t use it.”

As for those jars of chopped or minced garlic in oil? They may look tempting—and like a huge timesaver—but Freidank says he wouldn’t recommend it: “The taste is very different and easily noticed in your dish (especially on garlic bread).”

Related: 31 Recipes You Can Make With Fresh Garlic

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