How To Store Garlic So That It Lasts

If you take the time to store garlic properly, it could last up to an entire year.

Fact checked by Khara ScheppmannMedically reviewed by Brierley Horton, MS, RD

Garlic is one of those grocery list staples that many home cooks use on a daily basis. Whether it's making a fresh pot of soup, homemade spaghetti sauce, fresh garlic bread, or a veggie side dish, garlic is a kitchen essential for adding rich flavor and an array of health benefits to your family's meals. According to the Cleveland Clinic, garlic is a great immune booster, fights inflammation, and is an anti-bacterial. Plus, it's loaded with antioxidant power to keep your household healthy through back-to-school, flu season, and beyond.

Aside from the ingredient's flavor and health benefits, it's also a super low-maintenance food which makes it ideal to have on hand at all times. However, it's also important to know how to shop for fresh garlic and where it's from in order to ensure long-lasting freshness and the best flavor profile for your favorite garlicky pasta recipe. Once you've picked up a few bulbs, you'll want to store it properly so you'll never be out of this ever-important allium.

Related: 31 Recipes You Can Make With Fresh Garlic

How To Store Whole Garlic

Heads of garlic should be kept intact to help them from drying out and stored in a cool, but not cold, and dry place with air circulation to avoid sprouting or mold. A whole bulb can last for months if properly stored.

What To Store Garlic In

The container in which garlic is stored in is far less important than where it's stored. The biggest thing to keep in mind is simply using something that allows for airflow and won't lock in moisture. While there are specific vessels designed for the task including ceramic and terra-cotta jars or hanging mesh bags, any bowl or basket are good options too. Garlic is often sold in mesh bags, so you can keep it in the original container as well.

Where To Store Bulbs

Due to the naturally warm temperatures and high humidity of the South, it can be tricky to find the right place to store garlic. While the fridge is ruled out for its low temperature, the best option is an unheated pantry or similar space. If the basement of your home isn't too humid, that works as well.

If stored on the countertop, try to place it away from windows as sunlight will also cause the garlic to sprout quicker.

Related: Can You Eat Sprouted Garlic?

Optimal Storage Temperature

The best temperature range for storing a head of garlic is between 56°F and 58°F, according to Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. However, so long as you keep your garlic stored at a temperature no lower than 50°F and no higher than 66°F, you'll be in the ideal range for long-lasting garlic storage.

Storing garlic at lower temperatures can cause the allium to start sprouting, while higher temperatures can cause the garlic to dehydrate, both of which will cause the garlic to lose its flavor. Cornell CALS also recommends considering humidity levels when it comes to garlic storage and suggests finding a spot somewhere between 45 and 50 percent humidity.

How Long Can Whole Garlic Be Stored

The great thing about whole garlic is that, when stored properly, it can last for months, if not up to a year, depending on the variety. An unpeeled, whole head of garlic is typically good for approximately six months. Seek out small to medium bulbs for longer storage capabilities.

How To Store Peeled Garlic

You've probably noticed you can buy pre-peeled garlic or the minced stuff in a jar at the grocery store, which means you can also store your own in the refrigerator.

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

Whole Cloves

Whether you end up with more than a recipe calls for or you're trying to meal prep, any whole peeled garlic cloves should be kept in the refrigerator and will last for up to a week. The peel acts the individual clove's protective skin, so once unpeeled, garlic should be placed in an airtight container. If unused before it goes bad, consider making pickled garlic which lasts for up to 4 months.

Chopped Garlic

Once a clove has been cut it will last for two to three days. Minced, grated, or sliced garlic should be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated. Once you start to see any signs of discoloration, immediately use or discard the garlic.

To extend the storage life chopped garlic, you can preserve it in oil and keep in the fridge for up to 7 days; however storing uncooked garlic in oil is associated with the risk of botulism according to the USDA.

Can You Freeze Garlic?

Yes! Peeled whole cloves can simply be kept in a freezer-safe sealed bag, while chopped garlic follows a similar to freezing herbs using ice cube trays and water or olive oil. Both will methods will keep for 6 to 12 months, though a benefit to freezing chopped garlic in oil is that you can simply drop the cube in your skillet to cook.

Related: 8 Mistakes You're Making When Cooking With Garlic

For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Southern Living.