The Nonna-Approved Way to Store Garlic

How to Store Garlic

"Garlic is a precious ingredient and super important for cooking Italian food, among other cuisines," says Rossella Rago, an Italian-American cookbook author and host of the webisode series Cooking with Nonna.

But how should you preserve that precious ingredient so it's in tip-top condition when you need to cook with it? To figure out how to store garlic so it stays fresh, we quizzed Rago and a handful of Italian cooking experts.

Related: The Very Best Garlic Bread

How Long Does Garlic Last?

It depends on the form, namely whether it's peeled or unpeeled. "A whole head of garlic can last up to six months," says Raffaele Rosati, the chef with Italian Food Company, which has restaurants in the Florida Keys in Key Largo, Islamorada and Tavernier. "An unpeeled clove can last about three weeks. A peeled clove can last a week in the fridge."

For this reason, Rosati stresses it's best to store peeled garlic and only unpeel it when it's ready to be used. "The garlic skin acts as a protective armor for the garlic cloves," Rosati says. "Peeled garlic will rot faster than the unpeeled."

And garlic will let you know when it's time to toss it. "Spoiled garlic can have brown spots on the cloves and turn from white to yellow," Rosati says. "If it loses its pungent smell and feels soft at the touch, it’s not good."

Related: How to Store Cilantro So It Lasts For Days

The Biggest Mistakes People Make When Storing Garlic

1. Sticking it in the fridge

Experts suggest storing garlic in a cool, dark, dry spot. It's best if that spot is not the fridge.

"The biggest mistake is to store the garlic head in an environment where humidity is present—this includes the fridge," says Marco Perocco, who offers cooking classes and personal chef services through Italian-based Marco's Kitchen. "Storing in the refrigerator compromises freshness," Rago adds. (There are exceptions here, though, which we'll get to in a minute.)

It's best to store garlic in an area with relatively low humidity to prevent spoilage and flavor loss. The pantry is often a good spot or in a basket on a countertop that's out of the sun and away from the stove.

2. Letting it get wet

Choose garlic's neighbors wisely. "[One] mistake is letting the head of the garlic come into contact with something wet," Perocco says. Perocco says no-nos include placing garlic with vegetables in a bag after buying it or using damp hands to touch it during meal prep. Any moisture can make garlic spoil more quickly.

3. Keeping garlic in oil at room temperature

Here's the fridge exception we mentioned in #1. Garlic mixed with oil can be dangerous if left at room temperature. "This creates an environment for Botulinum to grow," says Rosati.

The National Center for Home Food Preservation advises that garlic-in-oil can be stored at 40°F or lower for up to four days, which means you need to stick it in the fridge. After that, it's time to ditch it or freeze it.

4. Peeling too soon

Meal prep can help a busy person get ahead, but experts suggest focusing any get-ahead efforts elsewhere. Rago shares it's best to peel garlic right before cooking. "Peeling it reduces shelf life," she says.

Up next: How to Store Onions

How to Store Garlic Like a Nonna

1. How to Store Whole Heads of Garlic

If you've got a whole, unpeeled garlic head with firm skin, you're off to a great start. To keep it fresh, Simone Bacarri, the general manager at Via Veneto restaurant in Santa Monica, Calif, has some tips.

"Garlic needs to breathe," she says. "A mesh bag or basket with good ventilation is better than storing it in an airtight container. Keep your garlic bulbs in a cool, dry place with good ventilation, like a pantry or a basket on the kitchen counter. Avoid direct sunlight or high humidity."

2. How to Store Unpeeled Garlic Cloves

Ideally, experts share it's best not to chop garlic cloves (also sometimes called buds) before you need them. "Buds should be kept within the bulb until you're ready to use them," Bacarri says. "Break off cloves as needed to maintain freshness."

Storing unpeeled garlic cloves is similar to storing whole heads. "Garlic buds have to be stored in a dry, dark place, with a temperature of 50-59 F°," Rosati says. "Avoid direct sunlight."

Another no-go? Plastic bags."They seal the moisture inside," Rosati says. "Instead, you should store them in a paper bag," which won't trap moisture next to the garlic.

3. How to Store Peeled Garlic Cloves

If you've already purchased or peeled cloves, the fridge is your friend. "Peeled garlic cloves...should be stored in the fridge in an airtight container with a little bit of good olive oil and used within a week," Bacarri says.

Remember that note about garlic oil? We'll remind you again that the National Center for Home Food Preservation suggests tossing or freezing garlic in oil after four days.

4. How to Store Minced Store-Bought Garlic

Experts say fresh garlic is best, but if you have a jar of minced garlic, that should be kept in the fridge as well. "If you buy pre-minced garlic, it's often stored in oil," Bacarri says. "Refrigerate it and consume it within a month." Before using, check to make sure that the garlic looks and smells ok and also look at the expiration date on the jar, which will give you a ballpark frame of reference for the shortcut's shelf life.

Related: 19 Must-Try Garlic Recipes

Can You Freeze Garlic?

The answer to this one is "yes, but..." First, "You can freeze all kinds of garlic," Rago says. "It freezes surprisingly well in a plastic bag, peeled or unpeeled."

That doesn't mean Nonna would recommend it. "My Nonna never froze any garlic," Rago says. Bacarri isn't big on it, either.

"While you can store chopped and pureed garlic in the freezer, it does take away the crunchy texture of fresh garlic," Bacarri says. "We prefer to use fresh garlic at our restaurant, especially because we’re just using garlic to elevate a dish and not overpower it."

Still, perhaps you don't want to let all your garlic go to waste. Rosati gave a step-by-step for people who respect their Nonnas (and elders) but can't follow everything they say:

1. Separate the cloves.

2. Remove the papery skin.

3. Place the peeled garlic in a freezer bag or air-tight container.

4. Remove as much air as possible from the bag or container.

"Garlic can last up to 6 months frozen," Rosati says. "Frozen garlic cloves can be used right away if they're peeled. Whole garlic has to be defrosted at room temperature for a few minutes."

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