If you’ve just gotten your first jar of garlic, you’ll want to know how to store it properly. This will keep it fresh for a long time, and prevent odors from ruining your meals. You can freeze it, put it in a Mason jar, or pour it in oil and vinegar.
Refrigeration
Whether you’re using garlic for cooking or just for flavor, it’s essential to know how to store it. Getting it wrong can ruin the flavor.
The best way to store garlic is in an airtight container. This keeps the raw garlic smell from wafting out. It’s also a good idea to keep it in a dark and cool cupboard.
Garlic has many curative properties. It can also help to lower blood pressure. As such, it is often found in many recipes. In addition, garlic is a good candidate for storing in a refrigerator. Depending on your climate, the best temperature range for storing it is between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
There are several ways to store garlic in the refrigerator. You can use a mesh bag, a ceramic or terra cotta container, or a purpose built crock.
A wire basket is another option. But if you’re storing it in a refrigerator, be sure to use an airtight lid. Plastic bags trap moisture and can be harmful to your garlic. Alternatively, a paper wrapper or a silicone sheet works.
You can also preserve your fresh garlic in oil. If you choose this method, you should freeze it before you peel it. This allows for a more extended shelf life.
Another good way to store garlic is in vinegar. This preserves the garlic for up to four months. However, you should store it in a cool place and be sure to use it within three weeks.
Another great idea is to store it in an ice cube tray. Using this method can extend the life of your garlic by as much as a year.
The most important part of all of these methods is to store it in a cool, dark place. While you may be tempted to store your garlic in the freezer, this isn’t always the best option.
Vinegar
Keeping garlic in vinegar is a simple way to preserve the taste of fresh garlic. It can be used to season salad dressings, as well as other dishes that call for vinegar.
To store your garlic, you should first make sure that the jars you are using are airtight. If your jars are not, you should clean them thoroughly. Then, add a new lid and close the jars.
Make sure that your jars are large enough to hold the amount of garlic you plan to store. This will help to prevent mold growth. Leave at least one inch of head space in the jar.
When storing garlic in vinegar, it is important that the garlic be kept in an airtight container. You can use mesh bags to do this. Another option is to use ceramic containers. These containers are specially designed to keep garlic at its best.
Before storing your garlic in vinegar, it is important that you remove any brown spots from the garlic. Leaving the garlic in a container that contains brown spots will allow bacteria to grow.
Once you have removed any brown spots, it is time to sanitize the jars. Use a damp cloth to wipe the rims of the jars.
Once you have sanitized the jars, you should transfer the cloves of garlic into the jar. Add salt and other spices to the jar. Store the jar in the refrigerator.
After a week, you should have a batch of vinegar ready to be stored. If you like, you can add some honey or other ingredients.
Once the jars are sealed, you should put them in the fridge. They will last for at least a year.
Mason jars
It is not difficult to store garlic in mason jars. Just be sure to follow these easy steps.
First, you’ll need a mason jar. These are inexpensive and can be reused in many other kitchen endeavors. You can even use them to replace cheap plastic bags.
Next, you’ll need a medium pot. Fill it with water. Add the garlic and salt. Heat for a minute. Be sure to leave at least one inch of headspace.
To add some extra flavor, try adding some vinegar and spices. Then seal the jars. This is the first step in preserving your garlic.
If you have time, you can can your own. If you’re not ready for that, then you can try storing it in a mesh bag or paper container. However, it is best to use a purpose-built crock to store the garlic.
Alternatively, you can store garlic in olive oil. This will protect it from air and allow it to retain its crisp flavor for up to three months. Keeping it in an airtight container will also prevent the raw garlic smell from wafting out.
The other jar-based method of preserving your garlic is to put it in a container with avocado oil. This will ensure that the cloves will stay whole.
Another simple method is to simply store your garlic in a wide-mouth mason jar. This method allows you to easily remove the cloves when you’re ready to use them.
You may also want to try storing garlic in a silicone ice cube tray. You’ll get the same result as if you were preserving it in a jar, but you won’t have to worry about the jar popping open.
Freezer
If you like garlic, you may want to consider freezing it to keep it fresh longer. Not only does it save you time, but it also prevents botulism. Garlic can be stored in the freezer for up to six months.
When you store garlic in the freezer, it must be frozen in an airtight container. It is best to use containers made of mesh materials, such as aluminum or wire baskets, rather than plastic. Plastic materials absorb the smell and taste of the garlic.
You can freeze whole bulbs of garlic, but it is not a good idea to freeze the cloves. This is because they will dry out quickly.
If you do want to freeze the garlic, there are a few different methods. You can freeze it in a small ice cube tray or you can place it in a freezer bag. Freezing the garlic will keep it fresh for about a month without losing any of its flavor.
Some cooks coat the garlic in oil before storing it in the freezer. The oil can be scraped off for use in cooking. Alternatively, you can freeze the pureed garlic and oil together, then separate them afterward. This is best done in a GladWare(r) food protection container.
Another way to freeze garlic is to flash freeze it on a parchment-lined tray. This process can take up to a week, but the result is a firmer texture and a softer, more intense flavor.
Before you freeze, be sure to peel the garlic. This can be a labor-intensive process, but it is necessary for maximizing your storage of garlic.
Once the garlic is peeled and trimmed, it can be stored in an airtight container. Make sure to label the freezer bag with the date.
Preserving it in oil
Preserving garlic in oil is a great way to extend the shelf life of garlic. It also provides a number of potential health benefits. However, preserving garlic in oil is a little controversial.
There are a number of risks involved with storing garlic in oil. Some of the most serious include contamination with bacteria and botulism. Botulism is a lethal foodborne illness that is often associated with unwashed, undercooked vegetables.
While garlic has a relatively low acidity, it is still a risky ingredient for botulism to develop. Clostridium botulinum is a bacteria that is able to produce the botulism toxin only in anaerobic conditions. Garlic is best preserved in an oxygenated environment.
If you’re interested in preserving garlic in oil, there are a few simple steps to take. First, you need to remove the skin of the cloves. This process is most effective when using medium-sized cloves.
Next, you need to cover each of the cloves with oil. The oil should be the correct viscosity, and you want to leave a bit of head space. You can use olive oil or avocado oil.
After you’ve placed the cloves in the oil, you’ll want to store the jar in a cool cupboard. A jar with a reusable lid is a good option.
Finally, you need to make sure that the jar is sealed securely. This prevents the bacteria that can cause botulism from escaping.
Depending on the method you choose, you can store garlic in oil for as little as three days. Alternatively, you can store it in the freezer for months. To freeze, simply place the cloves in zip bags or freezer bags.
Garlic is an acidic food that should never be stored at room temperature. If you’re planning on storing the garlic in oil for more than a week, you should refrigerate it.
