Oil is an excellent preservative for many food items, but when it comes to garlic, you might want to know how long it can last in olive oil for your next pasta dish.
Over the years, I’ve preserved chopped garlic cloves in olive oil and learned that it can last for up to 4-7 days in the refrigerator and 2-3 months in the freezer. However, you need to completely submerge garlic in the oil and store it at 40 -50 °F while refrigerating.
Below, I’ll reveal how long garlic lasts in olive oil and the best ways to preserve it so you can savor its flavorful magic for later use. I’ll also discuss how you can keep garlic cloves fresh in olive oil for a longer duration to elevate the taste of your dishes.
How long will chopped garlic in olive oil last?
If you love the heavenly aroma of freshly chopped garlic immersed in olive oil, how long can this delightful combination last without losing its freshness?
Don’t worry. I’ve got the scoop on keeping your chopped garlic in olive oil fresh. The answer lies in two magical words: Proper Preservation.
You see, chopped garlic on its own is good for 24 hours, but when you preserve it in olive oil with care, it can last for around 2-3 weeks.
Before you get excited and start concocting, let me tell you why you need to store it correctly.
Well, garlic is a low-acid vegetable, and when you place it in an anaerobic environment, it creates a perfect condition for the botulism toxin to develop, which may lead to serious health issues or worse.
Don’t fret! Here is my secret for keeping your garlic-infused olive oil safe and fresh: Chop your peeled garlic cloves, put them in the mason jar, and pour olive oil over them.
The key point here is to ensure the garlic is fully submerged in the oil. Next thing, screw on the air-tight lid and label the jar with the date and time. Finally, place it in a cool, dry place, preferably in the refrigerator at 40-50 °F.
Now, there’s one more thing you need to keep in mind to ensure your garlic and olive oil duo remains in tip-top shape. Even in the fridge, I recommend storing the chopped garlic in olive oil for no more than 4-7 days.
This way, you’ll savor the best flavors without any unwanted surprises. Another way is to put the minced/chopped garlic-infused oil in ice cubes and store it in the fridge for 2-3 months.
How do you keep garlic cloves fresh in olive oil?
As we venture into preserving this concoction, I’ll share below not just one but two methods to keep garlic cloves fresh and aromatic in olive oil for a long time.
Method 1: Uncooked Garlic Cloves
If you prefer the raw, zesty kick of uncooked garlic cloves, the first method to keep them fresh with olive oil is pretty simple.
Take some garlic cloves, remove the paper-like peel on them, and put them in a dry, clean mason jar. Next, pour enough olive oil over the cloves to completely submerge them. The key here is to use fresh, quality garlic and extra virgin olive oil.
Tighten the lid into the jar and label it with the date so you don’t forget when you have preserved the garlic oil. Now, for the most important part: store your garlic oil mason jar in the refrigerator at 40 °F or below and use it within a week for the best taste.
Method 2: Cooked Garlic Cloves
For those seeking a milder flavor, the cooked garlic cloves-infused olive oil is the way to go.
Take a small saucepan, add olive oil, and cook it on low to medium heat. Now peel some garlic cloves, add them to the oil, and gently cook for 5 to 10 minutes till you see the garlic turns golden brown.
Next, let the garlic cloves and oil cool down, transfer the duo to a clean, dry, air-tight container, and put it in the fridge for safekeeping. This method will help you preserve garlic for 1-2 weeks without the risk of botulism toxin development.
TIP: You can even supercharge the olive oil by adding your favorite whole spices and herbs. The possibilities are endless!
How do you use garlic-infused olive oil?
Garlic-infused olive oil is like a versatile elixir for adding a rich aroma and irresistible flavor to your dishes. So allow me to explore some common uses of this fantastic fusion for you to elevate your favorite meals.
Cooking
You can use garlic-infused oil as a substitute for cooking oil in various recipes, such as:
- Sautéing vegetables
- Stir-frying
- Pan-searing meats.
It infuses a subtle yet oh-so-satisfying, garlicky flavor to your ordinary dishes and turns them into extraordinary ones.
Drizzling
With garlic-infused olive oil, you can add the final touch of culinary finesse to your steamed broccoli rabe or broccolini. The result? A burst of garlic flavor that takes your dish to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Dressings and Marinades
If you’re a fan of bold flavors, you’ll love incorporating garlic-infused olive oil into your dressings and marinades. It serves as a splendid base, infusing your salads or marinated ingredients with a distinct garlic taste that’ll leave your taste buds craving more.
Since cooking is all about experimenting and having fun, don’t be afraid to get creative with your garlic-infused olive oil! Pro tip: when you’re in doubt, let your taste buds guide you.
Conclusion
There you have it, my partner in crime! I’ve explained everything you need to know about how long garlic lasts in olive oil and my secret method to preserve the combo the right way!
Speaking of keeping the whole garlic cloves fresh in olive oil, opt for the method that works best for you. But do not extend the storage beyond the recommended duration.
So, go forth and experiment fearlessly in your kitchen to enjoy the richness of garlic and olive oil supreme duo with your favorite dishes.
By the way, you can read about how to freeze garlic scapes in this post – we’ve described everything in great detail.
