If you’re like me, you might have been under the impression that garlic never goes bad. Unfortunately, I realized I was wrong on the exact day I needed a clove for a recipe with garlic. So how long does garlic last?
It doesn’t last forever, but garlic is unusually long-lasting. Unpeeled, a head of garlic can keep up to six months, while a single, unpeeled clove will last about three weeks. However, taking the skin off means that it’ll go bad much faster—a peeled clove will last a week in the fridge, while chopped garlic can go bad in as little as two days. And this is assuming it’s stored properly! That’s why it’s so important to pick good heads of garlic and store them the right way.
How to Pick the Best Garlic
When shopping for garlic, make sure it’s not too dehydrated or hollow. The best way to check this is by picking up the bulb and giving it a gentle squeeze. Be sure it’s firm and none of the cloves are too soft or too dry.
If your garlic bulb has green sprouts, it’s best to skip it. It’s been on the shelf too long!
The Best Way to Store Garlic
Much like how we store onions, whole garlic bulbs or cloves should be stored in a dark, dry and cool place that’s well-ventilated. Your countertop is probably a good bet—but make sure you don’t accidentally expose your garlic to any heat, light or moisture. If you want to make your kitchen look pretty while keeping your garlic fresh, look into a garlic keeper.
How to Store Minced Garlic
Minced garlic can go bad quickly, so try to use it up as soon as possible. You can keep minced garlic in the fridge for up to a day, as garlic starts to break down extremely fast when it’s cut. If you want to extend its life, try covering it with olive oil. This will only keep it good for two or three days, though, so make sure you use it up ASAP.
How to Tell If Garlic Has Gone Bad
When you’re trying to tell if food is spoiled, keep an eye out for certain things: look, smell and feel. Look for brown spots on your garlic cloves—garlic is mostly an off-white color, so any spots means your bulb has probably gone bad. If your garlic has sprouted, you can still eat it, but make sure you cut the sprouts off—they can be bitter.
If garlic loses its signature spicy, pungent smell or begins to smell sour, that’s another sure sign it’s gone bad. As for the feel, make sure it feels similar to what you’re looking for at the store—firm, with no overly dry or soft cloves. If it’s gone bad, make sure you don’t eat it—it can cause a rare but serious illness known as botulism, thanks to bacterial overgrowth.
Chicken & Garlic with Fresh Herbs
The key to this savory chicken is the combination of garlic, fresh rosemary and thyme. I like to serve it with mashed potatoes or crusty Italian bread. —Jan Valdez, Lombard, Illinois
Garlic Lemon Shrimp
You'll be amazed that you can make this simple, elegant pasta in mere minutes. Serve with crusty bread to soak up all of the garlic lemon sauce. —Athena Russell, Greenville, South Carolina
Skillet Potatoes with Red Pepper and Whole Garlic Cloves
You'll be surprised that a skillet potato recipe this simple has so much flavor. I love how the whole garlic cloves turn sweet after being caramelized. Yum! —Anita Osborne, Thomasburg, Ontario
Tomato-Garlic Lentil Bowls
An Ethiopian recipe inspired this feel-good dinner that's tangy, creamy and packed with hearty comfort. —Rachael Cushing, Portland, Oregon
Garlic-Dill Soda Bread
It's amazing how bread can be made in a slow cooker, which is why this recipe is so awesome—who knew it could be so simple! Let the inviting aroma of dill and cheese fill your kitchen. —Melissa Hansen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Garlic Chicken & Broccoli
This simple riff on Chinese chicken proves you can savor the takeout taste you crave while still eating right. —Connie Krupp, Racine, Wisconsin
Onion & Garlic Biscuits
Bake a dozen of these oniony, herby biscuits for a little something new in the holiday bread basket. They're also awesome with a bowl of chili, soup or stew. —L. Dorow, Fairmont, MN
Greek Garlic Chicken
Lively flavors of the Greek Isles come through in this mouthwatering chicken entree. I created this dish so my husband and I could have a nice dinner after a busy day out and about. —Margee Berry, Trout Lake, Washington
Garlic Grilled Steaks
Take steak to new flavor heights by basting your choice of cuts with an amazing garlicky blend that requires only a few minutes to fix. It will be a mouthwatering change of taste at your next outdoor gathering. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Creamy Roasted Garlic & Spinach Orzo
This side dish brings instant comfort. I first made it without spinach so my husband and daughter would like it. The next time, I added spinach for the extra health benefits. They still devoured it, so in my book that's a win-win. —Dawn Moore, Warren, Pennsylvania
Garlic-Ginger Turkey Tenderloins
This good-for-you entree can be on your family’s plates quicker than Chinese takeout…and for a lot less money! Ginger and brown sugar flavor the sauce that spices up the turkey as it bakes. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Garlic Green Beans with Gorgonzola
I updated this green bean holiday side dish by adding a touch of white wine, fresh thyme and green onions. It's delicious, easy to make and my family loves it! —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Mozzarella Mushrooms with Garlic Toast
I came up with this dinner using ingredients I had on hand. It turned out to be so delicious, my wife and I now make it for special occasions. —Marc Bushee, Moorhead, MinnesotaGarlic Salmon Linguine
The garlic-seasoned main dish calls for handy pantry ingredients, including pasta and canned salmon. I serve it with asparagus, rolls and fruit. —Theresa Hagan, Glendale, Arizona
Lemon & Garlic New Potatoes
This is a simplified version of a dish my Costa Rican host sister used to make when I was in the Peace Corps. It has become a favorite side dish at my house. —Katie Bartle, Parkville, Missouri
Gingered Short Ribs with Green Rice
I love the flavors of Korean cuisine, so I created short ribs for the slow cooker. The dish is beautiful, too! — Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Garlic Lime Salmon
This moist and tender fish is lightly seasoned, so leftovers work well in other recipes. —Gail Uchwat, Sand Springs, Oklahoma
Garlic-Mashed Rutabagas & Potatoes
My family absolutely loves mashed potatoes. I created this recipe to lighten up the calories and sneak in a serving of rutabagas. If you have the time, boil the potatoes in chicken broth to add even more flavor. —Rosemary Tatum, Sterlington, Louisiana
Garlic-Apple Pork Roast
This is the meal I have become famous for, and it is so simple. The garlic and apple flavors really complement the pork. It's especially good with steamed fresh asparagus and roasted red potatoes. —Jennifer Loos, Washington Boro, Pennsylvania
Garlic Tortellini Soup
I like to top bowls of this tasty soup with a little grated Parmesan cheese, and serve it with crusty bread to round out the meal. —Donna Morgan, Hend, Tennessee
Au Gratin Garlic Potatoes
Cream cheese and a can of cheese soup turn ordinary sliced potatoes into a rich side dish that's perfect accompaniment to almost any meal. —Tonya Vowels, Vine Grove, Kentucky
Garlic-Cheese Crescent Rolls
Upgrade your basic crescent roll recipe! Here's a recipe that just couldn't be much quicker or easier and is sure to add a nice touch to any dinner. The garlic and Parmesan flavors really come through. Enjoy! —Lori Abad, East Haven, Connecticut
Garlic-Chive Baked Fries
Yes, you do want fries with that—especially these crispy, golden fries, full of garlic flavor and just a little bit of heat. —Steve Westphal, Wind Lake, Wisconsin
Garlic-Butter Steak
Made in a skillet, this quick-and-easy garlic butter steak is restaurant-quality and sure to become a staple at your house, too! —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Lemon-Garlic Cream Fettuccine
I've been making this lemony pasta for the family for years. It's both simple and indulgent enough to make it a go-to recipe. —Anne Miller, Glenfield, New York
Honey-Garlic Glazed Meatballs
My husband and I raise cattle on our farm here in southwestern Ontario, so it's no surprise that we're fond of these saucy meatballs. I know your family will like them, too. —Marion Foster, Kirkton, Ontario
Garlic Shrimp & Orzo Salad
I enjoy cold pasta salads and rice salads, so I decided to make one with orzo, a rice-shaped pasta. Feel free to add other favorite veggies—like asparagus and green beans—and serve with rolls or pita bread.—Valonda Seward, Coarsegold, California
Garlic Lemon Butter
This tangy flavored butter offers a nice change from plain butter and gives a refreshing new taste to an ear of corn. When I serve this on the side during fresh corn season, the same question always gets asked—"What's in the butter that makes it so delicious?" —Margie Wampler, Butler, PennsylvaniaThe post How Long Does Garlic Last? appeared first on Taste of Home.
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