How do You Prepare Garlic for Long-term Storage?

Harvesting, Curing and Storing Garlic
Harvesting, Curing and Storing Garlic

I love garlic. I use it pretty much on a daily basis. If I’m not roasting it in olive oil and eating it with bread, I’m using it in a variety of delicious recipes. I have always thought about storing it and after watching this video below, it seems quite simple!

I use it pretty much on a daily basis. If I’m not roasting it in olive oil and eating it with bread, I’m using it in a variety of delicious recipes. It’s so versatile that you can even use it for baking! And if you are looking to add more flavor to your life, try adding some cloves of fresh garlic to your cooking routine and watch the difference they make.

If you’re looking for an easy way to store your own home-grown produce, this might be just what you need! This product will help keep your garlic fresh and it’s also great if you need some extra room in the fridge or freezer. Plus, it’s super affordable so there really isn’t any reason not to try it out today!


How do you keep garlic fresh longer?

Keep the garlic in a jar with the top sealed. This way, all of the fresh air will stay INside and it won’t run out as fast.

One alternative is to cut off the second green shoot from the clove before storing them. Another option is to puncture or cut your cloves in half vertically through their surface, making a cross-shape incision about a quarter-inch apart from one another before you store it. Make sure that this makes enough space for any odor to escape without letting moisture seep inside which can lead to molding and rot.

If you have a bunch of garlic that needs storage quickly, take bunches of cloves by wrapping rubber bands around each bundle 5 times so they are tightly bundled together. Store all of the garlic-like in your fridge for maximum freshness.

The best way to store it is also in a jar with an open-top, but fill the bottom chamber 2/3 full with water and set the garlic on top of that submerged in water. This will keep it moist and you’ll be able to use your garlic for up to 3 months!

How do you store garlic long term?

To store garlic long-term, peel the cloves and place each one inside a small separate sealed container. Spices are usually kept in this manner because it is easier to grab the desired amount needed for cooking by just shaking or tipping out what you need. This will also help to prevent odors that might affect your other food stacks, as well as keep the color of cloves fresh for longer periods of time.

Garlic can be kept in your refrigerator for up to two weeks. Once you have removed the cloves from their original skin, place them inside a sealed container or plastic bag. Place it on the top shelf of your fridge where is cooler and away from fruits with strong odors which may affect your garlic. If you are planning on storing garlic for a longer time, you can keep it in the freezer. Just follow the same instructions of placing each clove inside its own container and popping them into your freezer. Be advised that freezing will cause the color of your cloves to turn black.

What temperature should garlic be stored at?

Garlic should be stored at a temperature of around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If garlic is stored at too high of a temperature, the flavor will begin to change. The temperature should not exceed 50 degrees Fahrenheit or it will start to sprout. Store garlic in an open container in a cool, dark place.

What happens if you refrigerate garlic?

Refrigeration of garlic will not make it lose its potency, but the cold temperature can increase the risk for botulism if bulbs aren’t prepared correctly before storage. Botulism is a serious illness caused by bacteria that thrive in low oxygen and low acid environments. This means that refrigerating garlic puts it at a much higher risk of causing this illness.

If garlic is stored incorrectly, there’s a chance that spores from the bacteria that cause botulism may grow and produce a deadly toxin that can make you very sick! This bacteria produces spores as well, so if your refrigerator isn’t kept between 39 degrees F (4 degrees C) and 140 degrees F (60 degrees C), the spores might grow.

Here’s how you can safely store garlic:

  • Keep garlic at room temperature or below for two to three weeks before refrigerating it.
  • When cutting, slicing, chopping, grating, crushing, or mincing garlic cloves, try not to expose them to the air for more than ten minutes, as this might start to decrease their quality.
  • Store peeled garlic cloves in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator.
  • Keep whole heads of garlic at room temperature out of direct sunlight until ready to use — then refrigerate after they’re prepared.
  • When using garlic, don’t leave it out for more than four hours.

Keeping garlic refrigerated can be harmful, so check your recipes before storing your food in the refrigerator. Know what you are working with to prevent poisoning!

How do you keep peeled garlic fresh longer?  

Garlic can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. To extend its shelf life, place the cloves in a jar or airtight container and cover them with a layer of oil. Make sure to refrigerate the garlic as soon as possible after peeling. Fresh garlic quickly loses its flavor after being exposed to the air.

Peeled garlic is still good for three to four days in the refrigerator. If your recipe requires more than that, you can save time by peeling it ahead of time and storing it in oil in an airtight container with a tight seal.

Does garlic like hot weather? 

Garlic is a cool-season crop and does best when the temperatures are below 70 degrees Fahrenheit.   However, it will tolerate hot weather once bulbs have formed.  When growing garlic in warm climates, plant between October and December to harvest before the summer heat arrives.  In regions where winter temperatures stay above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, plant garlic in the fall for a spring harvest.

 Garlic planted in the winter will be ready to harvest between April and early June, but can also be harvested as late as July.  If you live in an area where average temperatures are above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, plant varieties are made for hot climates.

Planting garlic is fairly easy, but the success of your crop will depend on where you live.  Garlic is not tolerant to cold climates and will rot if planted in areas with heavy frost or snow, but can be grown in most regions of the United States with mild winters.  For the best crop, pick a location that gets full sun for at least six hours a day.  Garlic needs to be planted in loose, well-drained soil on the top of a ridge or south-facing slope with full sun exposure and plenty of space to grow. Garlic takes four years to produce a full crop and planting should be done in fall before the temperatures drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

What to do with sprouted garlic

If you have garlic that has begun to sprout, you can still use it in recipes. The sprouts are edible and have a slightly bitter taste. You can either chop them up and add them to dishes or eat them whole. You may not want to use them in uncooked dishes, however. Garlic only sprouts once, but if you leave it in the ground long enough it will get big.

Garlic starts to sprout when the temperature rises above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and days lengthen. This often happens in March and April. The garlic begins to send out a green stalk that will then change into cloves and spread out, producing leaves or flowers if conditions are right for them.

How do you store garlic in the freezer?  

Garlic has many health benefits. It is also one of the most popular spices in the world. When you store garlic in the freezer, it can keep for three to six months without losing its properties. If you freeze garlic, it will taste fresh and last longer than if you simply leave it on your countertop. However, there are some things you should know before storing it in your freezer.

The best way to store garlic is in an airtight container. Keep the container sealed so nothing seeps into the garlic and contaminates it. You can store garlic in plastic or glass containers, but use what you have on hand if possible. For instance, you can place unpeeled garlic in a jar, seal it with the lid and freeze it. Or you can place peeled garlic cloves into an airtight container before freezing them. Peeling your garlic will save you time when cooking because you do not have to remove the peel before adding the garlic to your food.


Conclusion: Garlic is a delicious and healthy addition to any meal, but it can be tricky to store properly. After watching this video below, you now know how to prepare garlic for long-term storage so that you can enjoy it all year round!


How to Cure Process and Store Garlic for Maximum Storage Life

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