Garlic is one of those vegetables that will enhance the flavor of the dish. It has a unique taste and aroma to them that makes them popular to use in soups, stir-fry, and, and baking goods. If you’ve prepared a meal and have some peeled garlic leftover, you’ll need to store them. Otherwise, it will start to go bad within a couple of days. Would freezing peeled garlic be one of the options for storage?
Yes, you can freeze peeled garlic, and they freeze quite well. You’ll need to prepare the cloves first, and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Properly stored, peeled garlic can last up to 6 months.
Does Peel Garlic Freeze Well?
Peeled garlic freezes very well due to its high moisture content. It’s better to freeze them whole. That way, it will help retain their texture, nutrition, and flavor.
Proper storage is needed to ensure that the garlic will remain fresh in the freezer. You can either use an airtight container or freezer bag to store garlic. Make sure there are no leaks in either the container or bag. If air is leaked into them, it will cause the garlic to deteriorate.
How Does Freezing Affect Garlic?
Freezing the garlic will have little effect on their taste. The taste will still remain pungent when it’s frozen and thawed.
The texture, however, will slightly change. When the peeled garlic is defrosted, it will not be as firm or crunchy as fresh garlic will.
The good news is that it’s not a big deal since cooking the garlic will soften them anyways.
As for the salad, sauces, or other recipes that call for raw garlic, chop it finely and the texture will not be noticeable at all.
How To Freeze Peeled Garlic
Freezing peeled garlic is quite simple and straightforward. It doesn’t require a lot of time to prepare them for the freezer.
Below are the steps with instructions for freezing peeled garlic:
1. Preparation
Peel the outer layer off the garlic using your preferred method. Once the garlic is peeled, it’s ready to be stored.
2. Storage Container
For peeled garlic, you can either use an airtight container or a plastic bag. Just make sure they are approved for freezer usage. Otherwise, the container may crack when it’s frozen.
In the container or freezer bag, place the peeled garlic into them.
If using an airtight container, check the lid for any damages. If there are none, secure the lid to the container tightly.
For the freezer bag, press on it to remove any excess air. Then seal the bag tightly.
3. Label and Freeze
Using a marker, label the container or bag with the date of freezing. Then place them into the freezer for storage.
How Long Does Peel Garlic Last in the Freezer?
Peeled garlic will last for up to 6 months in the freezer. Kept in a vacuum-sealed bag, it can last even longer, up to a year.
After that time, peeled garlic is still safe to eat, but the quality of it will deteriorate.
To ensure that the garlic taste at its best quality, you should use them as soon as possible.
How To Defrost Peeled Garlic
Peeled garlic can be thawed by simply leaving them on the kitchen countertop to thaw. After that, you can use them to prepare the meal.
For salads, dipping sauces that require the garlic to remain uncooked, let them sit at room temperature to thaw. Since the garlic is small, it won’t take a very long time for them to defrost.
Another way to defrost peeled garlic is to run them under cool water for a few minutes. Place the frozen garlic into a colander and place it under the water until it thaws.
For dishes that call for garlic, you can simply put the frozen cloves directly into the pan from the freezer.
Can You Refreeze Peeled Garlic?
It’s not recommended to refreeze peeled garlic. Doing so will cause the texture and flavor of the garlic to be altered. You may find that it’s not crunchy and have a strong taste for it anymore once it’s thawed.
To prevent having to refreeze peeled garlic, you should portion them into small containers. This way, you’ll only need to remove the amount of garlic you need without worrying about having any leftovers.
How To Tell When Peeled Garlic Is Bad?
Peeled garlic is great convenience food. It’s easy to use, doesn’t smell, and can be stored for weeks at room temperature. But there are signs that it has gone bad. What happens when you’re peeling garlic and you get a bad clove?
The smell of garlic is often associated with good health, but it can also be an indicator of spoilage in peeled garlic. The odor is caused by the breakdown of sulfur compounds that give fresh garlic its characteristic flavor and aroma. These compounds are also responsible for the bitter taste of spoiled garlic.
In addition to an unpleasant odor, spoiled peeled garlic may have a swollen appearance or become soft and mushy. If you’ve purchased your peeled garlic from the grocery store, check the expiration date on the packaging before using it in any recipe.
If you’ve stored your own peeled garlic at room temperature and want to know if it has gone bad, place one clove in a glass container with water overnight and look for bubbles in the water in the morning or examine how much air space is left over in the jar — if there’s very little space left over or no air bubbles present, it’s time to throw out those cloves!
Related Questions
Does freezing garlic destroy allicin?
Allicin is a compound produced when the garlic is crushed or chopped. As long as the garlic is frozen as a whole, the allicin will not be destroyed.
Does garlic lose nutrients when frozen?
No, freezing garlic will not make them lose its nutrients. The only thing that’s affected is the texture of the garlic. It will become soft when it’s thawed. If you’re going to use them for cooking, you won’t be able to tell the difference.