{"id":34228,"date":"2022-02-07T10:50:13","date_gmt":"2022-02-07T17:50:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.betternutrition.com\/?p=34228"},"modified":"2022-02-07T10:50:13","modified_gmt":"2022-02-07T17:50:13","slug":"should-you-refrigerate-your-garlic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.betternutrition.com\/diet-and-nutrition\/cooking-tips-and-techniques\/should-you-refrigerate-your-garlic\/","title":{"rendered":"Should You Refrigerate Your Garlic?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Where\u2019s your go-to garlic storage spot? Whether it\u2019s on your kitchen counter, in the pantry or in the refrigerator\u2019s crisper drawer, you\u2019ve probably wondered if your garlic might last longer elsewhere. Are you supposed to store garlic with veggies like potatoes and onions? Or, does it belong with <\/span>other produce<\/span>?<\/span><\/p>\n

You might have your garlic storage game perfected \u2013 but you might also be making mistakes. Either way, we\u2019ve got your guide to keeping all kinds of garlic fresh for as long as possible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cool temperatures can extend garlic\u2019s lifespan<\/h2>\n

Unless you\u2019ve got tropical fruits hanging around the house, most produce enjoys a nice and cool daily temperature. And that\u2019s exactly how garlic likes to rest \u2013 at a cool 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. When kept at this temperature, your typical head of garlic will last for months.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re keeping your garlic at colder or hotter temperatures, it isn\u2019t going to last as long as it should. Higher temperatures can cause this veggie to spoil faster, while colder temperatures can speed up its ripening process.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, there is a catch to cold, refrigerated storage. It\u2019s not always the worst option for stashing your garlic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Garlic can survive inside your fridge, and it can actually last quite a while. While temperatures lower than 60 degrees aren\u2019t ideal, it\u2019s not going to do any damage. It\u2019s safe for garlic to hang out in temps as low as 40 to 45 degrees, as long as you use it as soon as possible once you bring it to room temperature. Once you refrigerate garlic, it\u2019ll start sprouting and spoiling within just a few days \u2013 so you\u2019ll want to take it out only when you\u2019re ready to cook with it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Garlic thrives in dry, well-ventilated storage spots<\/h2>\n

In addition to keeping your garlic cool (or possibly even cold), you\u2019ll also want to store it somewhere dry with good ventilation. Damp, moist environments can cause garlic to rot, which is a change you <\/span>definitely <\/span><\/i>don\u2019t want to discover when you need garlic in the middle of a recipe.<\/span><\/p>\n

You should keep your garlic somewhere it can breathe freely. Don\u2019t keep it in airtight containers like plastic bags or closed kitchen drawers; as the vegetable emits its own natural gases and moisture, it\u2019ll spoil faster.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s also a good idea to keep garlic away from fruits and other veggies that are known to emit a lot of gas as they ripen, like apples and bananas. Garlic does best when it\u2019s stored alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

The best ways to store garlic in every form<\/h2>\n

In general, it\u2019s best to keep your garlic somewhere cool, with good air circulation. But that isn\u2019t always the right storage solution to keeping it as fresh as can be.<\/span><\/p>\n

In certain forms, garlic can actually thrive in your refrigerator. While extra-cold temperatures can cause fresh garlic to sprout quickly, what if you aren\u2019t working with a fresh head? What if you\u2019ve already minced your garlic and have extra to store? Here\u2019s how you should store garlic in any and every form (expect garlic powder \u2013 that one\u2019s self-explanatory!).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Whole heads of garlic<\/h3>\n

To keep a whole head of garlic fresh for as long as possible, you can use the storage suggestions mentioned above. Keep the heads in cool areas no warmer than 65 degrees, and they\u2019ll last for months. Alternatively, you can refrigerate whole garlic heads \u2013 but you\u2019ll want to take them out only when you\u2019re ready to put them to use.<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, make sure you leave the entire head of garlic whole. Don\u2019t break any of its parts apart, including the individual cloves. As soon as you break the head into pieces, you\u2019ll start the spoilage timer clock. And once the head is broken, your garlic has a lifespan of approximately three to 10 days.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If your head of garlic begins to sprout, it\u2019s time to use it ASAP. Sprouted garlic tends to develop a bitter taste, but it\u2019s still usable. The bigger the sprouts, the more bitter the flavor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Peeled or chopped garlic<\/h3>\n

If you need to store garlic that\u2019s already been broken apart and peeled \u2013 or even chopped \u2013 then the best method is a bit different. In these cases, refrigeration is actually your biggest ally.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Peeled and chopped garlic are perfectly safe in the fridge. Just make sure to keep them in an airtight container. This locks in freshness and helps prevent the garlic from losing flavor rapidly. It also prevents your entire fridge from smelling like garlic!<\/span><\/p>\n

When sealed inside your fridge, your peeled or chopped garlic should last a couple of weeks while still staying fresh. However, you don\u2019t want to wait too long, as garlic can get increasingly bitter the longer it sits.<\/span><\/p>\n

Roasted garlic<\/h3>\n

Have too much roasted garlic on hand? That can be a good thing, especially when it comes to storing garlic and keeping it fresh.<\/span><\/p>\n

When you\u2019re worried that your garlic might go bad before you can use it all, roast it! Roasted garlic keeps very well in cold temperatures. It\u2019ll last for a couple weeks inside the refrigerator and a few months in the freezer. Roasting and then refrigerating is a great way to keep your garlic\u2019s flavor stable, prevent bitterness and still have all of the garlic you need for various recipes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now that you know when to refrigerate garlic (or store it elsewhere, learn more about storing different produce and kitchen essentials:<\/span><\/p>\n