There’s no question that garlic is a crucial component in cooking preparations.
It adds such a punch of flavor and aroma to your dishes, but there are times where you may want to avoid keeping it on hand.
So, what do you do with all those cloves that have been sitting around in the back of your refrigerator for too long?
Should you toss them out and buy more?
Or should you try storing them in your pantry?
Is garlic perishable?
Garlic is typically considered a perishable food item because it will go bad over time.
However, if you cook with it regularly, you won’t need to worry about its shelf life.
In fact, most people don’t even know how long they can expect garlic to last before it goes bad.
For example, let’s say you buy 10 pounds of garlic from your local grocery store.
That’s roughly 2 cups of garlic for every person in your household.
If you only used one clove per day, that would mean you have five years worth of garlic left after just two weeks.
So, it’s really up to personal preference as to whether or not you want to keep it around for that long or throw it out right away.
How long does garlic last in the fridge?
If you keep your garlic in a sealed container, it should last for several months in the fridge.
But again, this depends on how often you plan to use it.
For instance, if you’re planning to make garlic bread once a week, then it’s probably better to keep it in the fridge rather than freezing it.
You can also store it in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator, which keeps it fresher for longer.
However, if you’re storing it in the vegetable drawer of your fridge, it could start to go bad within six months.
This is especially true if you leave it open for extended periods of time.
Also, if you store it in the same spot, it’ll become warm quickly, which can cause bacteria growth.
What temperature should garlic be stored at?
The ideal storage temperature for garlic is between 40-45 degrees Fahrenheit (4-7 degrees Celsius).
At this temperature, the enzymes in the garlic will remain active and prevent the garlic from going bad.
The higher the temperature, the faster the enzymes break down and the faster your garlic starts to rot.
Is it safe to eat garlic that has been refrigerated?
No matter how long you’ve kept your garlic, you shouldn’t consume any that’s past its prime.
While garlic isn’t toxic in small quantities, consuming large amounts of raw garlic could result in health issues.
Some symptoms include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
In addition, eating garlic that’s past its prime can lead to an allergic reaction.
If you experience any of these side effects, contact your doctor immediately.
Can garlic be frozen?
Yes, garlic can be frozen.
However, as soon as it freezes, it loses much of its potency.
Because of this, it’s usually recommended to thaw your garlic first before adding it to your dish.
To get the most out of your garlic, you should cook it as soon as possible after thawing.
How long does garlic last in the freezer?
You can expect your garlic to last for up to three months in the freezer.
This is if you’re storing it in airtight containers.
When you’re ready to use it, simply defrost it by placing it in room temperature water until it reaches room temperature.
After that, you’ll be able to use it in your dishes without worrying about it going bad.
Is it safe to eat garlic that has been frozen?
Like we said earlier, while garlic can last for a good amount of time in the freezer, it doesn’t retain its full potency.
As a result, you should never add frozen garlic directly to your recipe.
Instead, you should thaw it first before adding it to your dish.
How can you tell if garlic has gone bad?
There are a few signs that indicate your garlic may be bad.
One way to check it is to smell it. If the garlic smells musty or moldy, then it’s likely gone bad.
Another way to tell if it’s gone bad is by looking at the color.
If the garlic is dark brown, black, or green, then it’s definitely past its prime.
Another sign that your garlic is bad is if it’s soft or mushy.
If it’s like this, then it’s best to discard it immediately.
What are some ways to use garlic?
Garlic is known for being a powerful flavoring agent.
It can help bring out the flavors in your foods, making your meal taste more delicious.
It can also help boost your immune system and fight off illnesses.
Here are some ways to use garlic:
Add it to your salad dressing
Use it to season chicken and fish
Make homemade pizza crust using minced garlic
Add it to your favorite pasta sauce
Add it to your favorite chili
Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil
Mix it into mashed potatoes
Cook it with ground beef
Combine it with cheese to make a cheesy dip
Slice it thinly and sprinkle it on top of your grilled meats
Bake it into cookies
Sprinkle it on top of roasted vegetables
Use it to make garlic bread
What are some recipes that call for garlic?
Garlic is commonly used in many different types of meals.
Whether you’re baking, roasting, sautéing, or grilling, garlic is always a great addition.
Here are a few examples of recipes that call for garlic:
Hamburger Helper
Spaghetti Bolognaise
Roasted Pork Tenderloin
Fajitas
Pizza
Pasta Alfredo
Lasagna
What are some other things you should know about garlic?
While garlic is a common ingredient, it’s important to understand why we love it so much.
For starters, it’s an excellent source of vitamin C, iron, folate, potassium, manganese, fiber, and zinc.
It’s also a great source of antioxidants, including selenium, carotenoids, and polyphenols.
Additionally, garlic is known for helping reduce high blood pressure, reducing cholesterol levels, lowering triglycerides, and improving heart function.
On top of that, it helps to lower the risk of cancer, diabetes, and arthritis.
What are some other things you should know about garlic?
It’s an excellent source of vitamin C, iron, folate, potassium, manganese, fiber, and zinc.
It’s also a great source of antioxidants, including selenium, carotenoids, and polyphenols.
Additionally, garlic is known for helping reduce high blood pressure, reducing cholesterol levels, lowering triglycerides, and improving heart function.
On top of that, it helps to lower the risk of cancer, diabetes, and arthritis.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites Recipe
Equipment
- 2 large bowls
- 1 oven
- 1 saucepan
- 1 knife
- 1 cutting board
- 1 spoon
Ingredients
- 1/3 pound beef steaks
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon rosemary leaves minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice fresh
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes crushed
- 1 teaspoon thyme dried
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika smoked
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon mustard dry
- Pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 cup parsley finely chopped
- 1/4 cup chives finely chopped
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
- Step 1: Preparing the Steak Bites
- To begin, place your steaks in a large bowl and add the crushed red pepper flakes, Worcestershire sauce, and dry mustard.
- Mix well to coat both sides of each steak evenly.
- Let sit for 10 minutes before moving on to step 2.
- In another large bowl, mix together the butter, olive oil, garlic, rosemary, salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
- Stir until everything is combined, making sure the garlic is completely coated in the mixture.
- Add the steaks to the marinade and flip them over to coat both sides with the mixture.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let sit for 15 minutes.
- Don’t forget to turn the steaks halfway through so that they’re evenly coated.
- Step 2: Cooking the Steak Bites
- Once the steaks have finished marinating, it’s time to put them in the oven.
- Set the temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the steaks for 12 to 15 minutes per side.
- When done, remove them from the oven and set aside to cool down.
- Step 3: Creating the Garlic Butter Sauce
- While the steaks are cooling down, prepare the garlic butter sauce by melting the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Once melted, add the garlic and stir constantly for one minute.
- Next, add the rosemary, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, thyme, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and dry mustard.
- Stir until combined.
- Next, add the lemon juice and stir again until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Add the cayenne pepper, parsley, and chives and stir until everything is mixed thoroughly.
- Turn off the heat and pour the sauce into a bowl to cool down.
- Step 4: Assembling the Steak Bites
- After the steaks have cooled down, it’s time to assemble the garlic butter steak bites.
- Using a sharp knife, cut each steak into four equal pieces.
- Then, using a spoon, scoop out the center of each piece to create a cavity.
- On a cutting board, spread the cooled garlic butter sauce across the bottom of a large cast iron skillet.
- Make sure to cover the entire surface area of the skillet.
- Place the steaks into the skillet and fill the cavities with the parsley, chives, and grated parmesan cheese.
- Once the ingredients are placed, carefully pour the remaining sauce over the top and cook the garlic butter steak bites in the oven for five minutes.
- Remove from the oven and serve warm.
Video
Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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