How to Store Garlic and Keep It Fresh for Longer (2024)

Garlic is a staple found in nearly every kitchen pantry. Think about it: It's a pungent, savory ingredient that adds flavor to meat, vegetables, and rice. Plus, you'll be hard-pressed to find someone who'd turn down a slice of garlic cheese bread. Even as leftovers, it's easy to whip up any extra cloves into an all-purpose condiment such as garlic aioli. And given how often it's used, you should know how to store garlic properly.

Whether you have an unpeeled, intact head of garlic or individually peeled cloves, it's important to store garlic correctly in order to get maximum flavor when it's time to cook (and in order to avoid those bitter green sprouts). Once you know the best way to keep your garlic fresh, you can use in cooking up recipes like Ree Drummond's pasta with tomato cream sauce or her pan-roasted chicken thighs. You can also try the garlic-parmesan fries from The Merc! Any way you like it, here's how to store your garlic.

How to Store a Head of Garlic

If you have an unpeeled head of garlic that is still completely intact, don't put it in the fridge—it'll start to sprout within days. Just store in a cool (60 to 65 degrees), dimly lit place with air circulation. You don't want to put your garlic in an airtight container or it will begin to rot. Plastic bags are no good either—they'll trap moisture, which makes garlic rot faster. Reach for mesh bags or paper wrappers, instead. If stored properly, a whole head of garlic could last for up to six months.

How to Store Unpeeled Garlic Cloves

Once you break apart a head of garlic, its shelf life starts to decrease. Unpeeled individual garlic cloves can last two to three weeks, depending on how fresh the garlic was when you bought it. Store unpeeled garlic cloves in the same way as an unpeeled head.

How to Store Peeled Garlic Cloves

Peeled individual garlic cloves should either be used as soon as possible or stored in the fridge for about a week or less. Put them in an airtight food storage container to avoid making everything in your fridge smell like garlic! You can also do the same with extra minced garlic.