How to Roast Garlic (Oven Roasted Garlic)

Ever since Pat and I tried it at a fancy steakhouse, I’ve been wanting to learn how to roast garlic. Well, I’m happy to report that it’s just as easy as it sounds! This oven roasted garlic recipe is made with just 2 ingredients and less than 5 minutes of prep– the rest is all hands-off roasting. The flavor of roasting is intensified and a little bit sweet. I can’t get enough of it! It is such a great thing to eat along with steak, and of course, it tastes amazing with pasta and all kinds of other foods too!

I have always been a fan of garlic, but I had no idea how to roast garlic like this. I didn’t even know it was a thing. We first had oven roasted like this at one of our favorite Valentine’s destinations last year, and I’ve been wanting to make it ever since. Roasting the garlic really brings out its sweet flavors in the most perfect way. Like I said, you have to try it!

What’s in This Roasted Garlic Recipe?

Garlic: A garlic bulb is also known as a head of garlic. It’s the entire thing, whereas a clove is the individual piece that you pull out of a head.
Olive Oil: It’s important to coat the heads of garlic with oil so they soften and turn tender as they cook. Without this source of moisture, they will just be dry.

garlic covered in foil in cupcake baking dish

Tips for Success

Don’t cut too far down the bulb or the cloves will naturally separate and fall apart.
For a low-waste option, place the garlic bulbs in the muffin tin and cover with an inverted baking sheet– no foil required!
Oven temperatures can vary greatly, as can the sizes of individual heads of garlic. Feel free to adjust the roasting time of the garlic until it reaches the desired texture.
To easily squeeze out the garlic cloves while the heads are still hot, grip the sides with kitchen tongs and squeeze!
For an easy garlic paste, blitz the roasted garlic in a food processor, pour it into an ice cube tray, and freeze!

How to Store

Store leftover roasted garlic in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I love to roast garlic in bulk and keep it in the freezer to use throughout the year. It keeps well for up to 6 months– just toss individual cloves into a hot pan to defrost.

Serving Suggestions

This roasted garlic recipe actually makes for an awesome (and unexpected) side dish that goes well with all kinds of meals. Like I said earlier, I made this to go along with steak, and I think that’s one of the best things to pair it with. But I’d just as quickly eat this along with an easy chicken recipe (like this Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast) or a pork dish (like this Pork Tenderloin recipe). And of course, it would be perfect with any Italian pasta dish too.

5-Star Review

“I’ve roasted garlic in foil before but never thought of putting the bulbs wrapped in foil in a muffin tin. Great idea! Keeps the bulbs from tipping over and possibly having olive oil drip in your oven. Thank you!” -Jil

Roasted Garlic Recipe

It's so easy to learn how to roast garlic. Oven roasted garlic has an intense and slightly sweet flavor that goes with so many dishes!

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 40

Total Time 45

Servings

Calories 73kcal

Author Becky Hardin

Equipment

Muffin Tin

Ingredients

4 heads garlic
1 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F.
With your hands, peel the paper outside of the garlic, to expose the cloves. Take care to keep the bulbs together and not break them apart while you're peeling

4 heads garlic
Taking a sharp knife, cut the top of each garlic bulb straight off, about ½ inch down from the top. This should cut into most of the cloves to expose the interior.
Top each bulb with ¼ tablespoon of olive oil and massage into the cut side of each bulb.

1 tablespoons olive oil
Wrap each bulb in aluminum foil and place them into the wells of a muffin tin, cut sides up.
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until each clove is tender.
To eat, pinch from the outside and the clove should come easily out of the skin.

Video

Notes

Storage: Store roasted garlic in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

How to Roast Garlic Step by Step

Peel the Garlic: Preheat your oven to 400°F. With your hands, peel the paper outside of 4 heads of garlic, to expose the cloves. Take care to keep the bulbs together and not break them apart while you’re peeling.

Cut the Garlic: Taking a sharp knife, cut the top of each garlic bulb straight off, about ½ inch down from the top. This should cut into most of the cloves to expose the interior.