Garlic Confit

Garlic confit is a garlic preparation in which whole heads of garlic are simmered in olive oil until they are soft and browned. It can be pureed or mashed and used as a spread or condiment.Garlic confit is also simple to make at home — here's what you need to know.

What Is Garlic Confit?

Garlic confit (compote) is a French technique of slow-cooking garlic cloves in their oils. Garlic confit can flavor various dishes and is a great way to preserve this pungent ingredient for later use.

Is Garlic Confit Safe?

You may have heard that garlic confit is unsafe and dangerous. This couldn't be further from the truth. If you're concerned about the risk of botulism, here's what you need to know: Garlic confit is a preservation method similar to canning and dehydrating. To ensure your homemade garlic confit is safe before consuming it, sterilize your jars or containers and lids in hot water, then allow them to cool completely before filling them with your garlic cloves and olive oil mixture.

Expert Tips

To quickly peel your garlic, use this trick I first shared by Todd Coleman, formerly of Saveur Magazine:Add your garlic cloves to a bowl with a lid or a mason jar with a cover. Once you've added the lid, shake vigorously for 10-20 seconds, and your cloves should be ready to go!Lastly, simmer the garlic over low heat for about an hour until it is soft and fragrant.

Ingredients

Garlic cloves: For the best garlic confit, use fresh garlic cloves. Be sure to peel the cloves before cooking them. You can purchase pre-peeled garlic cloves if you are in a pinch.Cooking oil: Use high-quality cooking oil, such as extra virgin olive oil or canola oil, and be sure to use enough oil to cover the cloves entirely.Herbs and spices (optional): You can customize this recipe by adding your own herbs to create great flavor combinations; whether you add a few black peppercorns, a sprig of rosemary, or a couple of bay leaves to your confit, you've got options for some delicious ways to customize flavors. If you want something a bit spicier, add some chili flakes.

Instructions

Peel the garlic cloves and place them in a small saucepan or dutch oven. Cover the cloves completely with the cooking oil. Simmer the garlic over low heat for about an hour, occasionally stirring, until the cloves are soft and fragrant.

Remove the pan and let the garlic cool to room temperature in the oil. You can use a slotted spoon to remove the garlic cloves, but keep that delicious garlic-infused oil!After cooking your garlic confit, it will be soft enough to puree into a paste or spread on bread or crackers. You can also leave it as is for serving with meats or vegetables.

Storage

Store the garlic confit in an airtight container in the refrigerator for one-two week. My favorite way to store and extend this delicious condiment's life is to freeze them in smaller containers, so I can pull one out when I need a small amount at a time and have enough for months.

How To Use Garlic Confit

While you can use fresh garlic in many dishes, garlic confit is a fantastic way to preserve the flavor and aroma of garlic for later use. Garlic confit can be used in many recipes, from risotto and stir-fries to pizzas and pasta. The trick is learning to roast it properly so it doesn't burn or become bitter.Garlic confit is easy to make and keeps for months in the fridge. You can also use it in other recipes or eat it as a spread on crusty bread or crackers. Here are some ways you can use garlic confit:

Spread it on bread as a flavorful alternative to butter.

Spread garlic confit on bread with olive oil, grated Parmesan cheese, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Or use it as a spread for bruschetta or crostini with ricotta cheese, pepper, and herbs.

Mash it and mix it with mayo for a delicious aioli.

Mash garlic confit with a fork and mix with a handful of mayo. You can add salt and pepper to taste, but it's already so flavorful we wouldn't recommend it. So instead, you can add this creamy spread to just about anything—sandwiches, meatballs, or even avocado toast!

Toss it with pasta and olive oil for a simple yet satisfying meal.

The only trick to tossing garlic confit with pasta is ensuring enough oil to coat the strands. Garlic will remain potent, so adding it before eating is best.

Blend it with chickpeas for a tasty hummus.

In a blender or food processor, puree garlic confit with chickpeas and oil to create a sweet-tart base for a delicious hummus. (Love hummus? Try our recipe here.)

Mix it with melted butter and toss it with steamed vegetables.

Mix it with melted butter and toss it with steamed vegetables. This will add extra richness to any vegetable side dish or salad.

Mash it into mashed potatoes for extra flavor.

Mashed potatoes are delicious; they're perfect with garlic confit mixed in.

Add it to a cheese plate for a delicious accompaniment.

Add some flavored balsamic or red wine vinegar, and serve alongside crackers or crusty bread.

Use it as a base for a salad dressing.

Garlic confit is a great way to add flavor to a salad dressing, and it can be used in place of garlic cloves when making homemade mayonnaise. Mix the confit with olive oil, vinegar, and salt, then whisk in whole egg yolk for extra richness. You can also add herbs like parsley or tarragon for more flavor.

Spread it on grilled cheese sandwiches for extra flavor.

If you love garlic but don't have time to roast a whole head, try spreading some garlic confit on your next grilled cheese sandwich instead! Use enough confit, so there's just a hint of garlic flavor throughout each bite. If you like things, extra garlicky sprinkle some chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Toss it with cooked shrimp or scallops for a flavorful seafood dish.

Suppose you're looking for an easy way to dress up shrimp or scallops. Toss them with roasted garlic confit and fresh herbs like thyme or oregano. This dish comes together quickly and makes an excellent side dish or appetizer at any gathering!

Mix it with softened cream cheese for a tasty dip.

This is a great way to get kids to eat their vegetables!

Use it as a topping for crostini.

Garlic confit is a traditional accompaniment to crostini in France and makes an excellent addition to any party spread.

Toss it with roasted potatoes for a delicious side dish.

Roasted potatoes go well with just about anything — especially if they're topped with garlic confit!

Blend it with cooked beans for a tasty spread.

An excellent way to use garlic confit is to blend it with cooked beans, such as cannellini or chickpeas for a tasty spread. This can be eaten on toast or crackers and is a great accompaniment to grilled meats.

Use it as a pizza topping.

Garlic confit also makes a great pizza topping. Rub the garlic over a base of tomato sauce before topping it with your chosen ingredients.

Mix it with chopped tomatoes and fresh herbs for a bruschetta topping.

Garlic confit is the perfect way to preserve garlic. It's sweet and savory and can be used in many different dishes. The best part is that once you make your garlic confit, you can use it for months!

Add it to a grilled vegetable sandwich for extra flavor.

Add it to a grilled vegetable sandwich for extra flavor. You can also add some of the oil from your jar of garlic confit, if you have any leftovers, for even more flavor.

Toss in for a tasty grain salad.

Toss it with cooked quinoa or couscous for a tasty grain salad. You could also toss in roasted veggies or greens and add lemon juice for brightness.

📖 Recipe

Stephanie Gravalese

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