Best Recipes for Using Black Garlic

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Want to use black garlic cloves in a recipe but not sure how to best take advantage of that savory, earthy flavor? This recipe roundup has you covered. We’ve pulled in some of the best black garlic recipes around, from appetizers, to sides, to main courses. 

Collage of various dishes featuring black garlic: pasta with chicken, creamy sauce, a brown paste in a bowl, and spaghetti with mushrooms. Text overlay reads Best Black Garlic Recipes.

But first, let’s start with an explanation of what black garlic is. Black garlic is made by heating a head of garlic slowly over a period of several weeks over low heat to age it using the Maillard reaction.

At the end of the process, the cloves turn soft and black, and the sharp, garlicky flavor mellows. In the end, you’re left with soft black garlic cloves that have a slightly sweet, savory, and malty flavor. They are much less pungent than regular garlic.

You can make black garlic at home using a slow cooker or rice cooker, or buy black garlic in the spice aisle of some specialty grocery stores. If you can’t find it there, you can order online, including this black garlic on Amazon. You may be surprised the first time you see those soft, deep black cloves, but trust us, they are delicious!

Now, let's get to the recipes!

Still need more ideas for using black garlic? Try a black garlic sauce using olive oil and heavy cream. Make a black garlic purée that you can stir into soups or stews. Smear cloves of black garlic onto garlic bread, or use it as a paste for roast chicken. Adding a few cloves can up the flavor of most pasta sauces. Finally, it makes a delicious salad dressing! The best way to use it is just to smash some cloves into your favorite dressing.

Storage tips for black garlic: Black garlic will last for several weeks at room temperature, if you have made it yourself. (If it is packaged, check the date on the package.) Once a store-bought package has been opened, store the black garlic in the refrigerator. There, it can last up to 6 months. You can also keep an eye out for black garlic powder, sometimes at Trader Joe's. That will give you some of the flavor in a jar you can keep in the pantry.

Molly holding a colander of orange cherry tomatoes in front of her stove.

More About Molly

Cooking healthy(ish) meals with seasonal ingredients is my passion. Trained as a French pastry chef, I spent over 10 years as a personal chef. Here you'll find well-tested recipes that you and your family will love!

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