Tender Caramelized Garlic Cloves (Printable Version)

Tender, golden garlic cloves roasted to enhance depth and natural sweetness for versatile use.

# What You Need:

→ Garlic

01 - 1 whole head of garlic

→ Seasoning

02 - 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil
03 - 1 pinch sea salt
04 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Set the oven to 400°F and allow it to reach temperature.
02 - Remove loose outer layers of garlic, keeping cloves intact; slice about 1/4 inch off the top to expose cloves.
03 - Place garlic cut side up on aluminum foil; drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt and optional black pepper.
04 - Wrap garlic tightly in foil, place on baking sheet, and roast for 35 to 40 minutes until cloves are soft and caramelized.
05 - Allow garlic to cool slightly, then squeeze roasted cloves from skins; use as a spread or flavor enhancer.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It turns something pungent into something surprisingly sweet and creamy without any fancy technique.
  • One head of garlic becomes an ingredient that elevates everything from bread to soup to mashed potatoes.
  • It actually gets better when you make it ahead, so Sunday meal prep feels less like a chore and more like setting yourself up for the week.
02 -
  • Don't rush the roasting time even if it smells done sooner—the cloves need those full 35 to 40 minutes to go from firm to that creamy, spreadable texture.
  • If your cloves come out firm instead of soft, they weren't quite ready; next time trust the timer and maybe give it a few extra minutes.
  • The whole head staying intact while roasting is key—it steams from the inside while roasting from the outside, which is why wrapping it in foil matters so much.
03 -
  • Don't let the cut garlic sit exposed to air for long before roasting—wrap and into the oven is the way, so the moisture stays trapped and the cloves steam themselves tender from within.
  • If you find yourself making this often, roast 2 or 3 heads at once on Sunday and you'll have this ready to go all week, turning ordinary weeknight meals into something that tastes thoughtfully made.

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