If you’re like me, garlic isn’t just an ingredient—it’s a necessity and way of life. But peeling and mincing garlic every single time you cook adds precious minutes into your cook time. Especially when you’re juggling weeknight dinners, kids sports schedules, or whatever additional evening responsibilities. That’s why freezing garlic has become one of my favorite kitchen time-savers.
Let’s talk about how to freeze garlic the right way so it actually tastes good, stays usable, and makes dinner time a little easier.
Why You Need This Garlic Storage Hack
Here’s why you might want to start doing this:
- You bought a giant bag of peeled garlic from Costco and every day that passes, you feel a little more anxiety that you won’t be able to finish it all before it goes bad.
- You want to cut down on prep during the week.
- You cook regularly and garlic goes in everything.
- You’re tired of your fingers smelling like garlic for 3 days.
What You’ll Need
Nothing fancy—just a few basic tools:
- Food processor
- Plastic storage bags
- Knife or kitchen shears
- Cutting board
- Bench scraper (or use the dull side of a knife)
- Sharpie (for labeling)
Ingredients
- Peeled whole garlic cloves
That’s it! Or go ahead and use whole garlic bulbs and peel them yourself. I buy the 3 pound bag of peeled whole garlic cloves from Costco. Every time I see that I’m running slow on my frozen garlic supply, I bring one of these homes to restock.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Remove any stems
Trim off the little root end if needed using a knife or kitchen shears.
2. Process until minced
Toss your garlic cloves into a food processor and pulse until they’re finely minced. You can go chunky or super fine—it’s up to you. Remember, the finer the dice, the more potent the garlic flavor.
3. Portion it out
Scoop the garlic into a plastic freezer bag. Use your fingers (one of your best kitchen tools) to push it out into a thin, flat layer. Be mindful not to overfill the bag as it will be harder to score.
4. Score it for easy use
Using a bench scraper (or back of a knife), gently press lines into the bag to create little “breakaway” squares. Go as large or small as you’d like.
5. Label + freeze
Seal the bag while pushing out extra air. Label it with the date, then freeze. Whenever you need garlic, just break off a square and toss it straight into your dish.
Garlic Storage & Safety Tips
- Shelf life: Frozen garlic keeps well for 3–4 months in a standard freezer.
- Smell management: Use a double-bag or freezer-safe silicone bag if you’re sensitive to strong odors. I personally use a single freezer storage bag and haven’t had any “smell” issues, but everyone is different.
- Food safety: Always use clean tools and label your bags clearly with the freeze date. Follow CDC and FDA guidelines for freezer storage: 0°F or lower.
Customizations + Swaps
- Don’t have a food processor? Just mince by hand with a sharp knife.
- Want garlic paste instead of minced? Add a splash of oil and blend until smooth, then freeze in ice cube trays.
- Prefer roasted garlic? You can roast whole heads, squeeze the cloves, and freeze those too.
- You can also make a batch of garlic confit to freeze in ice cube trays and store. Simply pop out a cube to be added to pasta, or slather onto garlic bread. Check out my recipe for it here.
How To Use Frozen Garlic
- Break off a square and toss into a pan with oil for the base of any stir-fry.
- Stir into marinara or any sauce for an extra punch.
- Add to soups and stews without missing a beat.
This method saves me a solid 5–10 minutes every time I cook—and that adds up. Additionally, it’s one less step to take in getting dinner on the table. And on busy weeknights when you’re hungry and tired, one less step makes all the difference.
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HOW TO FREEZE GARLIC (The Best Garlic Storage Hack)
Equipment
- Food processor
- Plastic storage bags
- Knife or kitchen shears
- - Cutting board
- Bench scraper (or use the dull side of your knife)
- Sharpie (for labeling)
Ingredients
- Peeled whole garlic cloves
Instructions
- Remove the stems of your garlic clove using a knife or kitchen shears
- Add garlic cloves to the food processor and blend until finely minced
- Scoop the minced garlic into plastic storage bags and seal while trying to push out as much air as possible. Use your fingers to distribute the garlic into a thin even layer.
- Use a bench scraper or the dull side of your knife to create indentations.
- Freeze and break off a square of minced garlic to be added to your dishes as needed.
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