Food Safety Issues/freezing garlic

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Expert: Carol Schlitt - 7/15/2007


Question
I just wanted to know whether you can freeze fresh garlic.  I bought a large container of fresh peeled garlic cloves and they will start to go bad before I get to use them all.

Answer
Hi Diane,

Yes -- you can freeze them but the texture and flavor will be changed. This is why you don't find frozen garlic in the grocery stores.

You can...

1. Freeze whole, unpeeled heads, and remove the cloves as you need them.

2. Wrap chopped or crushed garlic tightly in plastic wrap and freeze, then grate or break off what you need, or

3. Peel whole cloves of garlic and puree them in a blender or mini food processor, using 2 parts oil to 1 part garlic and freeze.

Carol

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Volunteer

Carol Schlitt

Expertise

I can answer questions on home food safety, sanitation, home food preservation and commercial food safety (HACCP).

Experience

I am a former Extension educator, nutrition, wellness and food safety, having retired August 1, 2010. I am a certified HACCP manager, a food safety instructor for the Illinois Department of Public Health and a 3rd party food safety and OSHA auditor of restaurants.

Organizations
International Association for Food Protection, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (Certified CFCS), National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, St. Louis Culinary Society.

Education/Credentials
BS - University of Illinois MS - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville

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