5 Ways To Use Garlic To Liven Up Your Next Dinner

Garlic has been used as a staple among many family traditions for centuries. It is the ultimate flavor bomb for cooking of any kind. Don’t know where to start using the ultimate ingredient? No problem! Here are 5 ways to use garlic to liven up your next dinner. 

This garlic adds a sweet sticky flavor to any meal.

1. Oven Roasted Garlic

If you’re looking for a rich spreadable creamy texture for your next dinner, oven roasted garlic is a must try. This garlic is great for rich meats of any kind. I personally love spreading it over toasted sourdough slices for a quick and easy snack. And the best part, it’s easy to make! 

Ingredients

• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 pinch of pepper
• 1 pinch Italian seasoning

Directions

Preheat your oven to 400F.  Prep your garlic  by cutting the tops of the garlic cloves off with a sharp knife. Place your garlic in a baking dish. Drizzle your olive oil over the surface of your garlic. Season to taste. To prevent the garlic from drying out, use parchment paper and twine to wrap them. Carefully wrap your garlic in the parchment and seal with twine. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and enjoy the sweet taste of roasted garlic. 

Garlic paste is a fast easy way to keep your cooking fresh!

2. Homemade Garlic Paste

This dinner time delight is perfect to add that special sweet salty kick to any dinner. Garlic paste is easy to make and adds a whole new flavor level to your dinner. And while you can easily buy garlic paste in stores, it’s very easy to make fresh flavorful garlic paste at home. Also, it’s easy to prepare ahead of time and lasts for months! Let’s get started. 

Ingredients

• Cloves of garlic ( the number is based on what your cooking)
• 1 pinch salt

Directions

There are two ways to make fantastic garlic paste. First, take your garlic cloves and carefully peel them. Then, take your garlic crusher and place the clove in the chamber. Press down and scrape paste into a bowl. Season to taste. The second way is for those, like myself, that do not have a garlic crusher. Take your peeled garlic clove  and place on a cutting board or flat surface. Use the flat side of your knife and gently smash it over the garlic clove. Next, carefully scrap your paste with the flat side of your knife. Season the cutting board, and drag the paste through. Add to any dish and enjoy! 

Marinated garlic is a must to add that extra flavor to your next dinner.

3. Marinated Garlic

This garlic is great for adding that extra flavor to any marinate recipe. Marinated garlic soaks up the flavors and adds that extra zesty crunch. It is totally customizable depending on the marinade. I personally love marinate with steak. And the prep is beyond easy. 

Ingredients

• Cloves of garlic ( number of your choosing based on the size of your meal)

Directions

Create the marinade of your choice. Carefully peel and add your garlic cloves to the mix. Marinate for at least an hour. Remember, the more time you marinate the more flavor your garlic will have! Then, carefully remove the contents of your marinate, make sure you’re taking the garlic out as well. Cook thoroughly with your meat. Serve and enjoy. 

Pickled garlic is great to add that extra kick to your next dinner.

4. Pickled Garlic

This sour delight is great to add to any dinner or great as a snack. And while the prep does take longer, it is well worth it. This recipe takes at least 12 hours to make, but the longer you wait, the more flavor it gets. This recipe is a great low maintenance way to add flavor to you next dinner. 

Ingredients

• 3 pounds of garlic
• 1 tbsp pickling salt
• 6 cups white vinegar
• ½ celery seed
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 pinch dried oregano
• 12 peppercorns
• 1 large mason jar ( or multiple of your choosing)

Directions

First, fill a bowl with ice and fill it halfway with water. This will stop the cooking process halfway through. This is important as to not make your pickled garlic total mush! Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Place your peeled garlic into the boiling water and cook for 1 minute. Next, drain the garlic from the pot and place in the ice bath. In a pot, add your vinegar, pickling salt and sugar. Bring it to a rolling boil on high and carefully stir in sugar. Stir until it’s dissolved. Remember to distribute the spices evenly amongst your jar. Make sure to leave some space for it to expand. Carefully pour or ladle the boiling vinegar into the jars. Then add your garlic. Make sure there are no air bubbles and place them in the fridge or on the counter for at least 12 hours. 

Grilled garlic is perfect to add that crunch to your next dinner.

5. Grilled Garlic

This is by far the most common way to add garlic to your dinner. This is the simplest way to add garlic while still getting that great flavor. The prep is minimal and the flavor is maxed out. When you’re looking for a fast easy way for that extra dinner time kick, this is the perfect garlic prep. Here’s how to do it. 

Ingredients

• Garlic cloves ( number of your choosing, depending on your meal)

Directions

Carefully peel your garlic. Next,with a sharp knife carefully mince your garlic. The only thing to watch for here, is that you’re not  burning it. Lastly, add to your dinner and enjoy the sweet aromatic taste. I personally love grilled garlic in my stir fries. Since it adds that extra sweet kick that couples perfectly with the veggies. It’s great with any meat and cooking style. 

Garlic is the holy grail of cooking. It’s flavors are unmatched with its ability to adapt and compliment any and all ingredients. It has been used for thousands of years to add that sense of tradition to any plate. These garlic recipes are just a few to add that extra flavorful depth to your next dinner. The next time you’re looking for a little extra flavor in your meal, try these great garlic recipes.