Will garlic last longer in the fridge or freezer?

Storing garlic for long periods can be challenging when you need its sprouting shots, or it’s turned black. Is there a secret to storing garlic in the fridge or freezer, or is garlic something that only lasts a few days once you bring it home from the grocery store?

Did you know in ancient Greece, brides would carry bouquets of garlic and not flowers? It was believed garlic and other herbs represented new life and would ward off evil spirits for the newlyweds.

Keeping garlic in good condition can be a challenge. This article will look at how to keep garlic, so it’s in perfect condition when you need it. We will answer frequently asked questions for your complete insight into storing garlic.

Let’s get into it.

Does garlic expire?

It depends on how the garlic is stirred. There are many suggestions for keeping garlic fresh, and its expiry date reflects your knowledge and culinary experience.

If you buy fresh garlic in bulbs and place it in the fridge, it becomes exposed to moisture. This in itself is not a terrible thing if you are going to use garlic in a recipe within a few days. Beyond that, the garlic will start reacting to the moisture in the fridge.

Garlic will start to sprout new shoots in a moist environment like the fridge, dark and moist, and the right temperature will trick the garlic into thinking its growing season is amazing but true.

Or we place garlic in the base of the salad tray expecting it to be robust and have a long shelf life. You use two gloves and leave them for eight weeks expecting them to be perfect, but no such luck. It is black and starts to rot.

If stored correctly, garlic can last up to six months if stored correctly.

Garlic does expire, but when stored correctly, it has a long shelf life, and what’s more, it’s an easy process.

• The best temperature to store garlic is 60 to 65℉.
•  Garlic needs good ventilation to stay fresh and prevent moisture build-up on the bulb. Stored in mesh bags or a storage bin that is well-ventilated.
• Never store garlic in plastic bags. It will make the garlic rot.
• But keep in mind the bulbs need to be whole and in one piece. Broken bulbs will only last up to ten days.

Does garlic need to be refrigerated?

No, keeping fresh garlic in the fridge can cause accelerated deterioration of the bulb. The environment is cool and moist, which is not conducive to storing garlic for a long time.

However, if you are storing garlic that is semi-prepared such as the cloves that are peeled and the ends have been sliced, then refrigeration will be necessary.

You will need to store peeled garlic in a small airtight container, the gloves in this condition should be ok for one week in the fridge.

How long can garlic sit out?

If the garlic is stored at the correct temperature range and in a breathable method, garlic sitting out in a cool, dry corner of the pantry or kitchen will last for six months.

If you have broken the garlic bulb, the garlic will only last for a week to ten days before it should be discarded.

Do garlic bulbs go bad?

Eventually, garlic will go bad, it’s classed as a vegetable, and all veggies, at some point, start to rot or dehydrate, becoming useless as part of a recipe.

But you can slow down the degradation process by storing garlic in jars and other methods, but eventually, it will go bad.

How long does garlic last in the fridge?

Stored correctly, it can last from 3 months to 6 months. You will need to ensure the place your garlic is stored is towards the back of the fridge, where there are fewer temperature fluctuations and condensation issues.

The key to keeping garlic in the fridge is keeping it free from moisture. Breathable nets are good, but you can use a paper bag to store garlic. It works well at keeping moisture at bay.

Of course, if you store peeled garlic, the fridge’s shelf life is approximately one week in an airtight container. 

Storing garlic this way is helpful if you use garlic a lot in your recipes.

Does frozen garlic go bad?

Yes, you can store peeled, crushed, minced, and diced garlic in the freezer for a year. The best way to achieve this is to prepare your garlic and place it in a Ziploc bag. Once in the Ziploc, expel air from the bag and seal the bag. Use this method regardless if the garlic is whole gloves or chopped. 

Mark the bags with the date of freezing and then place the garlic in an airtight container before placing it in the freezer.

You can also store chopped garlic in an ice cube tray, fill the cube spaces with chopped garlic, drizzle a little olive oil over the garlic, not spilling onto the ice cube tray, cover it, and freeze it.

This method lasts four months and is perfect for that fast stir-fry meal.

Does minced garlic go bad?

Yes, minced garlic should be used in a recipe straight away. If you have an overload of minced garlic, you can store it in the fridge for a few days by pouring olive oil over it. Alternatively, you can store minced garlic for three months in the freezer in an ice cube tray covered with olive oil.

Does minced garlic go bad if not refrigerated?

Yes. When you open a jar of minced garlic, the product will start to degrade. If the garlic is not covered with oil, it will go bad. Keep a tightly sealed lid on the jar to keep the garlic fresh.

Final thoughts

Garlic is the most used vegetable in the world for a good reason. It imparts a beautiful aromatic flavor, and it’s good for you.

If stored correctly, fresh garlic can last for up to six months in a shady, dry corner of your kitchen and pantry. Airflow is critical to storing garlic bulbs for this amount of time.

You can store bulbs of garlic in the fridge for a similar amount of time if you store them in an area that is not exposed to moisture and temperature fluctuations, store garlic bulbs in a paper bag in the fridge.

Freezing garlic will take some preparation, but once done, it lasts for an incredible 12 months without any degradation.