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    The Heirloom Pantry » Recipes » Dressings and Sauces

    How to Roast Garlic without Foil

    Published: Nov 21, 2023 · Modified: Nov 12, 2024 by Kathleen Higashiyama · The following content may contain paid links. When you click and shop the links, we receive a commission.

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    How to roast garlic without foil Pinterest pin.

    Learn How to Roast Garlic without Foil in just a few simple steps. All you need is a garlic bulb, a drizzle of olive oil, and a ramekin or cocotte. Use the roasted garlic to make delicious dishes like Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Garlic Butter Cast Iron Chicken, garlic bread, and more!

    Roasted garlic made in a ramekin or cocotte.

    Want to roast garlic without foil? No problem! Just follow our easy recipe to roast it in a ramekin, coccote, or other covered baking dish. After that, add it to main dishes, sides, or make a Garlic Herb Butter Compound to enjoy for several days.

    You can also check out our recipe for roasting garlic in aluminum foil if you don't have a covered baking dish or prefer that method.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Substitutions/Variations
    • Instructions
    • What to Serve with Roasted Garlic
    • Storage
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Cooking Tips
    • Related Recipes
    • Did You Like This Recipe?
    • 📖 Recipe

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for roasted garlic without aluminum foil, garlic bulb, olive oil, ramekin or cocotte, baking sheet.
    • Garlic - Garlic has a classic herbaceous and pungent aroma that enhances so many dishes.
    • Olive oil - Olive oil is a rich fat to roast the garlic in.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Substitutions/Variations

    • Flavored olive oil - Try our recipe with a a truffle or herb-infused olive oil.
    • Spicy - Sprinkle the garlic with some paprika or red pepper chili flakes to make the it spicy.
    • Lemon - Add a squeeze of lemon after you add the olive oil for brightness.

    Instructions

    Steps to roast garlic without foil, cut tip off garlic bulb, place on baking sheet and cover with olive oil, place ramekin on top and roast, squeeze garlic out.
    • Prepare oven - Preheat oven to 400°F.
    • Cut garlic - Remove the paper on the outside of the garlic bulb to reveal the individually-wrapped cloves. Then slice off about a quarter inch off the top off the garlic bulb so the raw cloves are exposed. (Photo 1)
    • Prepare garlic - Place the garlic cut side up in a lidded cocotte and drizzle the cloves with olive oil and place on a baking sheet. Alternatively, place the garlic cut side up on a baking sheet and drizzle the cloves with olive oil and place a ramekin over the bulb to cover it. (Photo 2 and 3)
    • Roast - Place the baking sheet on the middle rack in the oven. Then roast for 40-45 minutes.
    • Remove roasted garlic - Allow the garlic to cool then use a small fork, chopsticks, or your hands to remove the cloves. To use your hands, pinch the bottom of the bulb with your fingers and squeeze in an upward motion to push out the garlic. (Photo 4)

    Pro tip - Thoroughly cover the garlic cloves in olive oil so the they roast thoroughly.

    What to Serve with Roasted Garlic

    Roasted Garlic enhances the flavor of so many dishes! We love to spread it on bread to make garlic bread or with our Bavette Steak or Cast Iron Chicken as a main course. Finally, you can enjoy it with veggies like our Elotes Style Corn, or toss it with other veggies like Maple Brussel Sprouts, Roasted Onions, and Roasted Carrots.

    Storage

    This oven roasted garlic is best enjoyed fresh. But if you have leftover garlic, remove the garlic from the skin then store roasted garlic in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to 3 days.

    Recipe FAQs

    How do you roast garlic without burning it?

    If you follow our recipe, the garlic should cook perfectly. But you should also keep a close eye on the garlic while it cooks to ensure it doesn't burn.

    How do you know when roasted garlic is done?

    You can check the garlic by poking the clove in the center to see if it has softened. You can also tell by gently squeezing the bulb. If the cloves come out easily, then the garlic is done.

    Why is my roasted garlic bitter?

    Overcooked garlic will turn bitter.

    Why does roasted garlic taste different?

    When compared to raw garlic, roasted garlic has a lighter, less pungent, and slightly sweeter flavor. This is because the roasting process breaks down some of the compounds that give garlic its strong flavor. Roasting garlic at a high temperature also caramelizes it's natural sugar, making it mildly sweet.

    Roasted garlic cloves made without aluminum in a ramekin.

    Cooking Tips

    • Make sure that the garlic is completely covered and sealed. The moisture softens the garlic and ensures it won't dry out.
    • When you are squeezing out the garlic, start at the base of the bulb to ensure all of the garlic pushes out evenly.

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      Garlic Herb Butter (For Steak, Veggies, and More)
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    Did You Like This Recipe?

    Love this easy oven roasted garlic recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below & consider leaving a comment below. Thanks!

    Sign up for THP's newsletter and keep in touch on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok, and YouTube. If you make this recipe, tag #theheirloompantry so we can see your roasted garlic!

    📖 Recipe

    Roasted garlic made in a ramekin or cocotte.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    How to Roast Garlic without Foil

    Learn How to Roast Garlic without Foil in just a few simple steps. All you need is a garlic bulb, a drizzle of olive oil, and a ramekin or cocotte. Use the roasted garlic to make delicious dishes like Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Garlic Butter Cast Iron Chicken, garlic bread, and more!
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Cook Time45 minutes mins
    Total Time50 minutes mins
    Course: Condiment, Sides
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 1 bulb of garlic
    Calories: 4kcal
    Author: Kathleen Higashiyama

    Equipment

    • 1 baking sheet
    • 1 ramekin
    • 1 cocotte

    Ingredients 

    • 1 bulb of garlic or more
    • olive oil
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Prepare oven - Heat oven to 400°F.
    • Prepare garlic - Remove the paper on the outside of the garlic bulb to reveal the individually-wrapped cloves. Slice off about a quarter inch off the top off the garlic bulb so the raw cloves are exposed. Place the garlic cut side up in a lidded cocotte and drizzle the cloves with olive oil and place on a baking sheet. Alternatively, place the garlic cut side up on a baking sheet and drizzle the cloves with olive oil and place a ramekin over the bulb to cover it.
      1 bulb of garlic, olive oil
    • Roast - Place the baking sheet on the middle rack in the oven. Roast for 40-45 minutes.
    • Remove roasted garlic - Allow the garlic to cool then use a small fork, chopsticks, or your hands to remove the cloves. To use your hands, pinch the bottom of the bulb with your fingers and squeeze in an upward motion to push out the garlic.

    Notes

    Roasting Tips
    • Use a lot of olive oil on the cloves so the they roast thoroughly.
    • Make sure that the garlic is completely covered and sealed. The moisture softens the garlic and ensures it won't dry out.
    • When you are squeezing out the garlic, start at the base of the bulb to ensure the garlic pushes out completely.
    Storage
    • Oven roasted garlic is best enjoyed fresh. But if you have leftover garlic, remove the garlic from the skin then store roasted garlic in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to 3 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 4kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 12mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.03g | Vitamin A: 0.3IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @theheirloompantry or tag #theheirloompantry!

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    About the Author

    Kat Higashiyama and Alec Totto are recipe developers, food photographers, and the authors behind The Heirloom Pantry. Since 2017, they have shared recipes inspired by their Japanese and Italian heritage and California and Hawaii roots. They reside in San Jose with their two dogs, Peeps and Paisley. Read More…

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    Alec and Kat with Paisley and Peeps on the beach

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