How to Keep Fresh Chopped Garlic

Last Updated: June 27, 2017

If you hate the thought of having to prepare freshly minced or chopped garlic regularly, here is a neat way to produce a lot in one go and then to store it for up to a week for use in later meals. This method can also be used for any extra garlic you find is leftover after cooking.

Ingredients

Garlic cloves (as required)
Olive oil

Steps

1
Peel more garlic than the recipe requires. This will give you a supply for the next one or two meals.
2
Mince or chop as usual.

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3
Place the excess garlic into a clean jar that has a lid. Cover with olive oil.
4
Store in the refrigerator. Remove and add to dishes as needed.
5
Use up within a week. Make a new batch the next time you're cooking with garlic.

Community Q&A

Question

Why does garlic turn green after crushing?

Community Answer

The crushing allows chemicals normally locked away from each other to connect, and when conditions are right this creates a green or blue color.
Question

Does chopped garlic in food in the refrigerator go bad?

Community Answer

It will be good for a couple of days. Anything left too long in the refrigerator will eventually go bad.
Question

I left peeled garlic on the counter in a plastic bag, is it safe to use?

Community Answer

If you've only removed the outer papery skin of the garlic, the individual cloves will definitely keep out of the fridge, especially if you left it just one night. However, if you made cuts into the actual cloves themselves, be more careful in using. Garlic's strong juices naturally kill of any invading bacteria that could make you sick, but keep in mind that if you see any mold, dispose of the garlic.