Name: Garlic Infused Olive Oil
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 14 d 1 h 10 min
Yield: 240
Cuisine: Recipes with herbs
Ingredients: 3 fresh garlic heads; 1.5 cups olive oil; 1 handful fresh thyme; 2 tiny hot peppers; 2 bay leaves

JUMP TO RECIPE

Garlic infused olive oil makes an easy dip for rustic bread or enhances the flavors of pasta and pizza. This simple extra virgin olive oil infused with garlic is a must-have kitchen staple.

Making flavored oils is my weakness. It’s a simple yet incredibly effective way to add depth to dishes, and I enjoy it. I started with herbs, infusing rosemary, oregano, or even medicinal herbs like red clover and yarrow. Only recently did I begin working with alliums. I use garlic daily for seasoning, but its sharpness, especially when fresh, can sometimes be overwhelming. For instance, fresh garlic in hummus was a bit too much for us. I tried alternatives like garlic paste or powder, but in the end, garlic-infused oil won. It’s delicious, but milder than fresh garlic, which is exactly what I needed.

Can I make garlic-infused oil on the stove top?

What is Garlic Olive Oil?

Garlic olive oil is made by infusing extra virgin olive oil with fresh garlic cloves, using either the cold or warm infusion method.

While both deliver fragrant oil, the cold method allows garlic to sit in olive oil for over two weeks to deliver delicate flavor. I was using a quicker method, where I gently heated olive oil with fresh garlic and herbs to extract a rich garlicky flavor.

The garlic-flavored oil is perfect for adding rich flavor to cooking, roasting, or drizzling over salads and vegetables right before serving. One of my favorite uses is as a dip for rustic bread, where the oil’s depth truly shines.

While you can infuse the garlic in olive oil in the oven, stovetop, or crock pot, I used the oven.

If you love working with garlic, you should try making fermented honey garlic. it’s loaded with bold flavors and health benefits, adding a unique twist to your culinary creations.

Why you will love this recipe?

easy to make, yet adds a deep, savory garlic flavor to any dish

The taste of garlic olive oil is less sharp and intense than fresh garlic, making it a versatile staple for the kitchen.

Plus, this method yields two delicious products: fragrant garlic oil and tender and tasty garlic, both great kitchen ingredients.

Ingredients

Garlic Cloves

fresh garlic cloves have the best flavors however store-bought peeled garlic cloves will work too.

Olive Oil

use regular olive oil, or virgin extra for the best quality. However you can use any vegetable oil that you have at home, like canola oil, avocado or grapeseed oil.

Herbs (optional)

I used thyme, bay leaves and tiny hot peppers; however, you can experiment with other herbs, such as a sprig of rosemary, basil or oregano.

how to make Garlic infused Olive Oil

First step – Prepare the garlic

If you are using fresh garlic you may want to use this garlic peeler to speed up the peeling process.

Second Step – Roast the Garlic at low heat

Preheat the oven to 210ºF/100ºC and place the garlic with fresh herbs in a deeper baking tray or casserole dish. Pour over the olive oil making sure the garlic cloves are entirely submerged in the oil. Slow cook for 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the cloves are golden brown and tender. Let it cool.

Third Step – Strain

Once cooled, strain the garlic and herbs with a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Make sure to squeeze out as much oil as possible.

Pour the infused oil into a clean, dry bottle. Store it in a cool, dark place to maintain its potency.

Don’t throw away the garlic. Roasted garlic is a delicacy, whether spread on toast or crackers. I like to place it on the cheese board with veggies and lots of cheese. It’s also delicious with mashed potatoes.

How long the garlic infused oil last?

Store in airtight jar the fridge; it’ll last up to 1 month. You can also freeze it to extend it shelf life for up to three months.

Can I make garlic-infused oil on the stove top?

You can make it on the stovetop in a small saucepan. Keep a close eye on the garlic as it cooks and stir frequently to prevent burning. Add all of the ingredients to a pot then simmer on low until the garlic is soft and lightly golden brown.

How to use garlic-infused olive Oil

Basically, you can substitute this garlic-infused olive oil for any recipe that calls for regular olive oil. It will just add a delicious pop of garlicky flavor! Some of my favorite ways to use it are in bread dips, homemade salad dressings, hummus, or mashed potatoes

this Garlic Oil will add a delicious pop of garlicky flavor and aroma to any recipe that calls for regular olive oil.

From dips, sauce, marinades, salad dressings or stir fry, this ingredient turn them in your favorite dishes.

This oil add great taste to seafood, roast chicken or grilled meats

garlic in oil is great on roasted broccoli, potatoes or steamed beets.

Oil and garlic pair great with dark balsamic vinegar for salad dressing or marinade for pork.

Yield: 240 ml (8 oz or 1 cup)

Garlic Infused Olive Oil

Garlic infused olive oil makes an easy dip for rustic bread or enhances the flavors of pasta and pizza. This simple extra virgin olive oil infused with garlic is a must-have kitchen staple.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Additional Time 14 days

Total Time 14 days 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

3 fresh garlic heads
1.5 cups olive oil
1 handful fresh thyme
2 tiny hot peppers
2 bay leaves

Instructions

If you are using fresh garlic you may want to use this garlic peeler to speed up the peeling process.
Preheat the oven to 210ºF/100ºC and place the garlic with fresh herbs in a deeper baking tray or casserole dish. Pour over the olive oil making sure the garlic cloves are entirely submerged in the oil. Slow cook for 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the cloves are golden brown and tender. Let it cool.
Once cooled, strain the garlic and herbs with a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Make sure to squeeze out as much oil as possible. Pour the infused oil into a clean, dry bottle. Store it in a cool, dark place to maintain its potency.

Notes

Don't throw away the garlic. Roasted garlic is a delicacy, whether spread on toast or crackers. I like to place it on the cheese board with veggies and lots of cheese. It's also delicious with mashed potatoes.