Roasted Whole Garlic Bulb (Print View)
Whole garlic bulb transformed by roasting into a soft, sweet spread perfect for various dishes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Produce
01 - 1 whole garlic bulb
→ Pantry
02 - 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil
03 - Pinch of salt
→ Optional
04 - Freshly ground black pepper
05 - Fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs
# Step-by-Step Directions:
01 - Set the oven to 400°F to prepare for roasting.
02 - Remove loose outer layers of the garlic bulb, keeping the cloves intact.
03 - Slice off approximately a quarter-inch from the bulb top to expose all cloves.
04 - Place the bulb on foil or a small baking dish, drizzle olive oil evenly over cloves, sprinkle with salt, and optionally add black pepper and herbs.
05 - Wrap the bulb tightly with foil or cover the dish, then roast for 35 to 40 minutes until cloves are soft and golden.
06 - Allow to cool slightly before squeezing out the softened garlic from each clove; serve warm or at room temperature.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- One bulb transforms into a spreadable treasure that tastes buttery and sweet, nothing like the raw clove you thought you knew.
- Takes five minutes of actual work and then the oven does everything, leaving you free to do literally anything else.
- Works as a starter, a condiment, or a quiet addition to almost any savory dish without dominating the plate.
02 -
- Don't skip wrapping it in foil or covering the dish—exposed garlic will dry out and turn bitter instead of becoming that silky spread you're after.
- The magic happens in the last ten minutes when color finally appears on the cloves, so resist the urge to open the oven early or you'll let all the steam escape.
03 -
- Don't be afraid to really coat those cloves with olive oil—it's the fat that creates that spreadable, almost buttery texture you're after, not just moisture from steaming.
- If your first bulb turns out unevenly cooked with some hard cloves and some mushy ones, you've discovered that bulb size matters—aim for medium bulbs that cook through evenly.