How to Make Garlic-Infused Olive Oil (A Simple Recipe)
Are you tired of the intense flavour of olive oil?
If yes, then do not worry.
Because there are so many people who shy away from using this healthy ingredient due to its strong flavour.
As you know, garlic is one of the best ingredients that is normally used in every kitchen. And when infused it into some high-quality olive oil properly, it becomes a powerful combination.
So no need to worry, because in this blog, you will discover how to make Garlic Infused Olive Oil at home and what ingredients and tools you’ll require. Additionally, we will also cover its uses, nutritional values, and the health benefits it brings to your diet.
Essential Ingredients You Need For This Recipe
You can make it at home within 15 minutes, so why not make yourself a bottle? It’s so delicious; I know you’ll love how it turns out and want to use it for everything! To make it at home, you need the following ingredients:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Buy your favorite brand of the best quality and ensure that it is not too strong in flavor to overpower your garlic.
- Garlic Cloves: Use fresh garlic cloves for this recipe, clean it, and remove all green parts from inside. Also, make sure there is no apparent brown bruising.
- Optional: You can add any other herbs like spices, rosemary, thyme, or even a little chili flakes for extra flavour.
Ingredients Quantity: I have mentioned the quantity of each ingredient, as you can make it easily at home.
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4-6 garlic cloves, minced or sliced
- Optional: 1-2 sprigs fresh rosemary or thyme
Essential Equipment You Required For Homemade Infused Oil
Essential tools with proper descriptions are mentioned below, as you can easily make it.
- Glass Jar (bottle): A glass jar is a clean, airtight container that is used for storing your garlic oil. Glass is preferred over plastic as it doesn’t extract chemicals into the oil.
- Infusion Basket or Cheesecloth: These tools act as filters, and they are used to remove any leftover garlic pieces from the oil before you use it.
- Small Saucepan: A small saucepan is a type of cooking pot that is used to warm up olive oil before adding the garlic. It should have a heavy bottom as it can stay stable on the cooking surface.
- Funnel: Funnel can help to transfer the oil into the bottles without making a mess.
With all these basic tools, you can make your own delicious oil.
How To Make Garlic-Infused Oil: Easy Steps
The process is very simple, Step by steps process for this recipe is discussed below:
- Start to peel the papery skin of garlic cloves and remove green sprouts.
- Gently bruise garlic cloves with a large knife blade.
- Place it in a small saucepan.
- Pour olive oil over the garlic cloves; make sure they are completely covered.
- Now start to heat it slowly while mixing well.
- Don’t let the garlic to burn; it just turns into a light brown within five minutes.
- After this, remove from the heat and Squish the garlic cloves lightly with the back of a spoon.
- So, now let the olive oil cool completely.
- Strain the garlic-infused olive oil through a fine mesh sieve to remove the garlic cloves.
- For additional flavour, you can add Italian seasoning or fresh herbs of your own choice to the strained oil. I prefer to use rosemary and thyme.
- Your garlic-infused olive oil is ready now; you can pour it into a small oil dispenser or a clean, airtight container.
- It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
- Enjoy your dishes by adding this flavourful touch to your dishes.
Pro Tips
I would not recommend using chopped garlic. It has a too strong flavor and will turn rancid if not used within a month. I had made this mistake once and will never repeat it again!
How Long Will Garlic Oil Last?
This recipe is good for about a month after the initial infusion with garlic flavor. But if you want to store garlic oil for longer, then it all depends on the bottle you are using. According to Alpha foodie, if you wish to store it for longer time than the bottle must be cleaned and sterilised to avoid tainting the garlic olive oil. Keep the sealed jar or bottle in the refrigerator.
Uses Of Garlic Infused Oil
This oil can be used in a variety of ways:
- Savory baked bread
- Pasta with homemade pesto
- Salad with fresh lemon
- Chilled salad with fruit and basil
Nutritional Values
| Nutrient | Approximate Value per Serving (1 tablespoon) |
| Calories | 120-140 |
| Fat | 13-15 grams |
| Saturated Fat | 2-3 grams |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10-12 grams |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1-2 grams |
| Carbohydrates | 0-1 gram |
| Protein | 0-1 gram |
| Sodium | 0-1 mg Export to Sheets |
Surprising Health Benefits Of This Recipe
Garlic is renowned for its disease-fighting properties and often used for health benefits. When garlic is mixed with olive oil, it becomes a powerful combination. Garlic supports the human immune system and cardiovascular health, while olive oil promote heart and brain health. Studies also show that extra virgin olive oil can help with digestion and reduce bloating. Here are the detailed benefits listed below:
- Antifungal properties for fighting skin issues.
- Vitamins and minerals that help control acne.
- Anti-inflammatory properties of infused oil can help to reduce inflammation on the skin and in the body.
- Minerals and vitamins that help promote scalp health.
- Compounds that help toothaches, combat bacterial infections, and manage tooth decay.
- Organic chemical compounds lower blood pressure and relax heart muscles.
- Natural properties that help prevent the common cold.
Conclusion
So finally, you have learnt that making garlic-infused olive oil at home is quite a simple process. You can create it by cooking garlic cloves over very low heat with olive oil. For extra flavour, you can add some optional ingredients. Try it with thyme sprigs and dried chilli peppers for a special treat.
Homemade garlic oil can be used for up to a month in the fridge. It’s great on pasta, in salads, or in many other dishes. Additionally, this oil has strong health benefits, like helping your heart and boosting your immune system. Try this simple recipe at home and enjoy the delicious flavours and health perks it brings!
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