Preserving the Fall Harvest: Storing & Freezing Elephant Garlic for Winter
- Bodacious Bulbs Elephant Garlic Farm
- Nov 10
- 3 min read
As the crisp autumn air settles in and the garden beds are tucked away for the season, it’s time to make sure your elephant garlic harvest lasts all winter long. Whether you love it roasted, mashed, or melted into butter, preserving your garlic properly means you can enjoy that rich, mild flavor well into the colder months.
1. Fresh Elephant Garlic 🧄
Start with clean, dry bulbs. After harvest, cure them in a cool, airy space for two to three weeks until the outer layers are papery. Once cured, store the bulbs in a mesh bag or basket (never plastic) in a dry, well-ventilated area at around 55°F. Avoid the fridge — it’s too damp and can cause early sprouting.
Pro tip: Plant your biggest cloves and keep your smaller ones for cooking and eating!
2. Roasting for Rich Flavor 🔥
Roasted elephant garlic takes on a buttery, mellow sweetness that’s perfect for adding to soups, pastas, mashed potatoes, or spreading over warm bread.
How to roast:
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Slice the top off the bulb to expose the cloves.
Drizzle with olive oil and wrap in foil.
Roast for 35–45 minutes, until soft and golden.
Once cooled, squeeze out the cloves, mash them, and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks - or freeze for longer storage.
3. Making Garlic Confit or Garlic Butter 🧈
Garlic confit (garlic slow-cooked in oil) and garlic butter are flavorful, ready-to-use staples that make any meal shine.
Garlic Confit:
Simmer peeled cloves in olive oil over very low heat for about 45 minutes, until tender and fragrant. Store both the cloves and the infused oil in the fridge for up to three weeks.
Garlic Butter:
Blend roasted or minced elephant garlic with softened butter, parsley, and a pinch of salt. Freeze in small portions or roll into a log and slice as needed. Perfect for steak, vegetables, or warm bread!
4. Freezing for Long-Term Use ❄️
If you prefer to keep things simple, you can freeze elephant garlic cloves whole, peeled, or chopped. Lay them on a parchment-lined tray to freeze individually, then transfer them to airtight containers or freezer bags.
They’ll keep their flavor beautifully for up to 8 months — and you can toss them straight into recipes without thawing.
From Our Fields: Where It All Begins 🌱
As the preserved flavors of fall fill your kitchen, we’re already hard at work preparing for the next harvest season.
Out in the fields, thousands of Elephant Garlic babies are being planted by hand — each clove tucked carefully into rich soil that’s been lovingly worked and prepared. It’s a true labor of love and patience, one that ensures next year’s crop will be just as big, bold, and flavorful as this one.
These big bodacious beauties will rest through winter and begin their quiet transformation underground, soaking in the goodness of the earth before emerging strong in spring.
As you enjoy your roasted garlic or garlic butter this winter, know that every bite carries a unique bit of Bodacious Bulbs’ heart and hard work.
These big bodacious beauties are going in the ground! Did you know it’s time to plant your garlic seed? We got you covered! Message us for details, or go to BodaciousBulbs.com and order some! Happy planting! 🤎🧄
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