If you’re on the hunt for a simple yet luxurious way to elevate your meals, the 3-Ingredient Oven-Roasted Garlic Confit Recipe is an absolute game-changer. With just garlic, olive oil, and salt, this slow-roasted delight transforms sharp raw cloves into soft, buttery gems bursting with sweet, caramelized depth. It’s the ultimate way to add rich, mellow garlic flavor to everything from crusty bread to roasted veggies, making your cooking feel effortlessly gourmet.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering a few trusty ingredients is all it takes to create magic here. Each element plays a crucial role in bringing out the gentle, luscious texture and taste that make this garlic confit so addictive.
- Garlic heads: About three large heads, which yield roughly 38 cloves, provide plenty of mellow, golden garlic goodness.
- Extra virgin olive oil: A third of a cup or more to fully submerge the garlic, ensuring even roasting and that velvety richness.
- Fine salt: Just a quarter teaspoon to balance and enhance the natural sweetness and depth of the garlic.
- Optional herbs and spices: A few sprigs of thyme or rosemary or a pinch of red pepper flakes add subtle aromatic or spicy notes if you want to get creative.
How to Make 3-Ingredient Oven-Roasted Garlic Confit Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Garlic
Start by preheating your oven to a gentle 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Carefully separate the cloves from the garlic heads and peel each clove. This part takes a little time but sets the foundation for that silky texture we’re aiming for. Arrange the peeled cloves in a single layer inside a small oven-safe dish that can hold about 14.5 ounces.
Step 2: Add Olive Oil and Salt
Now, pour in the extra virgin olive oil — enough to completely submerge the garlic cloves so they roast evenly and don’t dry out. Sprinkle in the fine salt, which subtly enhances both flavor and aroma without overpowering the natural garlic sweetness.
Step 3: Slow Roast to Perfection
Place your dish in the oven and let the garlic confit slowly roast for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Keep an eye out for a gorgeous golden-brown hue and a soft, buttery texture. To check, gently press a clove with the back of a fork; it should mash easily, signaling you’re ready to enjoy the rich results.
How to Serve 3-Ingredient Oven-Roasted Garlic Confit Recipe
Garnishes
These luscious roasted cloves are divine on their own, but a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or a drizzle of flaky sea salt amps up their savory charm. A crack of black pepper adds a bit of heat that contrasts beautifully with the mellow garlic.
Side Dishes
Think beyond the usual! Slather them on warm, crusty bread for a sublime garlic toast or mix into mashed potatoes to bring creamy depth. They’re also incredible tossed with roasted or steamed veggies, stirred into pasta dishes, or even added to soups for a whisper of richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party or special dinner, serve the confit cloves alongside cheese and charcuterie boards as a spreadable surprise. You can also gently fold them into whipped butter for a decadent compound butter that elevates steaks, roasted chicken, or grilled veggies with ease.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once the 3-Ingredient Oven-Roasted Garlic Confit Recipe has cooled, keep your garlic cloves submerged in the olive oil inside an airtight container refrigerated. This helps preserve their mellow flavor and silky texture for up to two weeks, ready for whenever inspiration strikes in the kitchen.
Freezing
If you want to savor this garlic confit later, you can freeze the cloves with the oil. Portion them into ice cube trays or small containers for easy thawing. Frozen garlic confit lasts up to three months and adds a burst of flavor to dishes after gentle reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently by warming the garlic confit in a small pan over low heat just until the oil loosens and the cloves soften again. Avoid high heat to maintain that luscious texture and prevent bitterness from overcooked garlic.
FAQs
Can I use regular olive oil instead of extra virgin?
While you can, extra virgin olive oil offers the best flavor and quality for this recipe. Its fruity, robust character perfectly complements the sweet garlic, making it worth the slight upgrade.
Is it necessary to peel all the garlic cloves?
Yes, peeling ensures even roasting and a silky finish. The skins won’t soften at this low temperature, so keeping them on would result in uneven cooking and tough bits.
Can I add herbs or spices directly to the garlic while roasting?
Absolutely! Fresh thyme, rosemary sprigs, or a pinch of red pepper flakes can gently infuse the garlic with aromatic or spicy undertones during roasting, adding another layer of flavor.
How can I use the leftover olive oil infused with garlic?
Don’t discard that glorious garlic oil! It’s perfect for drizzling on salads, stirring into pasta, or using as a finishing touch for roasted vegetables to impart rich, garlicky goodness.
Is this recipe suitable for vegan diets?
Yes, this 3-Ingredient Oven-Roasted Garlic Confit Recipe is entirely vegan, containing just plant-based ingredients, making it a flavorful option for anyone embracing vegan cooking.
Final Thoughts
Once you try the 3-Ingredient Oven-Roasted Garlic Confit Recipe, you’ll wonder how you ever cooked without it. The effortless transformation of simple garlic into a spreadable, buttery treasure brings a cozy, gourmet touch to everyday dishes. Give it a go and keep a jar handy—you’re about to make your kitchen your favorite place to be.
Print
3-Ingredient Oven-Roasted Garlic Confit Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 12 servings
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This 3-Ingredient Garlic Confit recipe offers a deliciously mellow and buttery spread made by slow-roasting garlic cloves in olive oil. The low-temperature oven cooking transforms sharp raw garlic into soft, sweet, and caramelized cloves, perfect for adding decadent flavor to a wide variety of dishes. Simple, vegan, and elegant, this confit enhances everything from breads to roasted vegetables and sauces.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 large heads of garlic (~38 large cloves)
- ⅓ cup good quality extra virgin olive oil (or more as needed to fully submerge the garlic)
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- Optional: sprigs of fresh thyme, rosemary, or red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 250°F (121°C) to prepare for the slow roasting process that gently softens and caramelizes the garlic.
- Prepare the Garlic: Separate the cloves from the garlic heads and peel each clove carefully. Lay the peeled cloves in an even layer in a small oven-safe dish, ideally around 14.5 ounces capacity to hold all cloves comfortably.
- Add Olive Oil and Salt: Pour the extra virgin olive oil over the garlic cloves, adding enough to fully submerge them to prevent burning during cooking. Sprinkle the fine salt evenly over the garlic. Optionally, add sprigs of fresh thyme, rosemary, or red pepper flakes for additional flavor.
- Roast the Garlic: Place the dish in the oven and cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the garlic cloves turn golden brown and become soft. Test doneness by mashing a clove with the back of a fork; it should mash easily and be tender.
- Cool and Store: Once done, you can serve the garlic confit immediately or allow it to cool and store it submerged in the olive oil in an airtight container. Keep refrigerated to maintain freshness and flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the garlic cloves are fully submerged in oil to avoid burning during roasting.
- Use fresh, good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor and texture.
- Store garlic confit in the refrigerator and consume within 2 weeks for optimal freshness.
- You can customize flavor with herbs or spices like thyme, rosemary, or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Use the garlic confit as a spread on bread, a seasoning addition to soups, sauces, or roasted dishes for a rich, mellow garlic flavor.
