How Long Does Minced Garlic Last?
Garlic is an essential ingredient in many dishes, and minced garlic, in particular, is a convenient way to add flavor to your cooking. But what happens when you buy a jar of minced garlic, and you’re not sure how long it will last before it goes bad?
In this blog post, we’ll explore the shelf life of minced garlic and how to tell if it’s still good to use. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner cook, knowing how long your ingredients will last is essential for keeping your meals fresh and delicious.
So, let’s dive into the world of minced garlic and learn how long it can last!
How Long Does Minced Garlic Last?
How long is minced garlic good for? Typically, minced garlic jar shelf life lasts for a few months in the fridge up to 6 months in the freezer under the following conditions: (1) the cloves have been thoroughly peeled, washed, and completely dried, (2) the minced content has to be in an airtight container (a bag, jar, or tub).
But how long you can keep minced garlic in the fridge will depend on another factor. You can preserve garlic in the container alone for 2–3 weeks, or add a lot of oil and a pinch of salt to it. The later method lengthens how long chopped garlic lasts, up to one month.
Are you an experimenter? Why not create different jars of oil and minced garlic, with each having an added flavor? You are welcome to be creative, chili, thyme, basil, etc. If you are a fan of spicy food, don’t hesitate to add some dried habanero peppers for special hot garlic oil.
Even though you can preserve garlic cloves in water, it’s not recommended to leave chopped garlic in water due to the inconvenience in cooking. The herb is most commonly used in fried dishes, in which the oil and the garlic water don’t go along.
When convenience is your priority, the question, “Where can I find minced garlic in the grocery store?” must pop up a few times. The good news is that store-bought processed garlic lasts longer. You can determine how long is minced garlic good for after opening it on the packaging.
How To Tell If Minced Garlic Is Bad?
Appearance
If you wonder, “Does peeled garlic go bad?”, unfortunately, yes. The first sign of how to know if garlic is bad relies on its appearance.
If your garlic shows signs of green or brown spots, it means that the sulfur content reacts with the copper to form copper sulfate. Although mildly toxic, it can cause severe eye irritation, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
It can happen because you leave the minced garlic out too long before using it, or you add acidic ingredients to the container. These two factors can largely influence how long minced garlic lasts after opening.
Odor
Another good indicator of how long an open jar of garlic is good for is its smell. Garlic has a unique scent of its own: pungent when raw and earthy and almost nutty when cooked. If your garlic jar has started to lose its smell or has a distinctly sour aroma, it’s likely spoiled.
Garlic’s aroma is very distinguishable; you will still be able to identify rotten garlic even in the mixture with oil and other herbs.
How To Store & Prolong The Shelf Life Of Minced Garlic
To answer your question, “How to store fresh minced garlic the best way?”, we will reveal our secret: preparation plays a major role.
Carefully peeling and washing the garlic cloves can determine how long will minced garlic last in the refrigerator. You want to thoroughly complete these two tasks as dirt and impurities will accelerate food spoilage.
Preserving Garlic In Jars With Oil
As mentioned above, how long does jarred garlic last can vary depending on the content you put in besides garlic. Oil is a wonderful candidate for shielding garlic from the air and maintaining its taste, shape, and color.
Directions:
- Add minced garlic to a clean, airtight container. Wide-mouth glass jars are highly preferred for easy access to the content.
- It’s best to choose an oil with health benefits, such as olive oil or avocado oil. Top with the chosen oil until the garlic is completely coated, leaving ½ inch of free space.
- Seal and label the containers with the date. Store in the refrigerator for up to a month. The date label will come in handy when you need to determine how long minced garlic lasts in the fridge.
Freezing Garlic In Portions
Does garlic go in the fridge at all times? Not necessarily; the freezer works even better. This method is favored if you want to preserve a large amount of minced garlic for an extended period.
Directions:
- Add peeled garlic cloves and a very small amount of water to a processor or blender. Pulse until you are happy with the consistency.
- Scoop out one teaspoon at a time of the garlic paste. You can carefully separate each spoon in a ziplock bag or an ice dice tray.
- Refrigerate minced garlic until it is firm.
- Transfer to the freezer, label with the date, and save for up to 6 months.
FAQ
Does Minced Garlic Go Bad If Not Refrigerated?
Yes, absolutely! And how long does chopped garlic last in the fridge? It depends on the preservation method. You can store garlic in the freezer for up to 6 months and airtight garlic oil jars for a month.
If bottled minced garlic has changes of the appearance, flavor, or odor, it needs to be discarded.
Should You Freeze Minced Garlic? How?
If you cook with minced garlic on a daily basis, you’ll realize that freezing garlic can be such a lifesaver. Frozen garlic won’t have the crunchy texture of fresh garlic, but the flavor stays robust.
You can find detailed instructions on how to freeze minced garlic above.
How Long Does A Jar Of Minced Garlic Last?
It can last for several weeks alone or a month in oil.
How Long Does Minced Garlic Go Bad When Left Out?
Really fast; you should never leave minced garlic out of the refrigerator. Exposure to external factors can contaminate the garlic, leading to botulism.
