How to Make Perfect Garlic Confit with Rosemary: Easy Recipe and Safety Tips

Garlic confit is one of my top flavor boosters that transforms simple garlic cloves into a soft, buttery, and spreadable garnish. Whether you’re spreading it on bread, mixing it into pasta, or using the infused oil for cooking, garlic confit is a flavorful and antioxidant rich ingredient that is a MUST try. I’ll explain how to make rosemary infused garlic confit, and also share tips on storage and safety.

How to Make Garlic Confit:​

What is Garlic Confit?

Garlic confit is a culinary method in which whole garlic cloves are gently cooked in olive oil at a low temperature until they become soft, buttery, and super rich in flavor. The term “confit” comes from the French word meaning “to preserve” referring to the garlic being slow-cooked in fat (olive oil) to both make it flavorful and extend the shelf life.

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How to Use Garlic Confit:

• Spread on toast or crackers
• Add to sauces, soups, or mashed potatoes
• Mix into salad dressings or dips
• Use as a topping for pizza, roasted veggies, or pasta
• Incorporate into dough such as focaccia
• Use the rosemary infused olive oil for cooking or drizzling over dishes

Storage & Safety Tips:

• Once cooled, store the garlic confit in a sterilized jar in the fridge to prevent spoilage.
• Use within 2 weeks to avoid risks, such as botulism, which can occur with improperly stored garlic in oil.
• Never store garlic confit at room temperature as it can cause bacterial growth.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Does cooking olive oil make it go rancid?

The smoke point of olive oil is around 350 degrees F, so as long as you cook it below that temperature the oil won’t degrade. For this recipe, we’re cooking around 200 – 250 degrees F so the oil will remain stable. We also are cooking it for about 30 minutes which isn’t enough time for the oil to go bad.

How do you soften garlic cloves?

The process of slow cooking the garlic cloves in oil will soften them into a spreadable texture.

Does garlic confit have any health benefits?

Even though garlic confit is cooked, many of the benefits of raw garlic are retained. It’s rich in antioxidants, supports heart health, anti-inflammatory, and is easier to digest than raw garlic.

Is Garlic Confit as Healthy as Raw Garlic?

Raw garlic is slightly more potent in health benefits, especially due to allicin, which is more active when garlic is crushed and eaten raw. Garlic confit focuses more on flavor and digestibility, offering a gentler way to enjoy garlic without sacrificing all of its benefits.

{If you like this recipe you’ll love my GARLIC MASHED POTATOES and my GOLDEN MINERAL BROTH.}