30+ garlic recipes that make garlic the star! Including simple DIYs, sauces, dips, pasta dishes, and more – to make a garlic lover out of anyone!

Garlic is one of the most important ingredients in my kitchen. I could probably find an excuse to add it to every savory dish I make. It’s the perfect aromatic, flavor-boosting, finishing, and delicious ingredient to boost sauces, soups, and pasta dishes, enhance vegetable side dishes, and more. So, it’s high time I pull together this list of all my favorite garlic recipes that make this ingredient a star!

Cooking with garlic is not only simple. There are plenty of ways to introduce it into a dish for distinct flavor and textural differences.

And whether you’re a one-clove- or five-cloves-per-dish type of person, the garlic breath is more than worth it for the right recipes. I’m definitely in the “is there even such a thing as too much garlic?!” camp. Plus, it’s even pretty great for your health!

What Are The Benefits Of Garlic?

Along with tasting great, the list of health benefits of garlic is pretty impressive, too. Plus, it contains several plant compounds that contain medicinal properties such as:

• Immune-boosting properties,
• Antioxidant benefits to stave off chronic disease,
• Detoxification of heavy metals in the body,
• Blood pressure reduction,
• Lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol,
• Performance-enhancing benefits for exercise and fatigue,
• Stabilize blood sugar levels,
• Main protect brain health and improve memory.

And if you’re wondering about the benefits of eating raw garlic vs. cooked garlic. Raw fresh garlic will contain higher levels of allicin, meaning that raw garlic may be best for maximum nutritional value in smaller quantities.

Luckily, there’s no shortage of interesting garlic ideas and cool garlic recipes. I fully admit I’ve struggled with not adding TOO MANY options to this list of the best garlic recipes. So, keep reading for fresh garlic recipes that highlight this ingredient!

How To Cook With Garlic: Top Tips

The most important thing to know about cooking with garlic is that the more you cut or mash the garlic, the stronger the flavor will be. This is because garlic contains flavor and aroma compounds (allicin) that are activated when cut. Therefore, adding whole garlic cloves to any dish will add a very subtle flavor. At the same time, garlic puree will have a very robust flavor and aroma.

The way you cook garlic also affects its flavor, as it decreases the allicin enzymes. For example, raw garlic is very pungent and spicy. So I usually use it in small quantities in sauces, etc.

Quick-cooked garlic (like sautéing it) mellows the harshest spice/pungency while retaining a strong flavor and slight bitterness. However, any slow-cooked garlic (like confit, roasting, in soups, etc.) will become wonderfully mellow and slightly sweet. And it will lose its bitter, harsh edge entirely.

Lastly, garlic burns quickly and easily. So if you plan to cook it in a pan, heavy-based ones are best for more even heat distribution. It’s also best to add garlic towards the end of cooking (both when pan-cooking and roasting in the oven). This will avoid burning it, which can make the entire dish bitter.

What To Do With Fresh Garlic

If you’re specifically looking for recipes that use a lot of garlic (whole heads of garlic), perhaps one of these DIYs is perfect for you.

Top Tips for Peeling Garlic

How To Crush, Chop, And Mince Garlic

Also check How Much Minced Garlic Equals a Clove.

How to Freeze Garlic

Homemade Garlic Paste

Garlic Powder

Garlic Flakes

Homemade Garlic Salt

How to Roast Garlic in the Oven

Garlic Infused Olive Oil

Pickled Garlic

Garlic Confit (& Garlic Oil)

Roasted Garlic Butter

Black Garlic

Garlic Sauces and Dips

Sauces, dressings, and dips are a delicious way to enjoy raw or cooked garlic (usually minced garlic). They give any meal a powerful boost of garlic flavor.

Lebanese Garlic Sauce (Toum)

Garlic Alfredo Sauce

Lemon Butter Sauce

How to Make Fermented Garlic Honey

Garlic and Chili Infused Honey

Creamy Roasted Garlic Dressing

Garlic Aioli

Roasted Garlic White Bean Dip

Creamy Hummus

Garlic Bread Recipes

No list of recipes for fresh garlic would be complete without garlic bread, of course. But that isn’t the only way to pair the two ingredients for delicious results.

Quick Cheesy Garlic Bread Recipe

Simple Roasted Garlic Bread

Garlic Naan Bread

Garlic Croutons

Pan Con Tomate

Garlic Vegetable Side Dishes

Preparing vegetables is one of my favorite ways of cooking with garlic to add maximum flavor but minimal ingredients and fuss. Here are just some of my favorite garlicky vegetables.

Garlic Sautéed Spinach

Garlic and Parmesan Sautéed Zucchini

Simple Sauteed Green Beans with Garlic

There are tons of veggie recipes with garlic, thanks to its versatility. Along with the recipes already mentioned, you might enjoy garlic sautéed asparagus or garlicky cauliflower steaks!

Oven-Roasted Corn with Garlic Butter

Garlic Butter Mushrooms

Prefer something creamy? Check out these creamy, garlicky mushrooms on toast.

Garlic Crispy Roasted Potatoes

Likewise, boost the flavor of creamy mashed potatoes with plenty of roasted garlic!

Authentic Chinese Eggplant Stir Fry

Pasta and Noodles

Here are some simple garlic dinner recipes where garlic takes more of a “star role.”

Easy Garlic and Olive Oil Pasta

Garlic Lemon Pasta

Easy Garlic Chili Oil Noodles

Le Mein Garlic Noodles

Other Garlic Recipes

And just a few more garlic dishes to whet your appetite…

Filipino Garlic Fried Rice (Sinangag)

Creamy Roasted Garlic Potato Soup

Turkish Poached Eggs with Garlic Yogurt

Lemon Garlic Baked Salmon

More Helpful Round-ups

• How to Prepare and Use Ginger
• How to Use Turmeric
• 60 Healthy Dinner Ideas in 30 Minutes or Less
• 30 Hot Lunch Ideas (Fast, Meal Prep, Easy Recipes)

If you try any of these top garlic recipes, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’d love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!