10+ Garlic Recipes to Spice Up Your Cooking

Garlic is a beloved ingredient in many cuisines around the world. It’s known for its bold flavor and numerous health benefits. Garlic recipes can help you create delicious dishes that elevate your meals and impress your friends and family.

Whether you’re looking to make a simple garlic butter or a more complex garlic confit, there are plenty of options to explore. Garlic enhances the taste of sauces, soups, and roasted dishes, making it a versatile addition to your kitchen.

1) Garlic Butter Shrimp

Garlic butter shrimp is a quick and delicious dish you can make in just a few minutes. The shrimp cooks in a rich garlic and butter sauce that’s packed with flavor.

You’ll love how easy this recipe is. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or even as an appetizer for guests. Just serve it over pasta or with crusty bread to soak up all the tasty sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) cleaned and deveined shrimp
• 1/4 cup (60 g) butter
• 20 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 lemon, juiced
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Add shrimp and season with salt. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden and cooked through.
4. Squeeze lemon juice over the shrimp before serving. Enjoy!

2) Roasted Garlic and Potato Soup

Roasted Garlic and Potato Soup is a warm and comforting dish. The creamy texture, along with the rich flavor of roasted garlic, makes it a favorite for many. This soup uses simple ingredients, and you can enjoy it on a chilly day or as a hearty starter.

You will need potatoes, garlic, onions, and broth. Adding a splash of milk gives it that creamy goodness. Top it off with your favorite cheese for extra flavor. The aroma while cooking is sure to make your kitchen feel inviting.

Ingredients

• 4 large potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 head of garlic
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup milk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: shredded cheese for topping

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Roast the garlic in the oven until golden and soft, about 30 minutes.
3. In a pot, sauté onions until soft.
4. Add diced potatoes and broth. Simmer until potatoes are tender.
5. Squeeze the roasted garlic into the pot and blend until smooth.
6. Stir in milk, salt, and pepper. Warm it through and serve with cheese on top.

3) Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is a simple yet delicious Italian dish. It uses just a few ingredients, making it easy to prepare any night of the week. You’ll enjoy the bold flavors of garlic and olive oil.

To make this dish, start by cooking spaghetti in boiling salted water until al dente. As the pasta cooks, gently heat olive oil in a pan. Add sliced garlic and cook until golden, being careful not to burn it.

When the pasta is ready, reserve some pasta water and drain the rest. Toss the spaghetti in the garlic oil, adding red pepper flakes for a little heat. Use reserved pasta water to help the sauce coat the spaghetti.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces spaghetti
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, sliced
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil 5 quarts (4.7 liters) of water with 3 teaspoons salt.
2. Add spaghetti and cook until firm-tender.
3. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain spaghetti.
4. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
5. Add sliced garlic and sauté until golden.
6. Toss drained spaghetti in the garlic oil.
7. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes and salt.
8. Use pasta water as needed for sauce consistency.
9. Garnish with parsley if desired.

4) Garlic Confit

Garlic confit is an easy way to enjoy the rich flavor of garlic. This dish involves slowly cooking garlic cloves in olive oil. It makes the garlic soft and sweet, perfect for spreading on bread or adding to recipes.

To make garlic confit, you will need just a few ingredients. Start with whole garlic cloves, olive oil, and some herbs for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 cup garlic cloves (about 2 heads)
• 1 cup olive oil
• Herbs (like thyme or rosemary, optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Put garlic cloves in a baking dish.
3. Pour olive oil over the garlic, adding herbs, salt, and pepper if desired.
4. Bake for about 2 hours, or until the garlic is golden brown.
5. Let it cool before storing in a jar.

5) Garlic Knots

Garlic knots are a tasty treat that pairs well with many meals. They are soft bites of dough tied in knots and brushed with garlic butter. These knots are perfect for sharing or enjoying on your own.

To make garlic knots, you will need simple ingredients like pizza dough, garlic, and butter. These knots bake up fluffy and golden. You can also add herbs for extra flavor!

Ingredients

• Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Roll the pizza dough into strips and tie each strip into a knot.
3. Place the knots on a baking sheet.
4. Melt the butter and mix in minced garlic.
5. Brush the garlic butter over the knots.
6. Bake for about 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
7. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with salt and parsley. Enjoy!

6) Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic

Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic is a flavorful dish that’s easy to prepare. The garlic becomes soft and sweet, adding a rich taste to the chicken. This recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner.

To make this dish, start by gathering your ingredients. You’ll be using a whole chicken or chicken thighs, fresh garlic, and a few herbs for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 8 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
• 40 cloves of garlic, peeled
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ cup water
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Fresh thyme or rosemary (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe pot over medium heat.
3. Add the chicken and brown on both sides.
4. Add garlic and water, then drizzle lemon juice on top.
5. Cover the pot and bake for about 1 hour, until the chicken is fully cooked. Enjoy!

7) Garlic Bread with Fresh Herbs

Garlic bread with fresh herbs is a delightful addition to any meal. The combination of garlic, butter, and fresh herbs creates a tasty treat that everyone loves. It’s simple to make and perfect for sharing.

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, mix softened butter, minced garlic, and your choice of fresh herbs like parsley and basil. Spread this mixture generously on slices of bread.

Place the bread on a baking sheet and bake for about 10-15 minutes, until golden and crispy. Enjoy the wonderful aroma that fills your kitchen!

Ingredients

• 1 loaf of bread (French or Italian)
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix butter, garlic, and herbs.
3. Spread the mixture on each slice of bread.
4. Place the bread on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 10-15 minutes until golden.

8) Garlic Aioli Sauce

Garlic aioli sauce is a delicious and creamy dip you can make at home. It’s perfect for sandwiches, fries, or as a spread. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up this tasty sauce quickly.

To make garlic aioli, you’ll need mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. This basic version is easy to prepare and packs a flavor punch.

You can also try roasting the garlic for a sweeter, milder taste. Roasted garlic aioli is creamy and has a rich flavor.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup mayonnaise
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
2. Whisk everything together until it’s smooth and creamy.
3. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
4. Serve immediately or refrigerate for later.

9) Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Garlic mashed potatoes are a perfect side dish that adds flavor to any meal. The creamy texture and rich taste make them a favorite for many.

To make these potatoes, start with red or Yukon Gold potatoes for a great flavor. You’ll mix them with butter, roasted garlic, and sour cream for a delicious result.

The key is to mash the potatoes while they are hot. This helps achieve that smooth consistency you want.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds potatoes (red or Yukon Gold)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel and chop the potatoes into chunks.
2. Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
3. In a separate pan, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.
4. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.
5. Mash the potatoes with the garlic butter and sour cream until smooth.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

10) Garlic Hummus

Garlic hummus is a delicious and creamy dip you can make at home. It combines chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil for a tasty treat. This recipe is easy and quick, perfect for snacks or gatherings.

To prepare, add canned chickpeas to your blender. Then, add four cloves of chopped garlic, two tablespoons of tahini, and the juice of one lemon. After that, drizzle in some olive oil and blend until smooth. If it’s too thick, add a little water.

People love to serve it with pita bread or fresh vegetables. You can also use it as a spread on sandwiches.

Ingredients

• 2 cups canned chickpeas
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 tablespoons tahini
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Drain and rinse the chickpeas.
2. Add the chickpeas, garlic, tahini, lemon juice, and olive oil to a blender.
3. Blend until smooth.
4. Add water if needed for the right consistency.
5. Serve with pita or veggies.