How to Make Simple Homemade Garlic Oil – 2 Ingredients
If you’ve ever wanted to take your cooking to the next level with minimal effort, try this. This simple homemade garlic oil is a game-changer.
With only two ingredients—whole garlic cloves and your favourite oil—you can create a rich, fragrant infusion. It’s perfect for drizzling over vegetables. You can also toss it through pasta. Try serving it with crusty bread.
How to Make Simple Homemade Garlic Oil – 2 Ingredients, is a quick recipe to make. It is budget-friendly. It is ideal for home cooks who love making things from scratch.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 2 ingredients – can’t get simpler than that.
- Budget-friendly – no fancy equipment needed.
- Versatile – use it in cooking, salad dressings, or as a bread dip.
- Homemade freshness – better than store-bought, and you know exactly what’s in it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
(Makes approx. 500ml garlic oil)
- 500ml oil – olive oil is classic, but sunflower or avocado oil works well too.
- whole bulb of garlic, peeled.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the garlic – Peel your garlic cloves but keep them whole. This prevents bitterness and gives a smoother garlic flavour.
- Heat the oil – Pour the oil into a small saucepan over low heat.
- Infuse – Add the garlic cloves and let them gently simmer on the lowest heat for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not let the garlic brown, as this can make the oil taste bitter.
- Cool & strain – Remove the garlic cloves. You can save them for cooking. Allow the oil to cool completely.
- Store – Pour into a clean glass jar or bottle. Store in the fridge and use within 7 days for safety.
Important Storage & Safety Tips
Homemade garlic oil is delicious, but it’s important to store it safely.
Garlic stored in oil at room temperature can lead to the growth of Clostridium botulinum bacteria. This can cause botulism, a rare but serious foodborne illness.
To keep your garlic oil safe:
- Always refrigerate immediately after making it.
- Use within 7 days if stored in the fridge.
- Never store at room temperature unless you are using it within a couple of hours.
Freezing Garlic Oil – Safe Long-Term Storage
If you want to make garlic oil in bulk, freezing is a great option:
- Let the garlic oil cool completely after making it.
- Pour into ice cube trays or small freezer-safe containers.
- Once frozen, transfer cubes to a freezer bag or airtight container.
- Store for up to 3 months.
- To use, pop a cube straight into a hot pan or let it thaw in the fridge overnight.
Freezing keeps the flavour fresh. It also avoids the botulism risk from storing garlic in oil for too long.
How to Make Simple Homemade Garlic Oil – 2 Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 cups good-quality oil olive oil, sunflower oil, or avocado oil
- 1 bulb of whole garlic peeled
Instructions
- Peel the garlic cloves.
- Add garlic and oil to a small saucepan.
- Warm on low heat for 10–15 minutes until fragrant (do not boil).
- Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
- Pour into a clean, sterilised glass jar or bottle.
- Fridge storage only: Keep in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Freezing is a great option: Freeze garlic oil in ice cube trays, then pop the cubes into a freezer bag. This way, you can grab the perfect portion for cooking without waste.
Notes
Important Storage & Safety Tips
Homemade garlic oil is delicious, but it’s important to store it safely.Garlic stored in oil at room temperature can create the perfect environment for Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which causes botulism — a rare but serious foodborne illness. It is best to use it within 7 days or freeze the oil into ice cube trays and use as needed. I have seen some recommend that the oil is safe to use if you take the garlic cloves out of the oil.
Variations & Delicious Ways to Use Garlic Oil
Once you’ve made your garlic oil, the fun begins! Try these tasty ideas:
Flavour Variations:
- Chilli Garlic Oil: Add 1–2 dried red chillies to the oil for heat.
- Herb Garlic Oil: Infuse with fresh rosemary, thyme, or basil for a Mediterranean twist.
- Lemon Garlic Oil: Add lemon zest for a bright, zesty flavour.
Ways to Use Garlic Oil:
- Salad Dressing Base: Whisk with vinegar or lemon juice for a simple vinaigrette.
- Drizzle on Pizza or Pasta: Adds instant gourmet flavour.
- Stir-Fry Starter: Swap plain oil for garlic oil to boost flavour.
- Marinades for Meat or Veggies: Combine with herbs and spices before grilling or roasting.
- Garlic Bread Upgrade: Brush onto bread before toasting for quick homemade garlic bread.
Other Links and Recipes
Watch the Video Tutorial
Want to see exactly how it’s done? Watch my step-by-step focaccia bread video https://youtu.be/ie5m0COjM9w and bake along with me in real time. This is a great recipe to use your garlic-infused oil.
Another great recipe you could use this oil for is my Hummus recipe:
