Your garlic started to grow and now you're wondering, can you eat sprouted garlic? You can—but there's a catch.
Can You Eat Sprouted Garlic?
Updated on Sep. 26, 2024
You definitely had the best intentions when you bought those beautiful heads of garlic a while back. You were going to surprise the family with the famous Garlic Clove Chicken for Sunday dinner. But somehow, the meal never happened.
Now that poor, neglected garlic has sprouted unsightly green shoots. Can you eat sprouted garlic? Yes—but it depends on some factors.
Why Does Garlic Sprout?
If you’ve had your bulb around a little too long—it happens to the best of us—you’re likely to see some green. It’s a sign that your garlic is old, or going off. The shoots can also start growing if you’ve exposed your garlic to heat, light or moisture.
Is It Safe to Eat Sprouted Garlic?
Rashanda Cobbins, food editor for Taste Recipes, says spouted garlic is perfectly safe to eat. It has no side effects, unlike sprouted potatoes. In fact, a study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that garlic that’s been sprouted for five days has significantly higher antioxidant levels than fresh garlic. “It’s a personal preference whether or not you utilize spouted garlic cloves in cooking,” Cobbins says.
If you’re still worried, just sniff the garlic, like you would for other items that have been hanging out in your pantry or fridge for a while. If it has an off odor or looks squishy or discolored, simply discard it. Don’t be afraid to give the sprouted garlic a taste, too. Use your senses to tell if food is spoiled.
What Does Sprouted Garlic Taste Like?
Even if the cloves look and smell OK, you may have some bitterness issues with the green bits in the garlic. “Some say sprouted garlic has a sharper, spicier or bitter flavor, although it likely can go undetected in most dishes,” Cobbins says. “If the sprouts are removed and the remainder of the clove used, I believe the bitterness will be undetectable.”
You’ll want to be careful when you’re using the garlic raw or where garlic is prominent in the dish. The bitterness is rarely going to be a plus, but there are recipes where it’ll be a non-issue. “Most recipes will tolerate it and the flavor likely will not be noticeable. Think pasta sauce, pot roast…things that may simmer for a while for the flavor to mellow out or have other prominent flavors,” Cobbins says. In our recipe for spaghetti with meat sauce, for instance, the garlic is cooked in a slow cooker along with ground beef, onion, tomatoes and seasonings until it’s tender.
For other recipes, where the garlic isn’t cooked for a long period of time (like a quick stir-fry), or a fresh salsa where the garlic will be used raw, you’ll want to purchase a fresh bulb of garlic.
How to Choose the Best Garlic
First, keep an eye out for green sprouts or visible signs of mold. If you don’t see them, pick the bulb up and lightly squeeze it. This will tell you if any of the outside cloves are too soft or dry. Make sure it feels firm and not strangely hollow or dehydrated, and that it doesn’t smell off in any way. If it meets all the criteria, go ahead and buy a couple!
Tips for Making Garlic Last
Store your garlic properly
Keep your garlic in an area with some ventilation—but make sure the area it’s kept in is relatively cool, dry and dark. Try storing it in an easy-to-reach place so you use it faster—maybe near the wine or the chocolate?
There are some foods you shouldn’t store together—like onions and potatoes—but garlic won’t make any other foods go bad. The strong smell might cling to other fruits and veggies though, so it’s best to keep it separate or store it with equally strong-smelling onions.
Get a garlic keeper
A ceramic garlic keeper is an easy way to keep your garlic fresh for longer—and you’ll always know exactly where it is!
Buy local
Try to buy your garlic locally, as it’s likely to be fresher than bulbs that have traveled miles to get you. Depending on where you live, garlic may not be in season—but if it’s available, it’ll taste better and last longer if you buy it from your local farmers market.
Recipes for Garlic Lovers
Chicken & Garlic with Fresh HerbsThe key to this savory chicken is the combination of garlic, fresh rosemary and thyme. I like to serve it with mashed potatoes or crusty Italian bread. —Jan Valdez, Lombard, Illinois. Looking for variations? Learn how to make creamy garlic chicken.
Garlic Butter Steak BitesIt takes only a few minutes to enhance a simple sirloin steak. This recipe uses not one but two forms of garlic to really make those flavors shine. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
Pasta and Veggies in Garlic SauceBig garlic flavor and a little heat from red pepper flakes help perk up this fresh-tasting pasta dish. It's wonderful with chicken and beef entrees. —Doris Heath, Franklin, North Carolina
Garlic Parmesan WingsTake a bite out of these perfectly seasoned chicken wings. Golden brown and crispy, the skin is flavored with garlic powder, parmesan cheese and herby parsley. Enhance the flavors by dipping it in a garlic parmesan or sriracha mayo sauce, or stick to the classics like bleu cheese and ranch. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Skillet Potatoes with Red Pepper and Whole Garlic ClovesYou'll be surprised that a skillet potato recipe this simple has so much flavor. I love how the whole garlic cloves turn sweet after being caramelized. Yum! —Anita Osborne, Thomasburg, Ontario
Garlic-Dill Soda BreadIt's amazing how bread can be made in a slow cooker, which is why this recipe is awesome—who knew it could be so simple! Let the inviting aroma of dill and cheese fill your kitchen. —Melissa Hansen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Chicken with Garlic SauceSkip the takeout order and make this 30-minute Chinese chicken with garlic sauce recipe at home. It'll take the same amount of time—without spending extra money or leaving the house!
Onion & Garlic BiscuitsBake a dozen of these oniony, herby biscuits for a little something new in the holiday bread basket. They're also awesome with a bowl of chili, soup or stew. —L. Dorow, Fairmont, Minnesota
Greek Garlic ChickenLively flavors of the Greek Isles come through in this mouthwatering chicken entree. I created this dish so my husband and I could have a nice dinner after a busy day out and about. —Margee Berry, Trout Lake, Washington. If you like this, then you must try Chinese chicken with garlic sauce.
Orzo with SpinachAdd color and flavor to your plate with creamy orzo with spinach. This dish is a balance of comfort and sophistication, perfect for entertaining or a cozy night in.
You can take your dishes to a whole new level by learning how to roast garlic.
Garlic-Ginger Turkey TenderloinsThis good-for-you entree can be on your dinner plates quicker than Chinese takeout—and for a lot less money! Ginger and brown sugar flavor the sauce that spices up the turkey as it bakes. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Garlic Green Beans with GorgonzolaI updated this green bean holiday side dish by adding a touch of white wine, fresh thyme and green onions. It's delicious, easy to make and my family loves it! —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Mozzarella Mushrooms with Garlic ToastI came up with this dinner using ingredients I had on hand. It turned out to be so delicious, my wife and I now make it for special occasions. —Marc Bushee, Moorhead, Minnesota
Lemon & Garlic New PotatoesThis is a simplified version of a dish my Costa Rican host sister used to make when I was in the Peace Corps. It has become a favorite side dish at my house. —Katie Bartle, Parkville, Missouri
Gingered Short Ribs with Green RiceI love the flavors of Korean cuisine, so I created short ribs for the slow cooker. The dish is beautiful, too! —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Garlic-Mashed Rutabagas & PotatoesMy family absolutely loves mashed potatoes. I created this recipe to lighten up the calories and sneak in a serving of rutabagas. If you have the time, boil the potatoes in chicken broth to add even more flavor. —Rosemary Tatum, Sterlington, Louisiana
Onion-Garlic Bubble BreadI've relied on this bread recipe often over the years. Frozen dough hurries along the golden pull-apart loaf. It's wonderful with Italian dishes, especially spaghetti and lasagna. —Charlene Bzdok, Little Falls, Minnesota
It may also be a nice side to these tasty San Francisco style Vietnamese American garlic noodles.
Garlic-Apple Pork RoastThis is the meal I have become famous for, and it is so simple. The garlic and apple flavors really complement the pork. It's especially good with steamed fresh asparagus and roasted red potatoes. —Jennifer Loos, Washington Boro, Pennsylvania
Tortellini SoupThis quick, easy rustic Italian tortellini soup recipe is flavorful and comforting. Italian sausage, spinach and tender cheese tortellini simmer in a rich tomato broth, creating a soup that cooks for only 20 minutes.
Au Gratin PotatoesOnce you've tried homemade au gratin potatoes, you'll never reach for the boxed stuff again.
Garlic Crescent RollsThe simple comfort of warm crescent rolls gets dressed up with a brush of herbed garlic butter and a shower of Parmesan cheese.
Garlic-Chive Baked FriesYes, you do want fries with that—especially these crispy, golden fries, full of garlic flavor and just a little bit of heat. —Steve Westphal, Wind Lake, Wisconsin
Butter SteakThis garlic butter steak recipe is the restaurant-quality steak you've been looking for. The pan-seared steak is deliciously rich and garlicky, and the butter makes it oh, so tender—even if you use a budget cut like top sirloin or flat iron steak.
Creamy Lemon PastaSilky strands of fettuccine tangle in a lemon-garlic sauce in this creamy lemon pasta. Pops of fresh tomato, garlic and parsley add flavor, and a finishing sprinkle of lemon zest shines through the richness of the sauce.
Honey-Garlic Glazed MeatballsMy husband and I raise cattle on our farm here in southwestern Ontario, so it's no surprise that we're fond of these saucy meatballs. I know your family will like them, too. —Marion Foster, Kirkton, Ontario. If you enjoyed this recipe, then learn how to make honey garlic chicken.
Garlic Shrimp & Orzo SaladI enjoy cold pasta salads and rice salads, so I decided to make one with orzo, a rice-shaped pasta. Feel free to add other favorite veggies—like asparagus and green beans—and serve with rolls or pita bread. —Valonda Seward, Coarsegold, California
Garlic Lemon ButterThis tangy flavored butter offers a nice change from plain butter and gives a refreshing new taste to an ear of corn. When I serve this on the side during fresh corn season, the same question always gets asked—"What's in the butter that makes it so delicious?" —Margie Wampler, Butler, Pennsylvania
