The Easiest Way To Check When Roast Garlic Is Done

Roasted garlic might be garlic in its most beautiful form. It's caramelized, mild, and can go with or on anything from soups to dressings. You can even mash the cloves with a little olive oil and spread the paste on toasted bread — an experience, we believe, that brings one closer to the divine. But nothing is as quite a bummer as not getting each clove of garlic perfectly tender. So how do you know when your garlic is roasted? Stick a fork in it, literally. 

Most delicious things in life begin with a preheated oven, so, when roasting garlic, set yours to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare your garlic by cutting off the top end of the bulb and peeling away any of the loose papery skin on the outside. It's important to oil and season your garlic bulb with salt and pepper before wrapping it in tin foil. Depending on the variety and size, your roasted garlic should be done in about 45 minutes. If you want to be sure, poke the center clove with a knife or fork. If it pierces easily, your garlic is ready to enjoy.

Why stop at a soft center? The real beauty of roasted garlic is its deep caramelly qualities. You can leave your bulb in the oven for increments of 10 minutes until it achieves the desired color. It's personal preference, but we think a nice golden brown is something to strive for when roasting garlic.

There are some temperature rules to take into consideration. First, 375 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal temperature to roast your garlic. You could vary this by 25 degrees on either side, depending on your goals. If you have a little extra time, you can roast your garlic the low-and-slow route to draw out its natural sugars, giving it a deeper sweetness. Alternatively, bumping your temperature up will accelerate the process, but be mindful that you may end up with dark outer cloves but an underdone center. Roasting garlic properly is worth the time; doing it right is simple and results in something extraordinary.