How to Preserve Garlic with Olive Oil and Honey: Easy Homemade Recipes

If you’ve found yourself with an abundance of fresh garlic and you're wondering how to keep it from going to waste, you’re in the right place! In this guide, I’ll show you two easy and delicious ways to preserve garlic — making Garlic Confit in Olive Oil and Fermented Honey Garlic. These methods are simple, packed with flavor, and perfect for long-term storage.

Preparing the Garlic for Preservation
First things first: to ensure your garlic stays safe and bacteria-free, you’ll want to give it a quick boil in salted water.
Here’s how:

Peel all your garlic cloves and place them in a bowl.

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.

Add the garlic cloves and boil for two minutes.
This kills off any surface bacteria and helps ensure your preserved garlic stays safe for months.

After boiling, spread the cloves onto paper towels, pat them dry thoroughly, and allow them to cool.

Now, you're ready to move onto the preservation methods!

Method 1: Garlic Confit (Garlic Preserved in Olive Oil)
Garlic confit is incredibly simple to make and super versatile. You can use the garlic cloves for cooking, or use the deliciously infused oil to add rich flavor to your dishes.

Ingredients:
Boiled, cooled, and dried garlic cloves

Olive oil (enough to cover the garlic)

(Optional) Spices like black peppercorns, herbs, or a pinch of salt

Instructions:
Pack your sterilized jars tightly with the garlic cloves.

Fill the jars with olive oil, leaving a little headspace at the top.

You can add optional flavorings like black peppercorns or a sprig of rosemary if you like.

Seal the jars with lids.

Storage: Keep the jars in a cool, dry place. Garlic confit will store for up to 6 months.

Tip: Some garlic may float to the top — that’s normal! Just make sure the garlic remains submerged under oil.

Method 2: Fermented Honey Garlic
Fermented honey garlic is a natural probiotic-packed treat that’s great for your immune system and a flavorful addition to recipes.

Ingredients:
Boiled, cooled, and dried garlic cloves

Raw, unfiltered honey

Instructions:
Loosen your raw honey if it has crystallized by gently warming and stirring it.

Fill your sterilized jars with garlic cloves.

Pour the raw honey over the garlic, making sure the cloves are completely covered.

Seal the jars loosely at first to allow for fermentation.

Fermentation Process:
Burp the jars (open the lid briefly) every two days for 1–2 weeks to release gas.

Give the jar a gentle shake to coat the garlic cloves evenly.

After the initial fermentation period, tighten the lids and store the jars in a cool, dark place.

Fermented honey garlic can store for 6–9 months.

Tip: Look for bubbles during fermentation — it's a good sign that the process is working!

Final Thoughts

Preserving garlic with olive oil or honey fermentation is a fantastic way to stretch the life of a fresh harvest. These two methods are quick, easy, and result in delicious pantry staples you’ll love using in your kitchen.