Does Garlic Go Bad?
Yes, garlic can go bad over time. Whole garlic bulbs last 3-6 months in cool, dry storage. Individual cloves last 1-3 weeks. Minced or chopped garlic lasts about 1 week refrigerated. Signs of bad garlic include soft spots, brown discoloration, and sprouting.
Key Takeaways
- Fresh garlic has a surprisingly long shelf life when stored properly, but it does eventually degrade.
- Sprouted garlic is safe to eat but has a milder, sometimes bitter flavor; remove the green sprout before using.
- Garlic stored in oil must be refrigerated and used within 1 week due to botulism risk, or frozen.
Explanation
Fresh garlic has a surprisingly long shelf life when stored properly, but it does eventually degrade. The papery skin helps protect the cloves, so whole bulbs last longer than broken-apart or peeled cloves.
Store whole garlic bulbs in a cool, dry, dark place with good air circulation - not in the refrigerator, which can cause sprouting. A mesh bag or open container in a pantry is ideal. Once you break the bulb, the remaining cloves should be used within 10 days.
Signs that garlic has gone bad include soft, mushy, or shriveled cloves; brown or yellow discoloration inside; green sprouts emerging from the center; and a strong, unpleasant odor different from normal garlic smell.
Things to Know
- Sprouted garlic is safe to eat but has a milder, sometimes bitter flavor; remove the green sprout before using.
- Garlic stored in oil must be refrigerated and used within 1 week due to botulism risk, or frozen.
- Pre-peeled garlic from stores lasts about 2 weeks refrigerated.