How Can I Soften Garlic in the Microwave?

The answer is yes if you are holding a head of raw garlic in your hand and wondering if it is possible to microwave it.

You can learn how to cook garlic in the microwave by reading this article.

Many people don’t have time to wait for the garlic to cook in the oven or on the stove. It’s not a good idea to turn your oven on to cook garlic in the summer.

It’s a good idea to use your microwave when you need to quickly cook garlic. You can make garlic softer in the microwave by following a few simple steps.

Things You Need:

• One head of garlic
• A microwave-safe bowl
• Microwave-safe plate
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Water
• Microwave

Steps

• The flimsy white paper part of the garlic’s head should be trimmed. The garlic head has a variety of bulbs inside it. You should not throw away the trimmed part.
• Place the garlic head in a microwave-safe bowl with equal or higher sides than the garlic head.
• Add some tap water to the bowl.
• Use extra virgin olive oil over the garlic head. Don’t be shy, use a little.
• It’s best to add a small amount of salt. Sprinkle it on top of the garlic head.
• Put the trimmed top back on the garlic head and cover the bowl with a microwave-safe plate or a microwave-safe cover.
• The garlic will be super soft and easy to smush if you microwave it for seven to ten minutes.

Pros

If you are not sure about microwaving garlic, consider the pros below, which can save you time and effort in the kitchen.

• It is quicker to microwave garlic than it is to roast it in the oven.
• A long process of boiling the garlic bulbs is what Microwaving garlic is similar to.
• Microwaved garlic is easier to peel than raw garlic.

Cons

Microwaving garlic can be helpful in the kitchen, but there are other drawbacks. The health properties that people associate with garlic are concerned with these downsides.

• The anti-cancer properties of garlic can be reduced by microwaving it.
• Microwaving garlic can reduce its smell and taste.
• You should eat garlic raw.
• There is a chance that garlic can ignite in the microwave.

Other Ways To Soften Garlic

If you don’t want to microwave garlic, there are other ways to make it softer and still have a mild garlic flavor.

All of the methods give you smushy and aromatic garlic, perfect for any meal.

Oven-Roasted

While roasting a head of garlic in the oven takes more time than microwaving garlic, the results are often better. A roasted head of garlic will make your kitchen smell wonderful.

The flavor is more prominent in the final dish if you roast it long enough to get a slight char outside.

Pan-Roasted

The garlic can be softened by pan-frying it. You can add garlic to the saute pan with olive oil or butter. You don’t have to peel the garlic first for this method.

If you want to easily smash a clove with a fork or spoon, saute it until you can.

Grilled

If you already have a grill out and on, you can use garlic to bring out the flavors. Microwaving and grilling use the same process.

Wrap your garlic in tin foil and leave it on the grill for up to 30 minutes after you sprinkle it with olive oil.

Boiled

Adding other ingredients, like olive oil, is not a good way to prepare garlic. In a pot of water, you can boil garlic bulbs. Make it extra soft and mild by boiling it in milk.

Steamed

If you want to steam a head of garlic, just put it in a pot or pan with a small amount of water. It is advisable to use about a centimeter of water.

When it’s time to cook, put it in a tight lid and let it cook on medium.

Pickled

Pickling garlic to make it softer is unconventional, but it will work. If you want to add other flavors to the garlic, this method is a great way to do it.

There are a lot of recipes for pickled garlic, and most of them are made with spices, vinegar, and an airtight jar. The downside of this method is that it can take a long time.

FAQs

Is It Possible That Microwaving Garlic Make It Easier to Peel?

It is easier to peel garlic that has been microwaved. The garlic bulbs will pop out of the papery skin instead of you having to dig your fingernails into the peel and tear it off.

Is It Possible to Burn Garlic in the Microwave?

It’s possible to burn garlic in the microwave if you leave it in too long or put the microwave on too high, but it’s also possible to cause an explosion.

When you see sparks or food in the microwave explode, this is called arcing and it happens to foods high in minerals. Garlic is one of these foods that should be monitored carefully.

What Is Meant by Mellow Garlic?

“Mellowing garlic” is a fancy way of saying that garlic is soft.

It’s called mellowing because raw garlic has a very strong flavor, while when cooked and softened, it’s more like a vegetable.

Conclusion

Microwaving garlic in a pinch won’t harm you in the end. Sometimes the microwave is your best friend, because not every home cook has time to do everything in the kitchen.

It is always better to have garlic in a recipe than not to have it at all.