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Dehydrating Garlic

Learn how to make dried garlic in a food dehydrator or in the oven.
a canning jar of dried garlic on a white board

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Dehydrating Garlic is such a simple way to preserve this delicious pantry staple! Learn how to make dried garlic in a food dehydrator or in the oven.

a canning jar of dried garlic on a white board

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Garlic is a staple in so many kitchens for a reason. This incredible ingredient adds so much flavor to many dishes.

While fresh garlic can last for a while, dehydrating garlic will extend the shelf-life tenfold.

If you’re a huge garlic fan (and who isn’t?), check out How to Grow Garlic, Instant Pot Roasted Garlic, How to Freeze Garlic, Homemade Garlic Paste, and Air Fryer Roasted Garlic, for more delicious garlic options.

I have owned this dehydrator for at least a dozen years, and it has held up beautifully. I’ve added additional trays over the years and it is a workhorse in summer and fall, meaning I can dehydrate basil, dehydrate onions, dry limes, dry chives, dehydrate rosemary, dry peaches, dehydrate tomatoes, dry pears, and dehydrate apples. That’s what is called a preserving win.

If you’re processing a lot of garlic at once, I highly recommend using a food processor on the “pulse” function. This will chop the garlic into uniform pieces quickly. No food processor? Use a sharp chef’s knife, a cutting board, and some patience, or a handheld chopper.

Prefer drying sliced garlic? Use a handheld garlic slicer to make it safer for your fingers.

3 photos showing how to dry garlic in a dehydrator

How Long Does Dehydrated Garlic Last?

As long as it is stored in a cool and dry place, your dehydrated garlic will be good for years. Make sure the dried garlic is fully cooled before putting it into an air-tight container. As it cools it will release heat that could result in condensation and eventually cause the garlic to mold.

The potency of the dried garlic will wan over time. If you make a lot at once, you can store some in your spice cabinet and the rest in the freezer.

Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

  • Avoid the temptation to increase the heat on the dehydrator or oven to speed up the process. This can burn the garlic as it dries, resulting in a bitter finished product. Low and slow wins in the race on this one.
  • If possible, move your dehydrator outside to a safe covered space. The smell of drying garlic can be overwhelming to many people.
  • The garlic is ready when pieces of it break or snap instead of bend. If you chopped your garlic, it will feel like granola when it is ready.
  • (optional) add a bit of uncooked dried white rice to a powerful blender to make garlic powder. Find more details in our tutorial on How to Make Garlic Powder.
a jar of dried chunks of garlic
a canning jar of dried garlic on a white board
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Dehydrating Garlic

Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time6 hours
Total Time6 hours 20 minutes
Learn how to make dried garlic in a food dehydrator or in the oven.

Ingredients

  • garlic {peeled, root end removed}

Instructions

  • Separate garlic cloves from the head. Remove papery skin.
  • Cut the root end off of each clove.
  • Chop cloves with a chef's knife or in a food processor until chopped in a mostly uniform size.
  • Spread garlic on dehydrator trays. Use multiple trays for large batches.
  • If your dehydrator has an herb setting, use that. If not, dehydrate between 100 and 110 F.
  • Rotate trays every few hours, and gently move garlic around on trays to break up any clumps.
  • Dry until garlic is dry to the touch and will break/snap instead of bend (~6-12 hours).

Notes

If possible, place your dehydrator outside in a covered area.
Drying time will vary depending on the size of the garlic you’re drying, how many trays you are drying at once, and if you rotate the trays during drying time.
Oven-Baking: 
Place chopped garlic on baking drying racks set inside baking sheets. Place in the oven at the lowest temperature possible (usually 140-170 degrees F) and prop open the door with the handle of a wooden spoon. This allows condensation to escape instead of just settle back onto the garlic.
Bake for 5-8 hours. Check every 2 hours, rotating trays and breaking apart any clumps that have formed.
Nutrition Facts
Dehydrating Garlic
Amount Per Serving (3.6 g)
Calories 10
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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3 comments on “Dehydrating Garlic”

  1. I have an air fryer oven that also can be used as a dehydrator. Will the garlic make the air fryer smell like garlic and flavor foods cooked after dehydrating the garlic. 

    • Is it an oven-style or basket-style air fryer? The basket style would be easy enough to soak to remove any lingering garlic smell.

      If you have an oven style, I’d wrap a dish of water with some cinnamon with foil and place it on the racks. “Bake” at low heat for 5 minutes to remove any garlic smell.

  2. I’ve been planning to buy bulk dehydrated garlic and store it in my pantry to save money because I keep on buying one bottle after the other. Thanks for the tip on how your dried garlic can keep for years if it is kept in a cold, dry area. I’ll also note that before placing the dried garlic in an airtight container, make sure it has completely cooled.