Why Garlic Confit Is A Meal Prep Sleeper Hit

Who doesn't love the rich, pungent flavor of garlic? It's among the most versatile ways to season foods found in cultures and cuisines the world over. But one of the best ways to take advantage of that incredible garlicky flavor (and always have it on hand when you need it) is also one of the lesser-known garlic-based items: Garlic confit! While it may sound sophisticated or difficult, the confit process is actually pretty simple. The term is French, and it refers to the process of slowly cooking something submerged in fat, and most traditional preparations use meat. 

The temperatures are lower than those required to fry the ingredient in the fat or oil; garlic confit requires a longer cooking time but produces an ultra-tender and richly flavored final product. According to food company D'Artagnan, the process began as a way to preserve meat over long periods like the winter. After cooking, the meat is stored in the rendered fat, allowing it to avoid spoiling without the need for refrigeration. But in modern kitchens, confit has evolved beyond preservation to become one of the best ways to create incredible dishes that create fantastic tastes from your common ingredients.

The process of making garlic confit is simple. Just peel one or two heads of garlic cloves, place them in a small pot, and pour in enough olive oil to cover. Place this mixture on the stove, bring it to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook until soft. This typically takes about 45 minutes, but the time may vary depending on the size of your cloves and the exact temperature used. Once the mixture is cooled, store it in the fridge.

You might be asking yourself, why take the extra time to confit garlic, and how should you use it after you're done? One taste of one of these cloves will answer the first question. Garlic confit produces a soft, creamy texture that's as spreadable as warm butter, along with a mellow flavor full of rich, nutty garlic taste. Garlic confit lasts up to three weeks when stored properly, making it easy to whip up a batch and have it on hand for all sorts of recipes.

That versatility is another of garlic confit's benefits. Some of your best bets include working a few cloves into mashed potatoes, carrots, or other starches, whipping some into a soup or vinaigrette, topping a pizza with a clove or two, or integrating it into dips, soups, and stews for easy flavor. Whatever meal prep recipes are on the agenda for the week, the addition of a little garlic confit may be exactly what you need to take it to another level.