29 Recipes That Put Garlic Front and Center
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You want garlic flavor? (We’re guessing so, since you’ve arrived at a list of garlic recipes.) Or lemon-garlic flavor (the key to a classic hummus)? Honey-garlic? Ginger-garlic (a purée of it, rubbed on meat as a marinade*)? Anything-garlic? Then you’re going to have to deal with garlic breath (although there are also some ways to deal with that). And you’d be smart to learn how, because there are some serious health benefits involved: Fresh garlic is rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6, and manganese. Sulfur compounds, which have medicinal properties, form when you chop or crush it. (Actually, that’s a good trivia question: “Which is healthier, raw garlic or minced garlic?” Bet most people won’t guess that it’s the latter.) So, get thee to the grocery store, fill up your cart, and make these garlic recipes.
* “Yum” is right.
Photographs by Laura Murray, food styling by Simon Andrews, prop styling by Sophie Strangio1/29Grilled Eggplant With Garlicky Tahini-Yogurt Sauce
Photo by Heami Lee, food styling by Judy Haubert, prop styling by Rebecca Bartoshesky2/29Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese
Take two comfort dishes, grilled cheese and garlic bread, combine them, and.… There aren’t words, really. Just don’t rush the cooking process; moderate heat allows the cheese inside to melt fully without burning the outside.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Andy Baraghani5/29Shish Taouk (Grilled Chicken Skewers With Toum)
Toum, an intense garlic sauce usually paired with shawarma, is used as both a marinade and a condiment in this Lebanese chicken dish. Want to plan a dinner party around it (something we recommend)? Make this entire Lebanese feast.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Emilie Fosnocht, prop styling by Emma Ringness6/29Pasta With 20 Cloves of Garlic
When we think “garlic noodles,” we think of this pasta dish. Twenty—that is not a typo—cloves of garlic, soy sauce, and nutritional yeast turn it into an umami bomb. And if you like this, here’s another pantry pasta that leans on garlic, plus anchovy fillets and Parmesan.
Photograph by Heami Lee, food styling by Judy Kim, prop styling by Nicole Louie7/29Ginger-Garlic Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry
The trio of garlic, ginger, and scallions in this chicken recipe takes just seconds to finely chop in a food processor and only seconds more to cook. If you want a veggies-only dish that’s similar, try this Bok Choy With Brown Sauce and Crispy Garlic.
Photograph by Emma Fishman, Food styling by Susie Theodorou, Prop styling by Sophie Leng8/29Garlic-Miso Butter Mashed Potatoes
A couple of spoonfuls of miso add extra umami and saltiness to these creamy garlic mashed potatoes. And they are mashed, by the way; this recipe does not require a ricer or food mill.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Kendra Vaculin, prop styling by Emma Ringness9/29Ginger-Garlic Fire Cod
Laura Murray10/29Shrimp Scampi
Don’t skip the marinade step: It really amps up the flavor and sets this buttery garlic shrimp recipe apart from the rest. If you want something without that step, try these Grilled Garlic-and-Black-Pepper Shrimp.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou12/29The Garlickiest Fried Rice
Have we died and gone to heaven? Because this recipe involves a crispy fried garlic topping, rice fried in the leftover garlic oil, and scrambled eggs.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Gerri K. Williams13/29Garlic Confit
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou15/29Herby Pasta With Garlic and Green Olives
Fresh herbs like parsley and basil bring fresh flavor and a bright green color to this garlicky pasta, but what’s that pale-green ingredient? Castelvetrano olives, also known as the best olives.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Amy Wilson17/29Charred Bean and Pea Salad
Want some veggies with your garlic? This loose riff on a three-bean salad covers that. If you’re a green beans–only person, try this garlicky recipe inspired salty-crunchy Sichuan, Chinese dry-fried string beans.
Heidi's Bridge19/29Garlic Knots
If you work in an Italian American pizza shop in the New York area, you’ve probably served garlic knots. If you’re a customer of shops like that, you can probably list the ingredients off of the top of your head: pizza dough, butter, fresh chopped garlic, garlic powder, parsley, salt. Side of marinara not optional.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou20/29Slow-Cooked Halibut With Garlic Cream and Fennel
22/29Garlic Broth
This back-pocket broth is hardly even a recipe—garlic, olive oil, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper; that’s it—but it’s the most soothing soup we can imagine. For a more filling garlic soup, try this recipe with potatoes and poached eggs.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou23/29Garlic-Chile Vinegar
Make a big batch of this spicy-tangy vinegar and it will become your secret weapon in soups, stews, braises, and creamy dressings. Another funky condiment we love: Fermented Garlic Honey, which acts as a damn fine glaze on this Pepper Chicken.
Christopher Testani25/29Zucchini-Herb Fritters With Garlic Yogurt
Treat this garlic yogurt like aioli and spread it on sandwiches, dip crudités (or french fries—or anything, really) in it, or try it in tuna salad.
Peden + Munk27/29Garlicky Harissa
Make this harissa on Sunday and cut down on prep time for easy dinners throughout the week: Smother it on meat and you’ll take a simple grilled steak or chicken to the next level, no fancy technique or special care required.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Emily Eisen28/29Chickpea and Celery Soup With Chile-Garlic Oil
Alex Lau29/29Steak Short Ribs with Crispy Garlic and Chile Oil
The garlic recipe within the steak recipe, here, is for thin little fried savory chips that act as a tasty garnish—and they belong on much more than beef. Sprinkle them on soups, salads, sautéed veggies, and more.