Garlic is a delicious and very versatile herb that can be used in different dishes. You can cook Aglio Olio with just garlic and pasta. Or spread some roasted garlic onto your bread to make garlic bread. However, there are times when I cooked garlic, and it just turns out to be bitter instead of flavorful.
The most common possibility why your garlic is bitter is that you have overcooked it. Allicin is a compound that can be found in garlic. It is responsible for the strong flavor and smell of garlic when raw. It can turn bitter when it is exposed to high heat for too long.
Why Is My Garlic Bitter?
Another reason could be that you are using very small pieces of garlic. When garlic is cut into small pieces, its surface area increases. This means those garlic pieces will cooked really quickly and immediately start burning. And burnt garlic = bitter taste.
Lastly, it could be because you are using old garlic. Garlic that are old and starting to sprout will lose it’s garlicky smell and are more bitter. While bitter flavor won’t be that noticeable in stews or sauces, it will certainly stand out if you are using it on dressing that uses raw garlic.
How To Prevent Garlic From Turning Bitter?
When it comes to cooking with garlic, there are a few things to keep in mind in order to prevent it from turning bitter.
First of all, it’s important not to overcook the garlic. When I first started cooking, I will tend to add garlic first to the oil. However, doing it this way will meant that my garlic tend to burnt by the time my dish is completed. I have since learned by adding garlic towards the end of the cooking process, it helps to prevent burnt garlic. You can also add liquid as it will stop the garlic from cooking any further.
Another tip is to sliced garlic cloves into larger pieces, instead of minced garlic. Larger pieces will mean a longer time to cook, so there is less chance of you over cooking it.
And of course cooking it in low heat helps too. You should remove the garlic once you see the edges of the garlic pieces turn brown. If the entire piece of garlic is brown, then you have most likely burnt your garlic.
Lastly, if you are using old garlic, cut the clove into half, and remove the germ before using. The germ is usually the pale green bit in the middle.
How To Save Garlic That Has Turned Bitter?
Garlic can sometimes turn bitter when it is fried. If this happens, there are a few simple ways to save the dish.
First, try adding a bit of acidity, such as lemon juice or vinegar. This will help to offset the bitterness of the garlic.
Another option is to add a sweetener, such as honey or sugar. This will help to balance out the flavors and make the dish more palatable. You can add a teaspoon of sugar at a time, and taste, until you have an acceptable balance of sweetness and bitterness.
Finally, if all else fails, you can always try diluting the dish with water or broth. By following these simple tips, you can salvage a dish that has been ruined by bitter garlic.
