You’re Storing Garlic Wrong — These 5 Solutions Keep Precious Bulbs Fresher for Longer

Garlic is an essential ingredient all year round, but I always find I rely on the allium more over the holidays. I am buying bulb after bulb, doing my best to ensure they last as long as possible so I can avoid putting another item on my shopping list. When it comes to these precious aromatics, there’s nothing worse than going to grab a clove, only to realize that it's gone off. 

Whether it’s moldy or severely sprouting (a little bit of sprouting never hurt anyone, as long as you cut it out), it has to be tossed or composted, along with my hopes and dreams for a flavorful dish. That’s why storage has become so important to me. Instead of leaving it in produce bags or throwing it in the refrigerator, the best way to store garlic is in a dark, dry place with air circulation. You can do this with wire baskets and just pop it in a dark place in your kitchen, like the pantry, or you can buy a garlic keeper. Both options are fantastic and will help prevent that dreaded moment of realizing it’s spoiled. They can also help garlic last for months. In order to make it easier for you, I’ve pulled five of my favorite storage finds, all under $35. Prices start at just $6. 

Garlic Storage Solutions

• Henry Watson Garlic Keeper, $30 
• LeleCat 2-Piece Small Wire Storage Basket Set, $16 
• Aozita 2-Piece Basket Set with Bamboo Top, $34 with Prime, originally $40 
• IBWell Wire Fruit Bowl, $15
• Stasher Platinum Silicone Food Grade Reusable Storage Bag, $6, originally $13 

Henry Watson Garlic Keeper

I love the almost vintage-inspired look of this garlic keeper, making it something I actually don’t mind leaving out. It’s made from terracotta, which is perfect for storing garlic since it can absorb excess moisture — the true enemy of garlic, along with the sun. It also has built-in holes to maintain the right amount of airflow. Coupled with the lid, it’s the perfect small vessel to keep a few bulbs on hand, ready to go. Just make sure you pick a good one at the store. 

LeleCat 2-Piece Small Wire Storage Basket Set

In terms of wire baskets, this LeleCat set is what I would recommend if you want to buy more than a few bulbs at a time, and it’s most similar to the one I own. The narrow design (it measures around 11 x 5 x 5 inches) lets you pop bulbs inside in a single row, which can help them last a little bit longer. Plus, it fits in tight spaces easily, so it’s great if you have limited storage. I can go right into the corner of a kitchen cabinet or any other place with low light in your kitchen. With two, you can use the other one for more garlic (why not) or use it to store snacks and other pantry staples. 

Aozita 2-Piece Basket Set with Bamboo Top

I always think these baskets make for excellent pantry storage because they’re stackable. I would grab these if you want to buy garlic in bulk or if you grow your own garlic and need long-term storage. Ideally, you’d want to make sure the bulbs are fully dried out before you store them stacked in a bin like this since there’s slightly less airflow. Because garlic has similar storage needs to onion, you can pop the two together in bins like this to account for all of the room you have. The labels allow you to create a system that works for you. Plus, the bamboo lids can be removed if you don’t need them, making these very versatile.  

IBWell Wire Fruit Bowl

A classic round fruit bowl is another great option whether you leave it in a dark spot on the counter or store it in your pantry. This option is a nice size with a small enough wire pattern to keep any loose cloves from escaping. The rounded edges also make storing those already round bulbs a little easier. You can shop it in a black or gold shade, depending on your design preference. 

Stasher Platinum Silicone Food Grade Reusable Storage Bag

I would recommend dedicating a reusable storage bag to any loose, peeled garlic cloves. (Unpeeled cloves can stay right in your pantry storage.) They’ve lost their protective skin, so they need to be fully sealed to retain their moisture, and a colder environment will help stop them from spoiling. We love Stasher bags because they are sturdy and seal tight, giving you that ideal airtight environment. They’re also stain- and odor-resistant, so ideally, you’d have some chance at warding off any residual garlic odor, though it’s probably best to just assign one bag to the task if you can, especially since it’s only $6 right now.