Honey and garlic might seem like an odd combo, but once you try this sweet and mellow honey garlic, you’ll want to keep making it to enjoy on its own or in a variety of recipes!
![Honey garlic in a mason jar with the lid laying against the jar. Text overlay reads: Immune Boosting Honey Infused Garlic](https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Honey-Infused-Garlic_cover-updated.jpg)
What are your favorite duos in the kitchen?
I love a good peanut butter and chocolate combination, like my Peanut Butter Chocolate Granola Bars.
And you can’t go wrong with the classics: Mac and Cheese, and peanut butter and jelly.
But personally, one of my favorite duos is garlic and honey.
That might seem like an odd combination, but once you hear how you can turn potent garlic into somewhat of a tasty treat – I know my favorite duo will soon be yours too.
FERMENTED GARLIC HONEY
For this fermented garlic honey recipe, you want to use raw honey because it still has bacteria and wild yeast that assist in fermentation.
Why raw honey? Typical commercial honey found at the grocery store is refined and far from its original state. It is first heated, then watered down, and finally filtered to remove any remaining traces of pollen. This process also kills the enzymes and makes the resulting honey void of any vitamins or minerals. With conventional store-bought honey, your honey garlic will still taste good, but if you don’t have the nutrients, you aren’t getting any benefit from eating the honey besides the sweetness.
Let’s discuss the issue of raw honey vs. pasteurized honey and your grocery budget for just a moment.
I prefer raw honey because it still has all of the good stuff in it giving me maximum nutrition. You won’t get that from pasteurized honey and there’s no way around that. Raw unpasteurized honey also tends to cost more than pasteurized honey, and there’s no way around that either.
However, I believe pasteurized honey is still a fine (and sometimes better) alternative to granulated white sugar for most baking and cooking needs. Of course, raw and unpasteurized is my preference, but I know that sometimes there just aren’t the funds for that.
One way to strike a balance in the grocery budget is to have two honeys. Use pasteurized honey for baking and raw honey ONLY for recipes that don’t involve heat. Raw honey ranges anywhere from $6-10 for one pound in my area. Since you’d only be using a tablespoon or two at a time, that one jar will last you a VERY long time.
No matter what honey you use, remember that honey garlic should not be given to babies under one year old.
![Ingredients image showing: garlic cloves and raw honey](https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Ingredients_Honey-Infused-Garlic.jpg)
HOW TO MAKE FERMENTED HONEY GARLIC
Supplies and Ingredients
- a small jar (these 4 oz glass jars are perfect)
- one head of garlic
- raw honey (if you’re unable to find it locally, I recommend this brand)
- large knife
Instructions
![Hands peeling garlic](https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Honey-Garlic-2.png)
Step 1: Prep the garlic. Take your garlic and peel all the papery wrappings off each clove. Take the flat side of a large knife and crush the whole garlic cloves. Let sit for at least fifteen minutes. Crushing the garlic first allows it to release some of its juices, which helps with the fermentation process.
![Large knife crushing garlic](https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Honey-Garlic-3.png)
Step 2: Place the garlic into a small glass jar and add honey until the garlic is covered. Screw the lid on the jar loosely and let it rest at room temperature on your counter for 3-5 days. The garlic will start to absorb some of the sweetness of the honey.
![Garlic cloves in a glass mason jar](https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Honey-Garlic-4.png)
Step 3: Burp the garlic honey. You may start to see bubbles form in your jar. Open the lid to let the carbon dioxide escape. Put the lid back on and shake the garlic honey around to ensure all the garlic cloves are still coated with honey.
![Honey being added to the crushed garlic in a mason jar](https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Honey-Garlic-5.png)
Step 4: Once it has finished fermenting (when you no longer see as many bubbles), tighten the lid on the jar or move to an airtight container. Keep the honey garlic in your refrigerator for the best storage. You can store the fermented garlic and honey for up to 1 year!
![Bird's eye view of hands holding mason jar with lid on](https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Honey-Garlic-6.png)
WAYS TO USE YOUR GARLIC AND HONEY
Soaking garlic cloves in honey will make the garlic much more palatable, meaning you can eat them as is! Just pop a clove or two in your mouth or have a spoonful of the honey.
You can also use your honey garlic in a variety of recipes! Use them together or use just one or the other where it makes sense.
- Make a honey garlic sauce or marinade.
- Use as a glaze on meats and protein – honey garlic salmon or pork chops would be delicious! Sticky Chicken Breasts or skinless chicken thighs are yummy too – try my Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe.
- Coat roasted veggies like broccoli in garlic honey for a yummy side dish.
- Whisk the garlic honey into salad dressings.
- Mince the garlic and add to stir-fries. Find my easy recipe here. Add rice (or Cauliflower Rice) and you’ve got a super quick dinner!
- Drizzle the honey on toast, cornbread, or even on top of pizza!
- Use the garlic in Hummus for a slightly sweet dip.
- Push the honey garlic cloves into Focaccia Bread for a flavor boost.
- Add the garlic honey to a cheese board. Include some Easy Homemade Crackers too.
- Chop the garlic and mix it into your favorite Spaghetti Sauce.
![Spoon scooping out crushed garlic from a mason jar full of honey and garlic](https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Honey-Garlic-7.png)
HONEY GARLIC FAQS
Do I need to worry about botulism?
Raw honey is acidic, and while it can contain botulism spores (the reason we don’t give it to babies), the acidity is usually enough to keep the botulism from reproducing. The fermentation also helps with this. You can add a tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar to your honey garlic if you are concerned it is not acidic enough.
Do I have to wait until the garlic and honey is fermented before eating it?
Nope! The garlic and honey will begin to ferment after a few days, but you can eat it as soon as you make it! Of course, the benefits from the honey and garlic will be more potent as it ferments, but feel free to pop the honey-soaked garlic cloves in your mouth at any time!
Can I eat honey and garlic every day?
You bet! Honey and garlic are both foods you can eat every day.
Why are there bubbles in my garlic-honey infusion?
The bubbles mean the fermentation process is starting and that’s a good thing! Garlic infused honey will bubble until fermentation ends.
Help! My garlic has turned blue! Is that normal?
Over time, the garlic might begin to turn blue during the fermentation process, but don’t worry. It’s still safe to eat and tastes just fine!
![Close up view of honey garlic in a mason jar](https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Honey-Garlic-1.png)
MORE EASY FERMENTED RECIPES
- Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar
- How to Make Yogurt
- How to Make a Sourdough Starter
- How to Make Kombucha
- How to Make Kefir
WATCH HOW TO MAKE HONEY INFUSED GARLIC
![](https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fight-Inflation-Workshop-Workbook-on-Spiral-e1697746286692.jpg)
does this work more a cooking ingredient ? i am looking more for a condiment more than the health benefits – does the garlic give over nice flavor to the honey ?
I guess you could Jordona, although if you plan to cook the honey, I would’t use raw honey to start.
I have been shopping for more than 70 years,and never seen raw honey in any store
That’s so strange Elmer! I can find raw honey in all of my local grocery stores. Perhaps where we live is what’s different?
I ve a very high hormos can l take the honey n galic
This is a great combination.
I take it a few steps further. I add fresh basil, sage, oregano, thyme leaves in the bottom of the jar before I add the crushed garlic and honey.
What a great combination of two types of healthy food 😀 So how long will it last in the refrigerator?
Can one take the mixture of garlic and honey after meal?
Thanks for the info., so helpful.
My question, can you put the mixture of garlic and honey in freezer?
You can Austin, but the mixture will be VERY hard. Honey can crystallize at room temperatures, so once frozen, it will likely be like a rock!
Any benefit to chewing over just swallowing the clove that anyone knows of? Thank you!
Easier digestion. 🙂
I have been told that garlic in an empty stomach may crode the intestine linings. Does honey help to prevent this. I THINK consumption of curd and or cold milk with atleast 12 glasses of water in a day may help.
I haven’t heard this Anand – can you leave a link to an article where you saw this?
What happens if you accidentally left the mixture out for 7 days instead of the 3 to 5 days before refrigerating?
Probably nothing Holly, but I’d go ahead and refrigerate. Use the smell test and don’t eat it if it smells off. 🙂
Can a person use the honey off the store shelves?
Raw honey will give you the highest nutritional content to help boost your immune system. You can find it at the grocery stores although the price is pretty high. Tiffany suggests having a separate jar of raw honey for medicinal uses like this recipe. If you do use other store bought honey, be sure to read the ingredients. Not all honey on the shelf is 100%! You’ll still gain the benefits from the garlic.
I did not read all the comments but I believe it’s very important to say – Do NOT give honey to children under the age of 1 year. They could develop what is termed as ‘ baby botulism ‘ .
How long it can be stored and at what temperature
In the fridge Shreyas, this is good for several weeks.
Daily dose of honey is good for you and a daily dose of garlic is good for you. So a daily dose of the two together would be a plus. “Just a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down.” Got it sitting on my counter as I type this.
I made this and left it on the counter for 5 days as suggested and it seems as tho some of the garlic cloves turned a greyish color which means it might have gotten moldy? I’m scared to eat it now O_O Perhaps you’re suppose to put it into the fridge earlier.
Mine has been on the counter a week and when I opened it it us bubbling. I’m scared too, in case of botulism which I know can be a concern for both garlic and honey.
Sarah & Sheila – any bubbling with the honey and garlic is a sign that it’s fermenting. It’s normal and good! On its own, honey is acidic and it’s also 80% sugar. Remember that botulism requires a neutral pH to develop the harmful bacteria, and that sugar (along with salt) are one of the oldest preservatives!
Very happy with what you have explained. Please let me know how to consume this mixture every day.
Thanks in Advance 🙂
Instead of removing the paper from the garlic and then crushing it, crush the garlic with the flat side of the knife firstTHEN take the paper off. It’s much easier that way as crushing loosens the paper up. I dice garlic into a lot of dishes, and this is always the first step.
Can I mince the garlic before putting it in the honey so I don’t have to chew through the strong taste? I hope swallowing one quick gulp of the mixture would be easier that chewing through it. Please let me know. Thanks!
I think the benefits would still be there HealthyMama 🙂
How often would you take this? I took one clove this morning. But I can’t see one “dose” doing much repair. I’ve been fighting sinus troubles for what seems like half the year. I can keep it from getting worse sometimes with sinus washes, essential oils, and such. But I keep trying different things to see what works best.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for this recipe! I’ve been looking for something simple to make to keep on hand. I just made mine tonight, and I can’t wait to try this.
You’re very, very, very welcome Lisa!!
i tried to ear 2 days back but really garlic was so strong that it made me puke… and garlic smell will last for more than 2hr… its really disgusting.. need suggestion to digest it without pucking
do i need to completely chew it or i can swallow it 😀
LOL – I’d recommend chewing unless your garlic is big. Also, raw garlic can upset an empty stomach, so chewing would help curb that.