A Simple Recipe for Fermented Garlic Honey For Drizzling On Everything (2024)

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When you combine fresh garlic and raw honey, you get this magical fermented garlic honey that’s perfect for drizzling on pizza, fried chicken, grilled pork, and by the spoonful just as is.

By

Nick Evans

A Simple Recipe for Fermented Garlic Honey For Drizzling On Everything (1)

Nick Evans

Nick has been creating recipes for home cooks for almost 15 years. He is the author of Love Your Leftovers and has contributed to Simply Recipes since 2017.

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Published October 03, 2022

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I would consider myself a beginner when it comes to fermenting. I’ve messed around with a few experiments, but I’m not one to have bubbling jars on my kitchen shelf. That said, I will always make room in my pantry for fermented garlic honey—it’s easy to make, calls for only two ingredients, stores well, and is SO delicious. This is a great beginner fermenting project.

I find myself sneaking a spoonful of this sweet, garlicky, spicy honey throughout the day. Once you try it, you’ll wonder why anyone bothers eating honey that isn’t infused with garlic.

How to Safely Ferment Garlic Honey

Let’s get the important stuff out of the way first. Anytime you store garlic, there is a chance of botulism. This recipe adds fresh cloves of garlic into raw honey, which is naturally acidic and stops bacterial growth.

That said, if you have concerns, test the honey before eating it. If the pH level is above 4.6, you can add some apple cider vinegar to raise the acidity. It will speed up the fermenting process and will water down the honey, but it’ll be just as delicious.

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Use Raw Honey

This recipe is about as easy as it gets. First you need a lot of garlic. How much? Well, 15 to 20 cloves. That’s about two heads of garlic. You could do less and get plenty of garlic flavor, but it tastes better with more.

Add the garlic cloves to a clean jar along with some crushed red pepper flakes. Then, cover with raw honey. It is important to use raw honey for this recipe or it will not ferment. You can find raw honey at most major grocery stores these days. The label should say raw honey on it.

Seal the jar and store it in a cool place. Now the hardest part: WAIT.

Shake and Burp the Garlic Honey

Keep an eye on the jar for the first few days. Give it a shake once a day to make sure the garlic is covered in the honey. Also, open the jar once a day to “burp” it and let off any built-up gas. Exploding honey jars aren’t fun.

After five days, your honey will be ready and you can slather it on whatever your heart desires!

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Can You Eat the Garlic?

While the honey is the star of the show, I’m not one to waste garlic. It’s definitely good—milder than raw garlic, but not as mild as roasted garlic. I tried a clove straight out of the jar—for science—and found it to be pretty tasty, although it was a little bitter.

That said, I'd cook with the garlic—add them to these delicious mini pretzels! You can rinse off the cloves, if the honey won’t mesh with the recipe, or use them as is. Another way I love using the garlic? Mince a clove and mash it with softened butter. Put that on toast with a drizzle of the fermented garlic honey and it’s a next-level garlic toast.

More Ideas for Using This Garlic Honey

This garlic honey might be the most versatile condiment out there. I’m having a hard time thinking of things you couldn’t put this on.

  • This honey is made for pizza—a must-try!
  • Smeared on toast or dip for bread
  • Drizzled on grilled meats like lamb, pork chops, or even burgers
  • Drizzled on grain salads
  • In an egg or breakfast sandwich
  • Drizzled on ice cream

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For the Love of Garlic

  • Roasted Garlic
  • Garlic Confit
  • Garlic Bread
  • Roasted Garlic Chicken
  • Roasted Garlic White Pizza Sauce

Fermented Garlic Honey

Prep Time10 mins

Fermenting Time120 hrs

Total Time120 hrs 10 mins

Servings32 servings

Yield1 pint

To speed up the fermenting, lightly crush the cloves, but don’t chop them.

You need to use raw honey (not pasteurized honey) for this recipe to ferment. If you’re unsure if the honey is raw or not, just look at the label of the jar.

Honey is acidic enough to stop bacterial growth—botulism is a concern with storing garlic. If you are concerned, you can test the pH level of the honey with a pH litmus strip. If it is above a 4.6, stir in a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to increase the acidity.

Ingredients

  • 15 to 20 cloves of garlic (about 2 heads), peeled (see recipe note)

  • 1 1/2 cups raw honey (see recipe note)

  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes(optional)

Special Equipment

  • 1pint glass jar

Method

  1. Start the ferment:

    Add the garlic into a clean pint jar along with red pepper flakes, if using. Add the honey and stir. Seal the jar and store in a cool dry place.

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    A Simple Recipe for Fermented Garlic Honey For Drizzling On Everything (9)

  2. Burp and shake the jar:

    At least once a day for 5 days, shake the jar to make sure the garlic is covered with honey. Once bubbles start to form in the honey, open the jar once a day to release any built-up gas.

  3. Store:

    Allow the garlic honey to ferment for 5 days before enjoying. You can then keep the honey in your pantry for 6 months. After 3 to 4 weeks, I remove the garlic from the honey and transfer the garlic to the fridge for cooking. You might see some discoloration in the garlic—that is fine.

    Use the honey drizzled on pizza, breads, toast, meats, or pretty much anything.

    Did you love the recipe? Leave us stars below!

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
51Calories
0g Fat
14g Carbs
0g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 32
Amount per serving
Calories51
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g0%
Saturated Fat 0g0%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 1mg0%
Total Carbohydrate 14g5%
Dietary Fiber 0g0%
Total Sugars 13g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 1mg3%
Calcium 4mg0%
Iron 0mg1%
Potassium 16mg0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

A Simple Recipe for Fermented Garlic Honey For Drizzling On Everything (2024)

FAQs

What does garlic and honey do for you when fermented? ›

They may help ease some of your symptoms or keep you more comfortable when you're stuffy or have a sore throat. “Eating cloves of garlic and consuming honey that has been fermenting with garlic can definitely help blow out your sinuses a bit,” Czerwony says, “and honey, in general, can help soothe a sore throat.

How long can you keep fermented garlic in honey? ›

The honey will start to foam and become runnier as it begins to ferment and infuse with the rich flavors of garlic. Fermented garlic honey will take about a month before it is ready to eat and can be left up to twelve months in a cool, dark cupboard.

What happens when you eat garlic and honey every day? ›

Both garlic and honey are high in antioxidant compounds. These healthy chemicals help to balance your immune system and prevent illness. They may also protect your brain from common diseases like dementia and Alzheimer's. More research is needed on how garlic can prevent or slow these age-related diseases.

What does garlic soaked in honey do? ›

Using a mixture of garlic and honey can help slow or stop the growth of pathogenic bacteria as well as symptoms of infections including pneumonia and a type of food poisoning, including: Streptococcus pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella.

Does fermented garlic in honey spoil? ›

As long as you store it correctly, in an airtight container in a dark place, the fermented honey and garlic can stay good for years. It is normal for the mixture to darken over time.

How much honey and garlic should I take daily? ›

Intake of honey and garlic on an empty stomach is usually recommended by dieticians to treat cases of acid reflux and regurgitation. Disclaimer: Make sure you don't eat excess garlic as it can cause severe side effects. Just have a small clove of garlic every day with half a teaspoon of honey for best results.

How do I know if my fermented honey garlic is bad? ›

First is the nose test -- sour or rancid smells are a sure sign that it's time to toss your batch of fermented garlic honey. Then comes the eye test -- if you see mold or unusual cloudiness, toss it. Remember that fermenting the mixture results in small bubbles, but this isn't anything to worry about.

How often should I eat fermented garlic honey? ›

Eating the garlic right out of the jar (a couple cloves a day will do the trick) and using the honey in your tea or other drinks is the most common way to use fermented garlic honey as a cold season remedy. But you don't have to stop there!

Can fermented garlic go bad? ›

Fermented garlic can be stored for many years at room temperature. In fact, the longer it is left to ferment, the more delicious it becomes! Traditional Korean recipes recommend letting garlic ferment for up to 7 years!

Does garlic and honey reduce belly fat? ›

Garlic and Honey

Mix a crushed garlic clove with a teaspoon of honey and a glass of warm water. The honey not only masks the pungent flavour of the garlic but also adds its own set of health benefits. Honey, in moderation, can also contribute to this effort and prevent the accumulation of belly fat.

Do garlic and honey need to be refrigerated? ›

Because honey is shelf stable and garlic has so many antibacterial & antimicrobial properties, honey garlic does not need to be refrigerated. Garlic honey lasts up 12 months – although I've heard of folks continuing to add garlic to the same honey for YEARS.

What happens to your body when you eat garlic every day for a month? ›

Good for Cardiac Health

This reduces cholesterol levels and improves heart health. Regular consumption of garlic reduces the incidence of blood clots and thus helps prevent thromboembolism. Garlic also lowers blood pressure so is good for patients with hypertension. Read more on How to control high blood pressure.

What is the best time to take garlic and honey? ›

While garlic includes allicin, a substance with antibacterial and immune-stimulating properties, honey is abundant in antioxidants and antimicrobial components. Consuming honey garlic on an empty stomach may help boost immunity and help to fight common ailments including colds, infections, and coughs.

Is fermented garlic and honey an antibiotic? ›

Both honey and garlic are excellent antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral agents. Traditionally they have been used to treat skin infections and prevent sepsis in wounded areas.

How to eat honey fermented garlic? ›

As with the honey fermented cranberries, the fermentation process makes the honey thinner. Pop a garlic clove in your mouth when you feel a cold coming on, or mince the sweet, fermented cloves and scatter them over salads or oven-based meals.

How often should I take fermented garlic honey? ›

To maximize the health benefits, garlic fermented in honey should be eaten every day. One or two garlic clove will do it & we usually scoop up a little honey to enjoy at the same time. Please consult your doctor before adding a higher daily dose of garlic-fermented honey to your diet.

What does fermented garlic do for the body? ›

As garlic and ginger go through the fermentation process, the number of probiotic bacteria in them increases. Consuming probiotic bacteria has many benefits including improving your digestive system and immune system. In the winter, it is especially important to consume probiotics to help avoid colds and the flu.

Does honey and garlic help gut health? ›

It might improve gut health, boost nutritional absorption, and encourage the synthesis of digestive enzymes. While acting as a prebiotic, honey encourages the development of healthy gut bacteria. Morning consumption of honey-garlic may promote digestion and relieve gastrointestinal distress.

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