Creamy Garlic Confit Spread
A rich and mellow garlic spread made using a slow cooker method that yields a creamy, buttery texture perfect for bread, crackers, and more.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: About 2 cups (approximately 8 servings) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 6–8 whole garlic bulbs, separated into cloves but unpeeled
- 2 cups (480 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2–3 sprigs fresh thyme (optional)
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) heavy cream or 2 tablespoons cream cheese (optional)
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- Pinch of freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Separate 6-8 garlic bulbs into cloves but leave the skins on. Do not peel.
- Place the unpeeled garlic cloves evenly in the slow cooker. Pour 2 cups of extra virgin olive oil over the garlic until submerged. Add 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt and 2-3 sprigs of fresh thyme on top.
- Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 6-8 hours until garlic is soft, golden, and caramelized.
- Turn off the slow cooker and let garlic cool enough to handle. Peel the softened cloves.
- Transfer peeled garlic cloves to a bowl. Add 1/4 cup heavy cream or 2 tablespoons cream cheese, 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, and a pinch of black pepper. Mash or blend to a creamy spreadable consistency.
- Taste and adjust salt if needed. If too thick, stir in more olive oil or cream to desired texture.
- Spoon the spread into a clean jar or airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Freeze portions if desired.
Notes
Do not peel garlic before cooking to keep cloves tender and easy to peel after cooking. Use good quality extra virgin olive oil for best flavor. Cook low and slow to avoid bitterness. Adjust cream or oil to achieve desired spread consistency. Can substitute cream cheese with vegan mayo or coconut yogurt for dairy-free option. Freeze in small portions for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 2 tabl
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 0.1
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Fiber: 0.3
- Protein: 1
Keywords: garlic confit, creamy garlic spread, slow cooker garlic, garlic spread recipe, party appetizer, easy garlic recipe