If you’re searching for a luxurious way to transform humble garlic into something truly spectacular, look no further than Sous Vide Garlic Confit. Imagine plump, golden cloves, gently simmered in silky olive oil until meltingly tender, each bite infusing your kitchen (and everything you add it to!) with rich, mellow flavor. With the sous vide method, this treat becomes totally foolproof and deeply aromatic, perfect for anyone who loves to cook, gift homemade condiments, or just elevate their bread game to legendary levels.

Sous Vide Garlic Confit Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

With only a handful of ingredients, Sous Vide Garlic Confit proves that simplicity is the secret to deep, complex flavor. Every element—no matter how basic—plays a big role in making this confit irresistible.

Garlic Cloves (2 cups, peeled): Go for fresh, firm cloves; they’re the heart and soul of this recipe and will mellow beautifully during slow cooking.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (2 cups or enough to submerge): Choose a good quality oil since it becomes both a cooking medium and a delicious garlicky condiment in its own right.
Fresh Thyme (2 sprigs, optional): A sprig or two brings a subtle earthy aroma that pairs dreamily with garlic.
Fresh Rosemary (1 sprig, optional): If you love herbal notes, rosemary adds a piney depth for a French-country twist.
Sea Salt (1 teaspoon): Just enough to accentuate the flavors and enhance every bite.

How to Make Sous Vide Garlic Confit

Step 1: Prep Your Water Bath

Start by preheating your sous vide water bath to 190°F (88°C). This gentle temperature is key—it slowly transforms raw garlic into soft, golden confit without any risk of burning or bitterness.

Step 2: Build Your Infusion

Add your peeled garlic cloves to a clean, quart-size mason jar or a vacuum seal bag. Pour in the olive oil and scatter your fresh thyme and rosemary on top (if you’re using them). Sprinkle in the sea salt—just a touch goes a long way! Make sure every clove is completely submerged to ensure even cooking.

Step 3: Seal It Up

If you’re using a mason jar, close the lid until it’s just fingertip tight so a little air can escape. If you have a vacuum-seal bag, go ahead and seal it up for tidy, no-leak results. The key is making sure the mixture is tightly packed and won’t float.

Step 4: Sous Vide Garlic Confit Magic

Carefully lower your jar or bag into the preheated water bath. Let it bubble and bathe for 4 hours—the anticipation is part of the fun! During this time, the garlic mellows, softens, and turns almost sweet, infusing the oil with flavor that’s pure gold.

Step 5: Cool and Store

Once your confit has finished, gently remove it from the water bath (use tongs or a towel to protect your hands). Let it cool to room temperature before transferring to a clean, airtight jar. This step keeps your Sous Vide Garlic Confit fresh, delicious, and ready to use for up to two weeks in the fridge.

How to Serve Sous Vide Garlic Confit

Garnishes

Top your finished dishes with a scattering of chopped fresh herbs, a pinch of flaky sea salt, or even a squeeze of lemon. The gently cooked garlic cloves are beautifully creamy straight from the jar, and those little extra touches make your presentation shine.

Side Dishes

Sous Vide Garlic Confit turns even the simplest foods into something extraordinary. Try spreading the confit on toasted bread with a sprinkle of parsley, mix it into fluffy mashed potatoes, or toss whole cloves into a crisp salad or roasted veggies.

Creative Ways to Present

For a showstopping appetizer, swirl the confit oil and a few golden cloves atop whipped ricotta or hummus. You can also dot pizzas before baking, make a swoon-worthy pasta sauce, or give as a beautiful homemade gift in a pretty jar. The possibilities are endlessly delicious!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Sous Vide Garlic Confit at its best, always store it in a super clean, airtight glass jar in the fridge. Make sure you use a clean spoon each time—this keeps it fresh and food-safe for up to two weeks.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze extra confit if you want it to last even longer! Portion the cloves and oil into small airtight containers or ice cube trays. When frozen solid, pop them into a freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Reheating

To bring frozen or chilled confit back to its luscious, spreadable glory, warm gently in a small pan over low heat or set the jar in a bowl of warm water. Take care not to overheat—you want it just supple, not sizzling.

FAQs

Can I double or halve this sous vide garlic confit recipe?

Certainly! Just maintain the same ratio of garlic to oil and use jars or bags that fit your batch. Keep an eye on full submersion for even cooking.

Do I really need a sous vide machine?

Sous vide does make this process beautifully hands-off and consistent, but you could improvise with a pot of water and a reliable thermometer to hold the temperature steady.

Is this recipe safe when stored in oil?

Yes, provided it’s always stored in the refrigerator and handled with clean utensils. Never leave garlic confit at room temperature to prevent any food safety risks.

What can I do with the leftover garlic oil?

The oil might be my favorite part! Drizzle it over roasted vegetables, soft eggs, or fresh greens, or use it to start a garlicky vinaigrette or marinade for meats.

Which herbs pair best with sous vide garlic confit?

Thyme and rosemary are classic, but sage, oregano, or even a strip of lemon zest would all make lovely flavor additions. Play around—your kitchen, your rules!

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never tasted garlic confit made with the sous vide method, now’s the perfect time to give it a try. Once you have a jar of Sous Vide Garlic Confit in the fridge, you’ll find a million ways to make everyday dishes feel like something really special. Go on—indulge a little! Your taste buds will thank you.

Sous Vide Garlic Confit Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 22 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 2 cups garlic confit 1x
Diet: Vegan, Gluten-Free

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in the rich, mellow flavors of Sous Vide Garlic Confit with this easy recipe. Perfect for adding a gourmet touch to your dishes, this garlic confit is a versatile condiment that elevates any meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Garlic Confit:

2 cups peeled garlic cloves
2 cups extra virgin olive oil (or enough to fully submerge the garlic)
2 sprigs fresh thyme (optional)
1 sprig fresh rosemary (optional)
1 teaspoon sea salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat the Sous Vide Bath: Preheat your sous vide water bath to 190°F (88°C).
Prepare Garlic: Place the peeled garlic cloves in a quart-size mason jar or a vacuum-seal bag. Add the olive oil, fresh herbs if using, and sea salt. Ensure the garlic is fully submerged in the oil.
Cook: Submerge the jar or bag in the preheated water bath and cook for 4 hours.
Cool and Store: Carefully remove from the water bath, let cool slightly, and store the garlic confit and oil in a clean, airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.