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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  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? ›

Immunity-boosting properties. Anti-inflammation properties. Heart health benefits, including helping to expand the blood vessels (which makes it easier to regulate blood pressure).

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 if you eat garlic and honey every day? ›

Garlic contains compounds that can improve memory and cognitive function, while honey can help reduce inflammation in the brain. Consuming this special honey can help prevent age-related cognitive decline and improve overall brain health. This combination also has great immune boosting properties.

What does honey and garlic do mixed together? ›

Researchers found that garlic and honey were both able to kill the bacteria when tested alone. A combination of garlic and honey worked even better. The garlic and honey combination slowed or stopped the growth of bacteria that cause illness and infections including pneumonia and a kind of food poisoning.

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.

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.

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.

Do you refrigerate fermented honey garlic? ›

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.

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.

What is the best time to eat 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.

Do 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.

Why you should not eat garlic everyday? ›

However, if you eat too much of it, it may cause side effects like bad breath, acid reflux, digestive issues, and an increased risk of bleeding. Therefore, it's best to enjoy this delicious spice in moderation and reduce your intake if you start to experience any adverse effects.

Is fermented honey garlic safe? ›

Because fermentation is a natural process and reaction of raw ingredients, if your garlic takes on a green/blue hue, don't be alarmed. If the garlic has been well covered in honey, the mixture is still completely safe to consume. Raw honey is not recommended for babies under 1 year old.

What are the side effects of honey on your stomach? ›

Side Effects of Having Excess Honey:

It has the potential to boost your blood sugar levels. People with diabetes should use it with caution and see a doctor before including it into their diet. Stomach Cramps: Consistently consuming too much honey can cause stomach cramps.

What happens if we eat garlic at night? ›

Eating Garlic at night regularly may have both positive and negative effects on your health. While it may offer benefits such as improved heart health, immune function, and digestion, it may also cause sleep disturbance and bad breath in some individuals.

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.

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.

Is fermenting garlic in honey safe? ›

Because fermentation is a natural process and reaction of raw ingredients, if your garlic takes on a green/blue hue, don't be alarmed. If the garlic has been well covered in honey, the mixture is still completely safe to consume. Raw honey is not recommended for babies under 1 year old.

Is fermented garlic good for gut? ›

Supports digestion: Fermented garlic contains enzymes that can aid in digestion and promote a healthy gut. Reduces inflammation: The anti-inflammatory properties of fermented garlic may help reduce inflammation in the body, which is linked to various health conditions.

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