Roasted garlic sauce is a versatile condiment made by roasting garlic cloves to bring out their natural sweetness and complexity of flavor. The roasted garlic is then blended with various ingredients to make a smooth, creamy sauce. While recipes can vary, most roasted garlic sauces contain some key components:
Garlic
Roasting transforms garlic from pungent and sharp to mellow, sweet, and almost nutty. Whole garlic bulbs or individual garlic cloves are tossed in olive oil and roasted at a moderate temperature until deeply golden brown and soft. The garlic becomes very spreadable when squeezed out of the papery skins after roasting.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is used both for roasting the garlic and for making the sauce. The flavor of the olive oil shines through after roasting, so a good quality extra virgin olive oil is ideal. About 1/4 cup olive oil is typically used for roasting and blending.
Lemon Juice
A squeeze of lemon brightens the flavor of the roasted garlic. Lemon juice adds some acidity to balance the rich, sweet garlic. About 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice is added to most roasted garlic sauce recipes.
Salt
A pinch or two of salt enhances the flavors and pulls everything together. Kosher or sea salt is best rather than overly processed table salt.
Pepper
Freshly ground black pepper lends some spice to balance the sweetness of the roasted garlic. Add to taste, usually around 1/4 teaspoon or more if you like it peppery.
Herbs and Spices
In addition to salt and pepper, roasted garlic sauce often includes fresh herbs. Common choices are parsley, basil, oregano, thyme, and chives. Dried herbs can also be used. Spices like paprika, cumin, or red pepper flakes are also delicious additions.
Cheese
For a creamy texture and rich flavor, cheese can be incorporated into roasted garlic sauce. Parmesan, goat cheese, cream cheese, ricotta, and feta are popular choices. About 1/4 cup crumbled or softened cheese gets stirred into the blender.
Milk or Cream
A splash of milk, half and half, heavy cream, or sour cream lend a smooth, creamy consistency. Dairy is optional but helps make the sauce coatable and pourable.
Breadcrumbs
Some roasted garlic sauce recipes call for a tablespoon or two of fresh breadcrumbs. The breadcrumbs help thicken the sauce slightly.
Nuts
Walnuts, pine nuts, or almonds may be included in roasted garlic sauces. The nuts provide texture and flavor to complement the garlic.
Capers or Olives
For a briny, tangy flavor, capers or chopped olives can be added to roasted garlic sauce. They provide a nice savory contrast.
Anchovies
Minced or puréed anchovies add depth of flavor to roasted garlic sauce without making it taste fishy. A bit of anchovy enhances savoriness.
How to Make Roasted Garlic Sauce
Making roasted garlic sauce is simple but does require some advance planning since the garlic needs to roast for about an hour. Here are the basic steps:
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Toss peeled garlic cloves in olive oil and seasonings. Roast until browned and very tender, about 50-60 minutes.
- Squeeze the soft garlic pulp out of the skins. Add to a food processor or blender.
- Add remaining ingredients like lemon juice, salt, pepper, herbs, cheese, milk or cream, nuts, anchovies etc. Purée until smooth.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. If too thick, add more olive oil or milk to reach desired consistency.
The roasted garlic sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. It’s fantastic served warm, at room temperature, or chilled.
Uses for Roasted Garlic Sauce
This versatile sauce has many savory applications. Here are some delicious ways to use roasted garlic sauce:
- Bread dip
- Pizza sauce
- Pasta sauce
- Sandwich spread
- Bruschetta topping
- Mixed into mashed potatoes
- Drizzled over grilled or roasted vegetables
- Mixed into meatball mixture
- Stirred into risottos or polenta
- Served with seared scallops or shrimp
- Used as a mayonnaise substitute on turkey sandwiches
Roasted garlic sauce is an easy way to add lots of flavor to all kinds of savory dishes. Adjust the ingredients to match the application. Keep it more simple as a dip, bread spread or pizza sauce, or jazz it up with herbs and cheese to complement vegetables, grains, fish and meat.
Conclusion
Roasted garlic sauce is all about taking mellow, sweet roasted garlic and blending it into a creamy, versatile condiment. The key ingredients are garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. From there, play around with different herb, spice, cheese, cream and nut additions to create your own signature sauce. Use roasted garlic sauce anytime you want to add big flavor fast – it’s sure to become a go-to in your kitchen.