Traeger Smoked Garlic (In 3 Simple Steps)

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If you’ve ever tasted slow-roasted garlic, you’ll know how delcious it tastes.

But have you tried smoked garlic?

Slow roasting garlic on the Traeger gives it a smoky punch.

Smoke up a stack of garlic cloves, and keep them handing in the fridge – you’ll thank me later.

The Best Type of Garlic to Smoke

Any varieties of garlic are fine for smoking

If you are lucky enough to find it, elephant garlic is amazing for smoking. 

The larger garlic bulbs are perfect for smoking – more garlic!

The milder flavor allows more of the smokiness to come through.  The whole roasting and smoking process will concentrate the garlic flavors though.

smoked-garlic-cloves-4

How to Cut the Top off for Smoked Garlic

If you decide to use the whole head of garlic, it’s best to slice the top off to expose the cloves. 

This allows the heat and smoke to permeate.

Take care cutting though!  The odd shape of a head of garlic can make this a tricky task.

Always use a sharp kitchen knife, a serrated edge knife is best. 

You’ll need to use much less force to slice if the knife is sharp, reducing the chances of slipping or accidents.

Hold the garlic firmly, and slice off the narrow, pointy end.

Slice just enough to expose the tops of the cloves inside. The root side should be left intact, and this will give a stable base to rest the garlic.

Place the garlic heads on a heat-proof baking sheet or dish, drizzle with olive oil and smoke away!

What Can You Use Smoked Garlic For?

Smoked garlic can be used on just about anything. 

The sweet smokiness combined with the iconic garlic flavor is divine.  A garlic lover’s dream!

Scoop the cloves out, and spread like a paste on freshly toasted bread, smoked ribs, chicken breasts, and even over fish.   

Make your own smoked garlic bread, with a smoky twist.  Blend it with some olive oil or sour cream and use it as a dip.

Basically, use it for anything that tastes great with garlic! It’s one of my favorite Traeger recipes as you can use the garlic for everything!

As it’s soft, it will make a great paste or spread.

Store in the fridge, and add to any dish that calls for garlic.  

How to Store Smoked Garlic?

If you’re going to smoke garlic, smoke it in large batches.

It stores well, for up to 2-3 weeks at a time.

Allow the cloves to cool to room temperature.  Then store in airtight containers or mason jars in the refrigerator.

Smoked garlic can be stored, vacuum sealed, in the freezer for months. 

Just allow it to come to room temperature before using.

How to Smoke Garlic on Your Traeger Grill  

The process to smoke garlic couldn’t be easier!

Whether you’re roasting the whole head of garlic or individual cloves, the process is the same.

Garlic has its own casing, so simply smoke it, and scoop out the insides once done. 

The skin will prevent burning, leaving you deliciously soft garlic cloves inside.

Drizzle a little virgin olive oil over the cloves, and smoke on the grill. 

If smoking individual cloves, coat them in oil and spread them on a tray. 

A dash of black pepper and a pinch of salt to top it off and you are ready to embrace the smoky flavor.

You can make a parcel with aluminum foil, leaving the top open to allow smoke to enter.

And it doesn’t have to be on a Traeger – any grill will create the same effect.

Just take care not to place over direct heat or the cloves may burn. 

What Wood Chips Work Well With Smoked Garlic?

Any wood chips work for smoking garlic. 

It depends on the flavor outcome you want.

For a mild, sweeter flavor, use apple, cherry, or pecan.

For a heavier smoke flavor use oak or hickory.

Traeger Smoked Garlic Recipe

This smoked garlic recipe is one of the tastiest recipes around.

And cooked on the Traeger pellet grill is one of the easiest!

The slow-smoked garlic cloves are coated in olive oil and smoked.  Then smoked again until soft and a golden brown color.

Its best to do this recipe when you already have your smoker going.

When I do my Treager brisket recipe, I throw the garlic on mid way thought the brisket cook.

Ingredients You Need For Smoked Garlic

1 Large Head of Garlic

1/2 cup Olive Oil

1 tbs Black Pepper

1 tbs Kosher Salt

Step 1 – Preheat the Traeger Pellet Grill

Preheat the grill to 225°F.

Step 2 – Prepare the Garlic 

Cut off the very top of a the bulb of garlic to expose the top of each garlic clove

Rub bulb in olive oil and sprinkle top with salt and pepper

Step 3 – Smoke the Garlic

Place the garlic in preheated smoker at 150-165°F and smoke for approximately 1hour

Take the garlic out of the Smoker and Wrap bulb in aluminum foil.

Place the bulb with garlic back in the smoker for approximately 1 more hour until cloves are soft (I like to smoke garlic whilst smoking other things at lower temperatures like sausages or fish

Remove garlic from smoker and add cloves to your favorite recipes.

How to Store Smoked Garlic

Store remaining garlic in the fridge for up to 1 week

Smoked Garlic Recipes

Wondering how to use your smoked garlic? Here are some delicious ways.

Brisket Burgers – Rub the garlic on the buns

Rubbed on Smoked Tri-Tip

Cedar Plank Grilled Chicken

Smoked T Bone With Smoked Garlic Butter

Traeger Smoked Garlic

Charlie
This smoked garlic recipe is one of the tastiest condiment recipes around and cooked on the Traeger pellet grill is one of the easiest!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Appetizer, Dinner, lunch, main, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Barbecue, bbq, dinner, grill, lunch
Servings 4 servings
Calories 89 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Pellet smoker

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Large Head of Garlic
  • 1/8 cup Olive Oil
  • 1 tbs Black Pepper
  • 1 tbs Kosher Salt

Instructions
 

Step 1 – Preheat the Traeger Pellet Grill

  • Preheat the grill to 150-165°F.

Step 2 – Prepare the Garlic

  • Cut off the very top of the bulb of garlic to expose the top of each garlic glove rub bulb in olive oil and sprinkle top with salt

Step 3 – Smoke the Garlic

  • Place the garlic in preheated smoker at150-165°F and smoke for approximately 1 hour
  • Take the garlic out of the smoker and wrap the bulb in aluminum foil.
    Place the bulb with garlic back in the smoker for approximately 1 more hour until the cloves are soft (I like to smoke garlic whilst smoking other things at lower temperatures like sausages or fish
Keyword Smoked, smoked garlic

Smoked roasted garlic is a fantastic condiment to have on hand in the refrigerator. 

It’s incredibly versatile and will give any garlic dish a smoky boost!

Smoke On!

Charlie

Hi, I’m Charlie, I have been meat-smoking and grilling for the past 15 years. I have an array of different smokers, thermometers, and have a love for finding the right wood and charcoal combo My favourite recipes are my EXTRA CRISPY smoked pork belly, juicy pulled pork, smoked brisket, duck poppers, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill).

I loves sharing his tips with beginners, helping them navigate the world of smoking. I find it’s not just about cooking; it’s a quest for that perfect smoky flavor.

You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling recipes with you!

You can read more about me on our About Us page.

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