11 Best Garlic Keepers to Help Your Garlic Last

Garlic keepers create the perfect conditions to keep garlic bulbs fresh for as long as possible.

They help reduce humidity, block out light, and stabilize temperature fluctuations. But not all garlic keepers work as well as they could, which is why we did the research to find the 11 best garlic keepers on the market.

Our Favorites At a Glance

1. Okavango Garlic Keeper
2. Henry Watson Suffolk Collection Garlic Keeper
3. Ontube Garlic Keeper
4. Norpro Large Garlic Baker
5. Joie Terracotta Garlic Keeper
6. Henry Watson Terracotta Garlic Cellar
7. Ceramiche Rampini Hand Painted Italian Ceramic Garlic Jar
8. Norpro 5-Inch Ceramic Garlic Keeper
9. Cottage Creek Garlic Clove Storage
10. Esschert Design Garlic Storage Tin
11. Mud Pie Garlic Keepers

Detailed Garlic Keeper Reviews

Garlic keepers are available in a wide array of designs, materials, and additional functions. This can make it difficult to know which keeper is actually the most effective at keeping garlic fresh the longest.

To help make shopping for a new garlic keeper easier for you, we’ve done the leg work, sniffing out the best designs at the right prices.

Here are our picks for the best garlic keepers on the market.

1. Okavango Garlic Keeper

For a functional, effective, gorgeous garlic keeper, it doesn’t get any better than the Okavango keeper. This product features a beautiful Tuscan design and all the features you need to keep your garlic fresher longer.

Why we love it: 

The Okavango features a simple but functional shape that makes all the difference.

The wide 4-plus-inch opening is big enough to get your hand in and out of easily and makes it easier to stuff this keeper to the brim with garlic.

The round body of this keeper has multiple well-sized holes placed around the entire base for maximum ventilation. Because of this, garlic tends to last longer in this keeper than in many of the others we tried.

Inside this cute little white keeper, you’ll find finished ceramic and natural clay The bulk of the inside is ceramic, which is easy to keep clean. The bottom is raw clay, which helps absorb excess moisture and keep your garlic cooler.

Together, these two materials make for a highly functional keeper that is also easy to maintain.

Details:

• Size: 6 to 8 bulbs
• Material: Glazed ceramic and raw clay
• Color: White, clay, and black
• Price: $

2. Henry Watson Suffolk Collection Garlic Keeper

This simple, but highly-function terracotta keeper is perfect for both humid and dry environments. And has the appeal of natural clay–a great addition to many kitchens.

Why we love it:

Terracotta is naturally porous, which makes it perfect for absorbing humidity in the air. This helps keep your garlic from sprouting and rotting.

We love this terracotta keeper the most because it’s expertly crafted by the wise English potters of Henry Watson–a company that has been putting out excellent products for over two-hundred years!

The well-fitted lid and blackout-front design mean no light will get to your garlic. Meanwhile, the air holes along the back and porous clay will keep your garlic dry and protected.

Overall, this is a simple, but beautiful terracotta keeper perfect for storing 2 normal sized bulbs for an extended period.

Details:

• Size: 2 bulbs
• Material: Terracotta
• Color: Terracotta
• Price: $$

3. Ontube Garlic Keeper

This highly-rated garlic keeper features a flip lid for convenience and a clean design to fit any kitchen aesthetic. Plus, it comes in three wonderful colors.

Why we love it: 

This simple yet fun garlic keeper from Ontube has a handful of unique characteristics that make it highly usable and put it a step ahead of other options. 

The most notable is the flip lid. The smooth-finish bamboo lid features a simple hinge pin so it swings open when you need to access your garlic and shuts easily when you don’t.

The porcelain body of the keeper isn’t round like most products, but rectangular. This makes it easier to fit a large number of pearl garlic bulbs or three to four regular bulbs. Because it’s non-porous, it’s easy to clean with a damp rag and won’t absorb garlic odors.

The front of the keeper has four good-sized holes for ventilation. This may not be enough for humid environments but does provide enough airflow for most climates. 

On the downside, the flip lid design of this keeper impedes the opening somewhat and makes it hard to fit jumbo bulbs in this keeper despite its size. We also don’t recommend washing this one in the dishwasher due to the bamboo lid.

The Ontube garlic keeper is available in white, black, and baby blue finishes.

Details:

• Size: 3 to 4 bulbs
• Material: Porcelain and wood
• Color: White
• Price: $

4. Norpro Large Garlic Baker

This well-crafted garlic keeper does more than just keep your garlic fresh, it also doubles as a baker for moist and delicious roasted garlic and onions.

Why we love it:

When used as a keeper, this terracotta dish keeps moisture at bay while completely protecting the bulbs from light. And the unique design means no sticking your hand into a tight opening to fish your garlic out.

As a baker, this product allows for even, moist cooking to quickly turn raw garlic into a tasty feast.

The fire-glazed dish can withstand high heat in the oven and microwave. The small vent hole in the top creates the perfect environment inside for even and quick cooking.

It doesn’t get much simpler than this two-in-one baker and keeper. It provides the perfect place to store or cook up to four bulbs of garlic at once. Plus, it’s bargain priced for any budget.

Details:

• Size: 4 bulbs
• Material: Terracotta
• Color: Terracotta
• Price: $

5. Joie Terracotta Garlic Keeper

This petite garlic keeper will blend in easily with the rest of your produce. It’s affordable, adorable, and perfect for keeping a single head of garlic fresh.

Why we love it:

The fun design of this terracotta keeper lets you know exactly what’s inside. But the garlic shape is also functional.

The small air holes in the top of the terracotta bulb help keep the environment perfectly dry without allowing too much light in.

The outside of the keeper is beautifully glazed white terracotta, but the inside is raw. This means that it easily pulls moisture off the surface of the tightly hugged garlic to keep it fresh.

If all you need is an affordable, compact, single-bulb garlic keeper, this is the perfect product for you.

Details:

• Size: 1 bulb
• Material: Glazed and raw terracotta
• Color: White
• Price: $

6. Henry Watson Terracotta Garlic Cellar

Another great product from Henry Watson, this terracotta keeper has a larger capacity than their original canister, making it perfect for garlic lovers everywhere.

Why we love it:

This keeper has all the great elements of the original keeper-style. The raw terracotta absorbs moisture while the air holes allow for proper ventilation.

The front is solid, allowing you to position the pot so only a limited amount of light gets in.

But unlike the original, this keeper can easily hold four bulbs of garlic. This allows you to keep more garlic onhand without having to worry about it going bad.

Details:

• Size: 4 bulbs
• Material: Terracotta
• Color: Terracotta
• Price: $$$

7. Ceramiche Rampini Hand-Painted Italian Ceramic Garlic Jar

If you’re after a garlic keeper that will pop on your countertop rather than fade into the background, you’ll love this hand-made, hand-painted option from Ceramiche.

Why we love it: 

There are plenty of sleek, clean-looking garlic keepers out there. But if you want one that will act as the focal piece of your kitchen, you can’t go wrong with this option from Ceramiche.

This high-quality keeper is handmade in Italy by Rampini, a famous Umbrian potter. The hand-painted design he applies to each piece is unique and captures classic Venezia aesthetics. The wording on the front, “Aglio,” means garlic in Italian.

In addition to looking gorgeous, this fun garlic keeper is also functional. The wide opening and pot-belly shape allow it to hold up to 2 bulbs without taking up much space on the counter.

Three ventilation holes on the back provide plenty of airflow for most environments while keeping your garlic safe from light. The glazed ceramic interior is easy to keep clean, though we don’t recommend putting this piece in the dishwasher.

This Ceramiche garlic keeper will cost you more than the typical product, but it’s well worth the investment for a one-of-a-kind handmade piece.

Details:

• Size: 2 bulbs
• Material: Glazed ceramic
• Color: White with floral pattern
• Price: $$$$

8. Norpro 5-Inch Ceramic Garlic Keeper

This classic blue and white ornamental garlic keeper is the perfect color and shape to flatter your kitchen aesthetic, whether barnhouse modern or more traditional. Plus, it has an extra-large capacity to keep you well stocked in this necessary allium.

Why we love it:

While this cute keeper may not be hand-painted, it certainly looks like it is! And that attention to detail is just one of the reasons we love this keeper.

Our second favorite thing about it? It’s one of the biggest keepers featured on this list.

It measures 5” by 6”, making it easily big enough to fit 5 bulbs of standard garlic or 3 to 4 large bulbs. In fact, if the mouth was just a touch wider, you could probably stuff even more into this canister.

This kiln-fired ceramic keeper has extra ventilation along the front and back, making it perfect for use in high-humidity environments. Just be sure to place it on the back of your counter out of the light’s reach.

Details:

• Size: 5 bulbs
• Material: Ceramic
• Color: White and blue
• Price:  $

9. Cottage Creek Garlic Clove Storage

If you’re going to keep your garlic canister on the counter, you might as well choose one that doubles as a piece of art. You’ll get just that with this hand-made garlic keeper from Cottage Creek.

Why we love it: 

Honestly, what’s not to love? 

This one-of-a-kind piece is hand-glazed and kiln fired for a unique finish. The color varies from rose pink to deep, purple-blue. And the mushroom cap shape of the bulbous body and wide top give it a unique look that runs deeper than the paint on it. 

This simple yet beautiful garlic keeper can hold up to three bulbs of garlic. Uniquely, it has ventilation holes in the lid instead of in the body. 

We love the look this creates but it does reduce airflow somewhat, making this keeper best for users in drier climates. It also means you need to be careful about where you place the keeper to reduce how much light comes through the top. We recommend keeping it on the back of the counter below an overhead cupboard.

Given the character of this gorgeous piece and the quality, it’s pretty well-priced. It would make a great gift for a loved one but is also worth the buy to spoil yourself and bring some gorgeous, functional art into your kitchen.

Details:

• Size: 2 to 3 bulbs
• Material: Glazed ceramic
• Color: Pink to blue
• Price: $$

10. Esschert Design Garlic Storage Tin

Metal isn’t the best material for a garlic keeper, but it can be effective with the right design. Plus, tin keepers like this canister from Esschert, make for a super-cute addition to your kitchen counter.

Why we love it:

This garlic tin is for all the garlic super-fans out there. It can easily hold 6 to 7 heads of garlic, with some users claiming to have gotten up to 9 into this wide-mouthed, deep keeper.

The simple cylindrical design is key to that large capacity and fits well with the modern barnhouse vibe that is so popular these days.

Metal keepers do not typically keep garlic as long as other materials because they lack the ability to absorb moisture and protect from temperature fluctuations. But, since this one does include ventilation holes, it will work well in low-humidity environments.

Like other containers with front-facing vents, make sure to keep this one out of the light to prevent premature sprouting.

Details:

• Size: 6 or more bulbs
• Material: Metal
• Color: White
• Price: $

11. Mud Pie Garlic Keepers

This simple but adorable garlic keeper from Mud Pie is perfect for the minimalist hoping for a clean look and an effective product.

Why we love it:

This standard-sized keeper holds about 2 bulbs of garlic while blending easily into any decor.

The light and elegant wood lid lays over the wide opening to prevent light from getting in. The position of the ventilation holes, which are set along the top rim, also help keep light off your precious bulbs.

We do tend to shy away from keepers with top-set vents because they do not always allow for adequate airflow. However, combined with the moisture absorbing ceramic, this keeper is effective in keeping bulbs fresh in low to medium-humid environments.

Overall, it’s a cute keeper that’s deceptively small, but perfect for keeping a couple bulbs fresh while not drawing too much attention.

Details:

• Size: 2 bulbs
• Material: Ceramic with wood
• Color: White
• Price: $

How to Select a Garlic Keeper

There are a surprising number of options available to you in the garlic keeper department. That can make it difficult to find the right product to meet your needs.

That’s why we put together this hand garlic keeper buyer’s guide.

We’ll walk you through the different materials, the pros and cons of each, the sizes available, and the options of multi-use keepers.

Material

The most common material you’ll find garlic keepers made of is ceramic.

When fully glazed, ceramic allows for an easy-to-clean, non-odor-absorbing surface that is still effective in protecting garlic from light and temperature fluctuations.

When raw (typically only on the inside), ceramic can also help absorb moisture and keep your garlic fresher longer.

Like raw ceramic, terracotta is great for absorbing moisture and keeping temps inside stable. Terracotta is also very heat-tolerant and these products can often double as garlic bakers.

Porcelain is similar to glazed ceramic. It’s highly durable, easy to clean, and will not absorb odor.

Some garlic keepers you will find are made of metal or tin. This durable, light material offers a different look, but requires more ventilation to keep garlic from molding or sprouting due to excess moisture.

Sizes

Garlic keepers come in many sizes, with some designed to hold a single bulb and others capable of holding six bulbs or more.

Consider how much garlic you’ll go through in about two months–the extended lifespan of garlic kept in a keeper.

Buying too small of a canister will leave you wanting for garlic while buying one that’s too large will have you wasting money on food that’ll inevitably go bad before it’s used.

Uses

Some garlic keepers double as garlic bakers and can be used in the oven.

Cooking alliums in a baker produces juicier, more evenly baked garlic and onions faster than you’ll get on a baking sheet. And having this two-in-one product will save you storage space.

Most garlic keepers can double as shallot storage while the largest sizes can even store onions.

How to Help Your Garlic Last

Garlic keepers will go a long way in keeping your garlic fresh until you’re ready to chop it up to use in your favorite recipe (HINT: A sharp knife makes all the difference). But there are additional steps you can take to further prolong their usability.

Temperature

Warm environments will encourage garlic to sprout, so it’s best to keep them cool.

Placing them in the fridge, however, is not recommended. Cold temps tend to make garlic taste more bitter.

Instead, aim to keep your garlic at between 55 and 65 degrees whenever possible.

Moisture

Excess moisture has two negative effects on garlic (it’s also not good for garlic powder).

First, it induces sprouting, which makes garlic taste bitter and shortens its shelf life. Secondly, a lot of moisture can cause mold to grow, leading to rot.

On the other hand, too little humidity will cause the cloves to wither and dry out. One way to help avoid this is to keep your bulbs together (rather than pulling apart the individual cloves). This decreases the surface area to avoid overdrying.

Light

Exposing your garlic to light can also lead to sprouting. 

Keeping your bulbs in a garlic keeper is the first line of defense against light. But ventilation holes can still allow some light in. To be safe, always store your keeper in a darker corner or area of the counter.

FAQ

Do garlic keepers actually work?

Yes, a quality garlic keeper will help keep your garlic fresher longer. It does this by reducing temperature fluctuations, wicking excess moisture, and blocking light that causes sprouting.

What is the best container for storing garlic?

Terracotta (or raw clay) is the best option for a garlic storage container. This is because this material helps keep the humidity down while also keeping the bulbs cooler than ceramic, metal, or wood can.

How long will garlic last in a garlic keeper?

A good garlic keeper can help your garlic last for six months or more on your countertop. If you use one of these in a cellar that’s cool and dark, your garlic can last up to 12 months.

Put Your Garlic to Use

Got more garlic than your garlic keeper can hold? We have plenty of delicious recipes to help you put that excess to use.

For a blast of garlic to accompany any savory dinner, try our vegan garlic bread. Or if you’re craving a garlicky dinner, check out our roasted asparagus and mushrooms, stuffed zucchini boats, or vegan lettuce wraps (hint: these wraps are even better with our garlicky peanut sauce).

And don’t forget to take a look at our list of the best garlic presses to make your garlic prep easier.

If you like these recipes and product recommendations, don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter. We’ll send you more great vegan content like this each week.

The Best Garlic Keeper You Can Buy

When it comes to keeping your garlic fresh for an extended period, there’s no better tool than an effective garlic keeper.

And one of the most effective garlic keepers out there is the Okavango Garlic Keeper. This beautiful ceramic and clay keeper is versatile, easy to clean, and crafted to keep your garlic fresh for as long as possible.

Of course, if you’re looking for something a little different, we’ve included plenty of other options on our list above.

What is your favorite way to use up your garlic? Let us know in the comments.

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Sara Seitz

I'm a professional freelance writer with decades of experience learning about and living a green, clean life.

I grew up in Colorado under the influence of three generations of knowledgeable women who knew their way around the garden. I graduated from Colorado State University with a bachelor of science in biology and a minor in English. A year before graduation, my life was upended by an unexpected diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes.

Facing the reality of living with an incurable autoimmune disease I left to reflect hard on my lifestyle. While this type of diabetes cannot be cured or treated with diet, I was certain that focusing on my health and fueling my body with clean food would help better manage the condition. As a lifelong animal lover, it wasn’t difficult for me to transition fully to a vegan diet.
When I'm not constructing articles for clients, you can find me wrist-deep in dirt in my vegetable garden, hiking with my dogs, or back in front of the computer creating imaginative worlds in my quest to become a published fiction writer.

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