5 Ways to Use Black Garlic in Cinco de Mayo-Inspired Creations!

Contrary to what some people outside of Mexico believe, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day or Dia de la Independencia, which falls on September 16th. According to HISTORY’s article “Cinco de Mayo:” “Cinco de Mayo… celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s May 5, 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War… also known as Battle of Puebla Day.”

The Battle of Puebla is inspiring; telling the story of 6,000 well-armed and trained French troops eventually retreating from a group of only 2,000 Mexican men. Not only were the Mexican troops outnumbered 3 to 1, they were also not as heavily armed as their opponents. Yet, 500 French soldiers were killed in the Battle of Puebla, while less than 100 Mexicans perished in the battle before the French retreated. 

Today, many celebrate Mexican culture and heritage on Cinco de Mayo. Prior to the Covid-19 Pandemic, there would be Cinco de Mayo parades and parties in many communities, but social distancing rules will certainly affect how Cinco de Mayo is celebrated today.

Despite the unusual times we are currently experiencing, we can still celebrate Mexican culture with music, dance, and especially with food! If you are making delicious goodies in the kitchen this Cinco de Mayo then we hope you will invite Black Garlic to be a part of your celebration! Here are 5 simple ways you can use black garlic in your cooking today or any day you are craving these delicious dishes!

 1. Tortilla Chips + Black Garlic Powder

I wouldn’t dream of skipping the heaping bowl of tortilla chips on my dining room table this year, and you shouldn’t either! Elevate these crunchy delights to the next level by sprinkling black garlic powder on the warm chips before munching. You will taste that this addictive teaser can be even MORE addictive with black garlic. That’s it – how easy is that?!

Ready to make your own Tortilla Chips this year? Try this fun Homemade Tortilla Chips Recipe from Elise Bauer at Simply Recipes – just don’t forget to add black garlic powder to the recipe!

2. Salsa & Guac + Black Garlic Puree or Black Garlic Cloves

If you are going to make chips you might as well make something to dip them into! Mix up some salsa, guacamole, or both! Just don’t forget the black garlic.  

Chefs and home cooks alike have been experimenting with black garlic in their salsa and guac so it won’t be too difficult to find a black garlic recipe that you will love, but if you already have your dream recipe/brand then just add a few cloves of diced black garlic cloves to the bowl or jar, and stir! 

Want to whip up an incredible black garlic salsa recipe this Cinco de Mayo? Try Chef Patricio Wise’s Salsa Negra from Nixtaco Mexican Restaurant. Apparently, this stuff can go on ANYTHING (Poblano Soup, Goose, and more). The recipe page even linked to our brand of Black Garlic on Amazon! But during the Coronavirus Pandemic, Amazon is limiting their shipping to only essential goods so it will be best to shop directly from our Online Black Garlic Store.

Also try our Black Garlic North America Kitchen Black Garlic Guacamole Recipe for an easy and delicious guac to keep those tortilla chips company!

Notes: Black Garlic is ready to eat, directly from the package. You don’t need to cook or warm the cloves prior to eating them! If you have Pureed Black Garlic on-hand, you can use it instead of black garlic cloves in your salsa. Mix only a half-teaspoon at a time into your salsa and taste before adding more.

3. Cheesy Quesadillas + Black Garlic Cloves

By now you should know that Black Garlic and Cheese are a perfect pair! Our Instagram features recipes of cheesy pizzas and pastas from home cooks, and the recipe pages on our website are full of cheese and black garlic combinations. Cheesy dishes are just aching for a little savory and sweet black garlic to punch up the flavor and wake up the taste buds! So, next time you are making a batch of quesadillas, sprinkle a couple of diced cloves of black garlic onto the cheesy layer before folding over or topping with a tortilla!

New to making quesadillas? No problem! Try this Quesadilla Recipe from Elise Bauer at Simply Recipes, and add Peeled or Whole Bulb Black Garlic to the Ingredients list (diced). 

4. Mexican Street Corn + Black Garlic Powder

If you are as obsessed with sweet corn as I am then fire up the grill, shuck the corn, and melt the butter!

Grilled sweet corn is a Cinco de Mayo treat and it is done up in a variety of ways. Depending on where you live in the United States it might be a while until you can get your hands on some fresh sweet corn, but we hope you won’t forget this delicious tip by the time you see those ears at your local farmer’s market! 

The simplest way to enjoy this treat is to sprinkle savory Black Garlic Powder onto buttery grilled sweet corn. After you taste it, we know you will be using black garlic powder just as much as salt and pepper in your everyday cooking. Step aside, table salt!

The combination of butter and black garlic isn’t new; try this Black Garlic Compound Butter Recipe to taste the combo on noodles, meat, eggs, toast, burger buns, veggies, on top of popcorn and more!

Looking for a challenge, or a more authentic grilled corn? Consider making this Mexican Street Corn (Elotes) Recipe from Marzia at Little Spice Jar and substitute the garlic powder with our black garlic powder in the mayo! 

5. Taco Salad + Black Garlic Cloves

Last, but not least, something delicious, fresh (and easy!) for Spring: Taco Salad! 

Save the calories (depending on the recipe!) and celebrate the day with a colorful Taco Salad (there are vegan taco salad recipes, too!) and complete the salad with black garlic. Simply grab a bowl, mix up your favorite veggies, add southwest toppings, and toss a few diced black garlic cloves on top. Ta-da! 

Check out this Vegan Taco Salad Recipe from Shannon at Homegrown Provisions and add black garlic to the shopping list. 

Or, for something crunchy and cheesy, try this Ultimate Dorito Taco Salad from Sommer Collier at A Spicy Perspective. You could throw a few diced cloves of black garlic on top, mix some diced cloves into the salsa or sprinkle some powder on the dressing. The options are endless! I would love to try this recipe with some Black Garlic Doritos but they are still only available in Japan.

That wraps up 5 ways to use Black Garlic this Cinco de Mayo! We didn’t even mention to add black garlic to your spicy cornbread, or to mix it into your black beans, or to top tacos and nachos with diced cloves! How will you use black garlic today?

Shop our online store for Black Garlic that is sourced from North America and produced in Wisconsin, USA. Organic Black Garlic is also available, and all our black garlic is vegan, gluten-free, preservative-free and 100% Natural. Shopping is easy and shipping is fast and FREE, with NO MINIMUM ORDER. So, what are you waiting for?

Happy Cinco de Mayo!