Black Garlic Oil (Mayu): Easy Homemade Recipe for Deep Umami Flavor
Meet black garlic oil, also known as mayu in Japanese cuisine. This aromatic finishing oil brings sweet, mellow umami to ramen, rice bowls, roasted vegetables, and grilled meats. Traditional versions toast garlic until nearly black. Our home cook method uses I Love Black Garlic Purée for fast, consistent results with no risk of burning.
Yield about ¾ cup • Time 10 minutes
Ingredients
- ½ cup neutral oil (avocado, grapeseed, or canola)
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 tbsp I Love Black Garlic Purée
- 1 tsp soy sauce, optional
- Pinch of chili flakes, optional
Instructions
- Warm the oil Add neutral oil and sesame oil to a small saucepan over low heat.
- Infuse Stir in black garlic purée and cook gently 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often. Keep heat low. The oil should not bubble.
- Season Add soy sauce and chili flakes if using. Stir to combine, then remove from heat.
- Strain or keep rustic For a clear oil, strain through a fine mesh sieve. For more body, leave the bits in.
- Cool and store Let cool fully. Transfer to a clean glass jar. Refrigerate up to 2 weeks.
Tips and Variations
- Ramen finish Drizzle 1 teaspoon per bowl just before serving.
- Vegetables Toss with roasted broccoli, mushrooms, or carrots right out of the oven.
- Grilled meats Brush over chicken or steak as a finishing oil for shine and aroma.
- Peeled cloves option No purée on hand, mash 4 to 5 peeled black garlic cloves into a paste and use in place of the purée.
- Do not overheat Gentle heat preserves black garlic’s caramel notes and keeps the oil from turning bitter.
Approximate Nutrition, per teaspoon
Calories 40, Fat 4.5 g, Carbs 0.2 g, Sugar 0 g, Sodium 10 mg
Try It With
Swirl mayu into Black Garlic Mashed Potatoes, add a few drops over Weeknight Black Garlic Sauce for Chicken, or serve beside Homemade Black Garlic Ketchup for a playful contrast.
Make It With The Best Black Garlic
For the smoothest infusion, start with I Love Black Garlic Purée, 7 oz. Prefer soft pieces in the oil, fold in finely minced Peeled Black Garlic Cloves, 5 oz at the end.
