National Garlic Day (April 19)
National Garlic Day on April 19 isn’t one I ever planned around, but it’s surprisingly easy to use once you notice it.
Garlic is already in so many meals that kids don’t need much convincing to join in, and it doesn’t take much effort to turn it into something a bit more interesting than just dinner as usual.
When is the Holiday?
National Garlic Day is celebrated every year on April 19th.
Who Invented It?
Like many food-themed holidays, this holiday doesn’t have a specific founder. It likely emerged organically as garlic lovers and food enthusiasts embraced a day to appreciate this essential ingredient.
The History of the Holiday
Garlic’s been around for a long time, originally growing in Central Asia before spreading pretty much everywhere. It wasn’t just used for cooking either.
The Egyptians took it seriously enough to include it in tombs, and workers building the pyramids were given garlic regularly. The Greeks and Romans thought it helped with strength and endurance, which feels like a stretch, but it stuck.
Later on, people carried it around to protect against illness, and somewhere along the way it picked up the whole vampire reputation too.
These days it’s just… everywhere. Not in a dramatic way, just quietly doing its job in the background of most meals.
Coloring Page
This is one of those easy add-ons that works when you don’t want to overthink things. The garlic coloring page gives kids something to get on with while you talk, cook, or just figure out what you’re doing next.
It also works quite well if you’re explaining how garlic grows, because most kids don’t realise it starts as a bulb and splits into cloves.
Activities to Celebrate
Cooking something simple is probably the easiest way to mark it. Garlic bread, roasted potatoes, even just adding extra garlic to something you were already making, none of it needs planning.
If kids want to help, peeling cloves usually turns into a bit of a challenge (they always underestimate how fiddly it is), but they stick with it.
Trying something slightly unusual can be fun too. Honey-fermented garlic sounds odd at first, but once you see how it changes over time, it makes more sense. Same with black garlic, it doesn’t taste how you expect.
If you’ve got space, planting garlic is one of the lower-effort things you can do. You kind of forget about it, then come back to it later and it’s actually grown.
Or keep it simple. Taste a few different types, talk about why they’re different, and leave it at that.
Related Recipes for the Holiday
If you’re planning to actually cook something, garlic makes this one easy. You don’t need anything complicated, just something where it’s the main flavor.
Garlic Butter Shrimp is a quick win if you want something that feels a bit special without much effort. It cooks fast, smells amazing, and even picky eaters usually give it a go.
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes are a safe option if you’re feeding a group. They’re familiar, just with a bit more depth, and you can make them ahead if needed.
A simple Garlic Bread Spread is probably the easiest place to start. Mix it, spread it, done. This is usually the one kids hover around for.
Garlic Lemon Asparagus works well if you want something lighter on the side. It’s quick, and the lemon cuts through the garlic so it doesn’t feel too heavy.
40 Clove Garlic Chicken sounds like a lot (it is), but the flavor ends up much milder than you’d expect. It’s one of those dishes that looks impressive without being difficult.
Garlic Parmesan Sourdough Bread is more of a weekend project, but worth it if you enjoy baking. The flavor is stronger and a bit more savoury than standard garlic bread.
Garlic Butter Green Beans are one of those last-minute sides that still feel like you made an effort. Quick, reliable, and hard to mess up.
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is about as simple as it gets, but it works. Just garlic, oil, and a bit of heat, nothing fancy, but it always comes together.
Garlic Chili Oil is useful to have around rather than making it just for the day. Once it’s done, you end up adding it to everything.
Garlic Roasted Potatoes are probably the easiest crowd-pleaser here. Crispy, soft in the middle, and they go with pretty much anything.
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Links to Resources
If you’re using this as a starting point, a few simple tools can make things easier. A garlic press saves a lot of time (especially if you’re cooking with kids), while a small growing kit is a nice way to try planting it without needing a full garden.
If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, a black garlic fermenter is interesting to try, although definitely more of a longer-term project.
Related Holidays
Garlic lovers might also enjoy celebrating National Onion Day in June, which highlights another essential kitchen staple.
National Herb Day in May is perfect for those who love fresh flavors in their cooking.
If you appreciate bold tastes, National Hot Sauce Day in January is an exciting way to explore spicy creations.
National Stuffed Mushroom Day is another great fit, since garlic is a key ingredient in many classic stuffed mushroom recipes.
These holidays celebrate ingredients that, like garlic, make food more delicious and exciting!
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