Garlic syrup is the sweet-heat shortcut that makes everyday food taste like you meant to do something clever. Stoke the Fire Spicy Garlic Syrup brings garlicky flavour, a little sweetness, and a warm kick to everything from breakfast to cocktails.
Start with a teaspoon, taste, and add more as you go. Here are some of our favourite ways to use it.
Breakfast and brunch
- Eggs: Drizzle it over scrambled eggs, fried eggs, omelettes, or a breakfast sandwich.
- Avocado toast: Add a thin zigzag over avocado toast with flaky salt and a squeeze of lime.
- Hash browns and roasted potatoes: Finish with garlic syrup just before serving so the flavour stays bright.
- Brunch cocktails: Stir a little into a Caesar or use it to rim the glass with a sweet-garlicky twist.
Lunch, dinner, and meal prep
- Stir-fries and noodles: Toss it through ramen, rice noodles, fried rice, or your favourite vegetable stir-fry.
- Dumplings and spring rolls: Use it straight as a dipping sauce, or mix it with soy sauce and rice vinegar.
- Chicken, pork, and ribs: Brush it on during the final few minutes of grilling or roasting for a glossy finish.
- Salmon and prawns: Combine it with lime juice and a little oil for a quick glaze.
- Roasted vegetables: Try it on carrots, Brussels sprouts, squash, cauliflower, or sweet potatoes.
- Pizza and flatbread: Drizzle it over pepperoni, sausage, roasted vegetables, or a simple cheese pizza after it comes out of the oven.
Make a quick sauce or dressing
Garlic syrup is an easy starting point for sauces. Mix it with mayonnaise for a sweet-garlic dip or sandwich spread. Whisk it with lime juice, rice vinegar, and sesame oil for a salad dressing. Stir it into soy sauce for a fast marinade or dipping sauce. For a creamy version, add it to sour cream or Greek yogurt with a pinch of salt.
Cheese, snacks, and sharing plates
- Drizzle it over goat cheese, brie, cream cheese, or a sharp cheddar board.
- Add it to popcorn with melted butter and a pinch of smoked salt.
- Use it on roasted nuts, fries, onion rings, or sweet potato wedges.
- Finish grilled cheese, quesadillas, nachos, or loaded fries with a few drops.
Drinks
Add a small splash to a Caesar, Bloody Mary, michelada, or ginger beer. It also works in a spicy margarita, especially with lime and tequila. For a zero-proof option, mix it with lime, sparkling water, and plenty of ice.
Sweet-and-spicy ideas
Garlic syrup is especially good anywhere you want a sweet finish with savoury depth. Try a little on grilled pineapple, mango, watermelon with lime, or vanilla ice cream if you like unexpected flavour combinations. Keep the drizzle light and let the garlic sit in the background.
Three easy combinations to try first
- Eggs + avocado toast: Garlic syrup, lime, flaky salt, and fresh cilantro.
- Dumplings: Garlic syrup, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sliced green onion.
- Spicy mayo: Garlic syrup stirred into mayonnaise for sandwiches, fries, sushi bowls, and dipping.
There is no need to overthink it. If a dish could use a little sweetness, garlic, or heat, garlic syrup is probably worth a try.