It’s easy to source garlic powder substitutes from your kitchen shelf itself. So don’t worry if you have run out of this wonderful spice.
Adding ground garlic to pasta, pizza, or grilled chicken is a must-have ingredient for many of us. Even without the ground garlic, adding other garlic products can still get the same flavor.
If you don’t wish to add garlic to your foods for some reason, you also have a few other good alternatives to garlic. But you may lose out on flavor.
Yes, in this article, you will learn about the best replacements for garlic powder.
What is Garlic Powder?
Garlic powder is made by dehydrating the raw garlic and finely grinding it into powder form.
Homemade garlic powder is tastier and is a versatile recipe ingredient that calls for fresh or dried garlic.
It’s more concentrated and has an intense flavor similar to fresh garlic.
By the way, don’t mistake garlic powder for garlic salt. Garlic powder contains only pure garlic and no salt.
Uses of garlic powder in cooking
Garlic powder is a flavoring spice used in some recipes.
It gives the food a rich, garlicky aroma and taste. However, the taste is a bit different from fresh garlic.
It is sweeter and has a milder flavor than fresh garlic. It produces a flavor akin to roasted or sautéed garlic.
Garlic powder is common in salad dressings, sauces, soups, rubs, and marinades. You can also sprinkle it over grilled meat and vegetables.
It is possible to use garlic powder as a substitute for raw garlic, to make salad dressing, and as a seasoning. Above all, it is very convenient and easy to store in your recipes.
7 Best Garlic Powder Substitutes
Garlic powder is a versatile spice ingredient that you should have in your kitchen. Occasionally, you might just run out of it, or, for some reason, you prefer to substitute it. The same ingredients can also be used as substitutes for fresh garlic as well.
The best substitutes for garlic powder are granulated garlic, fresh garlic, minced garlic, garlic puree, garlic salt, garlic juice, garlic flakes, onion powder, shallots or onions, chives, and cumin.
Here are the top 7Â garlic powder replacements that we recommend:
1. Granulated garlic
Granulated garlic and garlic powder are prepared in the same way. The main difference lies in its appearance.
Granulated garlic has a thick, granule-like texture, while garlic powder is finely ground.
You can get roasted granulated garlic with a mild flavor or an unroasted one with a strong flavor.
Ground garlic contains more garlic in concentrated form. You must use a higher amount of garlic granules in place of garlic fine powder. Instead of one teaspoon of ground garlic, use two teaspoons of garlic granules.
2. Garlic salt
Garlic salt is a flavored mixture of dried, ground garlic and table salt. Also, it may contain an anti-caking agent like calcium silicate.
It’s best to add salted garlic in recipes that require both garlic and a salty, savory flavor.
Please note you should use a small quantity of garlic salt, or your dish will become salty.
When utilizing garlic salt instead of garlic powder, use 3 teaspoons of garlic salt for 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
If adding garlic salt in place of garlic powder, keep an eye on the additional salt in your recipe.
3. Minced garlic
Minced garlic is made from thinly chopped garlic cloves. Very finely chopped or minced garlic is less than 1/16 inch in diameter, as big as cornmeal.
In dishes that require sautéing, minced garlic is a good substitute for garlic powder.
Minced garlic won’t go well with grilled items like barbecue.
Minced garlic has a stronger flavor than ground garlic. One teaspoon of jarred minced garlic is enough to substitute for two teaspoons of garlic powder.
4. Fresh garlic cloves
When you wish to add garlic flavor to your dishes, there is no better choice than raw garlic cloves or juice.
In fact, for any dish that requires sautéing, garlic powder comes only second to cloves of garlic.
Raw garlic gives your curries a more intense flavor and aroma. It also retains all the nutrients contained in garlic.
One clove of raw garlic is equal to 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder.
5. Garlic flakes
Garlic flakes are thinly chopped, dehydrated pieces of garlic. Like garlic powder, they have an intense flavor.
You use it in liquid dishes that need some cooking. Ideally, they work well in stews, sauces, soups, and meatloaves.
It is easy to replace garlic powder with flakes in liquid dishes. You can also grind the garlic flakes and use them in other dishes.
One teaspoon of garlic flake is equal to ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder.
6. Garlic puree
Garlic puree, made from fresh cloves, is another worthy alternative to ground dry garlic.
However, the two ingredients have different moisture levels and intensities of flavor. Adjust the amount of liquids used in your recipes accordingly.
As a general rule, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder is equivalent to about 2-3 teaspoons of garlic puree.
7. Garlic juice
Garlic juice is an effective option to swap out powdered garlic in some recipes. These two ingredients differ in texture.
Garlic juice may have a stronger flavor than garlic powder, so you may want to use a smaller amount to avoid overpowering your dish.
Also, garlic juice may add more liquid to your recipe, so you may need to adjust other ingredients accordingly.
Non-garlic Alternatives
If you have run out of all the above options for garlic varieties, you must use other ingredients as substitutes. That is to say; you do not have any type of garlic available at your disposal.
You can use other ingredients that have good flavor and delicious effects. Some of them are:
- Onions
- Chives
- Asafetida powder
- Shallots
On a negative note, these substitutes won’t provide pure garlic’s delicious flavor and aroma.
Garlic Powder vs. Fresh Garlic Cloves
Garlic is one of ancient history’s oldest and most popularly used spices.
Garlic goes well with almost every type of cuisine. Using fresh garlic cloves is better than using any other form of garlic. Furthermore, the fullest health benefits of garlic are found only in fresh cloves.
Garlic powder is less potent than fresh garlic in flavor and nutrition content.
Indeed, garlic powder is easier to work with and has a shelf life of 6 months. You can easily sprinkle the ground garlic over any dish to instantly add garlic flavor.
All other forms of garlic, like fresh garlic cloves, minced cloves, or garlic salt, are excellent garlic powder substitutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can onion powder be used as an alternative to garlic powder?
While onion powder and garlic powder may have similar flavors, the former does not have the intense flavor of garlic. Onion powder has a sweeter and milder flavor compared to the former. It has a stronger and more pungent taste. So if your recipe specifically calls for garlic powder, using onion powder instead may significantly alter the flavor of the dish.
Can I use garlic scapes as a ground garlic substitute?
Garlic scapes are the curly green tops of the garlic plant that are harvested before the garlic bulb is matured. They have a mild garlic flavor and can be chopped and used in place of garlic powder in a variety of dishes such as stir-fries, salads, soups, and pasta dishes.
Can asafoetida powder be an alternative to garlic powder?
Asafoetida powder, also known as hing, is often used as a substitute for garlic in Indian cuisine. However, it has a distinct flavor and aroma. Thus, may not be an exact replacement for garlic powder. While both garlic powder and asafoetida powder are used to add a savory, umami flavor to dishes, they have different taste profiles.
Read next:
Article source:
- PubMed – Allicin: chemistry and biological properties.
- PubMed – Comparison of therapeutic effects of garlic and d-Penicillamine in patients with chronic occupational lead poisoning.
- The Journal of Nutrition: Intake of Garlic and Its Bioactive Components