Looking for a garlic powder substitute?! If you love the taste of garlic, garlic powder must be a holy grail for you. It works great with most savory dishes. But if you use it too much, there’s always the possibility of running out of it.
So in this article, let’s talk about some of the best garlic powder substitutes.
Whether you are cooking a stew, salad, meat sauce, or even a pizza, garlic powder is just unmissable. Garlic powder contributes to both the aroma and flavor of the dish. So opting out of garlic powder is not an option.
As you can imagine, garlic powder is nothing but dried and dehydrated garlic in a powdered form. So what could be its substitutes?
Some of the best garlic powder substitutes are fresh garlic, garlic flakes, garlic salt, garlic juice, onion powder, minced chives, and asafoetida.
A good garlic powder substitute can be handy if you don’t have any garlic powder at home! Running to a grocery store amidst the cooking might be too much! Other than doing that, scroll down to see if you have any of these garlic powder substitutes in your kitchen cupboard.
12 Best Garlic Powder Substitutes
With its piquant flavor and exotic taste, garlic powder is a favorite kitchen ingredient. Just a splash of it can bring some new taste to your dish. But if you don’t have them, pick a suitable garlic powder substitute from the following list.
Garlic-Based Garlic Powder Substitutes
There is no such substitute that could exactly mimic the taste of garlic other than garlic. So before going into other substitutes, let’s look at some garlic powder substitutes that have garlic in them in some form.
1. Fresh garlic
Garlic powder is nothing but garlic in dried and powdered form. Hence fresh garlic can be used instead of garlic powder. It is also one of the cheapest and easily available garlic powder substitutes.
Most of us can find some fresh garlic in our kitchens. You can cut it into small pieces, mince it, or grind it according to your recipe. However, fresh garlic has a more strong flavor profile than powdered garlic.
Hence while using fresh garlic as a garlic powder substitute, take half the amount of fresh garlic as that of powdered for.
2. Minced garlic
Minced garlic is fresh garlic in minced form. It is just flavorful and aromatic as fresh garlic and is a suitable garlic powder substitute.
While using minced garlic as a garlic powder substitute, keep in mind that minced garlic is more flavorful than garlic powder.
Therefore, while using minced garlic as a garlic powder substitute, use half a teaspoon of minced garlic for every teaspoon of garlic powder. Minced garlic works well as a garlic powder substitute in pan-fried or pan-stirred dishes.
3. Granulated garlic
Many people mistakenly believe that garlic powder and granulated garlic are the same. However, both of them are different. Granulated garlic has much bigger size garlic particles than garlic powder.
But when it comes to taste and aroma, both granulated garlic and garlic powder are similar. Granulated garlic has a milder taste than fresh garlic and is an appropriate garlic powder substitute.
However, since granulated garlic has a bigger particle size, it has a much milder taste than garlic powder. Hence while using grated garlic powder as a garlic powder substitute, use twice the amount of garlic powder.
4. Garlic Flakes
Garlic flakes are big pieces of garlic in dried form. It tastes similar to garlic powder and is a great garlic powder substitute. Garlic flakes are a little tricky to use. You can use them directly.
But if you want a stronger garlic flavor, soak the garlic flakes in water and grind them to get the garlic in minced form. It is much more flavorful and blends very well with most dishes that call for garlic powder.
5. Garlic Puree
Garlic puree has a strong flavor profile and works well as a garlic powder substitute. Garlic puree, as you know, is garlic in pureed form. Therefore when using garlic puree as a garlic powder substitute, only use ¼ of the needed amount.
6. Garlic Juice
Garlic juice is an underrated garlic powder substitute. Garlic juice has a very strong garlic flavor and works well with most dishes that call for garlic powder. Therefore garlic juice can be stated as an excellent garlic powder substitute.
Garlic juice is in liquid form and has a very strong taste. Hence while garlic juice, start by adding little by little into the dish and stop when you get the desired garlic flavor.
7. Garlic Salt
Garlic salt is a seasoning salt made of garlic powder and salt. It is often mistaken as garlic powder. It lends a garlic flavor to the food, along with some saltiness. Therefore, garlic salt can be used as a garlic powder substitute.
Garlic salt combines three teaspoons of salt with one teaspoon of garlic powder. Hence the salt flavor will be a little more prominent than the garlic powder. Hence while using garlic salt as a garlic powder substitute, keep an eye on the overall salt of the dish.
Non-Garlic Garlic Powder Substitutes
Garlic powder is a great ingredient! However, many of us simply hate the smell and taste of garlic. If you are one such person, I get you! That’s why I have picked up some amazing garlic powder substitutes that have nothing to do with real garlic.
8. Minced Shallots
Shallot has a slightly pungent smell, which is very similar to garlic powder. Hence, if you dislike garlic powder, minced garlic could be your go-to substitute.
Shallot looks so much like an onion but in a smaller size. It is purple and can be eaten in raw form and cooked form.
If you are using shallots as a garlic powder substitute in a cooked dish, make sure to sauté it before adding it to the dish for the best taste.
9. Onion Powder
Onion powder needs no special introduction and is as famous as that garlic powder. It has a pungent aroma and a strong onion taste, bringing a savory touch to dishes like garlic powder. Hence it can be used as a garlic powder substitute.
Onion powder is the ideal garlic powder substitute for you if you hate the smell of garlic yet want to add a similar-tasting powder to your recipe. Onion powder is dried and dehydrated onion and is less flavorful than garlic powder.
Therefore, while using onion powder as a garlic powder substitute, use twice the amount of onion powder for the best taste.
10. Minced Chives
Chives are a very pungent-tasting ingredient and are an ideal garlic powder substitute. It tastes somewhat between garlic and onion and brings a peppery taste to the dish, similar to garlic powder.
11. Asafoetida Powder
Asafoetida powder might not be a familiar name to many. However, this spice powder has a strong taste and smells similar to garlic powder. Hence if you have some asafoetida powder, you can use it as a garlic powder substitute.
Asafoetida powder might be hard to come in local stores. However, this powder is cheap and has many health benefits. While using asafoetida powder as a garlic powder substitute, follow the 1:1 ratio.
12. Cumin
Cumin is a flavorful seed and has a strong taste. It brings a little peppery taste to the dish and goes well with most garlic powder dishes. Hence, if you love its taste, cumin can be used as a garlic powder substitute.
Cumin can be used as a whole or in powdered form. While using cumin as a garlic powder substitute, use only half the teaspoon of cumin powder to that of garlic powder.
Short Recap Of Garlic Powder Substitutes
After going through the list of garlic powder substitutes, I’m sure you must have chosen one for yourself. However, if you are still perplexed regarding what to choose from these, let me further break it down.
Best Easily Available Garlic Powder Substitutes –
- Fresh Garlic
Most Suitable Garlic Powder Substitutes –
- Fresh Garlic
- Onion Powder
Substitute Options To Consider Last –
- Cumin
How To Use Garlic Powder Substitutes In A Recipe
12 Best Garlic Powder Substitutes You Should Try!
Ingredients
- Fresh Garlic
- Minced Garlic
- Garlic Flakes
- Garlic Puree
- Garlic Juice
- Granulated Garlic
- Garlic Salt
- Minced Shallots
- Onion Powder
- Minced Chives
- Asafoetida Powder
- Cumin
Instructions
- Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe.
- Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
- Use the substitute in the required amount and proceed to make the dish according to the recipe.
Final Thoughts
Garlic powder is undoubtedly one of the most convenient and flavorful powdered ingredients we have in our kitchen. Just a teaspoon of garlic powder brings a new twist to your dish. It works well in sauces, dips, and even in pizzas.
However, running out of an ingredient is not a new thing! Hence next time you are out of garlic powder, use any of these garlic powder substitutes. All of them bring a similar or almost similar flavor to the food, just like the garlic powder.
If you plan to try any of them, choose the most suitable one according to your recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What can I use instead of garlic powder?
Fresh garlic, garlic flakes, garlic salt, garlic juice, onion powder, minced chives, and asafoetida are some of the best garlic powder substitute.
What is the closest substitute for garlic powder?
Onion powder is the closest substitute for garlic powder.
What’s the difference between garlic and garlic powder?
Garlic is often referred to as fresh garlic. Garlic powder is dried and dehydrated garlic in powdered form.
Is garlic powder better than fresh?
Yes. Garlic powder is more convenient to use and have similar health benefits as that of fresh garlic.
