In my kitchen, there will always be onion and garlic powder. I can’t remember the number of times that garlic powder has saved my life when garlic itself wasn’t available. But what can you do if this ingredient isn’t around either?
Instead of freaking out, try one of the substitutes below. All of these can work in many dishes, and will probably save your life once or twice.
What Is Garlic Powder?
This seasoning comes from dehydrated garlic ground into a fine powder. Garlic powder has a strong garlic flavor and aroma, but it may also come mixed with salt, so it is important to always check the labels before you buy it.
You can find garlic powder in any grocery store by the seasoning rack.
Garlic powder is great when you are cooking beef, poultry, pork, lamb, or fish, and when you are making sauces, soups, or marinades.
For every clove of garlic your recipe calls for, use ⅓ teaspoon of garlic powder. Keep in mind that garlic salt and garlic powder are different, and the salt version is mostly sodium with a hint of garlic in it.
What Can I Replace Garlic Powder With?
If you don’t have any around or you want a change of flavor, these garlic powder substitutes will work wonders in all of your recipes.
Best For Pizza Dough, Eggs, and Mac and Cheese
#1. Fresh Garlic
This one is obvious, but fresh garlic is a great choice when you need to replace garlic powder. If you have garlic cloves, use one clove for every ⅓ teaspoon of garlic powder. Fresh garlic goes well in making pizza, eggs, sauces, and pasta.
Fresh garlic is very pungent, but the flavor is less concentrated than the powdered form, so you can always add more if you want. Some people dislike the aroma of garlic cloves, and it’s best to check before you choose to cook with it.
This is essentially fresh garlic that is pre-minced and comes in small granules, usually added with citric acid to make it shelf-stable.
Like garlic paste, minced garlic is great when sauteing vegetables, meat, and eggs, but can also work great in mixed pizza dough. This option will also add a bit of acid to your dish, so you should take that into account.
When you want to substitute for one teaspoon of garlic powder, use about ½ teaspoon of minced garlic. This is a great option to keep in handy, as it can be stored in your pantry and then keeps for a while in the refrigerator after opening.
#3. Granulated Garlic
You may have never seen or heard about granulated garlic, but this is a good option for substituting garlic powder.
Granulated garlic is essentially ground dry garlic cloves that are made into small granules. The texture will then be different and could alter your final product, but the flavor is pretty much the same.
Use granulated garlic while you prepare sauces, pizza, mac and cheese, or stews. For every one teaspoon of garlic powder, you should use 2 teaspoons of granulated garlic but take into account that this one is coarser.
Best For Ramen, Pasta, and Egg Salad
#4. Garlic Salt
Since this option already contains garlic powder, then it makes sense to use it as a substitute for it. Be careful with the amount you use, as garlic salt can be too high in sodium and change the flavor of your meal. Usually, garlic salt contains three parts salt and one part garlic.
Keeping this in mind, you should use 3 teaspoons of garlic salt for every one teaspoon of garlic powder. However, be sure to reduce the overall salt content of your recipe, and be careful if you are on a low-sodium diet. Use this choice when you make ramen, pasta, egg salad, or potatoes.
While not very common, you may be able to find garlic juice in some grocery stores, especially as it becomes more popular in cleanses and diets. This is the juice that remains after puree garlic is strained.
Garlic juice is very strong and pungent, so you should use about half the amount that the recipe calls for.
This choice is great for making ramen, pasta, egg dishes, and marinades. Also, some people find garlic juice to be too strong, which can leave a strong smell for hours after you use it.
#6. Chopped Shallots
Even though these are not garlic, shallots are a great substitute for garlic powder because they are milder than regular onions and have notes of garlic too. Make sure you chop them small and add them at the beginning of the cooking process so the flavors come through.
You can use chopped shallots when you prepare dips, ramen, egg and potato salads, and pasta.
You can find shallots at any grocery store year-round and can even use them dry as well. Add one and half teaspoons of diced shallots for every teaspoon of garlic powder.
While also a member of the onion family, chives are very small and delicate in flavor. You can use chives when replacing garlic powder in things like dips, sauces, dressings, ramen, and sauces. Chives have similar properties to garlic, including a pungent and somewhat citric smell.
When adding chives, chop only the green part into very small and thin pieces. To replace one teaspoon of garlic powder, add 2 teaspoons of chopped chives. Consider that these may also change the texture of your dish.
FAQs
Can I substitute onion powder for garlic powder?
You can use garlic powder in place of onion powder and vice versa, but fresh onions or other types of onions may work better. As for garlic powder, these 7 choices can all be great substitutes for it.
How much garlic powder is equal to a clove?
Garlic powder is very strong and pungent, more so than fresh garlic cloves. For every clove of garlic, use about ⅓ to ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder. If you are trying minced garlic in place of one clove, use ½ teaspoon of it.
Is garlic powder as healthy as raw garlic?
Yes, garlic powder is a great seasoning, especially because it has the same properties as raw garlic. Garlic powder can withstand higher temperatures than raw garlic, so it is very good for certain dishes cooked in high heat. Also, garlic contains the same amount of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, but be careful to check for the sodium content.
Conclusion
Because garlic powder is affordable and flavorful, it makes part of many dishes. However, not everyone can find this seasoning at all times, so it is always a good idea to know what other ingredients to use. These 7 alternatives are all delicious and can add their flavor to your final product.
Juliana has a BA in Journalism and Creative Writing as well as a M.S. in Nutrition, Dietetics, and Sensory Sciences. She loves traveling, trying new foods, and cooking. When she isn’t busy working, you can find her running with her dog Milo or reading a book in the sun.
