We have all heard about garlic powder and the magic and transformation that it brings to meals when added as an ingredient.
The health benefits associated with it are also quite literally too many to exhaustively mention.
A favorite for many households, garlic powder can be used in rubs, marinades, salad dressings, sauces, soups and so much more.
The only problem is that garlic powder may not always be in stock at your local grocery store or farmers market and in such times, one may be forced to get an alternative.
Do not worry, I have got you and, in this article, we shall discuss various substitutes to the powder.
They range from granulated garlic, garlic salt, garlic puree, fresh whole garlic, and even something as ingenious as garlic juice and ginger and cumin for those that just cannot use garlic.
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Where to Buy Garlic Powder.
You will most certainly find garlic powder at your local grocery store, farmers' market, or supermarket in the spice aisle. In the alternative, you can order it online for your convenience.
Garlic Powder Substitutes
You are out of garlic; your local store has not stocked up yet or you are just feeling adventurous and want to try something different for your taste buds.
In this article, you will find discussed some of the alternatives to garlic powder that will work just as well.
Some may be sitting in your pantry or kitchen as we speak, some may pair better with some of your recipes, and others may actually be the healthier option given the chance.
Granulated Garlic
To start us off is granulated garlic. This is your best substitute for garlic powder that might surprisingly be better for certain recipes.
It is prepared the same way as garlic powder is; that is, garlic cloves are chopped, dehydrated, and ground. The main difference between the two is with regard to their texture.
Granulated garlic is much thicker and coarse, kind of like cornmeal while garlic powder is fine since it is ground-like flour.
Interestingly enough, you can also get roasted garlic granules that will add a mellower and nuttier flavor to your dishes due to the roasting.
Granulated garlic works well with dishes such as pasta, stews and soups, rubs, and marinades all while adding texture to the food being prepared.
Seeing as it adds flavor to your dishes, it is quite fantastic that it also offers some health benefits thanks to the iron and vitamin B6 content in it.
It is worth noting that a disadvantage of granulated garlic is that unlike garlic powder that dissolves almost immediately into your food, granulated garlic will take a few minutes longer. It can also still be visible in some dishes when served.
If you have any excess granulated garlic, store it away in resealable airtight containers. This is because garlic granules clump up together and cake easily when exposed to humidity.
Also note that when you are substituting garlic powder for granulated garlic in a recipe, you ought to be sure to adjust the quantities you use in your recipe.
To this end, one uses twice as much granulated garlic as garlic powder to get the same amount of flavor in a meal.
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Garlic Salt
Next in line is the one and only garlic salt. Now, this ingredient is a two in one kind of spice that is basically a combination of dried, ground garlic, and normal table salt.
The ratio of these two ingredients is approximately one part garlic powder to three parts of garlic salt. Garlic salt is best suited in dishes such as mashed potatoes, pasta, and beef dishes.
When using garlic salt as a substitute, ensure to use twice as much garlic salt as the garlic powder that the recipe calls for.
But remember to always go easy on the regular salt (if at all it is part of the recipe) or omit it entirely since there is already some salt in the garlic salt.
You do not want to end up with an over-salted dish that no one can eat.
Garlic Puree
Garlic purée can either be store-bought for convenience purposes or prepared by oneself at home. To make it at home, all you need to do is peel and separate the garlic cloves.
These garlic cloves can either be fresh or roasted prior to the next process. The next process is then to place them in a food processor with just a dash of olive or any other cooking oil you prefer and let them process until they reach your desired texture.
Once they are the texture you want, place the puree in a resealable airtight container and store it away in your refrigerator for up to five days or freeze one teaspoon cubes using a tiny cube silicone tray for up to six months of freshness.
Just like garlic powder, garlic purée easily blends into dishes. It pairs well with recipes such as pieces of bread, sauces, stews and soups, and casseroles.
You may want to avoid garlic puree as a substitute if you are watching your weight. This is only due to the fact that the added olive oil or cooking oil will have the effect of packing in more calories.
In substituting garlic puree in a recipe, it is important to note that one teaspoon of garlic purée is very much equivalent to one whole clove of garlic.
Freshly Minced Garlic
What this is is simply garlic cloves that have been finely chopped or diced. When making it at home you can use a garlic press or a rasp grater to mince the garlic cloves.
Freshly minced garlic is the perfect alternative for dishes that require sautéing and also works magic for sauces or salad dressing.
Freshly minced garlic has a stronger flavor than garlic powder thus when using it as a substitute, remember that half the amount your recipe requires for garlic powder should suffice
If you are a fan like me, you can always add some more. Just do not let it overpower the rest of the flavors in the dish as this will be a waste.
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Fresh Whole Garlic
This is the glorious garlic in its original majestic form which is cloves. To use fresh whole garlic cloves, you need to peel the cloves and slice or mince them depending on your preference or what form best suits the recipe at hand.
A plus of using fresh whole garlic is the extra garlic flavor and heat it offers in contrast to garlic powder.
A minus for some people is the process of preparing the cloves for use since they prefer something that requires little to no preparation.
However, once fresh whole garlic is prepared it can be used in dishes such as soups and stews, and vegetables.
Chopped Shallots or Onion Powder
These two ingredients belong to the same family “allium” as garlic and offer the same health benefits as garlic powder such as lowering cholesterol levels in the body.
In usage, you simply drizzle a bit of onion powder on your meats before cooking them and use it to cook your sauces and soups.
You may need to use more onion powder as it has a less strong flavor. Of course, to do this, you will need to taste and adjust as required.
Let us not forget chopped shallots that can work as a substitute too. Thanks to their onion-garlic flavor.
Other alternatives:
Garlic Juice
This is typically a liquid that has been extracted from fresh garlic cloves. Garlic juice would be a great alternative for use in smoothies, pasta, and all manner of meat dishes.
It is definitely more potent and has a more intense flavor and aroma than that garlic powder. As a substitute, it is best to use only half the amount of juice to the required garlic powder in the recipe.
The juice could also work as a way to help with a cough or soothe a sore throat for a sick person. Unfortunately for us, garlic juice is not as widely stocked as some of the other substitutes on this list.
Braised Garlic Flakes
These here are basically dried-up garlic flakes. They can generally be used as they are or soaked in water until they change form and look more like minced garlic.
The flavor and texture of garlic flakes once hydrated mimics that of fresh garlic.
Keep in mind that a half teaspoon of braised garlic flakes in a recipe is equivalent to an eighth of a teaspoon of garlic powder.
Ginger or Cumin
If you just so happen to be allergic to anything and everything garlic related, try using ginger or cumin as a substitute in your dishes.
Although neither of the two has the same taste as garlic, they will go a long way in adding some flavor and fragrance to your meals and make them wholesome as well.
They are definitely without a doubt, healthy options for substitutes as well.