What do you do if you run out of garlic powder while cooking?
The use of garlic powder as a seasoning is widespread. It has a robust flavor because of the ground dried garlic used to make it.
There are times when you either won’t have garlic powder on hand or won’t be able to use it because of a food allergy.
In such situation, you may always resort to alternative spices for flavoring your cuisine. So that you’re never without garlic powder again, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite alternatives.
What is Garlic Powder?
Dehydrated and finely crushed garlic is the main ingredient in garlic powder.
It’s got a powerful taste that’ll knock your socks off, and it’s got hints of sweetness and nuts.
When using raw garlic would be too strong in a dish, or when fresh garlic is unavailable, garlic powder is a good substitute.
To make garlic powder, fresh garlic cloves are peeled, dried until brittle, and then ground into a fine powder.
As long as it is kept out of direct sunlight and moisture, the finished product can be kept for up to two years.
There is a wide variety of foods that benefit from the addition of garlic powder, including soups, stews, sauces, marinades, dressings, rubs for meats and vegetables, casseroles, stir-fries, and more.
It’s fantastic for thickening sauces and gravies without making them watery since it provides depth of flavor without adding any more liquid, like raw garlic would do.
One teaspoon of powdered garlic is equivalent to one clove of fresh minced garlic, making it a much more convenient ingredient to use for cooking.
Best Substitutes For Garlic Powder
1. Granulated garlic
Garlic granules are a dried and coarsely ground form of the onion.
Since its flavor is stronger than that of garlic powder, it is frequently substituted for fresh garlic.
Soups, sauces, marinades, and dressings are just some of the many dishes that benefit from using granulated garlic instead of fresh or powdered garlic.
Avoid the time and effort of peeling and chopping garlic cloves by using granulated garlic instead.
Additionally, its flavor is less likely to be lost when cooked quickly or for a long time compared to other types of garlic.
For an additional kick, sprinkle some granulated garlic over your next bowl of soup or stir-fry.
2. Fresh Garlic
When you’re out of garlic powder but have plenty of fresh garlic on hand, you can easily make do.
When compared to similar options, this one provides the greatest flavor when used in a sautéing setting.
One clove of garlic is equal to about one-eighth of a teaspoon of ground garlic.
3. Minced Garlic
The garlic that is minced is just whole garlic cloves that have been finely cut. But the chopping works well, and it’s often used in meals that just need a few minutes in the oven. When sautéing, minced garlic is preferable to garlic powder.
If you can’t find garlic powder, minced garlic is a great alternative that still gives the same taste and scent. Minced garlic, in contrast to garlic powder, has a more robust and robust taste.
Therefore, when substituting minced garlic for garlic powder, use a smaller amount of the former. To give an example, if a recipe calls for one tablespoon of garlic powder, use only half that amount of minced garlic.
4. Garlic Salt
Some people use garlic salt in place of garlic powder. It’s a combination of salt and garlic, so it’ll give your food a savory and salty kick. It tastes quite salty and somewhat garlicky.
Use this seasoning in place of garlic powder. In place of garlic powder, use 3–4 tablespoons of garlic salt.
It’s important to remember to use less salt than usual, as doing so will prevent the final product from being overly salty.
5. Garlic Flakes
You may already have some garlic flakes in your pantry that can stand in for garlic powder. Similar to garlic powder, this seasoning is made from dehydrated garlic pieces.
Because of this, it has a taste that is very similar to that of garlic powder. To be sure, it’s not as potent as garlic powder.
This substitute works particularly well in soups and stews, which require some sort of liquid for their preparation.
Doing so will allow the garlic flakes to rehydrate and produce a more potent garlic flavor in the food.
Garlic powder may be replaced by grinding garlic flakes into a powder. In either case, garlic flakes can be used as a 1:1 substitute.
6. Garlic juice
Garlic juice can be used as a substitute for garlic powder if you have trouble locating the former.
Soups, scrambled eggs, omelets, marinades, sausages, and similar dishes all benefit from the addition of this ingredient since the additional moisture isn’t a deal breaker.
Keep in mind that garlic juice usually has some vinegar in it as well.
In its place, you may use half as much garlic juice as garlic powder.
7. Shallots
Garlic powder may be replaced with shallots if you want a non-garlic option. The allium family also includes scallions, which are often used in cooking. That’s why their benefits are comparable to those of garlic.
But shallots are much sweeter and have an intensely sour taste, while garlic powder has a milder, more garlicky flavor. However, they complement a wide variety of meals.
The best times to add garlic powder are before and after cooking. However, shallots need to be added early on so that they can cook thoroughly.
To replace garlic powder with minced or ground shallots, that is what you need to do. This manner, they won’t alter the texture of your meal in an unpleasant way. You can use it as a 1:1 replacement.
Conclusion
All of your favorite dishes have one thing in common: garlic powder. If you’re interested in giving an other option a try, it’s crucial that you have a thorough understanding of the benefits and drawbacks described above.
You can learn more about its history, preparation, and recommended servings. Since then, you can enjoy every last bite of your garlicky comfort food without worry.
So now you know the answer to “what can I use instead of garlic powder?”
