Last Updated on March 29, 2023 by Toya
Check out the best garlic powder substitute plus 12 other amazing ways to substitute for garlic powder in a pinch, with ingredients in your kitchen!
Garlic powder is a popular savory spice made from dehydrated, finely ground garlic cloves.
Garlic powder is so popular that it’s used universally in tons of savory recipes.
Most people tend to keep it stocked in their kitchen. But, in case you’ve run out of garlic powder, don’t like it, can’t use it, or just can’t find it, here are some great garlic powder substitutes worth checking out.
What are the best substitutes for garlic powder?
The best garlic powder alternatives are as follows:
- Granulated garlic
- Garlic flakes
- Fresh garlic
- Garlic juice
- Garlic puree
- Garlic salt
- Minced garlic
- Onion powder
- Garlic chives
- Asafetida, Asafoetida or Hing
- Freeze Dried shallots
- Garlic-infused olive oil
- Freeze-dried garlic slices
Common ways to substitute for garlic powder
Granulated garlic
Granulated garlic has a coarser texture, much like sand when compared to garlic powder.
Some brands claim that garlic powder is more robust (1), while others claim that granulated garlic is actually more robust.
Personally, I find that granulated garlic is less robust and so I often use more of it if I’m substituting garlic powder.
If you happen to have granulated garlic, it makes an excellent garlic powder substitute and can be used in almost all recipes that call for garlic powder like spice mixes, sauces, soups, gravies, stews, pasta, meatballs, etc.
Conversion: ½ teaspoon of garlic powder = 1 teaspoon of granulated garlic
Garlic flakes
Garlic flakes are another easy substitute for garlic powder in a pinch. Garlic flakes are made from fresh, pure garlic that has been dehydrated to form dried flakes.
Garlic flakes have a pungent garlic flavor and smell, and, can be used in recipes like soups, stews, stir-fries, pasta, sauces, etc.
Also, if you’re looking for an exact substitute for garlic powder, pop a few teaspoons of garlic flakes into your spice grinder and make your own garlic powder from dried garlic flakes. If you grind up the garlic flakes to form garlic powder, use a 1:1 substitute.
Otherwise, easily substitute 1 teaspoon of garlic flakes for ½ a teaspoon of garlic powder.
Fresh garlic
If you have access to fresh garlic cloves you can use those to substitute garlic powder as well. It should be noted that fresh garlic has a milder sweeter flavor than garlic powder which is more robust and pungent.
Fresh garlic won’t work in every recipe that calls for garlic powder due to the difference in texture. However, it will add a nice subtle garlic flavor to recipes like sauces, marinades, soups, salad dressings, meats, vegetables, and more.
Substitute ⅛ of a teaspoon of garlic powder with 1 garlic clove (2).
Garlic juice
If you can’t get your hands on garlic powder anywhere, another good garlic powder replacement is garlic juice.
It’s best used in recipes where a little extra moisture is not an issue like soups, scrambled eggs, omelets, marinades, sausages, and more.
Garlic juice typically also contains some vinegar and is less pungent that garlic powder so keep this in mind.
Otherwise, substitute ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder with 1 teaspoon of garlic juice.
Minced garlic
If you have minced garlic, it can make a good garlic powder alternative as well. Minced garlic is finely chopped garlic cloves that are either dried or preserved in oil or water in a jar.
Minced garlic in a jar usually has a more subtle, sweet garlic flavor compared to garlic powder. This type of minced garlic is perfect for cooking shrimp, meats, pasta, and even vegetables. Use 2 teaspoons of minced garlic to replace ½ teaspoon of garlic powder or a 4:1 ratio.
Minced garlic that has been dried has a slightly stronger flavor and is best used in dry rubs, soups, stews, and sauces. Use a bit less in this case. So, I’d recommend that you use 1 teaspoon of dried minced garlic to replace ½ a teaspoon of garlic powder.
And, if you grind up the dried minced garlic to make some homemade garlic powder, use at a 1:1 ratio.
Homemade garlic paste
If you have some garlic paste available, it can also work as a sub for garlic powder. Garlic paste is made from oil and fresh garlic cloves that are blended together until a paste forms.
I love sin making and using garlic paste in my cooking, so I always tend to use the whatever amount I feel like at the moment. However, Spice Cravings, recommends using 1 teaspoon of garlic paste to replace ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder.
Garlic salt
Garlic salt, which is a mixture of garlic powder and table salt is another ideal garlic powder sub.
Garlic salt is made with a ratio of table salt to garlic powder of 3:1. As a result, if you plan to use garlic salt in a dish that calls for garlic powder, reduce the other sources of salt in that recipe.
Substitute 1 teaspoon of garlic powder with 1 teaspoon of garlic salt and reduce the salt in the recipe by ½ teaspoon.
Onion powder
Since onion powder and garlic powder are often used in many of the same recipes, onion powder can be used as an alternative for garlic powder as well.
Garlic chives or Chinese chives
While garlic chives may seem like an unlikely substitute for garlic powder, they can work quite well.
Garlic chives which are also known as Chinese chives or Asian chives are an herb with a pungent garlic flavor. As such, you can use garlic chives to replace garlic powder in recipes like stews, dipping sauces, stir-fries, flavor oils, butter, etc.
Asafetida, Asafoetia or Hing
If you can’t use garlic powder, then some asafetida or hing can be a good option.
According to Rani Brand, a brand of authentic Indian products that also sells this spice, Asafetida is ‘best for onion garlic substitute’ and is good for ‘leaving behind a rich and pleasurable taste of onion and garlic
Ground asafetida is a spice native to Southwestern Asia. It is made from the resin of the rhizome of the giant fennel plant.
This spice has an extremely pungent pickled garlic odor. Therefore, a little goes a loooong way with this garlic powder substitute and you should try to stick to a pinch or ⅛ tsp in your recipe. No more is needed!
Asafetida powder is more pungent than garlic powder with both garlic and onion flavors.
Excellent substitute for garlic or onion powder or flavor. If you can't or don't want to use garlic, ⅛ tsp of ground asafoetida is a good choice worth trying.
Freeze-dried shallots
Freeze-dried shallots can also be used in the absence of garlic or if you’re unable to use it. Freeze-dried shallots can work because they have a flavor that is a cross between mild garlic and sweet onion.
Garlic-infused olive oil
Another good way to add garlic flavor to a dish. Garlic-infused olive oil is often made by slow roasting fresh garlic in olive oil, then letting the garlic sit in the oil for 24 hours or up to a week according to Texana Brands, a producer of infused oils. A few other steps follow and the result is delicious garlic-infused oil.
If you happen to have this on hand and need a little garlic flavor, it can work for eggs, salad dressings, marinating, sautéing veggies or meats, bread dipping, pasta, grilling and so much more.
Freeze-dried garlic slices
These are a great garlic powder alternative that can be used in all sorts of recipes including stir-fries, soups, sauces, stews, and every other recipe that calls for garlic powder. These are very handy to have on hand for emergencies. And, if you want actual garlic powder, just pulverize some dried garlic slices in a spice mill or blender.
Free Garlic powder substitutes PDF
Delicious recipes that use garlic powder
Here are some yummy recipes that use garlic powder or garlic powder substitutes:
Jalapeño popper chicken casserole
