🌿 Spices & Herbs

Best Substitutes for Garlic Cloves: Complete Guide

Find the best substitutes for garlic cloves in cooking and recipes. Learn about garlic powder, minced garlic, and other garlic alternatives with proper ratios.

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Quick Answer

The best substitutes for garlic cloves are Garlic Powder, Minced Garlic, Granulated Garlic, and Garlic Salt. Use 1/8 tsp garlic powder = 1 clove, or 1/2 tsp minced garlic = 1 clove.

Best Substitutes

Garlic Powder

1/8 tsp garlic powder = 1 clove garlic

Dehydrated garlic in powder form with concentrated flavor. Perfect substitute for garlic cloves in most applications.

Best for:

cookingbakingspice blendsmarinadesdry rubswhen you need dry garlic

Garlic powder is more concentrated than fresh garlic, so use sparingly. 1/8 teaspoon equals about 1 clove of garlic.

Minced Garlic

1/2 tsp minced garlic = 1 clove garlic

Pre-minced garlic with similar flavor to fresh garlic cloves. Good substitute for most applications.

Best for:

cookingsaucesmarinadeswhen you want fresh garlic flavorstir-fries

Minced garlic has similar flavor to fresh garlic cloves but different texture. Use about 1/2 teaspoon per clove.

Granulated Garlic

1/4 tsp granulated garlic = 1 clove garlic

Coarse ground garlic with similar flavor to fresh garlic cloves. Good substitute for most applications.

Best for:

cookingbakingspice blendsmarinadeswhen you want dry garlic

Granulated garlic is coarser than garlic powder but similar in flavor. Use about 1/4 teaspoon per clove.

Garlic Salt

1/4 tsp garlic salt = 1 clove garlic

Garlic powder mixed with salt. Good substitute when you want both garlic flavor and salt.

Best for:

cookingseasoningwhen you want both garlic and saltmarinades

Garlic salt contains salt, so reduce other salt in your recipe. Use about 1/4 teaspoon per clove.

Garlic Paste

1/2 tsp garlic paste = 1 clove garlic

Ground garlic in paste form with similar flavor to fresh garlic cloves. Good substitute for most applications.

Best for:

cookingsaucesmarinadeswhen you want fresh garlic flavorcurries

Garlic paste has similar flavor to fresh garlic cloves but different texture. Use about 1/2 teaspoon per clove.

Cooking Tips

  • 💡Garlic cloves add pungent, aromatic flavor to dishes and are essential for many cuisines
  • 💡When using garlic powder as a substitute, add it early in cooking to allow the flavor to develop
  • 💡Minced garlic works best when you want the texture and flavor of fresh garlic
  • 💡Granulated garlic is coarser than garlic powder and works well in spice blends
  • 💡Garlic salt contains salt, so reduce other salt in your recipe when using it
  • 💡Store garlic substitutes in cool, dry places to maintain their potency
  • 💡For best flavor, use fresh garlic when possible, but substitutes work well in most applications

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I substitute for garlic cloves?

The best substitutes for garlic cloves are garlic powder (1/8 tsp = 1 clove), minced garlic (1/2 tsp = 1 clove), granulated garlic (1/4 tsp = 1 clove), or garlic salt (1/4 tsp = 1 clove).

How much garlic powder equals 1 clove of garlic?

About 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder equals 1 clove of garlic. Garlic powder is more concentrated than fresh garlic, so use sparingly.

Can I use minced garlic instead of garlic cloves?

Yes, minced garlic is a good substitute for garlic cloves. Use about 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic per clove of fresh garlic.

What's the difference between garlic powder and granulated garlic?

Garlic powder is finer and more concentrated, while granulated garlic is coarser. Both work as substitutes for garlic cloves, but granulated garlic is closer to fresh garlic in texture.

Can I substitute garlic salt for garlic cloves?

Yes, but garlic salt contains salt, so reduce other salt in your recipe. Use about 1/4 teaspoon of garlic salt per clove of fresh garlic.

Summary

Find the best substitutes for garlic cloves in cooking and recipes. Learn about garlic powder, minced garlic, and other garlic alternatives with proper ratios.