Out of Cloves, one case
Substitutes for garlic cloves
5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Garlic powder
1/8 tsp garlic powder for every 1 clove garlic
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 ½ tsp minced garlic = 1 clove.
- Verdict —
- Tweak it
- What changes —
- similar taste, different texture
- Best for —
- cooking
One casethe full cloves card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of cloves | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garlic powdercooking | 1/8 tsp garlic powder per 1 clove garlicTweak it | Tweak it |
| 2 | Minced garliccooking | ½ tsp minced garlic per 1 clove garlicTweak it | Tweak it |
| 3 | Granulated garliccooking | ¼ tsp granulated garlic per 1 clove garlicTweak it | Tweak it |
| 4 | Garlic saltcooking | ¼ tsp garlic salt per 1 clove garlicTweak it | Tweak it |
| 5 | Garlic pastecooking | ½ tsp garlic paste per 1 clove garlicTweak it | Tweak it |
Garlic powder
similar taste, different texture
Dehydrated garlic in powder form with concentrated flavor. Good substitute for garlic cloves in most applications.
- Best for
- cooking, baking, spice blends, marinades, dry rubs, when 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
similar taste, different texture
Pre-minced garlic with similar flavor to fresh garlic cloves. Good substitute for most applications.
- Best for
- cooking, sauces, marinades, when you want fresh garlic flavor, stir-fries
Minced garlic has similar flavor to fresh garlic cloves but different texture. Use about ½ teaspoon per clove.
Granulated garlic
similar taste, different texture
Coarse ground garlic with similar flavor to fresh garlic cloves. Good substitute for most applications.
- Best for
- cooking, baking, spice blends, marinades, when you want dry garlic
Granulated garlic is coarser than garlic powder but similar in flavor. Use about ¼ teaspoon per clove.
Garlic salt
similar taste, different texture
Garlic powder mixed with salt. Good substitute when you want both garlic flavor and salt.
- Best for
- cooking, seasoning, when you want both garlic and salt, marinades
Garlic salt contains salt, so reduce other salt in your recipe. Use about ¼ teaspoon per clove.
Garlic paste
similar taste, different texture
Ground garlic in paste form with similar flavor to fresh garlic cloves. Good substitute for most applications.
- Best for
- cooking, sauces, marinades, when you want fresh garlic flavor, curries
Garlic paste has similar flavor to fresh garlic cloves but different texture. Use about ½ teaspoon per clove.
How it behaves in this recipe
Garlic cloves are used for their pungent, aromatic flavor in both raw and cooked applications. The best substitutes depend on whether you need them for cooking (garlic powder, minced garlic) or raw applications (garlic paste).
Tips for substituting cloves
7 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
Notes on cloves
- For a different approach, try using garlic scapes which have a milder garlic flavor
- Roasted garlic can work as a substitute when you want a sweeter, milder garlic flavor
- Garlic oil can be used when you want garlic flavor without the texture
- For a unique twist, try using black garlic which has a sweet, umami flavor
Questions
5 questionsWhat can I substitute for garlic cloves?
The best substitutes for garlic cloves are garlic powder (1/8 tsp = 1 clove), minced garlic (½ tsp = 1 clove), granulated garlic (¼ tsp = 1 clove), or garlic salt (¼ 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 ½ 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 ¼ teaspoon of garlic salt per clove of fresh garlic.