Out of Onion powder, one case

Can you substitute onion salt for onion powder?

4 options, ranked, with the exact amount

Use thisBest of 4 options

Use Onion salt

1 tsp for every 1 tsp of onion powder

Yes, with one change: use 1 teaspoon onion salt for each teaspoon of onion powder, and cut the salt in the recipe by about ¾ teaspoon for each teaspoon you use. Onion salt is mostly salt, so the onion flavor comes out milder than the recipe intended. Do not add more onion salt to make up for it, or the dish will be too salty.

Verdict —: You'll taste it
The tweak —: Leave out about ¾ tsp of the recipe's salt for each teaspoon of onion salt, then taste at the end and adjust.
Best for —: soups, stews and sauces that are salted to taste
Pantry —: Likely in your cupboard

One casethe full onion powder card

Every option, one card

Ranked

Onion powder substitutes compared
#	Substitute	Instead of 1 tsp onion powder	Verdict
1	Onion saltsoups, stews and sauces that are salted to taste	1 tspYou'll taste it	You'll taste it
2	Dried minced onionsoups, stews, chili and sauces	1 tbspTweak it	Tweak it
3	Fresh onionsoups, stews and braises	1/3 cupTweak it	Tweak it
4	Garlic powderdry rubs and spice blends	½ tspYou'll taste it	You'll taste it

What changesWhat changes, option by option4 options

Onion salt

milder onion, and salty

Onion salt is onion powder blended with salt, and salt is the larger share: homemade versions use about 3 parts salt to 1 part onion powder, and store jars are similar. A teaspoon gives a little onion and a lot of salt.

Best for: soups, stews and sauces that are salted to taste, burgers, meatloaf and casseroles, recipes that use 1 to 2 tsp onion powder
Prep: Leave out about ¾ tsp of the recipe's salt for each teaspoon of onion salt, then taste at the end and adjust.
Suits: vegan, gluten-free
Where it fails: Recipes with a tablespoon or more of onion powder, salt-free seasoning blends, low-sodium cooking, and dry rubs or brines where the salt has already been measured.

Brands differ in how salty they are. If the recipe has salty ingredients already, such as soy sauce, broth or cheese, hold back all the added salt until you taste.

Dried minced onion

the same onion flavor, with small soft pieces

Dried minced onion, also sold as onion flakes, is the same dried onion left in pieces. It has no salt, so it gives the full onion flavor without changing the seasoning.

Best for: soups, stews, chili and sauces, meatloaf and burgers, dips that will sit and soften
Prep: Add it early so it has liquid and time to soften. For a rub or a smooth sauce, grind it to a powder in a mortar or spice grinder first, then measure 1 tsp of the powder per teaspoon.
Suits: vegan, gluten-free
Where it fails: Dry rubs, popcorn seasoning and smooth dressings, unless you grind it first.

Fresh onion

fresher and sweeter

About 1/3 cup of chopped onion, or one small onion, carries the flavor of 1 teaspoon of onion powder. It also brings water and texture.

Best for: soups, stews and braises, sauces and gravies, meatloaf and casseroles
Prep: Chop it fine and cook it in a little fat until soft before adding the other ingredients.
Suits: vegan, gluten-free
Where it fails: Dry rubs, spice blends, breading and anything that has to stay dry.

Garlic powder

garlic, not onion

A different flavor from the same family. It keeps a dry seasoning dry and adds savory depth, with no added salt.

Best for: dry rubs and spice blends, breading and seasoned flour, recipes that already include some garlic
Prep: Start with half the amount and add more to taste.
Suits: vegan, gluten-free
Where it fails: Dishes where onion is the named flavor, such as onion dip or French onion seasoning.

Tips for substituting onion powder

5 tips

The swap: 1 tsp onion salt per 1 tsp onion powder, with about ¾ tsp less salt elsewhere in the recipe.
If the recipe has no added salt to remove, use ½ tsp onion salt per teaspoon of onion powder and accept a lighter onion flavor.
Do not multiply onion salt to match the onion strength. Matching 1 tsp of onion powder would take about 4 tsp of onion salt, which is 1 tbsp of salt.
In a dry rub, count the onion salt as part of the salt. Add it, then reduce the plain salt by about ¾ tsp for each teaspoon of onion salt.
Taste before serving. It is easy to add salt at the end and impossible to take it out.

Questions

4 questions

Is onion salt the same as onion powder?

No. Onion powder is only dried, ground onion. Onion salt is onion powder mixed with salt, usually with more salt than onion, and sometimes an anti-caking agent. They are not interchangeable without adjusting the salt.

How much onion salt equals 1 tablespoon of onion powder?

Use no more than 1 tablespoon of onion salt, and leave out about 2 ¼ teaspoons of the recipe's salt. At this amount the dish may still be too salty and light on onion, so dried minced onion or fresh onion is the better swap: 3 tablespoons of flakes or 1 medium onion.

Can I use onion salt in a dry rub that calls for onion powder?

Yes, if the rub also has salt you can take out. Use the same amount of onion salt and remove about ¾ teaspoon of plain salt for each teaspoon. If the rub is salt-free, use garlic powder or ground dried minced onion instead.

Can I use garlic salt in place of onion powder?

Only in a pinch. It has the same salt problem as onion salt and a different flavor. Use the same amount, cut the recipe's salt by about ¾ teaspoon per teaspoon, and expect the dish to taste of garlic.