Best Garlic Substitute

Garlic is a unique ingredient that is hard to replace. If you find that you are making a recipe and realize that you do not have any garlic, these substitution will help you get dinner on the table.

Garlic warm and earthy flavor is definitely hard to replace but I think these replacements will help save your meal.

What is Minced Garlic?

We use a tablespoon minced garlic in a lot of recipes. You can mince garlic by peeling the skin off the garlic then place the flat side of a knife on the clove and press down. Once it broken into pieces then chop until garlic is minced.

You can also use a Garlic Press to mince your garlic. Which is a must have tool in my house. It is very easy to use and helps mince the garlic perfectly.

What Does Garlic Taste Like?

We use garlic in a lot of our recipes. My family loves the taste of it but we prefer to cook with it instead of eating raw garlic. Dry Garlic has a very powerful flavor if eaten raw, so cooking it mellows the flavor down. That is what most people do.

There are so many recipes that require it or I just add it because I love the flavor so much. From garlic bread to my favorite Mexican or pasta or soups. I always fresh garlic or garlic salt to my recipes because of the aromas.

Best Substitutes for Fresh Garlic Cloves

There are several options that work best substitute for fresh garlic clove. Grocery store has several options and they even have prepared garlic in jars. Make sure to check the amount of garlic for the best substitute for the recipe you making.

• Minced Garlic
• Garlic Flakes
• Granulated Garlic
• Powder
• Garlic Salt

Best Substitute for Minced Garlic

When you choose to cook with minced garlic, it is because strong and unique flavor garlic give to recipes. While these are good substitutes, they don’t take the place of the flavor that minced garlic gives.

If you are out of minced garlic these are the best substitutes.

• Garlic Powder
• Flakes
• Garlic Salt

What Can I Substitute for Garlic?

When choosing the right substitute you want to choose the one the is close to same texture of fresh garlic. I like using the minced garlic that is jarred and purchased at the grocery store, it makes it easy to add to recipes.

These substitutes are all great options, they will add the garlic flavor we love. My recommendation is to use what you have on hand.

Store Bought Minced Garlic

Minced garlic is a great option when you need a substitute. You can usually find jarred minced garlic in the produce section.

• Use ½ teaspoon of garlic to replace one garlic clove.

Garlic Powder

Garlic powder is a staple spice in our spice cabinet. Dried forms of garlic is a great substitute for garlic.

• Use ⅛ teaspoon of garlic powder to replace one garlic clove.

Chives

Standard chives are a good substitute for garlic. There are a variety of chives that can be used but there is a garlic chives that is very similar to garlic. They have a slightly different appearance

Garlic chives can be found mostly in the Asian market. The garlic chives need to be wash, dry and cut directly into your recipe. Garlic chives have a stronger flavor than standard chives.

Shallots

Shallots are a good alternative for garlic. Since shallots are more in the onion family. Be careful in adding them to your recipes when it calls for garlic and onion powders. Add a small amount of shallots at a time into your recipe.

• Shallots are a swap clove to clove to garlic

Garlic Oil

Garlic oil is olive oil that has been infused with garlic juice and other spices. Garlic oil is great for marinades and dressing recipe.

• Add teaspoon at a time to your recipe

Granulated Garlic

Granulated garlic and garlic powder are both created by the dehydrated garlic but texture is different.

• Substitute ½ teaspoon to one garlic clove

Garlic Salt

If you have been following for a while you know I love garlic salt. I always have it and so I use it a lot to substitute for fresh garlic.

• Use ½ teaspoon for every garlic clove – might need to lower the salt in the recipe since this has salt in it as well.