Which swap for which job
| Use | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Rubs | Garlic powder | Disperses evenly. |
Do not substitute here
- Sautéed-garlic sauces. Powder. It burns and tastes bitter.
Garlic substitute
Quick answer
For 1 small clove of fresh garlic, use one-eighth teaspoon of garlic powder or instant minced garlic. Garlic salt works at half a teaspoon, but cut the salt elsewhere. Powder tastes flatter and cannot be browned the way fresh garlic can.
How much do you need?
small clovesmall cloves
Fractions work: 1 1/2, ¾, 0.5. The amounts below update as you type.
Type a number, like 1 or 1 1/2.
What to use
No option here matches every box you ticked. Untick one to see more.
Garlic powder
- Vegan
- Dairy-free
- Gluten-free
- Nut-free
- Egg-free
- ⅛ tsp 0.5 ml garlic powder
- Best for
- Rubs, soups, sauces and baking.
- What changes
- Milder and sweeter. No sharpness or aroma from browning.
- Skip it when
- Raw dressings and anything built on sautéed garlic.
Garlic salt
- Vegan
- Dairy-free
- Gluten-free
- Nut-free
- Egg-free
- ½ tsp 2.5 ml garlic salt
- How
- Reduce the salt in the recipe.
- Best for
- Seasoning blends and garlic bread.
- What changes
- Salty.
- Skip it when
- Already well-salted dishes.
Diet labels describe the ingredients as normally made. Check packages for gluten and allergens. Some refined sugar is filtered with bone char, which matters if you eat vegan.
Questions
How much powder for 3 cloves?
Three-eighths teaspoon, which is a bit less than half a teaspoon.
Sources
- Utah State University Extension, List of Ingredient Substitutions for Cooking and Baking
- Colorado State University Extension, Ingredient Substitutions (Fact Sheet 9.329)
- K-State Research and Extension, Ingredient Substitutions (L730, 2012)
- NDSU Extension, Ingredient Substitutions (FN198, 2023)
Ratios come from these sources, in our words. Where they disagree, we say so or pick the amount that matches tested results. Ratios are a starting point. Taste and adjust.
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