This unique ingredient is hard to substitute, but there are a few ways! Here is the best garlic substitute to use in cooking.
Preparing a recipe but don’t have garlic? Garlic is an essential ingredient in many cuisines around the world, from Italian to Indian. Along with onions, shallots, leeks and chives, it belongs to the onion family. Its pungent, savory flavor is warm and earthy… and hard to describe in words!
Garlic is a very unique ingredient that is difficult to substitute. If you’re making a recipe with garlic in the title, such as B. roasted garlic or mashed potatoes with garlic, this is absolutely essential. But what if it’s a backup ingredient and you need a quick fix in the middle of a recipe? We have them. Here is the best garlic substitute! Keep in mind that usage depends on the specific recipe.
Best garlic substitute
1. Garlic powder or garlic flakes (sauces, soups).
A good garlic substitute to mimic the taste? Garlic powder if you have it on hand. Sure, it’s not quite like the magic of fresh garlic, but it can add that flavorful essence to cooked dishes. Try it in sauces, soups and stews. Garlic powder is probably already part of your spice arsenal. Garlic flakes are more unique: They’re dehydrated pieces of minced garlic best known for being used in Everything Bagel seasoning. Here are the ratios to follow:
- Substitute 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder for 1 fresh garlic clove.
- Replace ½ teaspoon of garlic flakes with 1 fresh clove of garlic.
How about chopped garlic in a jar? We don’t like this as a garlic substitute: it has an odd aftertaste and just doesn’t do the job (in our opinion). If you must use it, you can use ½ teaspoon of minced garlic in the jar to replace 1 clove of fresh garlic. Don’t tell us you did it!
2. Chives (pasta, mashed potatoes, vegetables).
Another good garlic substitute? Chives. Chives have a slight onion and garlic flavor reminiscent of the savory scent of garlic. They belong to the same plant family as garlic! It’s not perfect, but it’s close. It goes well with pasta with fresh garlic, mashed potatoes and other vegetable dishes. Here is the following ratio:
- Replace 1 tablespoon of chopped chives with 1 fresh clove of garlic.
3. Shallot
Another good garlic substitute? shallots. Shallots also have an onion-garlic flavor that can evoke the smell of garlic. Like chives, they belong to the same plant family as garlic! It’s not perfect, but again, it’s close. Here is the following ratio:
- Substitute 1 fresh garlic clove for 1 tablespoon of chopped shallot.
4. Cumin (in a pinch).
A definitive replacement for ready meals like soups, stews and sauces? Cumin. It is not a substitute for garlic flavor! But the complexity it adds to recipes can mimic the complexity of garlic. Only use it in an emergency. Here is the following ratio:
- Replace ⅛ teaspoon of cumin with 1 fresh garlic clove.
Here are some of our favorite garlic recipes:
