Garlic salt is a popularly used mixture of dried garlic and salt. It adds a pungent flavor and spice to any dish and is common in stews, dry rubs, and salad dressings. The best replacements for garlic salt include garlic powder, minced garlic, garlic flakes, and homemade garlic salt.
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What’s the flavor profile of garlic salt?
Garlic salt mostly tastes like salt with a slight flavor of garlic. It is a mixture of mostly sea salt or kosher salt, dried garlic, and an anti-caking agent. Garlic alone has a unique and intense flavor.
The garlic flavor is as earthy, but its flavor profile varies depending on if it’s raw or cooked. Raw garlic tastes spicy, while cooked garlic tastes nutty and sweet, and both have a strong aroma and flavor.
The flavor of garlic is also similar to that of shallots and onions. When garlic is combined with salt, it simply retains the taste of garlic but is saltier.
Can I use garlic powder in place of garlic salt?
You can use garlic powder in place of garlic salt. Garlic powder is dehydrated ground garlic without salt. Still, the garlic flavor will be present, but the dish won’t be salty.
If you want your dish to be salty, mix in salt with garlic powder. Add a little bit of salt, taste, and then add more if desired.
Keep in mind that if you use garlic salt in place of powder, your dish may end up being too salty.
What other spices can I use instead of garlic salt?
- Granulated garlic
- Minced garlic
- Garlic and salt paste
- Garlic juice and salt
- Garlic oil
- Garlic flakes and salt
- Spice mixes
- Homemade garlic salt
| Granulated garlic | Granulated garlic is ground dried garlic without salt with a flakier texture and a sharper flavor than garlic salt, works well as a topping or dry rub for meats and fish. |
| Minced garlic | A great substitute for garlic salt because of its resemblance in flavor and texture, works best for sautéed and roasted dishes |
| Garlic and salt paste | Commercial garlic paste might have a bold flavor, so use it in small quantities |
| Garlic juice and salt | Garlic juice combined with salt makes a good substitute, works well for marinades, soups, and salad dressings |
| Garlic oil | The oil is not salty so adding salt will get it the right flavor, pairs well in stir-fries, salad dressing, and baked goods |
| Garlic flakes and salt | Garlic flakes mixed with onion powder get them the garlic salt flavor, these can replace garlic salt on a hamburger, pizza, or taco filling |
| Spice mixes | Onion powder is a common spice replacement for garlic salt because of their similar flavor profiles, while mustard powder can be a garlic salt substitute because of its spicy and intense flavor |
| Homemade garlic salt | Homemade garlic salt might be the best alternative to store-bought one, great for roasted vegetables or grilled meats |
1. Granulated garlic
Granulated garlic is ground dried garlic without salt. It has a flakier texture and a sharper flavor than garlic salt.
This replacement works well as a topping or dry rub for meats and fish.
Mix 1/2 teaspoon of granulated garlic and 3/4th teaspoon of table salt to match the taste of 1 teaspoon of garlic salt.
2. Minced garlic
Minced garlic mixed with salt is a great substitute for garlic salt because of its resemblance in flavor and texture.
One teaspoon of garlic salt equals about one teaspoon of minced garlic and 3/4 teaspoon of salt.
Using minced garlic as a garlic salt substitute works best for sautéed and roasted dishes.
3. Garlic and salt paste
Garlic cloves can be blended into a paste and mixed with salt to create a garlic salt substitute. It can be homemade or store-bought.
Commercial garlic paste comes plain or flavored. If flavored, it most likely is already salted. If plain, add salt to it to get the same salty flavor as garlic salt.
Garlic paste will have a paste consistency that garlic salt does not have. This paste alternative has a bold flavor, so use it in small quantities.
4. Garlic juice and salt
Garlic juice combined with salt makes a good substitute for garlic salt. To extract garlic juice from a garlic clove:
- Use a garlic press to make garlic puree.
- Strain the puree using a strainer.
- Combine the juice with salt.
You can use one teaspoon of garlic juice and 3/4 teaspoons of salt instead of 1 teaspoon of garlic salt.
Because of its liquid form, this substitute works especially well for marinades, soups, and salad dressings.
5. Garlic oil
Garlic oil can be found at most grocery stores and made at home by steeping crushed garlic in hot oil overnight. The oil is not salty, so add salt to get the salty flavor you’d usually get from garlic salt.
Garlic oil adds extra fat to your dish, so you may want to skip over extra oil ingredients when using this substitute.
Use 1 teaspoon of garlic oil with a 3/4th teaspoon of table salt to substitute garlic salt.
The combination of garlic oil and salt can be used in many ways but works well in stir-fries, salad dressing, and baked goods. It is an alternative you can use when you want a garlic flavor without the strong taste of raw garlic.
6. Garlic flakes and salt
Garlic flakes are dried or dehydrated garlic pieces. Mix garlic flakes with onion powder to make them taste like garlic salt.
One teaspoon of garlic salt can replace one teaspoon of garlic flakes and 3/4 of salt.
This mixture can replace garlic salt on a hamburger, pizza, or taco filling.
7. Spice mixes
Some spice mixes that can act as replacements are onion powder and mustard powder.
Onion powder is a common spice replacement for garlic salt because of their similar flavor profiles. Many recipes have onion and garlic salt used in tandem. Onion powder has a strong flavor, so reduce the amount of this substitute to 1/2 of garlic powder and adjust to taste.
Mustard powder can be a garlic salt substitute because of its spicy and intense flavor. Reduce the measurements in half to use mustard powder instead of garlic salt.
8. Homemade garlic salt
Homemade garlic salt might be the best alternative to store-bought one. When combining the spices in your mix, use the preferred ratio. Taste the mixture and change the amounts based on your liking.
This homemade substitute works best in dishes where garlic salt is used as a seasoning, such as roasted vegetables or grilled meats.
How do you make your own garlic salt?
To make your own garlic salt at home, you need a food processor, salt, and several fresh garlic cloves.
- Peel the garlic cloves
- Smash them with a knife
- Put them in the food processor
- Add about 1 cup of kosher salt
- Process the salt and garlic mixture until it has a smooth consistency
- Spread the mixture on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for about an hour at 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you don’t have the ingredients or tools necessary to make your own garlic salt, you may need to use a replacement.
How to choose the best garlic salt substitute?
When deciding which garlic salt substitute to use, consider whether you want a full garlic flavor or a more subtle alternative. The type of dish you are making will affect the decision.
Think about the final outcome you’d like your dish to have. You also need to consider texture and consistency. The different substitutes provide various textures, so think about if you want a crunchy, smooth, liquid, or grainy texture for your dish.