Updated on April 9th, 2023
Aromatic foods and delicious flavors often call for various spices, and garlic is, perhaps, the most common. This herb is commonly used for cooking in South Asian and Middle Eastern dishes the most.
Garlic has a compound called allicin in it that makes it have such an aromatic flavor and depth. But what to do when you don’t have any fresh garlic in your pantry? Garlic clove substitutes are easier to find than you might think. In fact, that’s exactly what we’re here to help you with.
Many recipes call for sautéing garlic in hot oil before adding the rest of the ingredients. When using a substitute, you will likely want to skip that step. In those recipes, fresh garlic is generally cooked quickly because it burns easily and produces a bitter taste. You can sauté jarred minced garlic in a similar manner but only for a minute at most.
Nutrition Information for Garlic
Serving Size 1 cup contains 203 calories from fat 9, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, potassium, carbohydrate, dietary fiber, sugars, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron.
Garlic cloves conversion
One clove of garlic produces approximately 1 teaspoon of chopped garlic or 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic. When replacing fresh garlic, the flavor intensity is not the same, so you must adjust the measurement.
Minced garlic: Use 1/2 teaspoon of jarred minced garlic in place of each clove.
Garlic flakes: Also called dehydrated (or dried) minced garlic, use 1/2 teaspoon of garlic flakes in place of each clove.
Granulated garlic: Use 1/4 teaspoon of granulated garlic in place of each clove.
Garlic powder: Use 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder in place of each clove.
Garlic salt: Use 1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt in place of each clove. This will add an extra 3/8 teaspoon of salt, so decrease the salt in your recipe accordingly.
Here are some of our favorite garlic recipes:
Roasted Garlic
Garlic Butter Sauce for Pasta
Garlic Butter Shrimp
Classic Garlic Bread
Garlic Broccoli
Herb Garlic White Bean Dip
Garlic Toast
Garlic Mayo (Mayo Aioli)
Shrimp with Garlic-Lemon Vinaigrette
Penne with Ricotta and Green Garlic Sauce
Roasted Garlic Puree
Substitutes for Garlic Cloves
Garlic is a very unique ingredient that’s difficult to replace. If you’re making a recipe with garlic in the title, like Roasted Garlic or Garlic Mashed Potatoes, it’s absolutely essential. But if it’s a backup ingredient and you need a quick fix in the middle of a recipe? We’ve got you. Here’s the best garlic substitute! Keep in mind, what to use depends on the specific recipe.
Whether it’s due to an allergy or just an inconvenience of shopping for new ingredients, it’s best to keep some options open for the benefit of the doubt.
Chives
Chives have a light onion-garlic flavor that evokes the savory scent of garlic. They’re part of the same plant family as garlic! It’s not perfect, but it’s close. This works well in pasta with fresh garlic, mashed potatoes, and other vegetable dishes. Here’s the ratio to follow:
Substitute 1 tablespoon minced chives for 1 fresh garlic clove.
Shallot
Another good garlic substitute? Shallots. Shallots also have an oniony garlic flavor that can evoke the scent of garlic. Like chives, they’re also part of the same plant family as garlic! It’s not perfect, but again: it’s close. Here’s the ratio to follow: Substitute 1 tablespoon minced shallot for 1 fresh garlic clove.
Celeriac
Moreover, it’s been found that celery is helpful to treat high blood pressure and lower cholesterol. It has a good aroma and strong flavor; it’s definitely a good option when cooking lamb or any Indian curry without using garlic cloves. Celeriac is basically another name for celery root. It tastes like a cross between parsley and regular celery stalk. You can use this if you’re looking for something pungent to add to the dish.
Substitutes for Garlic Cloves in Smoky Roasted Salsa
Smoky Roasted Salsa is a tangy combination of garlic, onion, charred fresh tomatoes, lime juice, cilantro, and smoky chipotle chile paste. You can serve this salsa with fresh tortilla chips (great homemade) or use it on your favorite tacos. Celeriac can hold down the taste profile of this dish and serve as a perfect substitute for garlic cloves here.
Substitutes for Garlic Cloves in Ancho Honey Basted Salmon
In Ancho Honey Basted Salmon, the salmon is basted with a sauce that uses honey, orange juice, balsamic vinegar, garlic, Cointreau, and ancho chile paste. Fennel can replace garlic cloves here because it has a pungent aroma that won’t make people feel the absence of garlic in this dish.
Substitutes for Garlic Cloves in Chipotle Barbecue Sauce
This Chipotle Barbecue Sauce recipe is something you make and use in a variety of ways. Use this spicy chipotle barbecue sauce with beef, pulled pork, or even poultry. Shallot has a modest onion-cy flavor similar to garlic and will be best to substitute for garlic gloves in this dish.
Frequently Asked Question [FAQs]
Does garlic help with breathing problems?
Yes, it does. The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of garlic are beneficial to people with conditions like asthma and bronchitis.
Is garlic in a jar healthy?
Most likely, they are. However, minced garlic in jars has short shelf lives and becomes terrible quickly. You must double-check to make sure they are still fit for consumption.
Can one swallow a clove of garlic?
This is not advisable; it is safer to chew the garlic cloves. If you fear bad breath, cut it into smaller pieces before swallowing. . It is healthy to eat a clove of garlic a day after a meal.
Conclusion
As they say, nothing new comes out of the old. So why keep fretting with old recipes that set too many rules? Improvise and try out these garlic clove substitutes and enjoy the cheer feeling that comes from exploring new grounds.
