When dealing with recipes that request garlic salt, certain considerations need to be checked. As its name implies, the salt may cause an increase in blood sodium levels, meaning caution must be practiced in its consumption. But for those with high blood pressure, this ingredient is completely out of the question, which brings them to the next best alternative- garlic powder.
But if you’ve already accustomed to the flavor effect of garlic salt, you may feel switching to garlic powder will change a lot of things. But the reverse is the case, as they share a lot in common. Here, you’ll learn about these similar factors and how you can swap the powder for the salt.
Garlic Powder Nutrition Facts
Garlic Powder in Recipes
Garlic powder is a spice processed from dehydrated garlic and used as a flavor enhancer. The production process of garlic powder includes drying and dehydrating the vegetable, then grinding to powdery form using machinery or home-based appliances due to the production scale. Garlic powder is a staple part of spice mixes and is a regular ingredient in seasoned salt.
Garlic cloves are peeled, sliced, and then put through the heat of a temperature of between 150° and 160 °C (300-320 °F) until the moisture content in the garlic is drastically reduced. The dehydrated garlic is then sliced, chopped, or minced until the powder is reduced to the preferred particle size.
Manufacturing garlic powder on a large scale involves several steps, from the extraction of the bulbs to packaging the final garlic powder. Garlic powder has other variants and is also known as ground garlic. Granulated garlic is also another variant of garlic powder, though the granules are just a bit bigger.
Garlic powder is a popular additive for traditional delicacies of central Asia and European countries. It adds the flavor of garlic without the headache of preparing the fresh vegetable. And because it’s in dried form, it lasts longer in the pantry than fresh garlic. Garlic powder is commonly used by many worldwide as a seasoning or condiment.
It’s used to flavor mayonnaise and tomato ketchup or sauces, salad dressings, gravies, stews, spaghetti, chutneys, pickles, curried dishes, etc. It may also be added to bread to prepare classical favorites such as garlic bread, garlic toast, bruschetta, crostini, and canape. Several oils are usually flavored with garlic powder for vegetables, bread, and pasta. And it’s also found in the following recipes;
- Peri-Peri Masala
- Dominos Style Garlic Bread Stick
- Masala Chickpeas
- Homemade Tandoori Masala Powder
- Stuffed Cheesy Garlic Bread
- Quick Stir Fry Cauliflower
- Cheese, Leek and Dill Muffin
- Peri-Peri Potato Chips
- Sandwich Squares
- Low-fat Pizza
- Black Bean Quesedilla
- Baked Chilli Dip
- Eggroll
- Vegetable Rice Pizza
Garlic Salt in Recipes
This seasoning is made by combining garlic powder and kosher salt. You can mix them in a ratio of 1:3 by their volume or 1:6 by their weight. It brings a delightful flavor to any dish, especially the ones with ground beef like hamburgers, lasagna, and more. Garlic salt may also possess an anti-caking agent, such as calcium silicate. It’s an easy way to give your dishes a tasty garlic flavor. You can also use it as a flavorful salt when seasoning your vegetables while cooking or sprinkle it on top of a cooked dish if it’s lacking in flavor. And you can add it to the following;
- Peruvian chicken stew
- Chicken and vegetable pasta salad
- Balsamic vinaigrette
- Smokehouse burgers
- Creamy Italian dip
- Tacos
- Smoked Salmon
- Hamburgers
- Lasagna
- Baked ziti
- Mashed potatoes
- Enchiladas
- Shepherd’s Pie
- Chicken sauce
- Fish sauce
Garlic Powder as a Substitute for Garlic Salt
As one of the few ingredients with a distinct garlic flavor, garlic salt is easily sought-after compared to the others. But many reasons may prompt you to seek a replacement or consider garlic powder as its substitute. Some common reasons are highlighted below;
Sodium Intake: Your doctor may have advised you to reduce your salt intake to control your blood sodium. And this situation is common, especially in people with diabetes and people with high blood pressure.
You’ve Run Out: You don’t have a problem eating garlic salt but don’t have any left in the pantry. And you’ve already started on the recipe and can’t rush to the grocery store.
Garlic powder can replace garlic salt in both cases, so long as you know how to go about it.
When You’re Out of Garlic Salt
If you’re dealing with an out-of-stock situation, then the best solution is to make a garlic salt substitute right there in your kitchen. Combine kosher salt with garlic powder at a 3:1 ratio, and you’ve got a perfect garlic salt replacement. This homemade garlic salt will work in any situation, including meats, fish, and vegetables. But because you made it yourself, it helps to taste first before you add, as it can be quite potent.
When you can’t eat Garlic Salt
If you’ve been instructed to watch your salt intake, the above suggestion won’t work for you. It means you’ve been instructed on how much sodium your daily diet should contain. As such, you may have to do with garlic powder alone, but this doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Garlic powder offers a richer garlic flavor to your dishes and is just as versatile. So you can add it to grilled meats, fish, and vegetables, but also soups, stews, sauces, casseroles, or even beverages.
You can use equal quantities of garlic powder to replace garlic salt. But if you feel you’ll miss the saltiness in this substitute, increase the amount of fresh spice and herbs in the recipe.
Garlic Powder
Garlic Salt
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much garlic powder equals a teaspoon of garlic salt?
If we’re talking about cases where you’ll be using salt, then note that for every teaspoon of garlic salt, a quarter of it is garlic powder. The reason is that garlic salt is prepared at a 3:1 ratio with kosher salt, garlic, and an anti-caking agent. But if you can’t consume salt at all, then use equal parts of garlic powder to replace garlic salt.
Can you substitute minced garlic for garlic salt?
Yes, you can. Combine one teaspoon of minced garlic with ¾ teaspoon of kosher salt, and you have a decent substitute. Use this in sautéed or roasted dishes.
Is garlic salt better than regular salt?
The difference between garlic salt and regular salt is the infusion of garlic flavor in the former. And while it’s a better option for cooking tasty meals, it still leads to the same spike in blood sodium levels caused by regular salt. So, if this is a problem you wish to prevent, garlic salt should be relegated along with all other salt varieties in your diet.
Conclusion
A little detail can be the difference between two things that’s not so different. Garlic salt works wonders and gives a double blast of flavor to your dish. But if you have trouble using it or don’t have any around you, a fresh dose of garlic powder can come to the rescue. And you can combine it as instructed or use it straight away, and still get tasty results with every dish you prepare.