Can you substitute garlic powder for garlic salt? The short answer is no. Why? Because they are not really the same thing.
Many people believe garlic powder and garlic salt can be used interchangeably. But this is a misconception. While both are great condiments, you must know their differences and where you can use them.
If you want to learn more about the two popular condiments and know why you can’t substitute one for the other, this article is for you.
Please read on.
What is Garlic Powder?
Garlic powder is a fine powder made from garlic cloves. It is not a seasoning, but rather a condiment with many health benefits. You can use it in place of fresh garlic in recipes that call for it. It works well as an alternative to other spices like onion or ginger.
Garlic powder can be added to dishes for its flavor and nutritional value, such as soups, stews, sauces, and pasta. Garlic powder can also be used as an ingredient in baked goods such as bread or cookies.
It’s great for adding flavor to foods and making homemade marinades. You can buy garlic powder in bottles or bags, but it’s often less expensive to make your own.
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What is Garlic Salt?
Garlic salt is a coarsely ground mixture of garlic and salt. It is used in cooking to flavor foods. The main ingredient in this mix is garlic powder which contains no additives or preservatives and has a high content of allicin (the active ingredient responsible for the pungent aroma).
Garlic salt is often used to season fish, meats, and vegetables. While you can use it as a spice in many dishes it can also be used as a substitute for regular salt when cooking with dried herbs.
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What’s the Difference Between Garlic Powder and Garlic Salt?
Garlic salt is a coarsely ground, dry seasoning made from garlic. The taste is similar to crushed garlic, but it contains less water because it’s dehydrated. It’s used especially in recipes that call for raw garlic, such as pesto and vinaigrette.
Garlic salt is a more potent form of garlic powder containing the same amount of garlic but with additional salt to enhance its flavor.
Generally, the only difference between garlic powder and garlic salt is the addition of salt you have in the garlic salt. Remove the salt, and there still won’t be a difference.
Can You Substitute Garlic Powder for Garlic Salt?
Well, the answer depends on your dish recipe. Garlic powder is an easy substitution when you’re trying to reduce the amount of garlic in your cooking. Garlic salt, on the other hand, is much more flavorful than garlic powder and also adds a ton of extra health benefits.
However, while you can use garlic salt in place of garlic powder, you can’t use garlic powder when what you need is garlic salt.
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Why You Shouldn’t Substitute Garlic Powder for Garlic Salt
1. Garlic powder doesn’t taste as good
Garlic powder is a great option if you’re trying to cut down on sodium, but it doesn’t taste as good as garlic salt. This makes it very easy to use in recipes where you want to add flavor without adding much in terms of nutrition or taste. It’s perfect for adding flavor to things like mashed potatoes and gravy or soups and stews.
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2. Garlic powder has less flavor
When it comes down to it, garlic salt has a stronger flavor than garlic powder does. Perhaps you want something that will really wake up your taste buds, then using a decent-quality brand of garlic salt will be much more effective at doing this than using just plain old garlic powder will be.
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3. It lacks the punch that garlic salt provides
Garlic powder lacks the punch that garlic salt provides. Garlic salt has a strong, salty taste that’s hard to replicate with other seasonings. It also adds a slightly bitter, pungent note that’s not present in other seasonings like garlic powder.
4. The texture is different
Garlic salt is made from ground-up whole cloves of raw garlic, which gives it a granular texture similar to regular table salt or kosher salt. So it is usually smooth and rounded, whereas raw garlic can be crunchy or soft depending on how much moisture it has absorbed from the air around it.
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What are the Garlic Salt Alternatives Available?
- Minced Garlic and Salt
- Garlic Powder and Salt
- Garlic Juice and Salt
- Onion Powder
- Mustard Powder
- Garlic Flakes and Salt
FAQs
Can you make garlic salt with garlic powder?
Yes, you can make garlic salt with garlic powder by simply adding salt to it. That’s all you need to do.
Can you use garlic powder instead of garlic salt in a recipe?
Substituting garlic powder for garlic salt means you will have to add salt to your recipe because powder garlic doesn’t have the salty taste you may need in your dish.
Does garlic powder have salt in it?
No, garlic powder does not contain salt and that’s what makes it different from garlic salt.
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When should you use garlic powder?
If you’re looking for a more mild taste without the strong flavor and salty taste of garlic salt, you can use garlic powder instead.
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Conclusion
Garlic salt is a little more than just garlic powder, though. It’s also a mineral salt that contains potassium chloride and sodium chloride along with the essential oils and flavor molecules in garlic.
Due to the fact that garlic salt has more of the flavor and aroma of fresh garlic, it is often preferred over garlic powder. It also has a stronger flavor than dried garlic, so you can use less in recipes. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for a more mild taste, you may prefer to use garlic powder instead.
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In conclusion, If you’re trying to add some extra spice to your meals, both types of condiments have their place. But trying to substitute garlic powder for garlic salt means you won’t be having the intense flavor and sweet taste of garlic salt in your meal.
I hope this article has cleared up the confusion surrounding whether you can substitute garlic powder for garlic salt.
You should also check out the Cheffist Ingredients Alternatives category. You will discover plenty of other alternatives you can use for any of your food recipes you probably don’t have.
Thank you for reading.
