Garlic salt and garlic powder are great recipe enhancers. They add more flavor to your ingredients and can even be that ‘secret ingredient’ that everyone’s begging you to tell them about !
But what if you don’t have garlic powder on hand ? Or garlic salt ? Can you substitute garlic salt for garlic powder, or can you use something else ?
Today we’re going to explore that, and tell you how to make your very own garlic salt and powder.
Substitute garlic salt for garlic powder
If you’re out of garlic powder, then garlic salt, raw garlic, or granulated garlic are all good substitutes. Garlic salt will provide a lot of sodium, so mind how much you add.
If you’re looking to replace garlic salt in a recipe, simply mix 3 parts salt with 1 part garlic powder, or granulated garlic.
Without a doubt, you have seen recipes call for garlic salt. Garlic salt is a popular seasoning, made up of sea salt and garlic powder. Garlic salt is used all over the world to enhance the flavor, quality and taste palette of food.
However, if you don’t have this seemingly perfect seasoning on hand, don’t worry. Garlic powder is a great substitute for garlic salt. If a recipe calls for half a teaspoon of garlic salt, simply use garlic powder and sea salt together to create the missing seasoning.
One of the best ways to ensure your recipe is tasty is to test your mixture by itself. This way you will know exactly what you are sprinkling on your dishes.
Read Also:Why Is Garlic Sticky ?
How to make your own garlic salt
Often times you’ll end up paying more when purchasing store bought garlic salt. You can cut the cost dramatically by making your own! Most store bought garlic salts use an anti-caking agent. Not only is it healthier and more convenient to make your own, you will always have it in your pantry. Here’s how to do it…
First, you’ll need 1 teaspoon of sea salt. This is the base of the garlic salt mixture.
Secondly, you have two options when it comes to garlic. You can use fresh garlic and dehydrate it, then granulate it yourself (1 teaspoon). Alternatively, you can use garlic powder (1 teaspoon). Those who are looking for a truly homemade mixture may opt for using fresh garlic.
The goal of garlic salt is to enhance food with as much fresh, natural flavor as possible. The fresher the ingredients, the better the result will be.
Lastly, some may choose to add onion powder. If you like the taste of onion when combined with garlic and sea salt, adding a small dash to the mixture can enhance the taste. Only use 1/4 teaspoon of this as you don’t want to overpower the mixture.
Once you finish measuring and mixing the ingredients together, store in a shaker or airtight container. Your garlic salt mixture should stay fresh for 6 months.
Other ingredients you can add to garlic salt
Since garlic salt is so versatile, you can customize it by adding almost any spice or herb you see fit. For example, a very popular mixture is salt, garlic and parsley. Another popular combination is salt, garlic, cilantro and lime.
You may even see lemon and pepper added to garlic salt. It’s safe to say the combinations are endless. Garlic salt is neutral and allows for other flavors to be added in.
How to make you own garlic powder
If garlic powder’s what you’re missing, you have a few options. The first is to buy granulated or dehydrated sliced garlic, but versions work. Add them to a mortar and pestle, or a food processor. Next, grind and mix them until they turn into a powder. Tada, garlic powder !
You can also go the homemade route, and get fresh garlic, peel it, slice it as small you can. Spread on a baking tray and dehydrate in a low over for several hours, or until completely dry. Ventilate the room thoroughly, the smell of cooked garlic will fill up the house.
If you have a dehydrator things are much easier, but we assume most folks don’t have one. And don’t try drying these in a frying pan (even if it’s dry). You need low heat, because they have to dry out. A frying pan is only going to burn them, it’s way too hot.
Once the garlic is dried out, it can be ground a little to get granulate garlic, or you can grind all of it and turn it into a powder. Now you’ve got garlic powder, fresh, homemade. Be sure to store in an airtight container, away from direct sunlight or heat.
You can use it as-is, or combine it to make your own garlic salt.
Growing your own ingredients for garlic salt and powder
Garlic salt is composed of garlic, salt and if preferred, other spices/ flavors. If you truly want the freshest garlic, you can grow your own. Growing your own garlic is extremely easy and does not take up a lot of space.
The environment for growing garlic should be cool, ranging from 32-50 F (0-10 C). The soil should be well-drained and have a neutral pH. The larger clove you plant, the larger bulb you will harvest.
When planting garlic, ensure to space 6 inches apart and 4 inches deep. Garlic will begin growing in late fall or early spring. It is important to cover with 6 inches of mulch for protection against winter weather. Fertilizer with nitrogen is beneficial to add to garlic during the spring, if planted in the fall.
When the leaves turn brown, it is time to harvest. The best time to harvest is mid July and early August. Carefully dig the bulbs up to harvest. Be cautious not to leave the bulbs in the ground too long as they will separate from each other.
In terms of salt, instead of harvesting it from the ocean (hard to accomplish due to pollution and contaminants), purchase exotic salts such as black Hawaiian or pink Himalayan. Exotic salts have a richer taste and pair well with fresh ingredients.
Read Also:Why Do People Put Rice In Salt ?
A great substitute
Regardless of how you grow, mix or buy your garlic salt, you can always use garlic powder as a substitute. When using raw garlic it’s best to not cook it for too long, else it will burn and you’ll be very disappointed.
