20 Best Garlic Substitutes

Everything is better with a hint of garlic! While this ingredient has a robust, intense, complex flavor, don’t you ever for a second get to thinking it’s irreplaceable! Find your garlic substitute from our suggestions below!
What can you use instead of garlic? Not all substitutes are created equal! Some will even surprise you. Some will even make you sigh in awe because you would have never thought they could be added to your food instead of garlic. Just have a little faith and try them! You will not be disappointed!
This could be your garlic substitute!
The following suggestions are foolproof! If, for some reason, you want to prepare something and you have no garlic, you can find ways around it. And here is how!
How to substitute garlic with garlic-based products?
Garlic products tend to have a more potent aroma and concentrated flavor than those using fresh garlic. Write these down and keep them close! When you run out of fresh garlic, it’s better to know the ratios to use for your subs.
1 clove of fresh garlic =
- 1 teaspoon garlic paste
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried garlic flakes
- 1 tablespoon garlic oil
- ½ teaspoon minced jarred garlic
- 1 cube frozen garlic
- ¾ teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic juice
What can you replace garlic with?
When replacing an ingredient with an alternative, you’d rather not alter the taste of your food. You must be careful that the alternative doesn’t overwhelm your other ingredients, but at the same time that it is not too subtle. That being said, you can give the following fresh ingredients a go when garlic is scarce.
1. Garlic chives
Freshly chopped garlic chives will add the garlic aroma and a boost of freshness along with that grassy, herby hint. Make sure to add them towards the end of the cooking process, to maintain their flavor.
2. Asafoetida
Asafoetida is made from giant fennel and makes for a great onion and garlic substitute. Asafoetida has that sulfurous smell and pungent aroma that garlic has. While it may surprise you when you take a whiff, when cooked the smell dissipates. You need about ½ teaspoon of asafoetida powder to replace 2 minced garlic cloves.
3. Lemon zest
Would you have thought lemon zest could make an appropriate garlic alternative? While the lemony freshness is different from the intense, sharp, pungent flavor of raw garlic, it can have the same effect on your food. Finely chopped lemon zest is a good substitute for raw garlic, making the dish stand up, lifting the taste.
4. Onions
While their flavors do differ, a hint of cooked onion will replace some of the flavors that garlic provides.
5. Shallots
Shallots give that oniony taste, but they are milder and sweeter. With a spicy hint and a floral-fruity undertone, shallots can offer a touch of that garlic flavor you’re looking for.
6. Cumin
Cumin has to be one of the most surprising substitutes for garlic. It will not have its pungent, sulfurous aroma, but cumin will give your dish a distinct taste. Its earthy, intense, deep, sweet, bright flavor will provide that desired garlicky-vibe.
7. Fennel
Fennel has a licorice aroma that, when caramelized, can give you a warm, intense, zingy, bold flavor that garlic also has.
8. Celery/Celeriac
In the same way fennel does, celery and celeriac also mimic the taste of garlic in your meals. Add them at the beginning of the cooking so they can release their full flavor.
9. Peppercorns
What can you use instead of garlic? Surprisingly, peppercorns! They pack the heat and the intense aroma that garlic has.
10. Horseradish
While garlic is rather sulfurous, horseradish is sharper, camphor-like, with a minty-fresh quality to it. But a touch of freshly grated horseradish will give your food that sharp aroma you desire.
11. Ginger
Just like horseradish, fresh ginger can give your food the kick it needs. It will not taste the same as garlic, but you can make do.
12. Galangal
If you cook Thai often, you might have galangal around. When you lack garlic, galangal can replace it, although together they make a great power-couple of spices. Galangal has a piney, sharp, citrusy taste, and can replace garlic.
13. Mustard powder
It will not be the same when making garlic bread or garlic fingers, but it can pass as a garlic substitute. Mustard powder has an earthy, pungent, spicy aroma that can mimic garlic salt. So, when push comes to shove, you can go there!
Always be packing! Keep these alternatives for garlic around at all times!
What to use instead of garlic if you’re out of it? Since it’s better to be safe than sorry, we recommend you pack your pantry with some of the following alternatives – if not all. We think life’s not as tasty without a hint of garlic and that’s why you should keep these around:
14. Garlic oil
Not only does it add the flavor you’re looking for, but it will last longer. Not to mention this infused oil is better tolerated if you have digestive issues. You can buy it or make your own homemade batch.
15. Garlic paste
Did you know? Garlic also comes in the form of a paste, in tubes. It usually contains added oil and salt but it’s a good garlic replacement. You can add it to every dish that mentions raw, fresh garlic. Make sure to taste it first, since it can really be intense!
16. Garlic powder
How do you substitute garlic powder for garlic? It’s quite easy if you keep the quantities in check. Garlic powder is sweeter when cooked, but it will be just what you need.
17. Dried garlic flakes
They’re not flakey at all! Dried flakes are a great garlic substitute! Granulated garlic will add both taste and texture to your dish. They are slightly sweeter and milder, just like powder, but they keep the aroma pungent. Keep them close!
18. Garlic salt
This will give you the aroma you’re looking for. But don’t forget to adjust the salt amount in the recipe as well so that you don’t over-season.
19. Garlic juice
Talk about a nonconventional garlic substitute! Garlic juice (yes, it’s a thing!) is quite powerful in terms of flavor. You will not miss the raw ingredient if you have this “drink” around. Fancy a shot? Don’t laugh, it could be amazing with your Margarita!
20. Minced jarred garlic
You can use this cooked but you can also add it raw for dishes such as salad dressings. Its taste might be slightly altered but it will do.
So, there you have it! Some will give quite the punch. Others are milder. Some are twinsies with garlic. Others will have an intense aroma that won’t mimic garlic but will give your dish what you desire. There are plenty of alternatives for garlic. Make sure to keep them around!