Garlic powder and garlic salt are both seasonings used to add garlic flavor to dishes, with garlic powder being pure dehydrated garlic and garlic salt being a mix of garlic powder and salt, used for both seasoning and saltiness.
Garlic powder is a seasoning made from dehydrated ground garlic, offering a convenient and shelf-stable way to impart garlic flavor into a variety of dishes.
Garlic salt is a blend of garlic powder and salt, typically in a ratio of 1 part garlic powder to 3 parts salt, and is used to season dishes while also providing a salty flavor.
Garlic powder is purely made of dehydrated garlic, while garlic salt combines garlic powder with salt. The key differences lie in their taste, where garlic salt has a prominent salty flavor, and their usage, as garlic powder is used for its pure garlic taste and garlic salt for both garlic and saltiness.
In dry rubs for meats like ribs or chicken, garlic powder is ideal because it provides a pure, potent garlic flavor without extra salt, allowing for better control of the overall seasoning. Garlic salt in dry rubs should be used sparingly due to its high salt content. It can quickly overpower other flavors if not balanced correctly. It's best used when a salty crust is desired.
Garlic powder dissolves well in soups and stews, offering a uniform garlic taste throughout the dish without additional salt, which can be added to taste separately. Garlic salt can be used in soups and stews for a quick seasoning fix, but it's important to adjust any additional salt in the recipe to avoid an overly salty dish.
In marinades, garlic powder works well for adding a rich garlic flavor without affecting the liquid balance or saltiness of the marinade, which is ideal for meats and vegetables. When using garlic salt in marinades, it's a convenient two-in-one seasoning. However, it's crucial to be cautious of the salt content and to reduce or eliminate any additional salt from the recipe.
Garlic powder is lower in sodium and can be a healthier choice for individuals on a sodium-restricted diet.
| Nutrient | Garlic Salt ( per Teaspoon ) | Garlic Powder ( per Teaspoon ) |
|---|---|---|
| Fat | 0g | 0g |
| Sodium | 1900mg | 1mg |
| Calcium | 0mg | 5mg |
| Protein | 0g | 0.5g |
| Calories | 0 | 10 |
| Carbohydrates | 0g | 2g |
Yes, you can use garlic powder instead of garlic salt by adjusting the amount of additional salt in your recipe.
It depends on the recipe and whether you want to control the level of garlic flavor and salt separately. Garlic powder offers pure garlic flavor, while garlic salt provides both garlic flavor and saltiness.
Typically, garlic salt consists of 1 part garlic powder to 3 parts salt.
To substitute garlic salt for garlic powder, use one-quarter teaspoon of garlic powder for every teaspoon of garlic salt and adjust the salt in your recipe accordingly.
Garlic powder is more suitable for a low-sodium diet as it contains significantly less sodium than garlic salt.
