Granulated Garlic vs. Garlic Powder: What Sets Them Apart?

Maybe you're out of fresh garlic, pressed for time, or just not in the mood to peel and chop a few cloves tonight. Perhaps you want the flavor of garlic without the texture or the sight of small bits in your dish. Whatever your reason, choosing between granulated garlic and garlic powder can be tricky.

Garlic makes everything better, and its unmistakable aroma is enough to get anyone's mouth watering. Understanding how to use granulated garlic and garlic powder opens up even more possibilities in the kitchen. The key here is knowledge—knowing when and how to use each ingredient gives you the power to enhance your dishes.

What Is Granulated Garlic?

Granulated garlic has a more coarse texture, akin to cornmeal, due to its larger grind. It's perfect for dishes with plenty of liquid, such as dressings, sauces, soups, or stews. Unlike garlic powder, it’s less likely to clump when mixed into liquids and, since it takes longer to rehydrate and blend into a dish, it’s ideal for recipes that require longer cooking times.

Granulated garlic is the better option for blending with other spices, such as when making a dry rub for meat. Its coarser texture mixes more evenly with other ingredients, while garlic powder, being too fine, tends to scatter. The larger granules help it stick to meat during cooking, maintaining its flavor through the process.

What is Garlic Powder?

Garlic powder has a finer grind, more like cornstarch or flour. When you need a quick burst of garlic flavor—such as for a fast recipe or a marinade—garlic powder is the go-to choice. Its fine texture allows it to release its flavor rapidly, requiring no liquid to activate it.

Garlic powder is also ideal if a recipe calls for finely minced garlic, but you're not comfortable with that level of precision—just reach for the powdered form. Plus, garlic powder lasts longer than granulated garlic.

Are Granulated Garlic and Garlic Powder Interchangeable?

You can swap granulated garlic and garlic powder when it comes to flavor, but they differ in texture. Be sure to adjust the quantity accordingly.

Granulated garlic is lighter and airier by volume because of its larger particles, while garlic powder is more compact. As a rule of thumb, use twice as much granulated garlic—for example, 2 teaspoons of granulated garlic for every 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.

If you're comparing to fresh garlic, 1 clove of fresh garlic is roughly equivalent to ¼ teaspoon garlic powder or ½ teaspoon granulated garlic. In a pinch, you can hydrate granulated garlic for a closer substitute for fresh.