How is Garlic Powder Made?
To make the best garlic powder, peel fresh garlic cloves, cut them into thin pieces, dry them out, and grind them until you achieve a fine powder using a food processor or a blender. You can use a fine mesh colander to sift the blended powder before putting it in a storage container, and if you have any remaining hard bits, put them back in the blender for further grinding.
The Best in Our Opinion is…
Trader Joe's Spices Of The World California Garlic Powder is our best garlic powder. It is bold and natural with the strongest flavor, making it the best garlic powder over decades.
The growing and procession of Trader Joe’s garlic powder are in California’s central and northern regions, and it is possible to smell its aroma from a distance.
An Overview of Our Selected Brands
- Trader Joe's Spices Of The World California Garlic Powder: Best for strong garlicky flavor.
- Amazon Brand - Happy Belly Granulated Garlic: Best for making roasts, stews, gravies, sauces, soups, pizza, and pasta.
- McCormick Garlic Powder: Best for any dish with meatloaf, ground beef meatballs, burgers, chili, or tacos.
- Spice Train Organic Ginger Powder: Best for cooking, making smoothies and tea, and baking gingerbread.
- Badia Garlic Powder: Best for cooking rice, pasta, beef, seafood, poultry, and all vegetables.
- McCormick Fine Garlic Powder: Best for cooking mashed potatoes, chili, taco fillings, pasta sauce, meatloaf, and more.
- McCormick Granulated Garlic: Best for adding flavor to stews, vegetables, soup, and seasoning meat and poultry.
- McCormick Organic Garlic Powder: Best for recipes that need fresh or dried garlic.
- McCormick Culinary Garlic Powder: Best for cooking and making sauces and soups.
- Tastefully Simple Garlic Garlic Seasoning: Best for seasoning meat, salads, soup, eggs, dips, and vegetables.
- Naturevibe Botanicals Organic Garlic Ground Powder: Best for pasta, rice, seafood, beef, poultry, and all vegetables.
- FreeFOD Garlic Replacer: Best for soups, pasta, meat rubs, sauces, garlic bread, and everything in between.
- McCormick Sesame and Ginger Crunch with Garlic, All Purpose Seasoning: Best for chicken, stir-fries, rice, and noodle dishes.
- McCormick Black Garlic Powder Seasoning: Best for steaks, roasted potatoes, and drizzling on salads.
- Spice Classics Garlic Powder: Best for dry rubs, grilled meat, salads, and vegetables.
- Lawry's Coarse Ground with Parsley Garlic Salt: Best for flavoring steaks, chicken, and vegetables.
Reviewing Our Favorite Garlic Powder Brands
Trader Joe's Spices Of The World California Garlic Powder: Best for any Dish That Needs Garlic Flavor
Trader Joe’s garlic powder is the best garlic powder made in the USA for any meal that requires garlic flavor. It has a strong aroma you can smell even before unwrapping the seal. It is a natural and bold garlic powder for all your dishes.
Brand: Trader Joe’s
Unit count: 2.6 oz (73.70 g)
Package info: Jar
Specialty: Kosher
Material type free: Gluten-free
Diet type: Vegetarian
Pros:
- Trader Joe’s Spices of the World California Garlic Powder is the boldest powder.
- It has a strong scent and aroma.
Cons:
- You have to use small quantities because of its strong aroma
Amazon Brand - Happy Belly Granulated Garlic: Best for Making Roasts, Stews, Gravies, Sauces, Soups, Pizza, and Pasta
Amazon Choice Award in Garlic Powder & Seasonings by Happy Belly
Happy Belly is the best granulated garlic powder. It is a kosher-certified product and has a robust flavor and a coarse texture than finely ground garlic powder. 1/4 tsp of granulated garlic powder equals one clove of garlic.
This coarse garlic powder can make roasts, gravies, stews, sauces, soups, pizza, and pasta.
Brand: Happy Belly
Unit count: 24.0 oz (680.39 g)
Package info: Jar
Specialty: Kosher
Material type free: Gluten-free
Diet type: Vegan
Pros:
- You can make roasts, gravies, stews, sauces, soups, pizza, and pasta.
Cons:
- It doesn’t dissolve in the meals; it stays granular
McCormick Garlic Powder: Best for any Dish With Meatloaf, Ground Beef ̶ Meatballs, Burger, Chili, or Tacos
Amazon Choice Award in Garlic Powder & Seasonings by McCormick
McCormick garlic powder comes from dried and ground garlic cloves. It is smoother and mellow than raw garlic. McCormick garlic powder disperses wholly and evenly into your dishes. 1/4 tsp of McCormick garlic powder equals one fresh garlic clove.
McCormick garlic powder suits any dish with meatloaf, ground beef meatballs, burger chili, or tacos. It is a non-GMO product belonging to the lily family and a cousin to onions, chives, leeks, and shallots.
Brand: McCormick
Unit count: 8.75 oz (248.05 g)
Package info: Jar
Specialty: Vegetarian, vegan
Material type free: GMO-Free
Diet type: Kosher
Pros:
- It disperses evenly and entirely into your dishes.
Cons:
- It has high sodium content.
Spice Train Organic Ginger Powder: Best for Cooking, Making Smoothies and Tea, and Baking Gingerbread
Amazon Award in Sweet Basil Leaf by SPICE TRAIN
SPICE TRAIN Organic Garlic Powder is the best organic garlic powder. It is a versatile and nutritious ground ginger powder made from a fresh rhizome. It is the most popular ingredient in south Asian and Indian cuisines, with a citrusy, savory, and spicy flavor.
SPAIN TRAIN Organic Ginger Powder is non-GMO, non-preservative, non-artificial flavor or color, and a certified USDA organic product. It has a unique ginger flavor and fragrance from its natural oils, such as gingerol, which adds nutrition and taste to your smoothies, dishes, tea, and lattes.
Brand: SPICE TRAIN
Unit count: 14 oz (396.89 g)
Package info: Resealable zip lock pouch
Specialty: Organic
Material type free: Preservative-free
Diet type: Vegetarian
Pros:
- SPAIN TRAIN organic is a versatile and nutritious ginger powder.
- It has a unique ginger flavor and fragrance from its natural oils, such as gingerol, which adds nutrition and taste to your smoothies, dishes, tea, and lattes.
Cons:
- It is not perfect for seasoning meat.
Badia Garlic Powder: Best for Cooking Rice, Pastas, Beef, Seafood, Poultry, and Vegetables
Amazon Award Choice in Garlic Powder & Seasonings by Badia
Badia Garlic Powder originates from the USA. It has a distinctive flavor and attributes to health benefits, making it the most delicious and valuable condiment. It is perfect for cooking rice, pasta, beef, seafood, poultry, and all vegetables. Badia Garlic Powder is a gluten-free product.
Brand: Badia
Unit count: 16.0 oz (453.59 g)
Package info: Bottle
Specialty: Kosher
Material type free: Gluten-free
Diet type: Vegetarian
Pros:
- Badia garlic powder adds an intensifying flavor to dishes, unlike regular garlic powder.
- It is gluten-free and perfect for vegan lovers.
Cons:
- Its fine texture makes it hard to shake it off from the bottle without measuring your desired quantity.
McCormick Fine Garlic Powder: Best for Cooking Mashed Potatoes, Chili, Taco Fillings, Pasta Sauce, Meatloaf, and More
McCormick Fine Garlic Powder is a fresh whole garlic that adds a rich and savory taste to all your favorite dishes. It disperses completely into your soups, sauces, and marinades.
McCormick Fine Garlic Powder is a GMO-free product that is perfect for chilis pasta sauce, taco fillings, meatloaf, and mashed potatoes. A 1/4 tsp of McCormick Fine Garlic Powder equals one garlic clove.
Brand: McCormick
Unit count: 21.0 oz (595.34 g)
Package info: Jar
Specialty: Vegetarian, vegan
Material type free: GMO-Free
Diet type: Kosher
Pros:
- McCormick Fine Garlic Powder is fresh garlic that adds a rich and savory taste to all your favorite dishes.
- It disperses completely into your soups, sauces, and marinades.
Cons:
- It is hard to measure smaller quantities of McCormick Fine Garlic Powder.
McCormick Granulated Garlic: Best for Adding Flavor to Stews, Vegetables, Soup, and Seasoning Meat and Poultry
McCormick Granulated Garlic comes from fresh whole garlic cloves. It has a coarse texture than garlic powder, adds a sweet and savory flavor of fresh garlic, and gives a milder taste.
McCormick Granulated Garlic is perfect for seasoning poultry or meat and adds a flavor to stews, soups, and vegetables. You can also use McCormick granulated garlic as a base for homemade seasoning blends and meat rubs.
1/8 tsp of McCormick Granulated Garlic equals one clove of fresh garlic.
Brand: McCormick
Unit count: 26.0 oz (737.08 g)
Package info: Jar
Specialty: Vegan, kosher
Material type free: Non-GMO
Diet type: Vegetarian
Pros:
- McCormick granulated garlic comes from fresh whole garlic cloves.
- It adds a sweet and savory flavor of fresh garlic.
Cons:
- It can add a milder taste to your meals.
McCormick Organic Garlic Powder: Best for Recipes That Need Fresh or Dried Garlic
McCormick Organic Garlic Powder is a GMO-free and USDA-certified organic American herb and spice brand that adds a unique taste to any recipe requiring dried or fresh garlic.
Brand: McCormick
Unit count: 16.8 oz (476.27 g)
Package info: Jar
Specialty: Kosher, vegan
Material type free: GMO-free
Diet type: Organic, vegetarian
Pros:
- It adds a unique taste to any recipe.
- It is perfect for recipes that need dried or fresh garlic.
Cons:
- Not a good choice for dishes that don’t require dried or fresh garlic.
McCormick Culinary Garlic Powder: Best for Cooking and Making Sauces, Soups, and Sprinkling on Humus, Chilis, Meatloaf, Pasta Sauces, and Potatoes
Amazon Choice Award in Garlic Powder & Seasonings by McCormick Culinary
McCormick Culinary Garlic Powder is an American powder that adds a unique kick of flavor to everything from simple meals to delicious dishes. It comes from dried and finely ground whole heads of fresh garlic clove.
McCormick Culinary Garlic Powder and seasoning are perfect for chefs and culinary professionals. It has a fine texture and is ideal for every recipe and dish that calls for a garlic taste. You can also sprinkle McCormick Culinary Garlic Powder on humus, meatloaf, chilis, pasta sauces, and potatoes.
1/4 teaspoon of McCormick Culinary Garlic Powder and seasoning equals one clove.
Brand: McCormick
Unit count: 21 oz (595.34 g)
Package info: Jar
Specialty: Kosher
Material type free: No Monosodium glutamate.
Diet type: Vegan
Pros:
- McCormick Culinary Garlic Powder adds a unique kick of flavor to any dish.
- It explicitly blends perfectly with chefs and culinary professionals.
- It has a fine texture and is perfect for every recipe for garlic taste.
Cons:
- It is perfect for chefs, professionals, and cooking batches of dishes.
Tastefully Simple Garlic Garlic Seasoning: Best for Seasoning Meat, Salads, Soup, Eggs, Dips, and Vegetables
Amazon Choice Award in Garlic Powder & Seasonings by Tastefully Simple
Tastefully simple garlic seasoning is the best coarse garlic powder for seasoning all your favorite meals. It is a non-sweetener, non-preservative or hydrogenated fat, non-monosodium glutamate, and a gluten-free garlic powder.
You can sprinkle tasty garlic seasoning on eggs, vegetables, meat, soup, dips, salad, or vegetables; it enhances their taste and adds an incredible burst of garlic flavor.
Brand: Tastefully Simple
Unit count: 4.5 oz (127.57 g)
Package info: Jar
Specialty: Kosher
Material type free: Gluten-free
Diet type: Keto
Pros:
- It adds an incredible taste to your meals.
Cons:
- It is perfect for seasoning and not cooking or baking.
Naturevibe Botanicals Organic Garlic Ground Powder: Best for Pasta, Rice, Seafood, Beef, Poultry, and all Vegetables
Naturevibe botanicals organic garlic ground powder is a high-quality pure garlic powder with an optimum taste. It is a non-GMO and vegan garlic powder, which adds a unique flavor to your dishes without the mess of mincing cloves. It is perfect for vegetables, beef, rice, poultry, seafood, and pasta.
1/4 teaspoon of Naturevibe botanical organic garlic ground powder equals one garlic clove.
Brand: Naturevibe Botanicals
Unit count: 16.0 oz (453.59 g)
Package info: Jar
Specialty: Organic
Material type free: GMO-free
Diet type: Vegan
Pros:
- Naturevibe Botanicals Organic Garlic Ground Powder is a high-quality pure garlic powder.
- It offers an optimum taste and distinctive flavor.
- It adds a unique flavor to your dishes without the mess of mincing cloves.
Cons:
- It is a quiet gritty garlic powder.
FreeFOD Garlic Replacer: Best for Soups, Pasta, Meat Rubs, Sauces, Garlic Bread
Amazon Choice Award in Garlic Powder & Seasonings by FreeFOD
FreeFOD Garlic Replacer is a certified all-natural and vegan product made from the highest quality ingredients and only natural garlic oil. It is a calorie-free product that adds a ton of garlic flavor without adding fat to your dishes.
FreeFOD Garlic Replacer is perfect for various meals such as pasta, garlic bread, sauces, soups, and meat rubs.
Brand: FreeFOD
Unit count: 2.53 oz (71.72 g)
Package info: Resealable zip lock pouch
Specialty: Low FODMAP
Material type free: Gluten-free
Diet type: Vegan
Pros:
- FreeFOD Garlic Replacer has a fantastic taste and aroma.
- It doesn’t cause indigestion, heartburn, or GI discomfort.
- It is soluble in water and can use where infused oils can’t.
Cons:
- It can cause your breath or skin to smell if you use it often.
McCormick Sesame and Ginger Crunch with Garlic, All Purpose Seasoning: Best for Chicken, Stir-Fries, Rice, and Noodle Dishes
Amazon Choice Award in Garlic Powder & Seasonings by McCormick
McCormick Sesame and Ginger Crunch With All-Purpose Garlic Seasoning is a certified paleo, gluten-free, non-GMO garlic powder made from genuine McCormick herbs and spices. It adds an Asian-inspired flavor to your dishes and is perfect for chicken, stir-fries, and rice and noodle meals.
Brand: McCormick
Unit count: 4.77 oz (135.22 g)
Package info: Jar
Specialty: Gluten-free
Material type free: Non-GMO
Diet type: Vegan
Pros:
- It is a certified paleo.
- It adds an Asian-inspired flavor to your dishes.
Cons:
- It has high sodium content.
McCormick Black Garlic Powder Seasoning: Besf for Steaks, Roasted Potatoes, and Drizzling on Salads
Amazon Choice Award in Garlic Powder & Seasonings by McCormick
McCormick Black Garlic Powder Seasoning is a sweet-savory blend of black garlic, salt, and cocoa powder. You should ferment it for at least 90 days to have the savory flavor.
McCormick gives an umami-rich flavor to dishes such as roasted potatoes and steaks.
Brand: McCormick
Unit count: 18.6 oz (527.30 g)
Package info: Jar
Specialty: Kosher
Material type free: No artificial flavor
Diet type: Vegetarian
Pros:
- McCormick Black Garlic Powder Seasoning tastes a bit sweeter than regular garlic.
- You can whisk it into the vinaigrette and drizzle it over green salads.
Cons:
- McCormick Black Garlic Powder Seasoning is salty and contains high sodium content.
Spice Classics Garlic Powder: Best for Dry Rubs, Grilled Meat, Salads, and Vegetables
Spice Classic Garlic Powder is an unmistakable, robust flavor making it the most sought-after and tasty seasoning. It is perfect for dry seasoning rubs, salads, grilled meat, and vegetables. It contains one ingredient — garlic- the perfect substitute for fresh garlic.
One spoonful or a sprinkle of garlic spice imparts iconic flavor to your meals.
Brand: Spice classics
Unit count: 84.0 oz (2,381.36 g)
Package info: Jar
Specialty: Kosher
Material type free: Gluten-free
Diet type: Vegetarian
Pros:
- Spice Classic Garlic Powder is the most sought-after and delicious seasoning.
- It adds a distinct aromatic aroma and a garlicky taste to any recipe you try.
Cons:
- It doesn’t have a strong scent.
Lawry's Coarse Ground with Parsley Garlic Salt: Best for Flavoring Steaks, Chicken, and Vegetables
Lawry’s Coarse Ground With Parsley Garlic Salt is a non-MSG garlic powder that provides a fresh and long-lasting flavor to your dishes. It features a premium blend of salt, garlic, and parsley. Lawry’s garlic powder is perfect for flavoring steaks, chicken, and vegetables.
Brand: Lawry’s Coarse
Unit count: 35.36 oz (1,002.43 g)
Package info: Jar
Specialty: Kosher
Material type free: Salmon Roe free
Diet type: Vegetarian
Pros:
- It has a sweet-smelling flavor that is perfect for any menu.
Cons:
- It is a little high for a 33 oz (935.53 g) bottle with parsley and garlic.
Our Garlic Powder Shopping Guide
Before buying your garlic powder, you should consider the following:
Expiry Date: When buying garlic powder, always check the product’s expiry date. An expired garlic powder may react with your body.
Certification/ Seal of Quality: It is essential to check the bottle’s seal and the certification by the relevant authority before buying garlic powder.
Ingredients: Different garlic powder brands use different ingredients to make their products, and you should choose your preferred ingredients.
Online Reviews: Reviews help us choose the best garlic powder and know what people think about the product.
An Italian Pasta Salad With Dressing Recipe
Pasta Salad With an Italian Dressing
Time: 30 minutes
Serving size: 8 people
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Nutritional Facts
Calories: 347
Protein: 0.46 oz (13.2 g)
Carbohydrates: 1.26 oz (35.9 g)
Cholesterol: 0.00038 oz (10.9 mg)
Sodium: 0.012 oz (357.5 mg)
Fat: 0.62 oz (17.7 g)
Sugar: 0.19 oz (5.4 g)
Equipment Needed
- 2 Spoons and 1 measuring cup
- 1 Small and 1 large bowl
- A whisk
- Cutting board and chef’s knife
- 4-quarts (3.78 litres) pot
- Colander
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 8 oz ( 226.79 g) of a small-shaped pasta
- 1 can of 15 oz (425.24 g) of drained and rinsed chickpeas
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1 cup of fresh chopped cauliflower
- 4 oz ( 113.39 g) of fresh cubed mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups of halved grape tomatoes
- 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup of fresh chopped Italian parsley
- 1/4 cup of fresh chopped dill
Dressing
- 1/2 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar
- 1 minced garlic clove
- 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning
- Fresh black pepper and kosher salt to taste.
- Zest of 1 lemon
Directions
- Cook the pasta in salted water following package directions, drain them immediately and rinse under cold water to eliminate excess starch. You should set them over a colander to cool and drain.
- Prepare the Italian dressing and mix the ingredients in a small bowl. Season with pepper and salt to taste and set them aside.
- Assemble the pasta in a large bowl and then combine the pasta, cauliflower, chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumber, mozzarella, red onion, parsley, feta, and dill. Pour the sauce on the salad and toss them to combine. You should taste for pepper and salt.
- Refrigerate and cover the salad for at least one hour or overnight. Make sure you mix the salad to absorb all the juices from the base.
How We Tested Our Picks
When we tested the best pick, we checked the following:
- The brand: There are different garlic brands, and you should test different brands to get your preferable company.
- Expiry date: You should check the expiring date of the product; an expired garlic powder may react to your body.
- Best for case: Garlic powders have different functions; some are for seasoning, cooking, and baking, and some can multi-function. It would be best to choose the powder depending on your dish.
Some Reader Questions Answered
What Can be Used as a Substitute for Garlic Powder?
If you are wondering, what can I substitute for garlic powder? Worry no more because there are different substitutes for garlic powder you can use, such as:
- Garlic flakes
- Fresh garlic
- Chives
- Shallot
- A pinch of cumin
What are Some of the Uses of Garlic Powder?
Some of the uses of garlic powder are:
- Flavoring soups, stews, vegetables, sauces, and meat dishes.
- You can use garlic powder as a rub for roasting or grilling meats. Mix the garlic powder with your favorite herbs, spices, and olive oil to make a delicious rub.
- To make bread, mix butter and garlic powder, spread it on the bread, and then bake it in the oven until it is crispy and nice.
- To flavor roasted nuts or popcorn, sprinkle garlic powder on the nuts or the popcorn.
When to Use Garlic Powder Instead of Crushed Garlic
Crushed garlic particles are invisible, unlike the powder, which disperses completely on the meals such as vegetables, stews, soups, and salads. You can use garlic powder on this meal instead of crushed garlic. You can also use garlic powder when you want a less flavorful meal.
Where Does Garlic Powder Come From?
Garlic powder comes from different parts of the world; most garlic brands manufacture their products in China, the USA, and Asian countries.
What are the Benefits of Garlic?
Garlic Prevents Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Garlic contains high antioxidants, which help prevent oxidative damage in your body. The antioxidant components help to prevent cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
It helps to Reduce High Blood Pressure
Garlic is a fantastic spice to include in your diet, especially if you have hypertension or blood pressure. Taking garlic supplements lowers high blood pressure, but you should consult your doctor first.
Garlic has Antibiotic Components
Garlic contains allicin, a bioactive antibiotic that helps fight bacteria and infections in squashed, sliced, or diced cloves.
Helps to Boost the Immune System
Adding garlic to your food helps to fight sicknesses such as the common cold and flu. Most of the nutrients in garlic are potent to improve the immune system.
It Helps to Improve Cholesterol Levels
Garlic supplements are known for reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) without hindering the effects of LDL. If you have high sterol levels, you can include organic garlic powder in your diet to help reduce 15% of the total LDL cholesterol in the body.
It Contains Nutrients and Low Calories
Garlic is very nutritious, has a low amount of calories, with the right amount of carbohydrates and proteins. Each garlic clove contains vitamins B1, C, and B6, manganese, fiber, selenium, calcium, iron, potassium, copper, phosphorous, and other trace elements.
It Helps in Detoxifying the Body
Garlic contains high sulfur content, which protects the organs from metal toxicity. Research shows that garlic reduces Pb levels in the blood by 19%.
Parting Words
Garlic powder adds a sweet and tasting flavor to your meals. It is essential to use fresh garlic or ensure it is properly dried and ground for later use. You should know the right proportion of garlic powder you should use in your meals.
Trader Joe's Spices Of The World California Garlic Powder is our best garlic powder brand for spicing any dish because of its strong and bold flavor.
Community of passionate writers and content creators who share a love for Italian heritage, culture, travel, food, and the Italian-American community. Our mission is to celebrate Italy’s rich history and traditions and connect with others who share the same passion.