The Best Garlic Paste Brands for Italian Feasts (Reviewed)

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What is Garlic Paste?

You can prepare the best garlic paste in a blender or food processor by blending garlic with a little oil or water, as the name implies. It is usable and can be kept in the refrigerator or freezer. This garlic paste has only three ingredients: salt, oil, and garlic. The latter two prolong its preservation. 

Once prepared, you can store it in the refrigerator or freezer to prevent having to prepare garlic for subsequent meals. 

Garlic paste

Our Top Pick

There are several garlic paste brands available on the market today. Our top pick is the Laxmi Traditional Indian Garlic Cooking Paste. It is thick and of high quality.

The Best Garlic Paste Brands at a Glance

  1. Laxmi Traditional Indian Garlic Cooking Paste: Best overall garlic paste brand for Italian feasts
  2. Asian Kitchen Garlic Cooking Paste Glass Jar ~ Vegan | Gluten Free | NON-GMO | No Colors | Indian Origin: Best gluten-free garlic paste brand
  3. Amore Garlic Paste: Best Italian garlic paste brand
  4. Dynasty Garlic Paste, Thai Chili: Best Thai garlic paste brand 
  5. Mekhala Organic Gluten-Free Thai Basil Garlic: Best organic garlic paste brand
  6. Shan Ginger Garlic Paste Traditional Taste Enhancing Cooking Paste from Fresh Ground Ginger and Garlic - Suitable for Vegetarians - Airtight Glass Jar: Best vegetarian garlic paste brand
Amore Garlic Paste 3.2oz
Laxmi Garlic Paste 24oz | Premium quality and pure Garlic, Ground | Vegetarian | Non-GMO certified | Ethically Sourced
Mekhala Organic Gluten-Free Thai Basil Garlic
Product name
Amore Garlic Paste 3.2oz
Laxmi Garlic Paste 24oz | Premium quality and pure Garlic, Ground | Vegetarian | Non-GMO certified | Ethically Sourced
Mekhala Organic Gluten-Free Thai Basil Garlic
Price
$7.79
$16.97
$7.99
Amore Garlic Paste 3.2oz
Product name
Amore Garlic Paste 3.2oz
Price
$7.79
Buy Now
Laxmi Garlic Paste 24oz | Premium quality and pure Garlic, Ground | Vegetarian | Non-GMO certified | Ethically Sourced
Product name
Laxmi Garlic Paste 24oz | Premium quality and pure Garlic, Ground | Vegetarian | Non-GMO certified | Ethically Sourced
Price
$16.97
Buy Now
Mekhala Organic Gluten-Free Thai Basil Garlic
Product name
Mekhala Organic Gluten-Free Thai Basil Garlic
Price
$7.99
Buy Now

Our Top Picks Reviewed

Sulfur-containing garlic has various medical uses, and it flavors food. It aids in lowering blood cholesterol levels, maintains healthy blood pressure, reduces cancer risk, and boosts the body’s immunity. 

Whether we are aware of it or not, most of us use garlic in our food to enhance flavor and please our palates. Many brands have developed garlic paste to simplify the cooking process as people, including myself, become busier with work and other commitments.

Since we’ve been using garlic paste for so long, we’ve tried various brands. Here are our opinions and observations regarding the top 12 garlic pastes. Let’s start now.

Laxmi Traditional Indian Garlic Cooking Paste: Best Overall Garlic Paste Brand for Italian Feasts

Brand: Laxmi

Package information: Jar

Diet type: Organic

Item weight: 1.66 pounds (0.8 kilograms)

Specialty: USDA-certified organic

Unit count: 1

Product origin: Indian

FDA approved: Yes

Flavor/s: Garlic

Allergen information: Certified gluten-free

About This Item

After experimenting with various garlic pastes for cooking foods such as Indian or European, many came upon this one and bought a bottle out of curiosity. After opening, it is a surprise to see that it is a thick paste with less water as they use it. 

The company employs food preservatives that have received FDA approval, and the preservative smell is hardly noticeable. You can prepare some delectable lobster recipes, experiment with the spaghetti and the pasta, and be pleasantly happy to have them turn out flawlessly. 

Even Indian fare like butter chicken and boti kebab was traditional. If you use this paste as a marinade for the barbecue, it tastes great after mixing in the proper ratio.

Pros

  • The paste has a potent flavor, so a small quantity is all you need.
  • Without much water, it is a thick paste.
  • It contains FDA-approved preservatives
  • The quality is not questionable because it is solely from the USA.

Cons

  • The glass bottle is dangerous since it can break if it slips from the hand in a rush.
  • After each usage, you must place it in the refrigerator.

Asian Kitchen Garlic Cooking Paste Glass Jar ~ Vegan | Gluten Free | NON-GMO | No Colors | Indian Origin: Best Gluten-Free Garlic Paste Brand

Brand: Rani Brand Authentic Indian Products

Package information: Jar

Diet type: Vegan

Item weight: 1.66 pounds (0.8 kilograms)

Specialty: Vegan

Unit count: 1

Product origin: Indian 

FDA approved: Yes

Flavor/s: Garlic

Allergen information: Gluten-free

About This Item

Even if you make the best possible Indian food, it could not have the flavor you prefer. Since they lack the needed garlic’s powerful aroma, you cannot use numerous pastes to make mutton curry, chicken dopiaza, or garlic pickles. Buy a bottle of Asian Kitchen Garlic Cooking Paste to taste the difference. 

Opening the lid reveals garlic and various additional preservatives, the amounts of which have no specifications on the label. It also contains garlic, sunflower oil, citric acid, xanthan gum, a polysaccharide, and other food preservation ingredients. 

If you try Indian cuisine and cook the mutton and chicken after a few trials and errors, the paste proportion would be ideal for making the recipes immaculate.

Pros 

  • The paste has a strong aroma and is perfect for preparing Indian meals.
  • To get the proper flavor, you must use the paste sparingly.

Cons

  • The chemical preservatives used also have a strong scent.

Amore Garlic Paste: Best Italian Garlic Paste Brand

Brand: Amore

Package information: Packet

Diet type: Non-vegan

Item weight: 3.2 ounces (90.7 grams)

Specialty: Non-vegan

Unit count: 1

Product origin: Italian

FDA approved: Yes

Flavor/s: Garlic

Allergen information: Gluten-free

About This Item

It is an Italian garlic paste blended with salt, sunflower, and olive oil. The paste doesn’t have the overpowering flavor that many people despise, but as a cook, you can’t avoid using them, and just a little bit will give your dishes that unique flavor. 

This paste provides the same sensation as one garlic clove if you take one teaspoonful. Use this Amore garlic paste in dishes where a subtle garlic flavor brings out the authentic flavor of the bread or pizza. 

It works perfectly for making pizza and garlic bread. However, if you attempt to prepare the garlic mutton curry with the paste, it may disappoint you because the paste needs a distinctive flavor.

Pros 

  • The faint smell is ideal for those who dislike the overpowering flavor of garlic.
  • Ideal for cooking pizza and garlic bread.

Cons

  • It’s a little watery and not all that concentrated.
  • The strong smell is absent, and it frequently becomes more muted after cooking mutton or other dishes that contain a lot of garlic.
  • Given the volume, the price is a tad on the high side.

Dynasty Garlic Paste, Thai Chili: Best Thai Garlic Paste Brand

Amazon’s Choice in Chile Paste by Artist Unknown

Brand: Artist Unknown

Package information: Jar

Diet type: Vegetarian

Item weight: 6.5 ounces (184 grams)

Specialty: Vegan

Unit count: 1

Product origin: Thai

FDA approved: Yes

Flavor/s: Chili, garlic

Allergen information: Gluten-free

About This Item

Use this chili-infused Dynasty garlic paste if you want a fiery garlic paste. The taste is moderately hot, and the color is red. It is ideal for preparing Mexican dishes, such as chili, garlic chicken, and rice, in one pan. If you are not a big fan of chili, you should use it sparingly. 

Making a sauce is best for momos and dumplings. You can give it a try if you enjoy the hot sauce. It works well for preparing meals that require a high degree of heat.

Pros 

  • Perfect for preparing spicy, hot cuisine or producing sauces.
  • According to the contents, they possess good therapeutic qualities for health.

Cons

  • The chili paste has imparted too much heat.
  • It contains wheat and may be dangerous for individuals allergic to gluten.

Mekhala Organic Gluten-Free Thai Basil Garlic: Best Organic Garlic Paste Brand

Brand: Mekhala

Package information: Jar

Diet type: USDA organic vegan

Item weight: 3.5 ounces (100 grams)

Specialty: Vegan

Unit count: 1

Product origin: Thai

FDA approved: Yes

Flavor/s: Thai basil garlic 

Allergen information: Gluten-free

About This Item

This is the finest product if you’re seeking garlic paste that is entirely gluten-free and contains some herbs. Salads tasted better than when made with only garlic because of the scent of the basil leaves, which gave the meat a new flavor. It has chili but isn’t very fiery, and the amount is appropriate for everyone’s palette.

Pros

  • Both color and preservative are natural.
  • There are no additives used; the flavor is natural.
  • It doesn’t include refined sugar and is gluten-free.
  • It is also free of nuts.

Cons

  • It comes in a glass jar, which makes it susceptible to breaking when in hand. This is one of our primary concerns.

Shan Ginger Garlic Paste Traditional Taste Enhancing Cooking Paste from Fresh Ground Ginger and Garlic - Suitable for Vegetarians - Airtight Glass Jar: Best Vegetarian Garlic Paste Brand

Brand: Shan

Package information: Jar

Diet type: Halal

Item weight: 24.69 ounces (700 grams)

Specialty: Vegan

Unit count: 1

Product origin: Thai

FDA approved: Yes

Flavor/s: Ginger garlic paste

Allergen information: Gluten-free

About This Item

The paste is ginger and garlic. Although You can use this paste, getting the ratios right might take a lot of work. Because it is a combination paste, you can only use it in recipes that call for both ginger and garlic, and it can take time to find the precise ratios of either ingredient. 

Since the quantities can vary greatly and are unique to many dishes, it is usually preferable to use separate paste. Not all food calls for ginger or garlic, although some dishes do, while others call for both. Therefore, it is advisable to use a separate paste.

Pros 

  • Perfect for professionals to use when preparing cuisine with ginger and garlic since they can determine the quantities.
  • It saves time by not looking through the refrigerator for the ginger and garlic paste.

Cons

  • Choosing the proper volume is difficult because the product is a paste mixture.
  • You can only use it to prepare anything that calls for ginger and garlic.

Is There a Garlic Paste Substitute?

If you don’t have garlic paste, you can use one of the following alternatives. To ensure you get the flavor you want, we advise tasting your food while preparing it.

Fresh Minced Garlic

Freshly minced garlic is the best substitute for garlic paste that you can use. You will get a taste that is quite similar if you add this item to any dish that calls for garlic paste.

You can mince garlic at home or purchase it fully minced. It is a widely used and reasonably priced component found in stores.

Garlic Powder

Garlic powder is a good substitute for minced garlic or garlic paste. The powder is available in a finer form that can dissolve in your meal while you cook it much more quickly. But the taste of garlic will still be there. Use the same quantity of garlic powder as garlic paste.

When flavoring in stews, soups, or other sauces, this replacement tastes fantastic in curries, stir-fries, salads, and other dishes. This substitute is reasonably priced and available in almost every retailer. It is quite easy to incorporate into any recipe.

Garlic Powder

Garlic Flakes

This item resembles minced garlic a lot. You can utilize it in the same way as garlic paste. Compared to minced garlic, garlic flakes are larger and less easily dissolved. This substitute works best in prepared meals since heat brings out the garlic flavor. You must adhere to your preferences in terms of quantity.

Starting with a teaspoon of garlic flakes instead of garlic paste will allow you to assess whether you need to add more of this component.

Green Garlic

In certain nations, green garlic is a seasonal choice that is available mostly in the spring and the beginning of the summer. Although it tastes delicious in place of garlic paste, the finished meal will have a different texture and appearance.

Given how similar the two components appear, many frequently confuse green garlic and green onion. However, after you’ve tried it, you might prefer it in several meals.

You can make the food you want if you use it in the quantity you desire. Remember to add the green garlic to the right size to your recipe, and you will need to chop it.

Dried Garlic

To achieve the desired outcome, you must alter the quantity of this sort of garlic in your food. It’s not as potent as raw garlic, and garlic paste’s concentration is surely not as high. So, if you want a stronger garlic flavor, add more of this substitution. Two tablespoons of dried garlic are ideal for every teaspoon of garlic paste.

Mixed Seasoning

You can get mixed seasoning packs on the market that, in a pinch, provide you with various herbs, including some garlic.

These mixtures contain garlic, which you can find dried, powdered, or chopped. If you find the perfect combination for your tastes, you might not need to season your food with additional ingredients because it will already taste excellent.

But before you find one that works for you and the recipes you want to cook, you’ll probably try out several of these products.

Onion Powder

Even though garlic and onions differ significantly, you can use both vegetables to give food a distinct flavor.

If you enjoy onion and consume it in powder form, the flavor of your food will be very similar to garlic paste. Both dried onion and minced onion are acceptable. However, onion powder is frequently simpler to locate than other options. Depending on your preferences, season your dish with as much onion powder as you like.

Wild Garlic

Given that it has green leaves, wild garlic resembles lettuce. It tastes like the garlic you always use in your dishes. You can substitute any recipe for garlic paste with chopped wild garlic. Given that it has a stronger flavor when raw, it works particularly well in salads and cold foods.

You can find it in the fresh vegetable section of many supermarkets. And it might turn into one of your kitchen essentials.

Garlic Sauce

You may readily obtain garlic sauce in various forms in your neighborhood stores. While some garlic sauces are flavorful and others unflavored, they are all excellent alternatives to garlic paste.

Garlic paste and sauce both frequently have a thick texture. The sauce, however, is a little bit finer than the paste. Once more, the texture varies depending on the brand you choose.

Use your preferred garlic sauce in a 1:1 ratio rather than garlic paste. When changing the flavor of your dish, you may always add more as needed.

Garlic Sprouts

If you don’t have garlic paste, garlic sprout is a fantastic alternative to take into account. Although it may be more challenging to locate garlic sprouts in supermarkets, you may cultivate them at home in a pot. If you have, you may use garlic sprouts in any recipe that asks for paste.

You should add more garlic sprouts to get the same intense flavor as the paste. However, you can’t go wrong with this alternative if you stick to your tastes.

How to Paste Garlic at Home

You can make this paste in a few simple steps. If you’re making many dishes and using whole garlic, check out my comprehensive article on peel and mince garlic for several time-saving methods.

Peel the Cloves

Place the root side of the garlic head up on a cutting board. Smash it firmly, then separate and loosen the cloves. Peel the cloves and trim the root tip. If you’re using peeled garlic cloves from the grocery, omit this step.

Blend With or Without Oil

You should add olive oil and garlic cloves to the blender jar and blend it for 30-45 seconds to create a paste. Ever so often, scrape the edges of the blender jar.

Oil is not required; however, adding it results in a smoother texture and prolongs the shelf life.

You can use water instead of oil: you are welcome to omit the oil entirely or substitute 2 tablespoons of water for it. This makes mixing simpler. Additionally, combining a large batch of garlic cloves is much simpler than a small one.

Garlic odor on hands? Rub your fingers in 1 tablespoon of white vinegar + 1 teaspoon of baking soda to remove the stench from your hands. Rub your fingertips against a stainless steel plate or your kitchen sink as an alternative.

Making garlic paste

How We Tested Our Picks

When testing to find the best garlic brands, we looked into each brand, considering the origin of the paste, allergen information, flavor, FDA approval, and specialty.

Some Reader Questions Answered

How Much Garlic Paste Equals One Clove?

One teaspoon. For one large garlic clove, you should use one teaspoon of garlic paste. Of course, if you don’t want your food to taste overly garlicky, you can always use a half teaspoon or less. Any of your recipes, or any recipe that calls for garlic, will work with this garlic paste. You know what to do if a recipe calls for garlic cloves.

Conclusion

As was previously stated, garlic brings out a particular flavor of foods worldwide. It offers a variety of therapeutic qualities in addition to flavor and aroma that help people stay healthy. Use the paste or sauce according to the ranking above to experience the difference. 

The ranks may vary based on personal preference and experience, but the overall assessment will be consistent with the abovementioned justifications. We recommend the Laxmi Traditional Indian Garlic Cooking Paste. It has a nice flavor and contains FDA-approved preservatives.