Granulated Garlic Vs Garlic Powder: Which One Works Best In Your Recipe?

The world of spices can feel truly never ending. For most of us, a glance into the spice cabinet is an experience that is equal parts wonder and confusion. Between all the different types of salts, sauces, herbs, and more, it can be hard to keep track of exactly what spice does what. Even garlic, that trusty beacon of flavor, has more dried iterations than one may know what to do with. 

Take granulated garlic and garlic powder for example. These ingredients may seem similar, but they aren't interchangeable in every scenario. When you're standing in the kitchen trying to throw together a recipe, being able to tell between the two can save you from overpowering a dish or making something that lacks that garlic punch you're looking for.

The basic difference between these ingredients is their texture. Granulated garlic is coarser, similar to table salt, while garlic powder is finely ground like flour. These textures affect how each integrates into food, and how strong the garlic flavor is.

Granulated garlic is made by grinding dried garlic cloves into coarse granules until it reaches a texture similar to cornmeal. Since the larger granules don't dissolve and disperse as quickly into recipes, granulated garlic offers a mild, slow-releasing flavor ideal for dishes where you want a balanced infusion of garlic. It's perfect for heavy meats, breads, or stews where the garlic has time to blend with other ingredients and develop its flavor without becoming overpowering. As a bonus, the coarse texture also makes it a good addition to spice rubs since it is easier to spread over meat.

One advantage of granulated garlic over its powdery cousin is how well it disperses in dry mixes. It tends to stick better to the surfaces of meat or vegetables without clumping, which means it's easier to make an even layer of flavor. Granulated garlic is also more forgiving than garlic powder since it has a significantly less intense taste. Like kosher salt, granulated garlic makes for a nice finishing garnish to dishes like pizza or extra aromatic garlic bread.

Garlic powder is made by grinding dehydrated garlic cloves to a very fine consistency. Because of its texture, garlic powder delivers a powerful burst of garlic flavor, rather than the subtle notes of granulated garlic. This makes the powder the best choice for dishes where you want the garlic flavor to blend in uniformly and quickly, such as sauces, marinades, pastas, and salad dressings. It's also a key ingredient to the perfect roasted potatoes. The fineness of garlic powder also makes it the best option to incorporate into liquids or soups if you want a smooth consistency without the gritty texture you might get from coarser granules.

Since garlic powder is finely ground, it packs more flavor in a smaller quantity compared to granulated garlic and is therefore much more potent. This means that even a small amount goes a long way, so you should use it sparingly to avoid overpowering other flavors. Garlic powder is a great choice when you want an intense garlic punch that's evenly distributed throughout your dish. You can also use it in a dry rub, though it may clump up a bit.