Philippines

100g Garlic powder in 190ml glass bottle

fresh garlic vs garlic powder

Let’s start with what garlic powder actually is—it’s a ground and dried out version of the fresh garlic bulb. You might also hear it referred to as “granulated garlic”—that’s the same thing, only ground a tad bit coarser. One huge advantage of using this versus fresh garlic is that it’s less prone to burning. If you try to saute it directly in oil or butter like its fresh counterpart, then yes, it will burn. But, if you’re baking or broiling something (GARLIC BREAD, HELLO) and you want to incorporate a garlic flavor, your best bet is to go for garlic powder. If we’re talking dry rubs for meats and veggies, garlic powder is superb option—fresh garlic, no matter how beautifully you mince it, will not disperse as easily and readily, or stick as well to the food. However, because this form of garlic has been dried out (and has probably sat in your cupboard for longer than you’d like to admit), it’s likely lost some of its potent flavor in the same way that all spices do as time passes. So, if you’re trying to create a smack-you-in-the-face garlic flavor, I’d suggest you put down the jar of garlic powder. For soups, stews, dips, or sauces where garlic is only a minor flavor component, rather than a star ingredient, you’ve got the green light for garlic powder.

