Ingredient substitution guide
Best substitutes for garlic
Best swap for garlic: Garlic powder, 1/8 tsp per clove; less pungent, no texture.
How we checked this: these swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes, and their ratios follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than one published chart. For exact amounts on many common swaps, see the NDSU and Colorado State University extension tables listed below. Editorial policy
What can I use instead of Garlic?
The best swap for Garlic is Garlic Powder, 1/8 tsp per clove; less pungent, no texture. Another option is Garlic Paste, 1/2 tsp per clove. The table below also lists Granulated Garlic, Shallot and Garlic-Infused Oil, 5 swaps in all.
| Swap | Ratio and notes |
|---|---|
| Garlic powder | 1/8 tsp per clove; less pungent, no texture |
| Garlic paste | 1/2 tsp per clove |
| Granulated garlic | 1/4 tsp per clove, about twice what you would use of garlic powder; the coarser grind clumps less and disperses more slowly |
| Shallot | one small shallot per two cloves; milder and sweeter, and it brings its own onion note to the dish |
| Garlic-infused oil | 1 tsp per clove, stirred in off the heat; it carries the aroma with none of the solids, and it is the low-FODMAP route How to use it: Store-bought garlic oil is acidified and keeps; refrigerate homemade oil and use it within 4 days. |
Source and limits
These swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes to your kitchen, last updated . We remove swaps known to be unsafe, but not every swap has been tested in a kitchen, and a swap is cooking guidance, not an allergen or nutrition equivalent. Check labels and what the recipe needs before substituting.
The ratios and usage notes follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than a single published chart. These two university extension tables list exact amounts for many common swaps:
- Ingredient Substitutions (FN198), NDSU Extension (opens in a new tab)
- Ingredient Substitutions (9.329), Colorado State University Extension (opens in a new tab)
- Oregon State University Extension, Herbs and Vegetables in Oil (SP 50-701) (opens in a new tab)
Browse every ingredient and read how these swaps are sourced.
Read the full guide: How much minced garlic equals one clove?
Buying more? Storage times for garlic