Onion powder is made from dehydrated onion that’s ground into a fine powder. The flavor of onion powder is very similar to that of fresh onions. You can also use it in much the same way as fresh onion–as a seasoning in soups, stews, sauces, and other dishes.
Garlic powder is made from dehydrated garlic cloves that have been ground into a fine powder.
The flavor of garlic powder, on the other hand, is much more potent than fresh or powdered garlic because all of its flavor compounds are concentrated together.
Garlic has a strong yet well-rounded flavor that works well in stir fries, pasta sauces, meat rubs, pizza toppings or anything else you would use finely minced or pressed garlic for.
Although garlic and onion powders are both available at most grocery stores, they are not the same. While garlic powder is made from the dried and ground cloves of garlic, onion powder is made from dehydrated onions. In addition to a different flavor, onion powder is much stronger in flavor than garlic powder, so it should be used sparingly.
While onion powder can be substituted for garlic powder in some cases, it is best to make sure that the recipe you are making calls for onion powder specifically. When substituting onion powder for garlic powder, use half as much as you would use of garlic powder.
While it would be possible to substitute onion powder for garlic powder in some recipes, the flavor would not be the same. In addition, using too much onion powder in a recipe can result in an overpowering onion flavor. Therefore, before you substitute onion powder for garlic powder in a recipe, be sure to check the recipe carefully to make sure that is what it calls for.
What is onion powder?
Onion powder is made from dehydrated onion that’s ground into a fine powder. The flavor of onion powder is very similar to that of fresh onions.
You can also use it in much the same way as fresh onion–as a seasoning in soups, stews, sauces, and other dishes.
What is garlic powder?
Garlic powder is made from dehydrated garlic cloves that have been ground into a fine powder. The flavor of garlic powder, on the other hand, is much more potent than fresh or powdered garlic because all of its flavor compounds are concentrated together.
Garlic has a strong yet well-rounded flavor that works well in stir fries, pasta sauces, meat rubs, pizza toppings or anything else you would use finely minced or pressed garlic for.
The flavor of garlic powder will overpower any dish you put it in; however, if you want to make your own Italian dressing and don’t want to use onion powder as a substitute, then this isn’t for you.
If you just need some seasoning to sprinkle on top of baked chicken to give it an extra kick of garlic flavor and save time and effort without sacrificing taste, then onion powder can help.
How do they differ?
How do onion powder and garlic powder differ? The main difference between these powders is the degree of their flavor. Onion powder has a strong, sweet flavor, while garlic oil has a bitter, astringent flavor.
Onion powder is made from dehydrated onions that are ground into a fine powder. The flavor of onion powder is very similar to that of fresh onion–as a seasoning in soups, stews, sauces, and other dishes.
Garlic has a strong yet well-rounded flavor that works well in stir fries, pasta sauces, meat rubs, pizza toppings or anything else you would use finely minced or pressed garlic for.
The taste of each type can also vary depending on how they’re used.
For example, if you plan to use either type as an ingredient in your cooking then the taste will be more muted because they will be diluted by other ingredients in your concoction.
Can they be substituted for each other?
Yes, onion powder and garlic powder can be substituted for each other. They do have similarities that will create a slightly different flavor, but it’s not enough to make them taste anything more than similar.
To substitute onion powder for garlic powder, use 1 tablespoon of onion powder for every 1 tablespoon of garlic powder called for in a recipe or dish.
You may need to adjust the amount of onion according to the sauce you’re making–if you’re using a more concentrated sauce with a lot of onions, then you’ll need less onion powder because it will overpower the flavor of the onions.
Final Notes and Considerations
The best substitute for onion powder is garlic powder. When substituting garlic powder for onion powder, remember that garlic has a stronger and more pungent flavor than onion.
If a recipe calls for onion powder, use one-third less than the amount required by the recipe if you are substituting garlic powder instead.
