Garlic is a staple in many of our favorite dishes. It can add an irresistible zing to anything from hummus to pasta sauce. But, it’s also time consuming and smelly to peel and chop.
And, if you get garlic on your hands, you can get an unpleasant side effect: contact dermatitis. If you find yourself with more of the delicious but pungent bulb than you know what to do with, don’t worry!
There are plenty of easy substitutes for garlic that will still give your dish the flavor boost it needs in half the time!
Substitutes for Garlic in Hummus
One of the easiest and most effective substitutes for garlic is cumin. Cumin has a slightly peppery flavor that will give your hummus a robust taste without adding too much garlic flavor.
If you want to go with a more mellow, earthy flavor, you could give your hummus a kick with fresh ginger or turmeric. Both of these spices have a milder flavor than garlic but would still add enough zing to make your dish memorable.
If you’re looking for an alternative that’s still mildly spicy, try replacing the garlic with finely diced red pepper flakes. This substitution is easy to do in most dishes because red pepper flakes are very similar in size and shape to chopped garlic cloves.
And if you want to really amp up the heat factor in your dish, try adding jalapeno peppers! Just be sure to remove some of the seeds before grinding them up so they don’t overpower your dish.
Substitutes for Garlic in Pasta Sauce
There are plenty of easy substitutes for garlic in pasta sauce. You can get more than enough flavor with a tablespoon of minced onion, a teaspoon of basil, and some minced oregano.
These three spices pack a punch of flavor without doing much work! If you want to kick your flavor up a notch, you can add about 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes and 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper.
If you’re not feeling the savory flavors just yet, adding about 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar might do the trick. It’ll add sweetness and tartness to your dish without making it too overpowering.
No matter what ingredients you use, be sure to taste test before mixing all the ingredients together. A little mix-up with your pasta sauce might not be a big deal but it could change the entire dish in a bad way!
Other Substitutes for Garlic
One of the easiest ways to substitute garlic is to use onion. You can also blend it with other ingredients like parsley, ginger, or lemon juice. Another option is to substitute it with shallots or leeks.
If you’re not looking for a flavor-changing substitution for garlic, one of the easiest substitutions is to use cumin instead. It’ll provide a warm and earthy flavor that doesn’t have any strong notes of its own.
Conclusion
Garlic is a staple in many dishes, but it’s also time consuming and smelly to peel and chop. If you find yourself with more of the delicious but pungent bulb than you know what to do with, don’t worry!
There are plenty of easy substitutes for garlic that will still give your dish the flavor boost it needs in half the time!
The most popular one is red pepper flakes. For those who like to keep things spicy, these can be substituted for fresh garlic in any recipe.
They’re inexpensive, easy to use, and available at most grocery stores. Another great substitute is shallots.
These have a milder flavor compared to other bulbs, so they won’t overpower other ingredients you’re using. If you want something sweet, try adding cinnamon or nutmeg- both will work well with sweet dishes.
So whether you need a quick substitute or just want an easier way to prepare dinner, this list of substitutes has got you covered!