How to Make Garlic Powder at Home: Easy Steps for Fresh Flavor
You can easily and affordably make your own garlic powder at home, with full control over ingredients and preparation methods. With just fresh garlic and some basic tools, you can make a strong, tasty spice.
Follow these steps to properly dry, grind, and store garlic powder. There are also details on whether it's healthy, why it's worth making, and where to find clean garlic seasonings if you'd rather buy them already made.
How to Make Garlic Powder at Home?
Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need
You don't need any fancy tools to make garlic powder at home. With just a few things from your kitchen, you can make spice that tastes great and lasts longer than most store-bought options.
What you’ll need includes:
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Garlic cloves: Use firm, fresh garlic with no green sprouts
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Mandoline or knife: To slice garlic evenly and thinly
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Baking sheet: Ideal for oven drying in a single layer
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Dehydrator trays: Great if you have a dehydrator for hands-off drying
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Coffee grinder or food processor: To grind dried garlic into a fine powder
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Fine mesh sieve: Helps remove larger chunks and gives a smoother texture
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Airtight container: Essential for storing and preserving freshness
Step-by-Step Instructions for Homemade Garlic Powder
It's easy and fun to make garlic powder at home. It's great for adding real garlic flavor to things like garlic bread, rubs, and soups.
Here’s how to do it:
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Peel and slice: Use a mandoline to slice garlic thinly for even drying
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Arrange properly: Spread slices in a single layer on baking sheets or dehydrator trays
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Dry completely: Oven-dry at 150°F or dehydrate for 6–8 hours until crispy
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Check readiness: Garlic should snap when bent, not feel rubbery
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Grind well: Use a coffee grinder or food processor to make a fine powder
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Sift if needed: A fine mesh sieve ensures no coarse bits remain
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Store carefully: Keep your fresh garlic powder in a cool, dark place for 6–8 months
How Do You Dry Garlic for Garlic Powder?
Oven-Drying Method (Sunny’s Technique)
If you don’t own a dehydrator, using an oven is a great idea. It’s important to control the heat and slice evenly so you get dehydrated garlic that’s safe for storage.
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Set temperature: Use the lowest oven setting (around 165–175°F)
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Slice garlic thin: Thinner slices dry faster and more evenly
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Spread evenly: Use a single layer on a baking sheet with parchment paper
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Leave door ajar: Keep oven door slightly open to let moisture escape
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Monitor drying: Check after 30–45 minutes; turn slices if needed
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Confirm dryness: Garlic is ready when it turns light golden and breaks easily
Key Tips for Proper Drying
When you grind and store garlic, well-dried garlic works best. Bad drying can ruin your batch or make it go bad faster.
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Use fresh garlic cloves: Avoid old or sprouting garlic
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Slice consistently: Uneven slices lead to uneven drying
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Don’t overlap: Always keep slices in a single layer
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Do the snap test: Garlic should break cleanly, not bend
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Avoid burnt edges: If edges brown too fast, reduce heat
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Store with care: Don’t mix with onions or dried herbs unless fully cooled
Is Garlic Powder Healthy?
Health Benefits of Garlic Powder
While garlic powder retains some antioxidant properties, it contains lower levels of allicin compared to fresh garlic due to degradation during the drying process. It's a simple way to add flavor without making things smell or taste bad.
Why it’s healthy:
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Supports heart health: Some studies suggest garlic supplements can modestly reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, but effects vary depending on dosage and preparation method
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Rich in antioxidants: Helps boost your immune system
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Lighter on digestion: Gentler than raw garlic for sensitive stomachs
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Low calorie: Perfect for adding flavor without adding fat or salt
Risks and Considerations
Garlic powder has health benefits, but it should only be used in small amounts. Not everyone can do it, especially if they have health problems or can't eat certain foods.
Use with caution if:
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You’re on blood thinners: Garlic can increase bleeding risk
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You confuse it with garlic salt: Garlic salt includes added salt and is not the same
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You’re allergic: Those with onion or garlic allergies should avoid it
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You rely on supplements: Garlic powder should not be used as a substitute for medical treatment or to replicate the full health effects of raw garlic
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You experience heartburn: Like onions, it can trigger acid reflux in some
Is It Worth Making Your Own Garlic Powder?
What Real Users Say
A lot of people who have made their own garlic powder say they will never buy it again. Anyone who likes to cook should do this because it saves money, tastes better, and is easy to do.
Common feedback includes:
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Better flavour: Homemade is more aromatic than pre-packed garlic
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Saves money: A small amount of garlic makes a lot of powder
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Easy to make: No special skills needed, just time and patience
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Good for blending: Works well with onion powder and dried herbs
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Custom grind: Use a pestle and mortar or grinder for coarse or fine textures
Flavor, Cost, and Control: The Real Benefits
When you make your own garlic powder, you can choose the ingredients, the size of the grind, and how dry it is. It works great for making recipes better without adding extra preservatives.
Why it’s worth it:
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Fresh taste: Garlic loses volatile flavor compounds during prolonged storage, which can affect taste quality in pre-ground products.
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Not any extras: There are no salt or anti-caking agents mixed in.
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Change to your liking: You can make it coarse, fine, or mix it with onion powder.
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Use at any time: You don't have to mince or chop garlic at the last minute.
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Just right for garlic blends: Mix it with butter or olive oil, or sprinkle it on vegetables.
What Can FullyHealthy Offer You for Garlic Seasoning Needs?
FullyHealthy’s Organic Garlic Seasonings
You can get great garlic and spice options from FullyHealthy if you don't have time to make your own. Their seasonings are clean, free of allergens, and great for people on special diets.
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Simply Organic Garlic Powder: Perfectly ground and organic
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Simply Organic Onion Powder: A must-have pantry addition
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Minced Onion: Handy alternative to chopped fresh onions
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AIP-compliant options: Safe for elimination diets
Why Shop Here? Dietary Support & Specialty Products
You can trust FullyHealthy to give you good seasonings and diet help. They have helpful tips whether you're cooking for people with allergies or just love clean eating.
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Convenient shopping: Great for finding items at any particular time
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Trusted quality: No fillers, non-irradiated, and ethically sourced
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Great for recipes: Perfect for making good garlic bread with olive oil and salted butter
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Helpful for small households: Buy in exact sizes you need—no waste
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Spice up meals: Use a half spoon to cook or sprinkle for a boost of taste
Final Thoughts
It is easy, cheap, and satisfying to make your own garlic powder. Whether you buy fresh cloves of garlic from the store or grow your own, making them into powder is a great way to keep their flavor. From cutting the garlic very thinly to grinding it very finely, you decide every step. Make sure the garlic is completely dry before putting it away.
It goes well with onion powder and is great in garlic bread, sauces, and rubs. It's a sweet thing to have in the kitchen, whether you sprinkle it on things, crush it into a paste, or mix a teaspoon into a dish. The ready-made options from FullyHealthy are also great for busy cooks because they save time without sacrificing quality.
FAQs
Can I make garlic powder if I don’t have a garden?
Yes, you don’t need a garden. Just buy fresh garlic, slice it thin, and make sure it’s completely dry before grinding into powder.
What if I want to make a paste instead of powder?
You can crush garlic and mix with olive oil or water to create a paste. But for longer shelf life, drying and powdering is better.
Can I mix garlic powder with sauces?
Yes, homemade garlic powder adds strong flavour to sauces, soups, and even sweet marinades. A teaspoon goes a long way.
What if the garlic isn’t completely dry before grinding?
Don’t grind it. Garlic must be completely dry or it will clump, spoil, or turn into paste instead of powder.
How much garlic powder equals one clove?
Use about 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder for one fresh clove. Adjust to taste depending on the dish or how sweet or strong you want it.
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