8 Amazing Garlic Substitutes

by Vanya Sharma last updated -

Be it a garlic allergy or just the lack of fresh garlic in your kitchen, if you find yourself unable to add this amazing herb in your recipe then fret not.

Here we have a list of some amazing herbs and spices that can work efficiently as your garlic substitute in various dishes such as soups, stews, pasta, Asian cuisines, lamb, and more.

Garlic Substitutes

The best garlic substitutes include celery, asafetida, cumin, fennel, chives, celery root, bell pepper, garlic powder, ginger, peppercorns, and horseradish.

Celery

Celery is one of the most popular substitutes of garlic as well as onions. With its aromatic taste, celery makes for the perfect flavoring agent. You can easily add it to lamb, Italian pasta sauce, and Indian curry.

Sliced garlic, garlic clove, garlic bulb in a wooden bowl placed on a chopping board

Garlic cloves Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Asafetida

Asafetida (giant fennel or hing) makes for a good garlic substitute as it has a very strong aroma and savory taste. It also promotes digestion. [1]

Celery Root or Celeriac

This pungent root of the celery plant can be used in place of garlic and tastes like a cross between parsley and celery.

Fennel

A sweeter alternative to garlic, fennel has a unique flavor and takes up the texture of onions when cooked. [2]

Cumin

Cumin can be a good substitute for garlic in Indian cuisines. Along with giving a rich flavor to your food, it also boosts immunity and digestion.

Chives

Chives belong to the same family as garlic and can be a good alternative in various dishes and condiments including the famous gremolata and pesto. It is not as pungent as garlic and helps those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Although certain caution is advised to those who have an allium allergy as it belongs to the same family. [3]

Ginger

Ginger does not deliver an exactly same taste but gives a similar zesty punch to your food as garlic.

A wooden scoop of ginger powder with whole and sliced gingers on a wooden table

If you cannot source fresh ginger root, you can buy ginger powder for making teas. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Garlic Powder

Garlic powder is extracted from fresh garlic cloves and makes for a good garlic substitute when you don’t have fresh or raw garlic.

So what are you waiting for? Make use of these garlic substitutes and have fun with your food!

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About the Author

Vanya Sharma is a writer at heart with interests in the health and nutrition domain and has experience in content creation, collaboration, and content strategy. Vanya has completed the “Introduction to Food and Health” certificate program from Stanford University, US. She aims to bring unbiased and helpful information to all those seeking to make their health and lifestyle a priority.

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