Top 6 Black Garlic Substitutes

Black garlic is well-known for its warm, moderately spicy flavor, which complements many foods. It is becoming a popular ingredient worldwide because of its rich nutritional value and several health advantages!

However, some people may have difficulty locating this item, particularly pure black garlic. If you still want to attempt some unique black garlic dishes, check out our recommendation for black garlic substitute in today’s article!

What Is Black Garlic?

It is the product of a slow fermentation of white garlic at specific temperature and humidity levels. As a result, the active component concentration of black garlic rises several times when compared to white garlic when we use it.

This sort of ingredient is highly common in Asian cuisines, especially black garlic Korean. In Western cuisine, chefs also add black garlic to dishes such as cheese, bread, or chicken to add a layer of flavor to their menu.

In general, black garlic is fairly simple to consume than white garlic, regarding its strong smell and odor. When peeled, it is sweet, supple, and non-sticky. Furthermore, because there is no or little pungent odor to eat, it is possible to consume black garlic every day to improve health without fear of bad breath as white raw garlic. 

Recommended Black Garlic Substitute 

If you are wondering, “what can I use instead of black garlic“? Then the following ingredients might be something you want to take into consideration!

1. Garlic Oil

While garlic cloves can cause some digestive problems innately, garlic oil can completely overcome this problem. 

We consider this a modern culinary masterpiece since people have not only totally solved the drawbacks of natural garlic but have also improved it many times over. For any Korean black garlic recipe, you can use garlic oil to substitute for black garlic.

Garlic oil, in particular, retains the strong, warm flavor of garlic. As a result of the steam distillation and blending with other oils, it has a very strong extra flavor note. This ingredient is also used as a medication to strengthen the immune system and make the body healthier.

2. Garlic Powder

Garlic powder is a finely ground form of dried garlic, which you can easily find at any grocery and supermarket. If not, trying to create it at home is not a bad idea at all! You’ll find it as a spice in a variety of meals such as soups, stews, pizzas, and salad dressings.

Garlic powder is, without a doubt, one of the greatest black garlic substitutions. This is because it is the original garlic and has the whole natural flavor of garlic. The garlic powder can be a little dry in some circumstances. 

We suggest you sprinkle it on dishes while the food is still on the stove, allowing the heat to expand it gently. It’s recommended to use around 1/8 teaspoon of powder as a replacement for each clove of black garlic.

3. Jarred Minced Garlic

Coming in a jar, handy and ready to consume anytime, jarred minced garlic is a fantastic answer when someone asks you, “what is similar to black garlic.” 

This is like the best of both worlds; you get the wonderful, warm taste of pure garlic, and it’s easy since everything’s all there! All you need to do is prepare it (and sometimes, you don’t even need to, when using it as an addition to the sauce) and enjoy.

Of course, its quality may fluctuate slightly due to the time it stays in the vial. However, we assure you that you can still create amazing tastes with this product. The alternate dose for each garlic clove is around 1/2 teaspoon.

4. Garlic Paste

Another ingredient in the black garlic alternatives list is garlic paste.

Home cooks may have seen it on store shelves in the form of a tube or a jar. Specifically, garlic paste has a similar flavor to garlic but is stronger since it is more concentrated. 

Some people frequently add salt and oil to their dish, so the flavor of your dish may deviate slightly from the original recipe. That’s not to imply it’s any less wonderful; rather, it’s a reminder to use a bit less, perhaps 1 teaspoon for each clove.

5. Frozen Garlic Cubes

The name spoke for itself. These yellow cubes, literally, are garlic cloves that are frozen solid. Essentially, its flavor will be identical to that of fresh garlic, and you can use it in any dish to add an extra layer of aroma.

6. Garlic salt

Garlic salt is a seasoning salt that combines dried garlic (ideally in powder form) with salt. It might be somewhat saltier than fresh garlic, depending on the producer. 

As a result, you should only add a bit at a time to the pot to ensure that the salty flavor does not overpower everything else. In black garlic replacements recipes, for every 3/4 teaspoon of garlic salt, reduce the salt by 1/2 teaspoon.

How To Choose A Black Garlic Substitute 

Here are the two factors you must consider before picking an alternative for black garlic!

Flavor

Let’s face it: no matter how hard you try to find a flawless substitute, there will always be a difference between it and fresh garlic. Some goods have stronger, more powerful flavors, while others are lighter and have a slightly novel flavor mix. This might be due to the inclusion of chemicals like citric acid or phosphoric acid to help you keep it for a longer time.

However, a variety of flavors may be just what you need to spice things up your menu. Traditional flavors might get boring, and a few twists and spins will definitely not disappoint you.

The Textures of Garlic Substitutes

You may not need to pay much attention to the texture of the replacements, as most of them will not impact the taste. 

For some dishes with a fluid texture, such as a paste, the recipe must be tweaked slightly to avoid the finished product becoming mushy. It all boils down to your particular tastes and preferences.