Homemade garlic powder is perfect for seasoning meats, vegetables, soups and sauces! A small amount is enough to enhance dishes thanks to its concentrated flavour. Making garlic powder at home is a healthy, tasty alternative to industrial garlic powder and lets you enjoy garlic flavour all year round. Whether for seasoning dishes or preserving an abundant garlic harvest in powdered form, here are all steps to make the best homemade garlic powder recipe!

Which garlic to use?

More than 25 garlic varieties are distinguished, divided into three categories: white, purple or pink. All can be dried, but for best flavour results, favour varieties well suited to drying, such as ‘Rose de Lautrec’ garlic, pink garlic 'Clédor', pink garlic ‘Flavor’ or white ‘Messidrome’ garlic, which offer intense flavours and keep well after processing.

How to make homemade garlic powder

When to harvest garlic?

In the garden, best period to harvest garlic pods is generally summer, in June and July, when bulbs are well formed and leaves die back. This is called "dry harvest". Growing garlic as a vegetable young plant will allow you to control your small production of homemade garlic powder from A to Z!

How to make 100% homemade garlic powder?

Required equipment

  • 1 kg fresh garlic pods for 350 g garlic powder
  • A sharp knife
  • A chopping board
  • A colander
  • A rack or a tray
  • A coffee grinder, blender or food processor
  • An airtight glass jar

Prepare garlic for drying

Start by harvesting or choosing fresh garlic heads, preferably from organic farming to avoid residues of pesticidal products. To prepare garlic for drying: 

  • Separate pods
  • Peel them
  • Rinse under clear water
  • Cut in half to remove germ
  • Then slice into thin pieces. The thinner the slices, the faster and more even the drying.
Slice garlic into thin slivers
Slice garlic into thin pieces before drying

Different drying techniques

Air drying

  • If weather allows, take advantage to dry garlic slices in direct sunlight.
  • Lay slices in a single layer on a rack or tray lined with baking paper.
  • Cover with a muslin cloth to protect from insects and birds.
  • Leave to dry in sun for several days, turning occasionally.
  • Bring inside at night.
  • This process can take 3 to 10 days depending on ambient humidity.

Oven drying

  • Preheat oven to 60 °C.
  • Arrange garlic slices on a baking tray ensuring they do not touch.
  • Dry at low temperature for 2 to 8 hours, leaving oven door slightly ajar to allow moisture to escape (drying time will depend on oven).
  • When garlic is brittle, remove from oven and let cool.

Dehydrator drying

  • Place garlic slices on dehydrator trays and set appliance temperature according to manufacturer instructions.
  • Drying can take 6 to 12 hours.

Reducing garlic to powder

Once garlic is fully dry, time to turn it into powder. Use a coffee grinder, blender or food processor to grind slices until fine powder forms. If needed, sift powder to remove larger pieces and obtain uniform texture.

How to store garlic powder?

Transfer garlic powder to an airtight glass jar. Store away from light, in a cool, dry place to preserve aroma and flavour. Properly stored, homemade garlic powder keeps up to one year without losing taste qualities.

How to make garlic powder

How to use garlic powder?

Homemade garlic powder is ready to use in many recipes! Garlic powder can easily replace fresh garlic.

Garlic powder is perfect for seasoning meats, whether chicken, beef, pork or even seafood. Add to marinades to infuse rich, deep flavours. It is also excellent for enhancing roasted or sautéed vegetables, especially potatoes, carrots and courgettes.

Stir garlic powder into sauces, soups and stews to give a subtle, homogeneous garlic flavour. Unlike fresh garlic, powder dissolves easily, avoiding garlic pieces in preparations.

Add a pinch of garlic powder to homemade dressings for a tangy, savoury note. It is also excellent for flavouring dips such as guacamole, tzatziki or yoghurt-based dips.

Garlic powder is often used in bread preparations, notably in garlic breads, focaccias and pizzas. It can be mixed into dough or sprinkled before cooking for intense, delicious taste.

It is also a key ingredient in many homemade spice blends. Combine with other spices such as paprika, cumin, black pepper and thyme to create a versatile seasoning usable on almost anything.

What are benefits of garlic powder?

Garlic is known for antibacterial and antiviral properties, due to an active compound called allicin. Even as powder, garlic retains part of this allicin, which helps fight infections and supports immune system. It can help prevent common infections such as colds and flu.

Garlic powder is a source of antioxidants, which play an essential role in protecting cells against damage from free radicals.