Easiest Garlic Powder and Granulated Garlic

Making your own homemade garlic powder or granulated garlic is a great way to keep fresh garlic from spoiling, but that's only one of the benefits. And I've found the fastest, easiest way to make both.

Once you try this, you'll likely never be tempted to buy store-bought garlic powder or granules again.

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We love garlic, but I also love saving money.

We buy garlic in bulk (we buy a lot of foods that way to save money). These days it's usually the larger bags from Costco, but years ago I bought a huge jar of peeled garlic because it was such a good deal. Unfortunately, it started sprouting and spoiling long before we could use it all.

Houston, we had a garlic problem.

Saving money when you buy something is great, but if it spoils, then all those savings go out the window.

I realized that I could make the garlic into homemade garlic powder and granulated garlic, but it needed to be easy or I just wouldn't do it.

Why Make Homemade Garlic Powder

Beyond stopping the spoilage of your garlic, there are lots of other benefits to making your own garlic powder and granulated garlic.

• Better Flavor: Freshly dehydrated garlic simply tastes so much better than anything you can buy in the store.
• No additives: Store-bought garlic powders often contain anti-caking chemicals or other additives.
• Save Money: If you can dehydrate a bulk purchase of garlic, you can save a lot of money.
• Reduce Food Waste: As mentioned, dehydrating your own garlic is a great way to prevent spoilage that can happen easily if you buy more than just a few cloves at a time.

The Fastest Way to Make Garlic Powder and Granulated Garlic

Many posts out there that show you how to make your own granulated garlic and garlic powder talk about slicing garlic in thin, uniform slices.

Have you ever tried doing that?

First of all, talk about tedious! And second, dangerous.

Those cloves are small and slippery, making them surprisingly easy to nick with a knife. And slicing dozens of cloves by hand takes a lot more time than I want to spend.

Here's how to avoid the tedium and the sliced fingers while getting the same great result. Simply chop the garlic in a food processor instead of slicing it by hand. It's much faster, especially if you're preserving a large batch.

Supplies You Will Need

• Food processor
• Dehydrator or oven
• Blender or food processor
• Spice grinder (optional)

Directions

• Peel garlic
• Chop peeled garlic in food processor
• Spread on dehydrator trays or baking sheets
• Bake or dehydrate until completely dry
• Grind to desired texture
• Store in an airtight container

Garlic Powder vs. Granulated Garlic (What’s the Difference?)

Garlic powder and granulated garlic are made the same way, but they’re processed to different textures.

• Garlic powder is very finely ground and blends smoothly into recipes like sauces, dressings, and spice mixes.
• Granulated garlic is coarser, with a slightly grainy texture that works well in rubs, marinades, and dishes where you want a bit more texture.

In this recipe, you’ll first make garlic granules.
To turn them into garlic powder, simply blend the granules further until very fine.

Quick tip:
If a recipe calls for garlic powder and you only have granules, you can still use them—but the texture will be slightly different and the flavor may release a bit more slowly. You can also easily grind granules to make powder if you'd like.

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Recipe Notes

• Blend longer for fine garlic powder; stop earlier for granulated garlic
• Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place
• For the best flavor, use within 6–12 months

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does homemade garlic powder last? Homemade garlic powder will keep for many months when stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. For the freshest flavor, try to use it within 6–12 months. As long as it stays dry and free of mold, it often remains usable well beyond that, though the flavor gradually fades over time.

Why did my garlic powder clump? Homemade garlic powder can clump if it wasn't completely dry before grinding or if moisture gets into the container during storage. If it clumps, break it up and make sure it's stored in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry place. If the powder still feels damp, spread it back onto dehydrator trays and dry it a little longer before storing.

Can I use pre-peeled garlic? Yes. In fact, this method is perfect for large bags of pre-peeled garlic that you want to preserve before they sprout or spoil.

Can I make garlic powder in the oven? Yes. If you don't have a dehydrator, you can dry the garlic in your oven using the lowest temperature setting. Be sure to stir it occasionally and watch it closely so it dries rather than browns.

Other Easy Homemade Pantry Staples

• Easiest Coconut Milk – no nut milk bag needed!
• Easiest Almond Milk – no nut milk bag here, either.
• Aluminum and Corn-Free Baking Powder – works great.
• Sugar-free Vegan Condensed Milk
• Powdered Sugar Substitute – works for any granulated sweetener, including low-carb, keto.
• Liquid Stevia Drops – this saves TONS of money!
• Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce – my dad's favorite recipe made healthier.

I'd love to hear what you think after you try making your own
garlic powder or granulated garlic.