Recipe: How to Make Garlic Powder Using Garlic Peels

Turn Your Kitchen Scraps into Flavorful Gold – The Zero-Waste Spice Hack

Ever feel guilty throwing away those papery garlic peels? Me too.. I hate throwing away any type of food – especially when I know there’s a good use for it.

I recently discovered through that you can actually turn them into homemade garlic powder! This simple recipe helps you create a useful seasoning from something you’d normally toss in the trash.

It’s perfect if you love cooking with garlic and want to reduce kitchen waste. The powder has a milder flavor than store-bought versions, but it’s free, all-natural, and super satisfying to make.

Plus, you’ll feel like a kitchen wizard transforming scraps into something delicious. All you need is an oven, a grinder, and those peels you’ve been throwing away.

Recipe: How to Make Garlic Powder

Homemade Garlic Powder from Garlic Peels

Sally Prosser

Transform your kitchen waste into a flavorful culinary treasure with this simple, sustainable recipe that turns discarded garlic peels into aromatic garlic powder. This zero-waste cooking hack not only reduces food waste but also provides you with a nutrient-rich seasoning that rivals store-bought versions.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Cooling Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 35 minutes mins

Course Condiment, Seasoning

Cuisine Sustainable Cooking, Universal

Servings 1 cup

Calories 3 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Baking Sheet A flat sheet with raised edges works best
• 1 Parchment paper Optional but helps with cleanup
• 1 Food processor or spice grinder For grinding dried peels into powder
• 1 Fine mesh sieve For sifting the final powder
• 1 Airtight container For storing the finished garlic powder
• 1 Spatula For spreading and collecting dried peels

Ingredients

  

• 3 cups garlic peels Collected from approximately 15-20 garlic bulbs
• ¼ tsp Salt Optional – helps with preservation and enhances flavor

Instructions

 

Collection & Preparation

• Collect garlic peels from 15-20 bulbs over time
• Store peels in an airtight container in the freezer until ready to use
• Preheat oven to lowest setting (150-170°F / 65-77°C)
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
• Spread peels in a single layer without overlapping

Drying Process

• Place baking sheet in preheated oven for 1-2 hours
• Check every 20-30 minutes and stir for even drying
• Test for doneness – peels should be brittle and crumble easily
• Remove from oven when completely crisp
• Let cool at room temperature for 30 minutes

Grinding & Finishing

• Transfer cooled peels to food processor or spice grinder
• Pulse several times, then process continuously for 1-2 minutes
• Add 1/4 teaspoon salt if desired (optional)
• Sift through fine mesh sieve for uniform texture
• Re-grind larger pieces or save as garlic flakes
• Store in airtight glass container
• Label with preparation date

Notes

1. Collection Method: The most efficient way to collect garlic peels is to keep a small container in your freezer and add to it each time you use fresh garlic. Freezing helps preserve the peels until you have enough for a batch.
2. Oven Alternative: If you own a food dehydrator, it works exceptionally well for this recipe. Set it to 125°F (52°C) and dry for approximately 1-2 hours, or until completely brittle.
3. Color Indicator: The color of your final garlic powder may vary from off-white to light tan. This is normal and depends on the age and variety of garlic used. A slightly darker color often indicates a more intense flavor.
4. Flavor Boost: For a more complex flavor profile, you can add a small amount of dried garlic flesh (the papery thin layers between cloves) to the peels before drying. This increases the allicin content and intensifies the garlic flavor.
5. Texture Control: The fineness of your powder depends on how long you process it. For a coarser “garlic granules” texture, pulse less. For ultra-fine powder, increase processing time and sift multiple times.
6. Moisture Test: Before storing, test for complete dryness by placing some powder in a sealed container for a few hours. If condensation appears on the inside, the powder needs additional drying time to prevent mold during storage.
7. Flavor Preservation: Store away from direct sunlight and heat sources to maintain potency. The volatile compounds in garlic that give it its distinctive aroma and flavor can degrade with exposure to light and heat.

Keyword food scrap recipes, garlic powder, homemade spices, sustainable kitchen, Zero-waste cooking

Health Benefits of Garlic Peel Powder

Unlike commercial garlic powders that may contain additives or anti-caking agents, your homemade version provides these benefits in a pure, additive-free form, making it an excellent choice for those seeking to minimize processed ingredients in their diet.

• Rich in Antioxidants: Many home cooks discard garlic peels without realizing they contain valuable nutrients and bioactive compounds. Garlic peels are rich in antioxidants, particularly phenolic compounds and flavonoids, which help combat oxidative stress in the body. These compounds have been linked to reduced inflammation and may offer protection against chronic diseases.
• Promotes Heart Health: The peels contain small amounts of allicin precursors, the same compounds that give garlic its health-promoting properties. While the concentration is lower than in garlic cloves, it’s still significant enough to provide benefits. Research suggests these compounds may support heart health by helping to regulate blood pressure and cholesterol levels. [1]
• Dietary Fiber: Garlic peels also contain dietary fiber, which supports digestive health and helps maintain healthy gut bacteria. Additionally, they provide small amounts of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and selenium, contributing to overall nutritional intake.
• Antimicrobial Properties: Perhaps most surprisingly, some studies indicate that garlic peels may have antimicrobial properties, potentially helping to fight certain bacteria and fungi. [2] This makes your homemade garlic peel powder not just a flavorful addition to your cooking but also a functional food with potential health benefits.

Check Also: 8 Best Digestive Enzyme Supplements With Protease

Food Pairings And Uses

Homemade garlic powder from peels offers a subtle yet distinctive garlic flavor that enhances a wide variety of dishes. Its versatility makes it an essential addition to your spice cabinet, capable of elevating everything from simple roasted vegetables to complex sauces and marinades.

For protein dishes, garlic powder works wonderfully with all varieties of meat, poultry, and fish. Try sprinkling it on chicken before roasting, mixing it into burger patties, or incorporating it into a dry rub for steak or ribs. For vegetarian and vegan options, it adds depth to tofu, tempeh, and legume-based dishes, helping to create satisfying umami flavors.

In the world of vegetables, garlic powder pairs exceptionally well with root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and parsnips. It transforms simple roasted vegetables into flavorful side dishes and adds complexity to vegetable soups and stews. For a quick flavor boost, sprinkle it on avocado toast or add it to sautéed greens like spinach and kale.

Garlic powder is a natural companion to grains and pasta dishes. Add it to rice while cooking for a subtle garlic infusion, or mix it into breadcrumbs for a flavorful coating. It's excellent in homemade pasta sauces, risottos, and grain bowls, where it provides a foundation of flavor without overpowering other ingredients.

For snacks and appetizers, mix garlic powder with olive oil for a simple bread dipping sauce, or incorporate it into homemade crackers and chips. It's perfect for sprinkling on popcorn with a bit of nutritional yeast for a savory treat, and it adds dimension to nuts when included in a roasting spice blend.

Don't overlook garlic powder's potential in condiments and dressings. Add it to homemade mayonnaise, aioli, or salad dressings for an extra layer of flavor. It's also excellent in compound butters, where it can melt over freshly cooked vegetables or warm bread.

For those who enjoy fermentation, a pinch of garlic powder can enhance homemade pickles, sauerkraut, and kimchi, contributing both flavor and potential preservation benefits through its natural antimicrobial properties.

History of Garlic Powder

The practice of drying and preserving garlic dates back thousands of years, with evidence of garlic cultivation and preservation appearing in ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Chinese, and Indian civilizations. These early cultures recognized not only garlic's culinary value but also its medicinal properties, leading them to develop methods of preserving it for year-round use.

The specific practice of creating garlic powder likely evolved alongside other spice-drying techniques. Ancient civilizations in hot, arid regions discovered that drying herbs and spices significantly extended their usability and made them easier to transport along trade routes. The Silk Road, for instance, facilitated the exchange of dried spices, including various forms of preserved garlic, between Asia and Europe.

Commercial production of garlic powder as we know it today began in the early 20th century, coinciding with advancements in food dehydration technology. During World War II, garlic powder gained popularity in the United States as a convenient alternative to fresh garlic, which was sometimes scarce. Its long shelf life and ease of use made it particularly valuable during this period.

The mid-20th century saw a boom in convenience foods and cooking, further cementing garlic powder's place in American kitchens. Food manufacturers began incorporating it into seasoning blends, canned soups, and other prepared foods, introducing its flavor to a wider audience.

In recent decades, as interest in reducing food waste has grown, innovative home cooks and sustainability advocates have begun exploring uses for parts of foods typically discarded. The practice of making garlic powder specifically from garlic peels represents this modern evolution—combining ancient preservation techniques with contemporary zero-waste principles.

Today's renewed interest in traditional food preservation methods, coupled with concerns about food additives and sustainability, has led many people back to making their own spice blends, including garlic powder. By making it from peels, you're participating in both an ancient tradition of food preservation and a modern movement toward more sustainable cooking practices.

Storage Recommendations And Shelf Life

Proper storage is crucial for maintaining the flavor, aroma, and potency of your homemade garlic powder. When stored correctly, this kitchen staple can retain its quality for an impressive amount of time, making it well worth the effort to prepare.

For optimal freshness, store your garlic powder in an airtight container. Glass jars with tight-sealing lids are ideal as they don't absorb odors and prevent moisture from entering. Mason jars, spice jars with rubber gaskets, or repurposed glass containers with secure lids all work well for this purpose.

Location matters significantly when storing garlic powder. Choose a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and moisture. A pantry or spice cabinet away from the stove and not directly above the dishwasher is perfect. Heat and light can degrade the volatile compounds in garlic that give it its distinctive flavor and aroma, while moisture can cause clumping and potentially lead to mold growth.

When properly stored, homemade garlic powder from peels can maintain good quality for 6-12 months. However, unlike commercial versions that might contain preservatives, homemade powder may begin to lose potency after about 6 months. It won't spoil in the traditional sense but may become less aromatic and flavorful over time.

To check if your garlic powder is still good, perform a simple aroma test. Rub a small amount between your fingers and smell it—if it still has a distinct garlic aroma, it's fine to use. If the scent has significantly diminished, you can still use it but may need to increase the quantity in recipes.

If you notice any clumping in your garlic powder, it's likely absorbed some moisture. While this doesn't necessarily mean it's spoiled, it's a sign that your storage container may not be completely airtight. You can spread the powder on a baking sheet and re-dry it in a low oven (150°F/65°C) for about 10-15 minutes, then cool completely before returning it to a clean, dry container.

For those who make larger batches, consider dividing your garlic powder between a smaller container for daily use and a larger backup container that remains sealed until needed. This approach minimizes exposure to air and moisture for the majority of your supply.

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