All Natural Homemade Garlic Powder

You can make an all natural homemade garlic powder; and it is easier than you think. I just planted my Fall garlic cloves and I am already looking forward to the harvest.  Not only do we love fresh garlic in our meals, I use a ton of my homemade garlic powder all year long. It is funny that we use store-bought garlic powder when the homemade is a 1000 times better with no nasty additives. Do you know they can add binders like soy and never put that on the label? I want one thing in my garlic powder…garlic.

Equipment needed for your homemade garlic powder:

• 2 lbs of garlic – peeled and sliced thin
  Try to keep the slice size consistent with a mandolin slicer.
  
• Dehydrator of your choice
  I use the Nesco and still love it!
• A Spice Grinder
  You can use a coffee grinder but you’ll pretty much never want to put coffee beans in it again.
• Air-tight containers for storage
  I have re-used my old spice jars! Or check these mini glass jars.

Directions for your homemade garlic powder:

1. Arrange your garlic slice on your dehydrator racks in a single layer
2. Set your dehydrator to 130 degrees
3. Allow the garlic to dry completely and crispy.  Depending on your dehydrator this can take 12 hours or more.
4. Now you can grind your dehydrated garlic
5. Store in an air-tight container
6. If you won’t use a lot right away you can refrigerator or freeze it for longer storage (remember no preservatives)

You can also save those lovely slices of dehydrated garlic for soups, stews and sauces.  Just leave them as-is out of the dehydrator and store them in air-tight containers also.

Now it should be noted that this powder will clump up; but that is nothing a little fork can’t deal with.  I think you’ll find the de-clumping a worthy task in exchange for this tasty spice.

That’s it – you’r now a homemade garlic powder making pro!  Can you believe it is that easy?  You’ll never want the store powder again when you taste the powerful punch of flavor your homemade garlic powder gives in comparison.

Now getting to cooking…your taste buds are begging for it. *wink*

Love to dehydrate? Check out my post on Making Tomato Powder – you’re going to love it!