How to Dehydrate Garlic for Garlic Powder

Flavor Year-Round: A Garlic Farmer’s Guide

We are garlic farmers and have been preserving our garlic for over 20 years. Since organic heirloom garlic, with its wonderfully rare flavor, doesn’t always store long, we had to find ways to preserve our harvest. With these tried and true preservation methods, we have all the flavor we need to get us through to our next harvest. Since we began growing our own garlic, we proudly say we have NEVER purchased garlic from the grocery store!

Explore our other preservation blogs on Freezing Garlic! We recommend using all these methods to preserve your garlic harvest. Each one serves its purpose to provide you with full-flavored heirloom garlic year-round.

Why Dehydrate Garlic?

Dehydrating garlic is another excellent way to preserve it for year-round use. In just a few steps, you can create the most flavorful granulated garlic and garlic powder you’ve ever tasted! It will elevate the flavor in all of your dishes and increase the nutritional value. Homemade garlic powder is far superior to store bought garlic powder. All you need is a sharp knife (a food processor works even better) and a simple dehydrator or oven.

STEP 1: Peel your garlic cloves.

STEP 2: Use a food processor fit with a slicing blade to make thin slices or slice the cloves with a sharp knife. Alternatively, you can mince the garlic with your food processor’s standard S-blade.

STEP 3: Spread garlic on lined dehydrator trays or a baking sheet lined with parchment.

Dehydrating Garlic in a Dehydrator

Set your dehydrator to 115-120F. Dehydrate for at least 24-72 hours, more if humidity is high. Allow to cool. With clean hands, test to see if your garlic pieces snap. If they do, they are ready. If there is still some give, they need more time.

Dehydrating Garlic in an Oven

Set your oven to 140-150F, or as low as it goes. Check the garlic every hour or so, and ensure even drying. If the edges are cooking faster than the middle, move the garlic around with a spatula. It can take up to 4-6 hours. Remove from oven and allow to cool. With clean hands, test to see if your garlic pieces snap. If they do, they are ready. If there is still some give, they need more time.

How to Store Dehydrated Garlic for Long-Term Freshness

Store your cool, dry dehydrated garlic in airtight containers like glass jars. If you can vacuum seal your jars, it will keep you garlic fresh for years. Keep them in a cool, dry, and dark location.

From Dehydrated Garlic to Garlic Powder: Grinding and Sifting

To powder your garlic, simply process your cool, dry, dehydrated garlic in a blender, food processor or coffee grinder until ground. Sift with a fine sieve to separate the larger pieces from the powder.

You can regrind the larger pieces if you want all powder or reserve them for granulated garlic.

Homemade Garlic Seasonings Make the Best Gifts!

If you’re making a big batch, you might as well make enough to share! Our friends and family love it when we gift them our homemade garlic powder. It’s a special treat!