zaro

How do you rehydrate dried garlic?

Published in Garlic Preparation 2 mins read

Rehydrating dried garlic is simple and allows you to use it like fresh garlic. The primary methods involve adding water, either beforehand or directly during cooking.

Why Rehydrate Dried Garlic?

According to the reference, the best way to use sliced dried garlic is to rehydrate it and use it as you would use fresh. This restores moisture and softens the flakes, making them similar in texture and potency to fresh garlic cloves.

Methods for Rehydrating Dried Garlic

There are two ways to rehydrate dried garlic flakes, as highlighted in the reference:

  1. In water ahead of time:

    • Place the desired amount of dried garlic flakes in a small bowl.
    • Cover the flakes with warm water. A general guideline is to use about 2 parts water to 1 part dried garlic, but you can adjust as needed.
    • Let the garlic soak for 10–15 minutes, or until softened.
    • Drain off any excess water before adding the rehydrated garlic to your dish.
  2. In the dish itself:

    • Add the dried garlic flakes directly to a liquid-based dish early in the cooking process.
    • Soups, stews, sauces, and casseroles work well for this method.
    • The garlic will absorb liquid from the dish as it cooks, rehydrating and infusing its flavor simultaneously.

Both methods achieve the goal of softening the dried garlic so it can be incorporated into your cooking as a substitute for fresh cloves.