Garlic salt is a blend of garlic powder, table salt, and a humectant to prevent clumping. It’s a great way to add flavor to dishes, but be mindful of its sodium content. Use it as a substitute for table salt to reduce sodium intake. Read labels carefully for added preservatives like MSG and consider buying organic varieties.
Garlic salt is considered a spice or a blend of herbs and spices. It contains cultured garlic powder, regular table salt, and an ingredient to keep the mix from sticking, usually called a humectant. Common humectants in garlic salt include calcium silicate, and occasionally you’ll find the salt with some other herbs such as parsley or as part of a herb mix or grilled seasoning. You’ll easily find garlic salt in most grocery stores in the spice or seasoning section of the store.
This salt is a big boon to cooks, as it allows for loads of flavor without imparting extra bulk or weight to dishes. For example, you can use garlic salt in hamburger or homemade sausage mix for added flavor. You can sprinkle it in a filling, add it to stews or soups, or pop it in some popcorn. Since it contains table salt, it’s not exactly low in sodium and this needs to be weighed carefully. If you want the taste of garlic without the extra salt, look instead for garlic powder, which is made from dried and finely ground garlic, or you can use garlic juice spray bottles.
Another thing you should consider when using this condiment is how this may require changes in recipes. One-quarter teaspoon (0.9 g) of garlic salt contains 240 milligrams of sodium. This is 10 percent of the US Recommended Daily Allowance (USRDA) for sodium and may include a larger portion for those on a low-sodium diet. Table salt in the same amount is 590 milligrams of sodium. Essentially garlic salt is about half a table salt. If you use garlic salt in a dish, you should lower the additional salt in the recipe to reflect this change or you can easily end up with dishes that are too salty and not too good for you.
On the other hand, if you’re using sodium to add flavor to a dish, a salt that’s half a garlic can be a great alternative because you’ll still have plenty of flavor, but less sodium. For example, if you season your popcorn with a half teaspoon (.18 g) of garlic salt, you’re getting 480 milligrams of sodium and consuming only 20 percent of the USRDA for sodium. It can therefore be a great spice to use when you want to reduce sodium in your diet, as you definitely won’t lose the flavour.
You should read the labels on this condiment carefully, as some variants contain MSG, which many people are sensitive to. If you’re concerned about the preservatives in this condiment, consider buying organic varieties, which tend to contain more natural-based humectants. The organic or regular versions can go a long way and be a great way to come up with recipes and add extra flavor.
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