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Home » Food » By Country or Region » Asia » India » Authentic Homemade Garam Masala

Authentic Homemade Garam Masala

December 20, 2019 by Kimberly Killebrew · 32 Comments

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Garam Masala is a wonderfully versatile Indian seasoning blend that will bring an incredible depth of flavor to a large variety of dishes.  The different spices play their own unique part in delivering a phenomenal symphony of flavors.  Try this authentic garam masala recipe and you’ll never use store-bought again!

garam masala recipe best homemade Indian authentic traditional

What Is Garam Masala?

Garam Masala is a blend of ground spices that is popular in Indian cuisine.  From Hindi for “hot” or “heat” (garam) and “mixed spices” (masala), the term “heat” doesn’t mean spicy hot but rather refers to the Ayurvedic concept of warming spices that are meant elevate the body’s temperature and increase metabolism.   Per Ayurvedic tradition food should not only taste delicious but also deliver health benefits.

Garam masala blends are wide and varied depending on which region of India you’re in.  And families and individual all have their own way of making it.  Our garam masala recipe incorporates the spices you will find in many traditional blends.  

What Is In Garam Masala?

Again, recipes vary greatly but it will typically include a majority, most, or all of the following spices:  Coriander, cumin, peppercorns, green cardamom, black cardamom, fennel, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg (sometimes mace), curry leaves and star anise.  This blend is believed to have originated in North India where the blends focus on aromatic and “sweet” spices.  As you move further south on the sub-continent red chilies are also occasionally added for some heat.

The different spices play their own unique part in delivering a magical symphony of flavors:  Cloves and cinnamon add sweetness, coriander exudes a lemony flavor, cumin adds an earthy, nutty and slightly bitter undertone, peppercorns contribute heat, cardamom adds a hint of spicy mint, nutmeg adds a wonderful complexity, and so on.  Each spice possesses its own unique flavor characteristics, both complementing and contrasting each other to create a well-rounded seasoning blend that’s full of flavor and will contribute incredible depth to your Indian dishes.

Can I Make Substitutions?

Absolutely.  There is no “one” garam masala recipe and you can alter it according to your particular tastes as well as the availability of the spices.  Feel free to use our blend as a guideline for typical spices used in garam masala and tweak it according to your own preferences, both the spices themselves and the ratios.

garam masala recipe best homemade Indian traditional authentic spices seasoning

How To Use Garam Masala

Garam masala is a very versatile Indian seasoning blend and you’ll find it called for in both meat and vegetarian dishes.  In my opinion India makes some of the best vegetarian dishes because the fragrant and flavorful spices bring even the simplest of foods to life.

It is used both for its flavor and its aroma characteristics and as such is often added towards the end of the cooking process (sometimes a little is also sprinkled on top).  It’s sometimes used on its own but is more often combined with additional individual spices.  As with most seasonings, making it fresh from toasted ground spices and using it within a few days will give you the best possible flavor.

Here are just a few things to which you can add it:

  • Meats, poultry and seafood
  • Vegetables
  • Roasted squash
  • Legumes and lentils
  • Grains
  • Dry rub for grilling
  • Soups and stews
  • Curries
  • Marinades and sauces
  • Scrambled eggs
  • Paneer
  • Yogurt dips
  • Salad dressings
  • Spiced nuts
  • Add some to the dough of homemade bread
  • Add some to cookies and cakes for a fun flavor twist

garam masala recipe homemade Indian best authentic traditional

What Is the Difference Between Garam Masala and Curry Powder?

This one might catch you by surprise but the first answer is garam masala is an authentic Indian spice blend used throughout the sub-continent whereas curry powder is a western invention.  You won’t find any traditional Indian cookbooks that call for “curry powder.”  Instead they will call for individual spices and garam masala.

But origin differences aside, there are other distinct differences between the two spice blends.  Curry powder is heavily turmeric-based, gives dishes an orange color as a result, and is often much spicier.  In contrast garam masala uses no turmeric and is sweeter in flavor, relying more heavily on cinnamon, cloves, star anise, nutmeg and/or mace.

Whereas garam masala is meant to be used more as a “finishing spice” added towards or at the end, curry powder is added at or near the beginning as part of the cooking process.  The two have significantly different flavor profiles, serve different purposes and are not meant to be used interchangeably, though many dishes of western tradition will call for both of them.

How Long Does It Keep?

The natural oils in the freshly ground spices lose their potency quickly so this blend is best made in small batches as you need them.  While it will technically last for many months its flavor weakens over time.  For best results keep the spice blend stored in an airtight jar in a dark place and use it up within a few weeks.

Indian spices

Let’s get started!

Place the whole spices (reserving the ground nutmeg and mace) in a dry skillet and toast them over medium-high heat for several minutes, stirring frequently, until the spices are very fragrant and the lighter spices have become deeper golden in color.

Be careful not to scorch the spices or they will become very bitter.

Transfer the toasted spices to a bowl and let them cool completely.

toasting Indian spices in a skillet

Place the cooled spices in a coffee or spice grinder or a blender along with the nutmeg and mace.  If you haven’t already done so it is easiest to grind the cinnamon if you break it into pieces.

I’ve been using my KRUPS spice/coffee grinder for over 10 years and it’s still going strong.

Grind the spices until you get a fine powder.  Transfer the garam masala to an airtight jar and store in a dark place. Will keep for several months but for optimal flavor use them within a month or two.

This makes roughly 1/2 cup of garam masala.

grinding Indian spices

Enjoy!

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garam masala recipe homemade best Indian spice seasoning authentic

For more delicious seasoning blends be sure to try our:

    • Greek Seasoning
    • Old Bay Seasoning
    • Curry Powder
    • Creole Seasoning
    • Chinese Five Spice
    • Chili Powder
    • Pot Roast Seasoning
    • British Mixed Spice
    • Pain d’épices
    • Shichimi Togarashi
    • Taco Seasoning
    • Berbere
    • Baharat
    • Panch Phoron
garam masala recipe homemade authentic traditional best

Authentic Homemade Garam Masala

Kimberly Killebrew
Garam Masala is an wonderfully well-rounded and versatile Indian seasoning blend that will bring an incredible depth of flavor to a large variety of dishes.  The different spices play their own unique part in delivering a phenomenal symphony of flavors!
Print Recipe
5 from 19 votes
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 5 mins
Total Time 10 mins
Course condiment, Seasoning
Cuisine Indian

Ingredients
  

  • 4 tablespoons coriander seeds
  • 4 teaspoons cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 1 teaspoon green cardamom seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon black cardamom seeds
  • 1 stick cinnamon , about 3 inches
  • 2 star anise
  • 8 whole cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground mace (optional)
  • 2 dried curry leaves (can substitute one large bay leaf)

Instructions
 

  • Place the whole spices (reserving the ground nutmeg and mace) in a dry skillet and toast them over medium-high heat for several minutes, stirring frequently, until the spices are very fragrant and the lighter spices have become deeper golden in color. Note: Be careful not to scorch the spices or they will become very bitter.
    Transfer the toasted spices to a bowl and let them cool completely.
    Place the cooled spices in a coffee or spice grinder or a blender along with the ground nutmeg and mace.  If you haven't already done so it is easiest to grind the cinnamon if you break it into pieces.
    (I've been using my KRUPS spice/coffee grinder for over 10 years and it's still going strong.)
    Grind the spices until you get a fine powder.  Transfer the garam masala to an airtight jar and store in a dark place. Will keep for several months but for optimal flavor use them within a month or two. 
    This makes roughly 1/2 cup of garam masala.






Keyword Garam Masala
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32 Comments →

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32 Responses

  1. Caroline says

    April 13, 2020 at 7:01 pm

    Can you freeze dry produuct afte you make it to keep it fresh.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      April 13, 2020 at 8:13 pm

      Hi Caroline, it’s generally only recommended to freeze spices if it’s large quantities as small quantities trap humidity more easily once they’re opened. The same thing applies to how often you intend to access the spices – if you keep them in the freezer long-term unopened they do fine but if you open the package/bottle frequently it will trap in humidity.

      Reply
  2. Katie says

    February 4, 2020 at 10:47 am

    I can’t wait to use this for our upcoming family dinner!

    Reply
  3. Peter says

    January 13, 2020 at 11:46 am

    I understand each region, even some families have a different takes on garam masala. And I encourage everybody to develop their own taste and flavour.

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    January 13, 2020 at 6:26 am

    Forgot to add the star rating, as always 5

    Reply
  5. SteveM says

    January 13, 2020 at 6:23 am

    I was about to say the leaves in your picture look more like bayleaves than curry leaves until i saw the substitution option in the ingredients list. I have made several different blends of Garam Masala over the years, all of them better than shop-bought and yours looks great too.

    Reply
  6. Beth says

    December 27, 2019 at 11:50 am

    I never knew how easy this was to make! Love making homemade spices!

    Reply
  7. Cathy says

    December 23, 2019 at 12:42 pm

    Ohhhh I must make this! It would make an awesome gift, too!

    Reply
  8. Sara Welch says

    December 23, 2019 at 12:30 pm

    Wow! I can practically smell all the aromas from my computer! Looks amazing!

    Reply
  9. Melissa says

    December 23, 2019 at 11:29 am

    Great idea! Thanks for a wonderful recipe!

    Reply
  10. Sandra says

    December 23, 2019 at 8:41 am

    This is really awesome!! So easy to make!

    Reply
  11. Catalina says

    December 22, 2019 at 10:45 am

    I love the Garam Masala flavor! I am glad to make it at home!

    Reply
  12. Chrissie Baker says

    December 21, 2019 at 1:40 am

    Amazing mix of ingredients for garam masala. I would love to prepare at home.

    Reply
  13. Dorothy Reinhold says

    December 20, 2019 at 5:16 pm

    I am amazed at all of your suggestions for using garam masala! Looks like I need to get cooking!

    Reply
  14. Lauren Kelly says

    December 20, 2019 at 9:49 am

    I love all of these seasonings! Thank you for this delicious recipe! I love it.

    Reply
  15. Jen says

    December 20, 2019 at 9:40 am

    I love making my own spice blends but I never would’ve thought of this one. So perfect!

    Reply
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kimberly killebrew the daring gourmet

Welcome!  I’m Kimberly and I share delicious originals, revitalized classics and authentic dishes from around the world.  Come travel the world through your taste buds!

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