A simple authentic recipe for Indian Garam Masala that can be made with ground or whole spices. Make this is 15 minutes! Flavorful, fragrant and easy! Video.
While in Mumbai recently, I visited a spice market and met a kind man who blended his own spices. He sweetly and generously walked me through his way of making Garam Masala. He then told me how his wife’s version was different, each of them having their own personal blend. Of course they each thought their own blend was better.
If unfamiliar, Garam Masala is an essential Indian spice blend, a fragrant combination of warming spices used to season many Indian dishes. It varies greatly across India, depending on the region, household and personal preference.
It would not be an exaggeration to say, that each household’s version is different and unique – and that’s what makes Garam Masala so special and nuanced.
Homemade Garam Masala | 60-sec video
Typically whole spices are toasted and ground into a fine powder for maximum flavor – and that is also an option here ( see recipe notes) but I realize many of you do not have whole spices, so here is an easy version that can be made with ground spices you most likely already have.
This is a base recipe, designed to be tailored to your own particular tastes. Free free to experiment with it.
You may be wondering what the difference is between regular yellow curry powder and Garam Masala, both being a combination of different spices.
One of the main differences between these two spice blends is that curry powder is more savory and is often based around turmeric, hence the typical golden, yellowish color.
Garam masala is deeper in color, sweeter in taste and spicier, compared to typical yellow curry powder – a result of the addition of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves and dried chilies.
A completely different flavor profile.
What Spices are in Garam Masala?
The most common spices that go into Garam Masala are:
- Cumin
- Coriander
- Green and Black Cardamom,
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Cloves
- Bay leaves
- Peppercorns
- Fennel
- Mace
And the quantities, combinations and variations are endless.
These spices are typically toasted whole, then ground down into a fine powder. An incredibly fragrant process.
To simplify this, I’ve taken simple ground spices and mixed them, leaving out the bay leaves and substituting cayenne for the dried chilies – no grinding required. To enhance their flavor, simply dry toast in hot skillet before using.
And for you adventurous cooks – there are directions in the recipe notes if you want to make Garam Masala from whole spices – a more authentic Garam Masala recipe.
Lastly, and very interesting to me personally, are the Ayurvedic properties of Garam Masala.
Healing Properties of Garam Masala:
Ayurveda is the ancient, traditional Hindu system of medicine which is based on the premise that balance is key to our body’s health.)
- In Ayurvedic medicine, it is thought that when there is not enough heat in our bodies, our bodies can become sluggish and may be slow to remove toxins. The word garam means to “heat the body” and these warming spices are actually believed to elevate body temperature in Ayurvedic medicine.
- Other beliefs about the healing benefits of garam masala include boosting our immunity
- promoting weight loss
- aid digestion
- lowering blood sugar
- lowering inflammation
And what I’ve noticed personally is Garam Masala’s mood-boosting qualities, especially on cold dark winter days. The warming spices not only warm the body, they warm and uplift the spirit.
You’ll find a million uses for Garam Masala but here are a few recipes on the blog that use Garam Masala!
Roasted Butternut Tikka Masala
Indian Butter Chicken ( or Cauliflower or Tofu!)
Print
Simple Garam Masala Recipe
- Prep Time: 10
- Total Time: 10
- Yield: ⅓ cup
- Category: Spices, Spice blend
- Method: Mix
- Cuisine: Indian
Description
A simple homemade Garam Masala Recipe that can be made in 10 minutes – with ground fragrant spices you already have in your pantry. Easy, healthy and authentic! See notes for toasting whole spices.
Ingredients
Instructions
Mix all ground spices together in a small bowl and store in a sealed jar.
To bump up the flavor and fragrance, lightly toast the amount called for in a recipe, just before using, in a dry skillet, over medium heat, stirring until fragrant and lively.
Notes
To make a more authentic version of Garam Masala using whole spices, toast the following in a skillet.
- 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
- 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon peppercorns
- 1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom seeds from green pods (or a mix of black and green)
- ½ teaspoon fennel seeds (optional)
- ½ teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 1-3 dried red chiles, more to taste ( or sub 1 teaspoon chili flakes)BOTH OPTIONAL
- 2 inch piece cinnamon stick
- ½ teaspoon chunk or piece of whole nutmeg ( roughly)
Nutrition
- Calories: 5
Keywords: garam masala, garam masala recipe, easy garam masala recipe, how to make garam masala, garam masala substitute, what is garam masala, garam masala spices,
Nice posting. Very helpful.
Really good, although I made some minor changes and it was excellent. Thank you.
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Great! And thanks Joe!
In the ground version, how much fennel is called for? I don’t see it listed. In the whole seed version it is 1/2 tsp, so I’m guessing the same? Just want to make sure. Thanks!
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon ground fennel. 🙂
I use whole spices and a Thermomix. Put all spices in bowel together. 3.5 mins at 120°c 0.5 speed. Then speed 10 for 1 minute.
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Perfect Richard! Thanks!
Great recipe
Made your version of garam masala mix with roasted spices, I didn’t have fennel seeds but will look for them next time. This is the best I have ever tasted. Thank you for sharing
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I found you because our store has had a shortage of spices. I really prefer using whole spices for the freshness, so thank you for this! I happen to have all these whole spices! I knew I could make my own, but never looked it up. Now I’m going to try some of you recipes using this spice … and maybe look at what else you’ve got.
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Awesome Karey!
I found you! wow good stuff, love it
Thank you
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I love this recipe! I tried the easy method and look forward to trying the roasting method soon. My daughter helped make it and then we used it in the butter chicken recipe. The whole family loved it. Thank you!
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fantastic
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Loved the way in which the ingredients were described….
Very nice authenticity flavor
I will appreciate very much for tea masala recipe please
THANKS AND REGARDS
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Thanks for the great recipe. I enjoyed the easy way last time. This time I will try the whole seed/skillet way.
I RARELY actually read the blog posts attached to recipes I’m looking for, but I read yours and enjoyed the information/your story. ~Thanks!
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You mentioned the difference between yellow curry and garam masala. Do you have a yellow curry recipe?
I don’t think I do, but that is a great idea Sue! I will work on one. 🙂
Awwwww- thanks appreciate this Sue!
I use mustard seeds in mine and pimento. It gives it a warm savor.
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Love using seeds rather than already ground spices. Easy and great smelling.
My grateful appreciation…after going around and around trying to find Garam Masala and then going around and around trying to assemble the spices – I couldn’t find a recipe that didn’t require toasting some of the spices. A no can do for me when nary a cardamon pod is to be found much less a Garam recipe that I could actually find the spices for!! Your recipe is possible for me. All these ingredients can be purchased at my local grocery store…I do not own a car. 2 miles there/grocery and back and well struggling to find the right spices is a challenge. Sure I could order them. But by the time I got them…my fresh ingredients would already be used and I’d be on to a new set of recipes. And I don’t want to end up with a lot of spices, such as amchur (okay I could probably find uses for this if I could find mango powder anywhere) asofoetida…even Fenugreek…that I will only use every once in a while instead of spices that I can find uses for pretty routinely! My limited budget can do this…and you’ve given a formula that I can make more or less of as needed. The spices I buy can go to make cookies or roasts or cakes, you name it and Woot, woot!! I’m on it with your help! DONE!! Thank you.
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Glad this works for you!
Your recipes are really delicious n yummy
Mix spices adds extra flavour
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