• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes By Categories
  • About Us
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
  • Español

El Mundo Eats logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes By Categories
  • About Us
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
  • Español
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes By Categories
    • About Us
    • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • Español
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Sauces and Spices

    Published: Feb 3, 2021 · Leave a Comment · This post may contain affiliate links

    How to Make Garam Masala

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    I don't know about you but I don't keep 100 different spice blends in my kitchen pantry. I mean, who does that, right?

    Being a true lover of food from all over the world, sometimes I find myself needing a special spice mix that I don't have on hands and that's when I just love to grind it myself. My trustee spice grinder does the work great.

    Homemade garam masala in a bowl
    Jump to:
    • What Is Garam Masala
    • What Is It Made Of
    • What Does It Taste Like
    • How To Use Garam Masala
    • How To Store
    • Recipes Using Garam Masala
    • Recipe Video
    • 📖 Recipe

    What Is Garam Masala

    It's a mix of wonderful spices that usually come in powder form.

    In Hindi garam means "hot" and masala means "spices mixture". I believe it's originated from South Asia and is widely use in Indian cuisines, in different types of curries, rices and lentil dishes.

    Spices for homemade garam masala in a plate

    Although it means hot spices mixture but it's not hot as in spicy but is more towards warming, which is great in increasing the body's metabolism.

    Garam masala spice blend contains a stronger flavoured spices compared to curry powder spice blend, so a little goes a long way.

    What Is It Made Of

    Ingredients to make homemade garam masala

    The ratios and components of garam masala spice blend is of course different based on the place and personal/family preferences. But in general it's made of these spices.

    What Does It Taste Like

    Like I mentioned before, it's not a spicy spice blend. It has a wonderful fragrant smell, not pungent at all.

    The blend lends a mild heat, floral sweetness touch to the meal.

    How To Use Garam Masala

    Spices for homemade garam masala in a grinder bowl

    You can use it in many ways like in curries, veggies and legumes based recipes.

    It's usually added towards the end of cooking process to preserve it's wonderful fragrant but you can also cook it together with your veggies or lentils, no problem at all.

    Like any other ground spices, it burns easily so do take care when you it in your cooking.

    How To Store

    I keep mine in an airtight container in my spice drawer. Not exposed to the sun or humidity like if I were to keep it on a kitchen counter, for example. It keeps up to 6 months.

    Garam masala looses its smell pretty fast so you're recommended to use it as soon as you can. Personally for me, I don't mind. Since I grind my own blend so I don't have much at one time anyways.

    Recipes Using Garam Masala

    • Chickpea curry with coconut milk and spinach
    • Paratha flatbreads with chicken keema filling
    • Asian baked chicken curry puff (similar to empanada)

    Recipe Video

    📖 Recipe

    Homemade garam masala in a bowl

    Garam Masala

    Make your own garam masala blend at home. Super easy! Freshly grind spice blend is the best and this keeps for months.
    Print Pin Rate
    Servings: 30 grams
    Prep Time: 5 mins

    Ingredients 

    • 2 tablespoon coriander seeds
    • 2 tablespoon cumin seeds
    • 6 cardamom pods
    • 6 cloves
    • 1 tablespoon pepper corns
    • 1 cinnamon stick , broken into small pieces
    • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Place a pan on medium heat and dry roast all ingredients except for ground nutmeg and ginger, for a few minutes or until they release their fragrance.
    • Now pour everything into a spice grinder jar and blend everything together into a fine texture. Keep in an airtight container.

    Notes

    Makes ⅓ cup (30 g) of garam masala spice blend.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @elmundoeats and tag #elmundoeats!

    Originally published on Nov 15, 2017. Updated with improved text, recipe and pictures on Feb 3, 2021.

    « Skillet Pull Apart Whole Wheat Buns (With Cheese Dip)
    Quick Lentil Coconut Curry (Vegan & Ready in 30 Minutes) »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Have you made this recipe? Please leave a comment and rate it, thanks!




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi! We're Bea & Marco, married couple behind this food space. I cook, he takes photo & video. Malaysian & Argentine living in Spain. All eaters welcomed!

    More about us →

    Popular

    • Easy Mini Cheesecakes
    • Malaysian Flatbread (Roti Canai)
    • Hokkaido Cheese Tart
    • How to Make Salted Eggs

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 El Mundo Eats