published Aug 17, 2020, updated Jun 13, 2024 One of my cooking obsessions is making my own homemade spice blends! Yes, you can absolutely find most spice mixes pre-made at the supermarket. But, hear me out — they are so much better when you make them yourself! I’ve got plenty of other spice blends that you can try your hand at if you’re interested: Turkish spice blend, a Lebanese blend with 7 spices, zaatar, berbere, and Moroccan. But today, we’re taking things over to India, where garam masala reigns. Seriously, if you’ve ever whipped up Indian cuisine, you know that this blend is everywhere! When you use a homemade spice blend recipe instead of store bought, you’ll notice the difference right away. It’s so much more aromatic than other varieties you can find at the grocery store. If you’ve never tasted it, it’s warm and complex. Sweet yet spicy, floral yet earthy, the combination of 10 different spices creates a nice overall balance.
WHAT IS GARAM MASALA?
Garam masala is one of the most widely used Indian spice blends. In English, the term garam masala means a “hot mixture of spices.” Despite its name, the spices add heat without being too spicy. There are also sweet and floral notes present that create a complex flavor profile that adds much to whatever you pair it with. The ingredients of this spice blend change depending on where you are in India — every home has its own special garam masala recipe! Plus, you don’t have to limit yourself to Indian dishes. You can add this blend to many different types of recipes to enhance the flavor.
Health Benefits of Garam Masala
So often the focus of nutrition is on the whole foods used in a dish, but spices can play a large role as well. The individual spices in this homemade masala blend boast a range of benefits, but as a whole, the mixture is often used to improve metabolism and digestion. This spice mix is known to warm and therefore balance and detoxify the body. Who knew there were so many benefits to eating a spice mix?
Recipes that use Garam Masala
I have several recipes that use this spice mix! I usually add it at the end of cooking for a punch of flavor and aroma. Below are some ideas to inspire you:
Cumin Seeds – Whole seeds are used for this garam masala recipe. I like using whole spices because they have a fresher taste than ground spices. That said, you can use ground cumin instead if needed. See the conversion chart here on my Essentials page for Indian herbs and spices. Coriander Seeds – The same goes for coriander. Also called cilantro, it boasts a fresh, citrusy taste. Black Peppercorns – Most of the heat found in this blend come from this ingredient. You can also use ground black pepper. Cloves – These aromatic flower buds are harvested from the evergreen clove tree. They lend a slightly sweet yet pungent aroma to Indian cuisine. Green Cardamom Pods – I use a mix of black and green cardamom pods in this recipe because they create different flavors and aromas. Green cardamom has sweet floral and herbal notes. Black Cardamom Pods – Black cardamom has a deep smoky flavor with a hint of menthol. Bay Leaves – The Indian Bay Leaf (Teja Patta), comes from the cassia tree and tastes more like cinnamon. I don’t recommend substituting it with the Mediterranean laurel bay leaf in Indian cooking, which has a menthol essence. Whole Star Anise – Anise adds a sweet, somewhat licorice flavor to the spice blend. Cinnamon Sticks – I like to use 3-inch cassia cinnamon sticks. You can also replace it with ground cinnamon. Nutmeg Seed – Whole nutmeg seeds have a much longer shelf life, so the flavor will be bolder when combined with the other spices. Ground Mace – Mace has a close relationship with nutmeg. It’s the red substance that covers the nutmeg seeds and has a spicier flavor, often described as a mix of cinnamon and pepper. The color of mace can range from red to yellow depending on the origin, and it often lightens once dried and ground.
Instant Pot chana masala Paneer butter masala Gobi Masala (cauliflower curry) Indian chickpea masala Aloo gobi matar Dal makhani Vegetable jalfrezi stir fry
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