Homemade Garam Masala Powder

Garam Masala Powder in a plate with spoon

4.50 from 30 votes

Homemade Garam Masala Powder

A culinary sensation, the most flavorful, fragrant, and entrancingly appetizing spice blend is here to season your dishes to their perfection! This terrific spice blend, Garam Masala Powder, is basically spices dry roasted to perfection and then ground to a fine powder.

Prep: 10

Cook: 10

Total: 20

Course: Spices

Cuisine: Indian

Servings: SERVINGS

Calories: 49kcal

Author: Ruchi

Ingredients

WHOLE SPICES

3 - Cinnamon (Dalchini)
10 pods of Whole Black Cardamom (Moti Elaichi)
2 tablespoons Black Peppercorns (Sabut Kali mirch) about 20-25 pieces
6-8 pods of Green Cardamom (Hari Elaichi)
¾ cup Coriander seeds (Sabut sukha dhaniya)
5 pieces of Mace (Javitri)
7-8 pieces of Bay leaves (Tej patta)
½ cup Cumin seeds (Jeera)
4 pieces of Star Anise (Chakra phool)
20 pieces of Cloves (Laung)
½ cup Black cumin seeds Kala Jeera

POWDERED SPICE

1 teaspoon Nutmeg Powder

Instructions

Combine the spices (listed under whole spices) in a skillet and dry-roast over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until they smell toasty fragrant and slightly dark in color. This will take about 8-10 minutes over medium heat. Take it off the heat and set them aside to cool.
Transfer the completely cooled roasted spices to a blender.
Blend until the whole spices turn into a fine, smooth powder.
Combine nutmeg powder with the powdered whole spice blend and mix until well combined. Now, transfer this Garam masala mix through a fine strainer. Sift the garam masala mixture through the fine sieve and discard what’s left in the strainer.
Homemade Garam masala powder can prepare various unique Indian dishes ranging from veggies, paneer, tofu, and non-veg. Store it in an airtight container and use it as required.

Notes

Frequently asked questions

How long does the garam masala keep fresh?

If stored in an airtight container in a cool and dark place, the garam masala keeps fresh for 6 months to 1 year. However, if you put it up at a place with high humidity levels, you may need to keep your freshly prepared garam masala mix in a refrigerator or freezer to extend its shelf life.

Can garam masala be prepared in a big batch?

Yes, the garam masala can be prepared in a big batch to be used for months later. However, store the mix in an airtight container, or it will lose its aroma and efficacy.

Should I remove the outer husks of the black cardamoms and green cardamoms?

No, you should grind the entire pods of the cardamoms for maximum flavor.

Is consuming garam masala good for your health?

Garam masala has many health benefits as it warms up the body and helps with digestion. However, a wrong proportion of spices can have an adverse effect on health and the body systems.

Spices like mace, cloves, and black peppercorns may cause acidity or dehydration if added in access. So always ensure that the proportions of spices you are following are correct.

Can Garam masala be consumed every day?

Yes, you can add garam masala to your everyday curries and gravies to prepare the most irresistible dishes, but use it in a moderate amount.

Especially in warmer months, more of it may cause acidity and dehydration.

How can I use garam masala mix in my everyday cooking?

Garam masala mix can be added to vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. This is a powerful blend of spices; you should always use it in lesser quantities. You can add garam masala to gravies, curries, and even dry dishes.

Adding just a pinch of it is sufficient to bring noticeable flavor hype to the dish. You can add ½ to ¼ tsp of the garam masala mix to a dish that serves 4-5 people.

Nutrition