How to Make Garam Masala Spice| A Comprehensive Guide

By ZestyHut. Posted on September 16, 2024

How to make Garam masala spice is a valuable skill, whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner. Garam masala is a traditional spice blend that is central to Indian cuisine. Known for its warm, aromatic qualities, it is used in various dishes, including curries, soups, rice, and marinades. Its beauty lies in its ability to add a depth of flavor and warmth to any meal, without being overly spicy. 

In this article, we’ll look at how to make garam masala spice at home. We’ll also explore various aspects, including the ingredients list, substitutions, bulk preparation, and recipes.

What is Garam Masala?

Garam masala is a very common spice mixture in Indian recipes, lending heat to them; in fact, the word “garam” means “hot” in Hindi. Anyway, garam masala is taken as not being particularly spicy. 

Whatever the case may be, the so-called heat of this spice is to warm up the body due to the spice blend containing cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom.

This spice mix varies from region to region, or for that matter, even household to household. Some families possess a secret authenticated garam masala recipe traditionally passed down through generations. 

However, we shall restrict ourselves here to only a generic versatile recipe and extend some insight into a few popular variations such as the Punjabi garam masala recipe.

What is the Garam Masala Ingredients List?

How to make garam masala spice involves combining a variety of aromatic ingredients, and there isn’t a single “correct” recipe. 

The few that show up almost regularly in some combination or another include the following:

• Coriander seeds
• Cumin seeds
• Cloves
• Green cardamom pods
• Black cardamom pods
• Cinnamon sticks
• Black peppercorns
• Bay leaves
• Nutmeg
• Mace (optional)

How to make Garam Masala Spice: The Key Ingredients

To answer the question of how to make garam masala spice, first, you want your spices whole and grind them fresh. 

The flavor of pre-ground spices mellows with time, and it’s less vividly colored. Following is a perfect ratio of spices for a standard batch, it would contain:

• 100 grams of coriander seeds
• 50 grams of cumin seeds
• 30 grams of cloves
• 20 grams green cardamom pods
• 10 grams black cardamom pods
• 2 large cinnamon sticks, about 15 grams.
• 20 gm black peppercorns 
• 3-4 bay leaves 
• 1 whole nutmeg 
• 5-10 gm mace (optional)

How to make Garam Masala Spice Ingredients for 1 kg 

In case you are looking forward to making garam masala quantity, especially for 1kg of spice mix, then you need to increase the above-given ingredients quantity proportionately. 

Here’s an example of garam masala quantity for producing 1kg:

• Coriander seeds – 400 gm 
• Cumin seed -200 gm 
• Cloves – 120 gm 
• Green cardamom pods – 80 gm 
• Black cardamom pods – 40 gm 
• Cinnamon sticks – 60 gm 
• Black peppercorns -80 grams 
• Bay leaves -30 grams 
• Nutmeg -30 grams 
• Mace – 40 grams, optional.

These are generalized weights, and at any time these can be changed to suit personal preference. 

These quantities may vary depending on your taste preferences. Some people like more cumin, while others prefer a cinnamon-heavy blend. Feel free to experiment and adjust the proportions based on what works best for your palate and how to make garam masala spice.

How to Make Garam Masala Spice at Home

How to make Garam masala spice is not an overwhelming job. Resulting from that much trouble and time, one gets fresh fragrant spice powder. 

Follow the steps to prepare this simple full-of-flavor homemade garam masala spice recipe. 

Step 1: Dry Roasting the Spices

Roasting is involved in the preparation of Garam masala. Get a large pan and put it on the stove over medium heat. Add all the spices into it without adding any oil. Keep on roasting them for about 2-3 minutes until they start giving a nice fragrance. While doing this be very careful; do not burn the spices.

Step 2: Cooling of the Spices

Once the spices have been roasted,  allow them to cool to room temperature. This is an important step that needs to be followed since during grinding, the hot spices would be lumpy. 

Step 3: Grinding of Spices

Let the spices cool to room temperature. With a spice grinder or mortar and pestle, grind into fine powder. You want this to be very well ground, as you would want this to be even in consistency.

Step 4: Storing Your Garam Masala

Finally, transfer the garam masala to an airtight container and store it in a cool, dark place to preserve freshness and potency. This homemade garam masala will last up to six months but largely speaking, try to use it within three months when it is freshest. 

Know more about: Is all purpose seasoning the same as seasoned salt?

How to make Punjabi Garam Masala Recipe?

The Punjabi garam masala recipe is slightly different from the traditional version. Punjabi cuisine is known for its robust, bold flavors, and the garam masala used in these dishes is no exception. 

The various ingredients that are likely to go into the making of a typical Punjabi garam masala are listed below: 

• 200 gm cumin seeds 
• 100 gm coriander seeds 
• 50 gm cloves 
• 50 gm black cardamom pods 
• 30 gm green cardamom pods 
• 50 gm black peppercorns 
• 50 gm cinnamon sticks 
• 10 gm nutmeg 
• 20 gm mace 

Method:

Repeat the above process: dry roast, cool, and grind. Punjabi garam masala is used in rich and flavoury dishes like butter chicken, chole, and dal makhani.

Garam Masala Uses: All-Purpose Spice for any Kitchen

Garam masala is an all-purpose spice and can be used in myriad ways. 

Given below are some of the most common garam masala uses:

1. Curries and Stews

Garam masala can probably be termed as one of the most common spices that are used in Indian recipes-be it curry or stew-for their flavoring. Sometimes you may add right towards the end while cooking or on top while serving, just to give it that extra burst of flavor. Maybe added on occasions toward the end of cooking or on top while serving for an extra burst of flavor. 

2. Marinades

It is also one of the major ingredients of marinades-whether they are for meat or vegetables. Mix this with curd, ginger, garlic, and a pinch of lemon juice, and it is a ready-to-use marinade for chicken, lamb, or paneer.

3. Soups

Garam masala makes soups rich in earthy flavor. It is an old friend with most of the soups of lentils, chickpeas, or vegetables when one feels automated warmth and comfort flavors.

4. Rice preparations

Sprinkle it over biryani and pulao rice preparations; it elevates them, bringing a fragrance of sophistication to rice.

5. Vegetable Dishes

Roasted vegetables with sweet-spicy flavor sprinkled with a little garam masala go well with carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash.

What is the Garam Masala Spice Substitute?

Sometimes you are out of garam masala and wonder if there is any good substitute. While no spice blend can rightly represent the depth of garam masala If you’re looking for how to make garam masala spice or possible substitutes, here are a few options:

1. Curry Powder

The most common substitute is curry powder, which tastes quite different. It’s hot for one thing, whereas garam masala is not, and it lacks the sweet spices cloves cinnamon, and cardamom- that give garam masala its characteristic warmth. But in a pinch, curry powder works.

2. Allspice

Other options include allspice, which, though one spice against the blend of many in garam masala, is going to add warmth and a touch of sweetness to dishes; thus, it may serve as a good substitute, though less than ideal. 

3. Chaat Masala

Another Indian spice mixture chaat masala; is always very sour and salty due to adding amchoor (mango powder in its dried form). It will not give you that heat just like garam masala; however, it still can give flavor to your dish.

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Garam Masala vs Curry Powder

Whereas both of them are spice mixes, the flavor profiles differ between garam masala and curry powder. While in Indian cuisine, garam masala is used more toward the very end of preparing something, in British cuisine, curry powder can be added right at the beginning of a dish so that the flavors melt together.

Garam masala spices are warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. Curry powder is often bright yellow because it contains the ingredient turmeric. 

If you need to substitute how to make garam masala spice, you can use curry powder, but bear in mind that it will alter both the flavor and the color of your dish.

ZestyHut Garam Masala Recipe: A Flavorful Journey

Indulge in the authentic flavors of India with ZestyHut’s expertly crafted garam masala recipe. This spice blend, a cornerstone of Indian cuisine, is meticulously prepared by culinary experts to deliver an explosion of warmth, depth, and complexity. 

With ZestyHut’s garam masala, you can elevate your dishes to new heights, infusing them with the rich aromas and tantalizing tastes that have captivated palates for generations. 

Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary journey, ZestyHut’s garam masala is the perfect ingredient to add a touch of Indian magic to your creations.

Read Also: Turkish Spices | What They Are and How to Use

Conclusion

How to make garam masala spice at home ensures control over the quality, freshness, and flavor of the blend. 

Whether you’re following a traditional Punjabi garam masala recipe, adjusting the ingredient ratios, or learning what goes into 1 kg of garam masala, this spice mix will elevate your cooking beyond what store-bought versions can achieve.

FAQs

How to make garam masala spice blend?

To make garam masala spice blend, gather whole spices such as coriander seeds, cumin seeds, black peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, cloves, bay leaves, nutmeg, and mace. Dry roast the spices over medium heat, let them cool, and then grind them into a fine powder..

How to make garam masala with ground spices?

If you only have ground spices, you can still make garam masala. Use pre-ground coriander, cumin, black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, and mace. Simply mix the ground spices in the appropriate proportions, such as 30% coriander, 20% cumin, and smaller amounts of the other spices. Stir well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed, then store in an airtight container.

How to make garam masala with allspice?

Allspice can be a substitute for certain elements in garam masala, though it is not a traditional ingredient. To make a version of garam masala with allspice, you can mix allspice with other key spices like cumin, coriander, black pepper, cinnamon, and cloves. Allspice provides a warm, peppery flavor, so adjust quantities to match your taste preferences.

How to make garam masala spice?

Making garam masala spice involves gathering whole or ground versions of the key spices, roasting the whole spices for enhanced flavor (if using whole spices), and then grinding them into a fine or coarse powder. Mix well, and store the spice in a sealed container in a cool, dark place.

How to make garam masala spice from scratch?

To make garam masala from scratch, gather whole spices like coriander, cumin, peppercorns, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, bay leaves, nutmeg, and mace. Dry roast each spice individually to release its oils and aroma. After cooling the spices, grind them into a powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Mix the ground spices well and store them in an airtight container.

How to make garam masala spice mix?

To create a garam masala spice mix, combine roasted and ground versions of key spices: coriander, cumin, black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, and bay leaves. Adjust proportions based on your preferences (e.g., more cumin for an earthier flavor, or more cinnamon for sweetness). Mix well and store in an airtight container for maximum freshness.

What is garam masala spice made of?

Garam masala is made from a mix of warm, aromatic spices, including coriander seeds, cumin seeds, black peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, cloves, bay leaves, nutmeg, and mace. These spices are typically toasted and then ground together to form a flavorful blend.

What spices are used for garam masala?

The key spices used in garam masala include coriander seeds, cumin seeds, black peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, green cardamom pods, cloves, bay leaves, nutmeg, and mace. The exact blend can vary depending on regional and personal preferences.

What is garam masala spice mix?

Garam masala spice mix is a combination of several warming spices used in Indian cuisine to add depth and complexity to dishes. The spices are typically roasted and ground together to create a blend that’s used in a variety of recipes, from curries to marinades.