How to Make Homemade Garam Masala

Learn how to make garam masala at home using whole spices!

Garam Masala Spices

Garam Masala is a spice blend comprised of:

1. Black peppercorns
2. Cloves
3. Cinnamon
4. Star anise
5. Coriander seeds
6. Cumin seeds
7. Cardamom
8. Mace
9. Bay leaf

Making garam masala at home definitely tastes much better than the pre-made one. If you don’t have time to make garam masala, then you can buy garam masala from your local Indian grocery store or if you don’t have one near you, you can always purchase it online.

This spice blend comes together pretty quickly and if you have time, definitely try to make your own at home if you have all the ingredients. These spices can easily be found at your local grocery store.

I also recommend using a spice grinder to blend all the spices together, but if you don’t have one you can always grind the spices by hand using a mortar and pestle.

Toasting the Spices

Firstly, once you have all your spices assembled, put them in a dry skillet and toast over medium heat until it becomes fragrant, you should be able to smell the spices as they are toasting. Be careful not to burn the spices as this process goes very quickly.

Secondly, let the spices cool for a little bit before putting it in the spice grinder.

Thirdly, put the spices in the spice grinder and blend until it forms into a ground spice, ensuring all the whole spices have been perfectly blended. No one wants to bite into a whole spice.

I recommend storing this into a small tight sealed jar an.d use whenever needed.

Dishes for Garam Masala

There are so many dishes that this spice blend can be used in, a few of my favorite dishes to include this in are:

1. Paneer Tikka Masala
2. Chana Masala
3. Aloo Gabi

This blend lends its flavor more towards savory dishes, feel free to try it in sweet dishes such as my Apple Nachos.

How to Make Homemade Garam Masala

Cooking Time: 5 min 5 min

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

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Ingredients

• 1 bay leaf
• 2 mace
• 2 green cardamom pods
• 1/8 cup whole cumin seeds
• 1/4 cup whole coriander seeds
• 2 Star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tsp cloves
• 1 tsp black peppercorns

Instructions

1. In a dry skillet over medium heat, add all spices and toast until fragrant. Keep stirring the spices around to ensure they do not burn.
2. Add the spices into a spice grinder and blend until it forms into a ground powder.
3. Store in an air tight sealed jar and use whenever needed. 

Notes

- If you don't have a spice grinder, you can use a mortar and pestle to grind the spices by hand.

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