Garam masala spice powder

For non-veg curries such as meat, fish and chicken
I add 2 tbsp fennel seeds and 1 star anise (optional) roasted and ground to this batch of garam masala.

4 to 6 tbsp cumin seeds
4" cinnamon stick
5 to 10 cloves
5 to 10 cardamom pods
1/2 to 1 tsp black peppercorns
2 to 3 bay leaves optional
1/2 tsp nutmeg optional
1/4 tsp mace ground or 1 blade of mace optional

Dry roast all the whole spices one at a time in low medium heat, you will know by the smell when to remove it. Make sure to keep moving the ingredients with the spoon so it doesn't burn. Add the ground nutmeg and ground mace last. Cool and grind to a fine powder using a spice grinder. Store in an airtight container.

You can adjust the measurements to your liking. The ingredients I put as optional can be omitted if you don't have it.

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56 comments:

  1. I used to live near Coxwell and Gerrard and during that time someone at a spice shop had given me a great recipe for garam masala. It was misplaced during my move to Texas. I'm looking forward to trying yours!

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  2. Useful post dear. Homemade will be the best n cheap always

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  3. Me parece una entrada muy interesante :) seguro que la mezcla es estupenda

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  4. Nothing like homemade garam masala. It would be great if you submitted something to my vegetarian Indian event. You can find the details on my blog.

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  5. Making your own garam masala is so easy and much better than the premade stuff you buy in the store...I also put some black cumin in mine...next time will try adding some mace like you have.

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  6. perfect....i make my own gmasala...and experiment each time

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  7. Always nice to have homemade garam masala..

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  8. very nice post, homemade garam masala must be so aromatic..

    Join the Just "4" Fun event :)

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  9. Perfectly done !! very useful recipe !!

    Ongoing event CC-Dish For Loved Ones

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  10. I too love the home made garam masala,always prepare it!!I too have this in drafts,will post soon!!

    Erivum Puliyum

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  11. Homemade powders are always special !! Nicey !!

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  12. very flavorful masala. Never tried masala at home

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  13. I am also used homemade garam masala powder.
    looking nice

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  14. Thanks for sharing this garammasala quantity..very easy & I am sure will be perfect..

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  15. Nothing can beat home made masala powder:-) Loved ur version!!

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  16. home made garam masala........always the best!nice tip about adding some fennel for the chicken n fish.

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  17. Awesome flavorsss....

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    Preeti
    Ongoing Event--Color n Sweet-HOLI FEST
    Preeti's Kitchen Life

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  18. I have never tried making garam masala powder at home. Home made are always special and flavorful. Will definitely try making it.

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  19. It never occurred to me that I could make this. Years ago, I remember traipsing everywhere to find this - and finally found it in NYC - and then it came to MN!

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  20. have been looking a recipe for homemade GM this looks perfect will def try this

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  21. That's a kitchen staple I cannot live without. Thanks for sharing yours!

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  22. Hi Akheela, you made your own garam masala? Thanks for sharing the recipe. I don't used often except when making Tandoori Chicken.
    But it sure nice to prepare our own spice, more fragrant than store brought.

    Have a nice day.

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  23. Garam masala powder is the soul of almost every North Indian dish and perhaps a few other cuisines of India. Freshly ground home-made garam masala would always win hands down in comparison to store brought ones. A very aromatic post indeed ;)

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  24. I always make fresh batch which I use for 4-6 weeks...good to know ur recipe for GM too :))

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  25. Great info useful for all those who are new to Indian cooking and homemade masala are always good as it gives you the best flavor and taste!

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  26. it is so very interesting how the garam masala varies in diffrent regions...adding fennel and aniseed makes it a biryani masala too..home made garam masala is the best

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  27. A spice that goes into most of the dishes.....Flavorful..

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  28. I've never had Garam masala but I like everything that's in there. I can just smell those spices, lovely combination of flavors.

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  29. I wish I cooked well enough to know where to use it!

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  30. Hi There,
    The garam masala is looking amazing and am sure must be delicious to the core....! Have a good week ahead. Cheers, Sonia

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  31. I like this -- I need to learn how to do more with spice mixes.

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  32. Thanks for sharing this.......homemade is always the best..4m now i`l follow dis.....

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  33. Isn't it amazing how many version of garam masala we can find in indian kitchen....
    I like yours....

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  34. Wow, thanks for sharing! This will surely come in handy one of these days!

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  35. Thank u soo much for the recipe...I always use store bought garam masal powder..which is not tasting so very good...so this recipe will help me to make home made one...I will try this very soon....

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  36. I've never tried to make my own spice mix. I guess it's because I don't use it often enough so I just end up using store bought mixes. You make it sound so easy I might make a batch and give some out as presents.

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  37. I've been using Penzey's garam masala for ages...but I'll bet yours is way better. Thanks for sharing!

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  38. I always wondered how to make this. Now I know. Thanks so much!

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  39. Aromatic masala very imp in indian cooking...

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  40. My mum always make her own garam masala powder. I'm plain lazy, I'll just get it from her. Hehehe..

    Yours looking awesome dear! Home made is always the best! :)

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  41. Love this. It is an important spice mix in South Asian cooking. I always have garam masala in my pantry! :)

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  42. thank you so much for this sharing. At least I don't need to buy off the shelf garam masala and now can make it at home.

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  43. I'm excited to give this a try. I see it in so many recipes but I never have any on hand.

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  44. Great post! Nothing can be better than homemade one!

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  45. Wow, this is keeper recipe, big fan of the spice, thank you for sharing:)

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  46. Thanks for sharing. Love the powder.

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  47. Love garam masala ..homemade is the best !! Thanks for linking it to my event.

    Jagruti's Cooking Odyssey

    Grind your cooking Masala

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