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Ditch the store-bought spices and elevate your dishes with a simple, homemade Garam Masala blend! This recipe is perfect for small kitchens and those cooking for one, as it uses common pantry staples and is so easy to customize. Plus, homemade spice blends are always more flavorful and aromatic than anything you’ll find pre-made.

a bowl of garam masala on a yellow napkin.

Garam masala is a versatile spice blend that works wonders with chicken, seafood, or pork. Give it a try in delicious single serving recipes like Chicken Tikka Masala, Saag Paneer, and Butter Chicken.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Ease of Preparation: No need for whole spices or a grinder; ground spices work wonderfully.
  • Customizable: Adapt the ratios to suit your taste.
  • Shelf-stable: Store it for months and it will still maintain its flavors.
  • Aromatic and Flavorful: Homemade beats store-bought, every time, offering complex and layered aromas and tastes.

What Is Garam Masala?

Garam Masala is a traditional Indian spice blend that is essential to various dishes across Indian cuisine. The name translates to “hot spices,” but don’t be fooled. This mix isn’t about heat; it’s all about a rich, warming blend of spices like cumin, coriander, cardamom, and more. Every region and even every home in India might have its unique twist, but they all share the same aromatic essence.

RELATED: Single Serving Comfort Food Recipes

What Spices Are In Garam Masala?

If you have any ingredients leftover from this small batch garam masala recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.

  • cumin
  • coriander
  • cardamom
  • pepper
  • cinnamon
  • cloves
  • nutmeg
  • allspice

Note: Traditionally, garam masala is made by toasting whole spice seeds and then grinding them. However, if you’re short on time, our quick and easy recipe uses pre-ground spices as a convenient alternative.

Expert Tips

  • Fresh is Best: Make sure your spices are not expired for the best flavor profile.
  • Jar Matters: Store your garam masala in an airtight container, away from heat and sunlight.
  • Batch Size: Stick to smaller batches for maximum freshness and flavor.
Mixing spices for garam masala in a bowl before mixed.
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How To Use Garam Masala

Spicing up your dishes with garam masala is like adding a finishing touch to a masterpiece.

  • Curries: A sprinkle can totally transform your curry.
  • Rice Dishes: Stir some into white rice.
  • Grilled Veggies: Mix with olive oil and brush onto vegetables before grilling or roasting.
  • Soups: Just a pinch can give a new dimension to your soups.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the shelf life of homemade garam masala?

Homemade garam masala retains its freshness for up to three months when stored in an airtight container, placed in a cool and dark location.

How does garam masala differ from curry powder?

While both garam masala and curry powder are essential spice blends in various cuisines, they differ in composition and flavor profiles. Specifically, garam masala usually doesn’t include turmeric, a key ingredient in curry powder. Additionally, garam masala offers a more intricate and potent flavor due to the range of spices it contains.

Is there a garam masala substitute?

If you find yourself without garam masala, curry powder can serve as a reasonable substitute for garam masala in most Indian recipes, though it will lack some of the warm, complex flavors. Another option is a blend of cumin with a pinch of allspice to mimic some of the aromatic properties.

Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients

If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:

RELATED: 15 Easy Dessert Recipes For One

For information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.

For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.


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Because you’re worth it

Small Batch Garam Masala

4.75 from 4 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 12 teaspoons
See just how easy it is to make your own garam masala spice blend. Garam masala is found in many Indian dishes and is a wonderful spice to add to many recipes, including those with chicken or fish.

Ingredients 
 

  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1 ½ teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
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Instructions 

  • Mix the spices together in a small bowl and store in airtight container.

Notes

  • Fresh is Best: Make sure your spices are not expired for the best flavor profile.
  • Jar Matters: Store in an airtight container, away from heat and sunlight.
  • Batch Size: Stick to smaller batches for maximum freshness and flavor.

Nutrition

Serving: 1teaspoon, Calories: 5kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 0.2g, Fat: 0.2g, Saturated Fat: 0.04g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Sodium: 1mg, Potassium: 21mg, Fiber: 0.4g, Sugar: 0.04g, Vitamin A: 9IU, Vitamin C: 0.2mg, Calcium: 11mg, Iron: 0.5mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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4.75 from 4 votes (1 rating without comment)

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37 Comments

  1. Gene says:

    Hi Joanie
    What kind of pepper to use, black pepper or pepper corn in garam masala

    1. Joanie Zisk says:

      Hi Gene,

      I use ground black pepper.

      Joanie

  2. Bella Hardy says:

    I had a similar Garam Masala with wild rice at a restaurant recently and found myself craving it and wondering if I could recreate it today for chicken.

  3. Jill Roberts @ WellnessGeeky says:

    Definitely your Easy Garam Masala Recipe is awesomeness! This is a great recipe Joanie, as you know I made it a short while ago and it was lovely, in fact have made it again since. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Joanie Zisk says:

      Thank you, Jill.

  4. Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files says:

    I have only cooked with garam masala in culinary school but always wondered how to make it. This is perfect!!

    1. Joanie says:

      It’s crazy how easy it is to make and it brings so much flavor to a dish.

  5. Melanie | Melanie Makes says:

    Love this version, Joanie – so much easier and less expensive than store bought!

  6. Kim Beaulieu says:

    I have such a hard time finding it where I live. I wish I had seen this earlier. About a year ago I was making something that required it and I had a doozy of a time trying to come up with a mix on my own. You rock, totally love this.

  7. eat good 4 life says:

    I love garam masala and anything to do with these flavors. One of my favorite cuisines for sure!

    1. Joanie says:

      Mine too. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.

  8. Amy @ A Healthy Life For Me says:

    I have been doing the re-do post thing too. I love homemade spice mixes. Thanks for sharing this one!

  9. Beth says:

    This blend definitely seems like something my husband would love!

    1. Joanie says:

      My husband loves garam masala and would probably like in on just about anything.

  10. Valerie says:

    Can’t wait to try this, Indian food is something I want to make more often!

    1. Joanie says:

      Me too, Valerie. Cooking Indian food used to intimidate me but I’m beginning to venture off and try recipes. I’m finding that cooking Indian food isn’t hard and the flavors are just wonderful.