Homemade Garam Masala Seasoning
Ligia Lugo
Published:
November 15, 2022
Last Modified:
January 24, 2026
Garam Masala Seasoning- Ground coriander, ginger, cardamom, and turmeric are just a few of the spices combined to make this garam masala seasoning. It’s a simple yet flavorful mixture of spices that will take even the most basic dishes to a new mouthwatering level! Garam masala spice blend is typically a very fragrant and aromatic seasoning and has a complex flavor with warm, earthy, and slightly sweet notes.
What Is Garam Masala?
Masala spice mix will go a long ways in adding flavors to your dishes. Its roots are in Northern India and Southern Asia, and it has a very intense and spicy flavor. There are variations of the mixture, and this is a simple one that I came up with that does not require you to roast and grind seeds. You probably already have most of the ground spices in your cupboard, if not all of them. Just measure out, mix, and keep in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. You will find yourself using this seasoning mixture over and over again.
I dream of having this nice little area in my kitchen where all my herbs and spices are alphabetically ordered. All of my spices would be in pretty little glass jars in a gorgeous corner of my kitchen so that I could see the colors of the mixtures, and of course, it would be spotless!
Spices and herbs are essential components of recipes. Even though some ingredients call for measurements of only 1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon, you shouldn’t leave them out. Minor flavor nuances are significant to the overall quality of a dish. When all of the ingredients are combined, your meal will taste wonderful. One of the recipes I have on the blog that does use garam masala is Hearty Chickpea and Red Lentils. You just might want to give that recipe a try too.
Why You’ll Love This Garam Masala Recipe
Better Than Store Bought- You will be surprised at how much better this garam masala spice blend tastes than the store-bought versions.
Simple Ingredients- You probably already have most of the spices to make this garam masala recipe in your pantry.
Budget-Friendly- Making your spice blends at home is a great way to save money. Make a big batch and keep it on hand to use in a variety of recipes.
Equipment Needed To Make Garam Masala
- Small Mixing Bowl
- Spoon For Stirring
- Jar With Tight Fitting Lid
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients For Garam Masala Seasoning
- Ground Cumin
- Ground Coriander
- Ground Cardamon
- Ground Black Pepper
- Ground Cinnamon
- Ground Ginger
- Ground Nutmeg
- Ground Cloves
- Ground Turmeric
How To Make Garam Masala At Home
Making garam masala at home is incredibly simple. Measure out all ingredients into a small mixing bowl and stir well to combine. Store your own garam masala in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and enjoy as desired. It’s as simple as that!
What to Serve/Pair With Masala Spice Mix
Garam masala is a flavorful seasoning that you can use in a variety of ways. Some popular uses include:
- Add it to eggs for a tasty twist on breakfast
- Sprinkle over cooked vegetables
- Add to soups and stews
- Use as a rub for tofu or tempeh
- Mix into sauces and dressings
- Add to curries and other Indian-inspired dishes
- Pair it with rice or vegan-friendly naan bread
Popular Substitutions & Additions
There are a few ways you can change up this recipe to suit your needs. Here are some popular substitutions and additions:
- Add more or less of any individual spice to adjust the flavor to your liking.
- Replace ground black pepper with freshly cracked black pepper for a more intense flavor.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
- Try other ground spices such as fennel, aniseed, or cayenne pepper.
- Add fresh herbs such as cilantro or mint for a bright flavor.
How To Reheat & Store Vegan Homemade Garam Masala
What Is The Best Way To Store Garam Masala?
The best way to store it is in a jar with a tight-fitting lid or airtight container in a cool, dark place. This will help the spices retain their flavor and prevent them from going stale.
How Long Will Garam Masala Last In The Fridge?
When stored properly, garam masala will last in the fridge for up to 6 months.
Can I Freeze Garam Masala?
Yes, you can freeze garam masala for up to 1 year. Store in a freezer-safe container or bag and thaw in the fridge when ready to use.
How To Reheat Garam Masala?
Garam masala can be reheated in several ways. You can gently heat it in a pan over low heat or in the microwave, but the best way to reheat it is by adding it to whatever dish you’re preparing.
Homemade Garam Masala Seasoning FAQs
Is Garam Masala Vegan?
Yes, garam masala is vegan. This spice blend is made with a combination of ground spices and contains no animal products.
How Do You Pronounce Garam Masala?
The word garam masala is pronounced “gah-rahm mah-sah-lah.”
What Is The Difference Between Garam Masala And Curry Powder?
Garam masala and curry powder are two very different seasonings. Garam masala is a blend of ground spices typically used in Indian cuisine, while curry powder is a blend of ground spices popular in British and south Asian cuisine. Curry powder often contains turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, and pepper, while garam masala typically contains cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, cumin, and coriander.
Is Garam Masala Hot?
Garam masala is not hot, but it has a bit of heat from the black pepper and other spices used in the blend. You can always add a pinch of red pepper flakes or other ground chili peppers if you want more heat.
How Much Garam Masala Should I Use?
The amount of garam masala you should use depends on your taste. Start with a small amount and add more as desired. You can always add more, but you can’t take it away once it’s added, so start small and add more as needed.
Garam Masala Blend
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamon
- 1 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
Instructions
- Measure all of the ingredients into a small bowl and mix.
- Store in a jar with a tight fitting lid.
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Nutrition
42 responses to “Homemade Garam Masala Seasoning”
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Thanks so much for this. I hated to buy a container since I use it so infrequently, but I have all the other spices on hand to make my own!
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You are very welcome Dyan! It is really fun to do yourself.
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This is one of my favorite seasonings, Ginny. And now I can make my own- score. Pinned!
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Yes, you can Amy! 🙂 Thank you!
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I have chicken masala at an Indian restaurant I go to occasionally here. Good to know I can make the seasoning at home!
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I am addicted to garam masala, thank you for this easy DIY!
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It is that good and You are very welcome Claire!
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Thank you! I’ve always wanted to make my own!
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Thank you so much for this recipe – I have just run out of my usual Garam Masala = I am going to try my hand at making my own now.
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You are so welcome and you will be very happy you tried it Lorna!
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Homemade garam masala tastes so very much better than store bought! Yum!
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Thank you for sharing! I always love ways to make my own spices at home!
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No more store bought garam masala! I love making own spice mixes. They’re usually so much better than purchased ones.
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I love homemade seasonings! Can’t wait to try this one!
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Soooo you’re telling me I could have saved $15 on that tiny little bottle I just bought since I already have all of these things in my spice drawer? Hmph! Won’t let that happen again!
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Ohhh, yes Lauren. They really are so expensive! Homemade gives you so much more control and the price is right.
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Thanks for sharing your recipe for garam masala…I love to make Indian dishes and now I’m having a massive craving;)
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You and me both, friend. My big goal is to really get my spices organized and pretty, with little containers and everything in order. Never. Gonna. Happen. But in the meantime, I am whipping up some of this! I use garam masala on everything!
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I LOVE THIS! I have all the spices on hand! So much better than buying a jar of the stuff which is seldom used!
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I love Indian spices! This is a great mix to keep on hand!
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This is so cool to know. I had the most wonderful dinner the other day seasoned with garam masala and while I could buy it, I also like to know that I can put it together with spices I have at home already. Thanks!
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I love making my own spice blends. Not only do I normally have the stuff on hand, buts it’s way cheaper!
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What a great idea! I have all the ingredients to make this, now I don’t have to buy it so I can use 1/8 of the bottle before it loses it’s flavor.
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I need to make a gallon of this stat.
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I would love to make this instead of buying it but as I do not use it very often, is it possible to freeze it? Thanks….
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Hi Pauline! The spice mixture will keep 6 months with a tight fitting lid in a cupboard. It is not a good idea to freeze dried mixes because condensation could get inside. Also, some spices change flavor when you freeze them so it is best not to.
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How do you use the garam masala?
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Hi Debby! It is used to spice up comfort food such as beans and rice. Here is a link to one of my recipes. https://veganinthefreezer.com/hearty-chickpeas-and-red-lentils/
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I saw this email with an ad for your cookbook – sent it on to my son in Florida
as he’s having a hard time with his vegan diet. Now he can make ahead for
the week’s supply and doesn’t have to stay up late cooking. Tks a bunch.-
Fantastic Esther! Thanks so much and there are some crock pot meals in there too. I think it will really help him. Just to have burrito or tacos filling in the fridge really helps.
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Which spices in this mix controls the heat? I love the flavor but can’t handle too much heat.
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Hi Debbie! It would be predominately the cumin, some of the black pepper and some of the ginger.
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Finally, a recipe that makes perfect garam marsala that doesn’t require an hour and trying to pulverize the ingredients! This is such an essential spice for Indian food which we love. I am especially pleased to have found this because I have an autoimmune disease and cannot do my own grocery shopping. I don’t want my husband to get too nuts trying to find this. 🙂 Many thanks!
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Thank you so much Lisa! I was really tempted to pulverize the spices but thought ‘Let’s just get to it’. 🙂 I know what you mean by sending the husband to the store too. Some of the things that come home help me think up a whole new recipe. 🙂
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Homemade spice blends are superb, being able to tweak and shift them to your own tastes is wonderful and they always seem to taste so much better than store bought mixes that often skimp on the more expensive spices. -
We make our own too, as it’s much cheaper and we have all the ingredients anyway. The perfect addition to a curry! -
perfect!!! love how simple this is!! Gotta love garam masala 🙂 -
Homemade curry is one of my family’s favourite meals, so I’ll definitely be saving this recipe to add a new layer of flavours to my curries! -
I love garam masala seasoning but have never tried making my own – definitely going to give it a try! -
Thank you so much for the recipe, Ginny! I don’t actually know how Garam Masala is supposed to taste like, but the dish I used the spice mix for tasted delicious.-
I love that Mari and you are very welcome. I think you must have got it just right!
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I made this because of my WW group suggestion to enhance my roasted veggies….oh my!! It is lovely and easy and tantalizes your taste buds. Thank you for this wonderful way to enjoy my veggies.
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