Garam Masala

Garam masala is a North Indian-style spice blend with warm spices such as cumin, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, or pepper. It adds layered warmth to curries and legumes.

Identity

What it is

A warm, aromatic spice blend.

The exact blend varies by maker, but garam masala is usually more fragrant than hot. It is often added with other spices or near the end for aroma.

Used In Recipes

Aloo Gobi (Cauliflower Potato Curry)

Aloo GobiAloo Gobi (Cauliflower Potato Curry)Medium

1 to 1½ teaspoon garam masala ((adjust to taste))

Authentic Chana Masala (Chickpea Masala)

Chana MasalaAuthentic Chana Masala (Chickpea Masala)Medium

1 teaspoon garam masala ((adjust to taste))

Butter Chicken (Indian Chicken Makhani)

Butter ChickenButter Chicken (Indian Chicken Makhani)Medium

¾ to 1 teaspoon garam masala ((adjust to taste))
1 to 1½ teaspoons garam masala ((divided, adjust to taste))

Chana Dal (Bengal Gram Dal)

Chana DalChana Dal (Bengal Gram Dal)Medium

½ teaspoon garam masala ( (adjust to taste))

Chana Masala

Chana MasalaChana MasalaMedium

1 teaspoon garam masala

Chicken Biryani

Chicken BiryaniChicken BiryaniMedium

½ to 1 tablespoon garam masala ((or biryani masala) (Refer notes))
1 teaspoon garam masala ((or biryani masala))

Chicken Biryani

Chicken BiryaniChicken Biryani (Home Style)Medium

½ to 1 tablespoon garam masala ((or biryani masala) (Refer notes))
1 teaspoon garam masala ((or biryani masala))

Chicken Curry

Chicken CurryChicken CurryMedium

1 teaspoon garam masala ((½ tsp more if needed, adjust to taste))

Chicken Curry

Chicken CurryChicken Curry (Home Style)Medium

1 teaspoon garam masala ((½ tsp more if needed, adjust to taste))

Chicken Korma

Chicken KormaChicken KormaMedium

¾ to 1 teaspoon garam masala (or korma masala)
½ to ¾ teaspoon garam masala

Chicken Korma

Chicken KormaChicken Korma (Home Style)Medium

¾ to 1 teaspoon garam masala (or korma masala)
½ to ¾ teaspoon garam masala

Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka MasalaChicken Tikka MasalaMedium

1 teaspoon garam masala
2 teaspoons garam masala ((adjust to taste))

Dal Fry (Restaurant Style)

Dal FryDal Fry (Restaurant Style)Medium

½ teaspoon garam masala ((adjust to taste))

Dal Makhani (Restaurant Style)

Dal MakhaniDal Makhani (Restaurant Style)Medium

1 teaspoon garam masala ((+ ½ tsp more if you want at the finishing stage))

Green Moong Dal (Mung Bean Curry)

Green Moong DalGreen Moong Dal (Mung Bean Curry)Medium

½ teaspoon garam masala

How to Make Japanese Curry Roux

Japanese Curry RouxHow to Make Japanese Curry RouxMedium

1 Tbsp garam masala ((see Notes))

Kadai Paneer

Kadai PaneerKadai Paneer (Gravy)Medium

½ teaspoon garam masala ((adjust to taste))

Malai Kofta (Restaurant Style)

Malai KoftaMalai Kofta (Restaurant Style)Medium

¾ to 1 teaspoon garam masala ( (adjust to taste))
½ to ¾ teaspoon garam masala ((adjust to taste, or use ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder))

Masoor Dal (Red Lentil Dal)

Masoor DalMasoor Dal (Red Lentil Dal)Medium

⅛ teaspoon garam masala ((more if you want))

Matar Paneer Recipe, How to Make Mutter Paneer

Matar PaneerMatar Paneer (Mutter Masala)Medium

¾ to 1 teaspoon garam masala ((adjust to taste))

Moong Dal

Moong DalMoong DalMedium

½ teaspoon garam masala

Moong Dal

Moong DalMoong Dal (Home Style)Medium

½ teaspoon garam masala

Palak Paneer (Spinach Paneer)

Palak PaneerPalak Paneer (Spinach Paneer)Medium

½ to ¾ teaspoon garam masala ((adjust to taste))

Paneer Butter Masala

Paneer Butter MasalaPaneer Butter Masala (Restaurant Style)Medium

¾ to 1 teaspoon garam masala powder ( (adjust to taste))

Paneer Curry (Dhaba Style)

Paneer CurryPaneer Curry (Home Style)Medium

½ teaspoon garam masala
¾ to 1 teaspoon garam masala

Paneer Makhani

Paneer MakhaniPaneer Makhani (Paneer Makhanwala)Medium

1¼ teaspoon garam masala ((adjust as needed))

Paneer Tikka Masala

Paneer Tikka MasalaPaneer Tikka Masala (Sanjeev Kapoor)Medium

½ teaspoon garam masala (or tandoori masala)
¾ to 1 teaspoon garam masala ((adjust to taste))

Paneer Tikka Recipe in Oven, Air Fryer, Stovetop

Paneer TikkaPaneer Tikka (Stove Top)Medium

1 teaspoon garam masala

Quick Chana Masala

Chana MasalaQuick Chana MasalaMedium

1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala**

Rajma (Rajma Masala)

RajmaRajma (Rajma Masala)Medium

¾ teaspoon garam masala ( (¼ to ½ teaspoon for later))

Samosa (Punjabi Potato Samosa)

SamosaSamosa (Punjabi Potato Samosa)Medium

¾ to 1 teaspoon garam masala

Shahi Paneer (Restaurant Style)

Shahi PaneerShahi Paneer (Restaurant Style)Medium

¾ to 1 teaspoon garam masala ( (adjust to taste preference))

Tandoori Chicken (Smoky Restaurant Style)

Tandoori ChickenTandoori Chicken (Smoky Restaurant Style)Medium

1 teaspoon garam masala ((more if you prefer))

Veg Biryani | Vegetable Biryani

Veg BiryaniVeg Biryani | Vegetable BiryaniMedium

¾ to 1 teaspoon garam masala ((adjust to taste) or Biryani Masala Powder)

Forms, States, and Preparations

How to use it

Use enough to season the dish without making it dusty.

Stir it into oil, onions, tomatoes, or legumes so the spice blend hydrates and spreads through the dish.

Garam Masala

Garam masala is a North Indian-style spice blend with warm spices such as cumin, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, or pepper. It adds layered warmth to curries and legumes.