Pakistani garam masala is an aromatic spice blend that is the main ingredient for many popular Indian dishes like butter chicken masala and Instant Pot chicken biryani. We often make the seasoning at the beginning of the month and store it in our pantry to use as needed.
What is Garam Masala?
Garam masala means ‘hot spice’ in English, but not because it’s spicy; it refers to warming spices and the process of toasting before grinding them. While you can buy garam masala in stores, every family has a treasured garam masala recipe they use.
The specific spices and their measurements may differ from home to home, but the process of making the spice blend is always the same. Begin by measuring the whole spices and toast them in a pan. Grind them finely, and preserve them for many meals to come!
Key Ingredients
- Cardamom: Green and black cardamom flavor the Pakistani garam masala. Green cardamom is warm and herbaceous, whereas black cardamom has a menthol aroma.
- Cinnamon Stick: Toasting cinnamon sticks draws out their natural warmth.
- Black Cloves: Black cloves subtly sweeten the spice blend.
- Cumin Seed: Toasted cumin seeds provide a nice citrus flavor.
- Coriander Seed: Coriander seeds balance out the more pronounced spices like black cardamom. It’s a perfect lever because you can use more to tone down other spices.
- Nutmeg: Nutty and sweet- nutmeg compliments the other spices.
- Mace: Mace is a bridge between savory and sweet.
- Bay Leaves: Subtly flavor the garam masala with a clove-like flavor.
How to Make Pakistani Garam Masala
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Break down the cinnamon stick and bay leaves, then add them to a skillet.
Step 2: Dry roast for 2-3 minutes over medium heat.
Step 3: Add the ingredients to a spice grinder in batches, and blend until fine. You can also use a mortar and pestle if you don’t mind the extra work.
Step 4: Stir in the ground nutmeg and add the Pakistani garam masala to an airtight glass jar.
Expert Tips
- Can I use ground spices to make garam masala? Use fresh, whole spices instead of ground spices for the best flavor. Whole spices retain their flavor and aroma longer, whereas ground spices oxidize over time and lose flavor. If that’s all you have, go for it, but you can’t beat the fresh, toasted spice flavor.
- Toasting the whole spices before grinding them enhances their natural flavor. Warm them in a dry skillet over low heat until they darken slightly and become fragrant.
- Use a mortar and pestle (if you don’t mind the extra work) or spice grinder to process the toasted spices into a fine powder. Grind the spices in small batches to prevent the grinder from overflowing, and ensure the spices grind evenly.
If you enjoy the seasoning, try one these recipes using garam masala!
Serving Suggestions
I have a whole collection of recipes using garam masala, but here are a few of my favorites.
- Chicken Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken Masala
- Tandoori Chicken Tikka, Grilled Tandoori Chicken
- Matar Paneer, Bhindi Masala, Palak Paneer, Aloo Gobi
- Yakhni Pulao, Vegetable Biryani, Chicken Tikka Biryani
- Samosa
Storage
Once ground, store the leftover spice blend in an airtight container or glass jar to maintain freshness and flavor. Keep the container in a cool, dry place to ensure its quality. Homemade garam masala will stay fresh for 4 to 6 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in garam masala?
You can purchase garam masala in most grocery stores, but there is something to understand before you do– garam masala is not one size fits all. It differs from region to region, each slightly different from the last.
The combination of whole spices and how much of each spice varies from recipe to recipe, but the preparation is similar. Begin by measuring the whole spices and toast them in a pan over low heat. Then, grind the whole spices into a fine powder. Preserve it for all your favorite Indian recipes.
This garam masala recipe combines a handful of whole spices, but as I mentioned, there are many ways to prepare the spice blend, and every region and home has its unique combination of spices.
Try this North Indian garam masala recipe for another variation.
What does garam masala taste like?
I use warm spices in this recipe for garam masala. The combination of green cardamom pods, black cardamom pods, a cinnamon stick, black cloves, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, nutmeg, mace, and bay leaves creates a delicious spice blend with a savory, sweet flavor.
Is there a substitute for garam masala?
There isn’t a perfect substitute for garam masala. However, Chinese five spice uses similar ingredients. You can also combine ground allspice and ground cumin if you need the spice blend in a pinch.
More Spice Blend Recipes:
Garam Masala
- 1 tablespoon green cardamom pods
- 8 black cardamom pods
- 1 (4-inch) cinnamon stick
- 1 tablespoon black cloves
- 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon mace
- 2 dried bay leaves, broken into pieces
- Break down the cinnamon stick and bay leaves, then combine them with the other ingredients on a skillet. Dry roast the spices for 2-3 minutes over medium heat to draw out the flavor and aroma of the whole spices.
- Allow the ingredients to cool some, then add them to a spice grinder in batches, blend until fine. You can also use a mortar and pestle if you don’t mind the extra work.
- Stir in the ground nutmeg and add the Pakistani garam masala to an airtight glass jar.
- Achieve the best flavor by using fresh, whole spices instead of pre-ground ones. Whole spices retain their aroma and flavor longer.
- Toasting the spices before grinding them enhances their flavor and aroma. Toast them in a dry pan over low heat until they become fragrant and slightly darker.
- Once you toast the spices, grind them to a fine powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Grind them in small batches to ensure that they are evenly ground.
David Ramirez
Friday 26th of May 2023
Wow, this Garam Masala takes my Indian dishes to the next level! Thanks!
Sarah W.
Thursday 16th of February 2023
I tried this homemade Garam Masala recipe, and it added so much flavor to my Indian dishes! The aroma is amazing, and it's so easy to make. I'll never go back to store-bought again.
fede
Monday 23rd of May 2022
Such a great spice base, I used it to cook my lamb and it was delicious!
Tressa - Jamil Ghar Team
Monday 23rd of May 2022
Oh, we love using garam masala to flavor our lamb dishes.
Bianca
Sunday 22nd of May 2022
My most used spice blend, just love it!
Tressa Jamil
Sunday 12th of June 2022
Ours too!
RJ
Saturday 21st of May 2022
Tastes very authentic and makes a great base for many Pakistani and Indian dishes that I like.
Tressa Jamil
Sunday 12th of June 2022
Wow, what a compliment, thank you for taking the time to comment.