Learn how to make authentic and easy recipes for homemade spice blends from around the world, including Indian garam masala, Moroccan ras el hanout, Thai green curry paste, Middle Eastern za'atar and so many more! Making your own spice blends gives you the best flavor and it is better for you, because you know exactly what goes in them!
Make a jar of one or more of these DIY spice mixes and keep on hand to add amazing taste and flavor to your favorite dishes. Most have multiple uses and some can even be used as seasoning blends.
You can use them to flavor stews, soups, curries, dals and salads. Some of the blends, like niter kibbeh, can even be used as dipping sauces!
Table of Contents
Indian Spice Blends
Garam Masala
Garam masala is the most easily recognizable north Indian spice mix. This garam masala recipe, made with spices including cardamom and cinnamon, is authentic and simple but full of aromatic flavor. Make a batch and use it to take your favorite curries and side dishes to the next level!
Get the recipe
Indian Curry Powder Recipe
Curry Powder is an all purpose spice blend with south Indian flavors. It adds so much deliciousness to Indian dals, curries and sides. You can buy curry powder off the shelf but nothing beats the flavor of a homemade blend, and all you need is 15 minutes.
Check out this recipe
Chai Masala Recipe
This chai masala not only adds exquisite flavor to tea but it also helps fight common ailments. This authentic recipe for a fragrant chai masala is made with just six simple spices. Use it to make the most amazing and authentic masala chai.
Check out this recipe
Panch Phoron Recipe
Panch phoron is an Indian whole spice blend that adds a kaleidoscopic medley of flavors to dishes from eastern India, Nepal and Bangladesh. The recipe takes just five minutes to put together, with no roasting and blending needed!
Check out this recipe
Sambar Powder Recipe
With a jar of sambar powder (sambar podi) on hand, you can easily cook up the most delicious south Indian style dals or kuzhambu. This dry spice mix is made by roasting and then blending together spices and legumes, which, together, add the most amazing flavor and create the perfect texture in the finished dish.
Check out this recipe
Biryani Masala Recipe
With this homemade biryani masala you can make delicious Indian rice dishes like vegetable biryani, vegan dum aloo biryani and eggplant biryani. This aromatic spice mix takes minutes to make, and rewards you with amazing flavor.
Check out this recipe
Tomato Onion Masala Curry Sauce Recipe
A basic Tomato Onion Masala Sauce that you can store and use to make quick and flavorful curries, like Methi Malai Paneer Tofu, Chana Masala, Palak Aloo or Palak Paneer. Recipe includes Instant Pot, pressure cooker and stovetop cooking options.
Check out this recipe
Easy Indian Curry Paste Recipe
A blend of onions, tomatoes, spices that include turmeric, coriander and cumin, and a secret ingredient for umami, this Indian curry paste is a lifesaver for weeknights. Use it to quickly stir up delicious Indian curries in no time at all!
Check out this recipe
Ginger Garlic Paste Recipe
Ginger garlic paste is a key ingredient in many Indian dishes, from curries to sabzis and everything in between. It adds savory notes and a heavenly aroma unique to Indian cooking. Make this easy, authentic ginger garlic paste so you always have it on hand when a recipe calls for it.
Check out this recipe
Tikka Masala Paste Recipe
This aromatic and delicious Tikka Masala Curry Paste can be used to make quick and easy north Indian flavored recipes, including tofu tikka masala. Make a jar and store in the fridge for several uses!
Check out this recipe
African spice blends
Ras el Hanout Recipe
This north African spice blend is most associated with Moroccan cooking, although it's also used in Tunisia and Algeria. It has intense, floral notes and it is a wonderful flavor to add to Moroccan inspired dishes and especially slow cooked stews.
Check out this recipe
Berbere Recipe
Keep a jar of this smoky, spicy, highly aromatic berbere on hand to make tasty Ethiopian recipes like Doro Wat and Misir Wat. This spice blend has the mojo to magically transform vegetables and lentils into utter deliciousness.
Check out this recipe
Vegan Niter Kibbeh Recipe
Niter Kibbeh (Nit'r qibe) is a spiced, clarified butter that builds amazing flavor in Ethiopian dishes like shiro wat and doro wat. This vegan Niter Kibbeh is made with olive oil and it is not only just as flavorful but it's also healthier!
Check out this recipe
Middle Eastern Spice Blends
Harissa Recipe
Harissa is an aromatic and fiery red sauce or paste that adds a dash of delicious spice to north African recipes like Tunisian pasta and Moroccan chickpea stew. My easy harissa recipe is foolproof and takes no more than 10 minutes of hands-on time to make!
Check out this recipe
Za'atar Recipe
With savory, nutty, salty, tangy and spicy notes, za'atar, a Middle Eastern spice and herb blend, adds exotic and addictive flavor to dishes like eggplant soup, Lebanese chickpea stew, roasted carrots and more. It takes under 10 minutes to make a jar!
Check out this recipe
Asian Spice Blends
Vegan Thai Green Curry Paste Recipe
This vegan Thai Green Curry Paste gathers all of the world's most aromatic flavors in a single jar. The soothing citrus of lemongrass. The pungent nerve of ginger. The spice of coriander seed, the earthiness of cumin, the fire of green chili peppers and the lemony sass of cilantro. It's a feast for all senses!
Check out this recipe
Caribbean Spice Blends
Amchar Masala Recipe (Trinidadian Spice Blend)
Amchar masala is a headily aromatic, six-ingredient spice mix used in Trinidadian cuisine. Take just 10 minutes to mix up a batch and use it to spice up your favorite Caribbean dishes!
Check out this recipe
How to store spice blends
Homemade spice mixes should always be placed in airtight spice jars or glass jars and stored in a dark, cool spot out of direct sunlight, or in the fridge. That way they will last you a year or more.
Shishir
Hello Vaishali,
Thanks for the amazing recipes! Could you also upload the recipe for Goda Masala. In your recipe for masale bhat it was mentioned that i can find the DIY recipe for goda masala here(https://holycowvegan.net/masale-bhath/) but could not find it. Anyways thanks again and appreciate all of your amazing recipes.
Robert Pennington
Made this delicious spice mix for the first time tonight and loved it. I didn't dry-roast the kasoori methi though - should I have?
Vaishali
Hi Robert, which one did you make? Was it the biryani masala? There are a few other spice mixes here with kasoori methi.
Vijay
Hi great spice mixes. It comes in handy to follow through.
I love the yin yang spice box. Do you know where I can find it ?
Thanks,
Vijay
Vaishali
Hi Vijay, it was sold by a company called Gitadini.
Herb
Hi Vaishali,
It's been a while since I've written but I went to make bhaji today only to find that I dont have enough of the Bhaji Masala. Do you have a mix you could post or a good substitution?
Thanks!
Vaishali
Hi Herb, I'll try and get something up soon, but meanwhile you could use garam masala.
Radhika
Hi Vaishali, just made a big batch of your South Indian chickpea curry masala. This is the ONLY way I cook chickpeas after I discovered that recipe. Came here looking for Thai paste recipe without too many specialty ingredients, and I found this treasure. Chickpeas in thai paste might be just one more recipe I am willing to try out 🙂 You Rock! Thanks for sharing your talent with the whole wide world
Vaishali
Awesome, Radhika, and I have just the recipe for you. 🙂 This is one of my favorites in a rush. https://holycowvegan.net/vegan-thai-curried-chickpeas-thai-red-curry-paste/
Malavika
Thanks so much for creating these! They are incredible. My family is from India but I was born in the US so I have little experience cooking indian food except for buying the store mixed "kitchen king" type of spice blends when my husband and I make indian food for dinner. This will be so helpful for us!!!
Vaishali
Malavika, so happy to hear!
Glynis
Thrilled to find these spice recipes while browsing your site. Wonderful to have them all in one place. Thank you.
Vaishali
Glad it's useful! 🙂
Radha
This is such an incredible resource, Vaishali. I have almost stopped buying spice mixes in the store. So much better to make your own. And the best part is it takes so little time.
Mary
Hi V!!
What a fantastic collection of spice recipes! This is superb. I grind my own spices, because I like the fresh stuff. These look outstanding. Thank you very much for this. I wanted to order a new grinder, but I have to use the Canadian amazon website. We can order from that one, but it will cost a small fortune. Rats.
I am still waiting for you to open a vegan restaurant here in Toronto....lol xoxo
Vaishali
Haha, thanks Mary. 😀
WonderWoman
I've seen this masala dabba at
Ambika Devi
Vaishali, aside from an amazingly delicious offering of spices recipes, that is by far the coolest tiffin I have ever seen! Where did you get that?
Todd
Regarding cardamom pods, do you mean grind the whole pods or just the seeds inside?
Vaishali
The whole pods-- the green ones with the relatively tender skins.
phils
Hi Vaishali,
Living in South Africa where we have thousands of Indian ladies one would think finding a Ginger and Garlic Masala mix will be easy, no way!
All one can find is a Masala paste, a mixture of garlic, ginger and chillies, I have a lot of other spices and would prefer doing my own
dry mix, it is also easy to find spices if and when I need.
I have ready mixed Gharam Masala, Jeera ( Cumin), Dhania( Coriander), Somph (Fennel), Turmeric, Chili Powder and Nutmeg
I used to get a dry Ginger and Garlic mix from an Indian lady but she moved her business away and my Masala is at a critical level.
Most shops around sell ready mix packets of just Ginger and Garlic, I just need to know what else is mixed in with it and what
quantities.
I will be grateful if you can help
Thanks
phils
Vaishali
Hi Phils, there are so many different Indian spice mixes, and even more mixes created by immigrant Indians in foreign lands. A ginger and garlic masala mix -- that includes more than just ginger and garlic -- sounds like it might be something unique to South Africa's large Indian community-- I've never come across it before. Sorry I am not much help, but I will explore it and meanwhile, perhaps there are other readers who have an idea? If so, feel free to pipe in.
Anonymous
Thanks Vaishli, I do hope someone can come up with a solution
kirtiyadav
I have saved this list and I will start making it so that I don't buy from outside. Thanks for sharing such a elaborate list.
jot
i want this masala box in my kitchen
Vaishali
Sold by Gitadini-- there's a link in the blog.
Mary
I saw a recipe that calls for shish kabob masala and I was wondering which of the above might work best or if there was a specific shish kabob masala seasoning recipe I could make at home?
Anonymous
Beautiful description of masalas. Just loved it.
Asmita
Nice post..it's helps to everyone..can u tell me where can I get this beautiful Spicebox???I want it in my kitchen..pls reply
Vaishali Honawar
Hi Asmita, it is sold by Gitadini.
Chris
Thank you Arpitha, for this post..it is now my go to for Indian spice mixes...it is much appreciated.
sage
just curious...where do you buy your whole spices? is there a good online merchant you use that has reasonable prices and organic options? thanks!
Vaishali Honawar
Hi Sage, I buy them from my local Indian grocery store, but Amazon is a good source.
uthra
very useful. tried sambar, came out very well
Vaishali Honawar
Uthra, thanks for letting me know!
brugesvegan
Great post. very usefull, thanks!
Laura Fergusson
I'm new to the DC area and I am looking for a good spice market to pick up some Indian spices. In particular I need ajwian and urad dal for a Thanksgiving dish. Do you have any reccomendations for me?
Vaishali Honawar
Hi Laura, I go to the Patel Brothers on University Blvd in Langley Park, MD, or Daily Spices on Lee Highway in Fairfax, Va. Both have all the spices you will need.
Rashna
Am looking for a Dhansak masala in paste form. What can I add to the dry ingredients to make it into a paste? Thanks a lot. Lovely page!
Vaishali Honawar
Hi Rashna, you can just add water. Or add the dry masala where the recipe calls for a paste.
Rashna
Thanks Vaishali
Shilpa
Hi Vaishali
These spice blends are awesome. Am thinking of following your recipes and do them at home.I would love to know your recommendations on blenders for both dry and wet grinding. I live in the United States
Thanks a ton
Shilpa
Vaishali
Hi Shilpa, I love my Vitamix because I can grind all of my heavy Indian masalas and even dosa batter in it. The Vitamix is a little pricey, but well worth the investment, in my opinion. Before I got this one, I had a Cuisinart but it died after about four or five years of blending so I wouldn't really recommend it for the heavy grinding required for Indian dishes.
The Vitamix I bought from Costco came with a dry-grinding jar which is good to make garam masala, sambar powder, etc. Or to dry-grind smaller quantities you can use a coffee grinder-- I use a Braun one which I got for about 20 bucks and it's pretty good.
Hope that helps. 🙂
Shilpa
Thankyou very much Vaishali, Vitamix it is then 🙂
mike
Made up a batch of your sambar masala and used it in a spinach and potato Dahl using yellow moong dahl. Beautiful dish which everybody really enjoyed. I also used the garam masala from the recipe on manjulas website which is a really tasty spice mix. Thank you kindly
mike
Vaishali
Hi Mike, so happy you made the sambar masala and thanks for letting me know! Moong with potatoes sounds super delicious -- I have to give that a try. I love Manjula's website, and have to check out her garam masala mix.
Arpitha Shankar
this is an awesome post...i loved the biriyani mix especially
Vaishali
Thanks, Arpitha, glad you found it useful 🙂
Jully shah
Awesome collection of masala recepie ..... 🙂 just wanted to know from where did u get your spice masala box ...... It's very unique ...... Thank you for contributing such valuable info for everyone.
Vaishali
Hi Jully, it is sold by GitaDini.
Shamila Patricia
i am not really a cook....trying to get my hands on some traditional home cooked meal for my family.....going vege isn't a problem but getting to it is a matter
Denise
This is great!!!...I've just ordered me a masala daba which I'm very excited about!!! Garam masala is one I particularly wanted the recipe for so yea!!!! 🙂