Homemade Indian Curry Powder Spice Mix
Make the most exotic blend of spice mix for your next Indian feast. This homemade Indian curry powder spice mix is a special blend with just the right mix and match in flavor and balance. Not too smoky and not too spicy. Personalize it with suggestions I give in each recipe and create the best Indian curry you ever tasted for your next meal.
Nothing beats the fragrance of fresh homemade spice blends. This special blend for homemade Indian curry powder spice mix is one of a kind. A recipe you will love and should have in your pantry always if you enjoy Indian food. A few teaspoons of this spice mix is all it takes to make a simple curry from good to finger-licking delicious.
If you have ordered curry powder before then you know that there are no two curry powders alike. It's true! In India, these change by the state and sometimes by the cultural background.
So, if you buy one brand today and then buy another brand a few weeks later your curry will be so different. A word of advice - if you find a brand you like - take a note of it and make sure you are loyal to it so you won't be disappointed. But you can also be adventurous and take a chance. You might just prefer the next one better than the first.
From scratch
Have you been using my wonderful Indian recipes? I'm so happy some of you have had great success with it. One of the questions I most get asked is - how do you get such a beautiful deep red color for your curries. Well, the secret is my homemade curry powder spice mix and homemade garam masala spice mix.
Yup, I make my own and I always have made them from scratch using whole spices. In fact, when I make my curry powder I make a big batch and then send a few out to my friends as well. A few of my friends would rather have me give them my spice mixes as gifts.
Now, I'm born Indian so Indian food is not just close to my heart but in my blood. And if there is anything I learned and learned well from my mom is the importance of good spices. I am ashamed to say that there are times when I have slacked and used store-bought powders to create my curry powder blend but when I learned from mom it was the use of whole spices, toasted lightly and then ground in the spice blender.
The traditional spice mix methods.
Having grown up as an Indian girl, one of my childhood memories is that mom would make spice mixes for the whole year and of course to sell these to her customers. Did you know that making spice mixes if done properly can be a huge job! I know, because I've seen my mom go through this process every year.
It was a ritual and the process took about two weeks for her.
She would buy large quantities (like 20 kgs)of different types of chilies and large quantities of lots of other spices. I clearly remember one of her spice mixes had a mix of 32 different spices and it was so popular that she has customers from the overseas place an order for a few months in advance.
These whole spices were dried out on the patio under the natural sunlight on a huge sheet.
Every day for a week she'd bring them out in the morning - toast them in the sun the whole day and then take them back inside the house in the evening. After one week - the next step was to dry roast them and she'd do that outside the house on an open fire in a huge wok-like pot. The smell of those whole spices and chilies use to be so strong, she'd have to send us away to my aunt's house for the day. Once these were dry roasted then they go to a special shop with a spice mill (because they were large quantities these could not be done in a home spice blender)
The finale
When the spice mix was ready she'd fill them in sterilized dry spice jars and sealed with a cloth and string to make sure they stayed fresh for the whole year. After which she'd send the orders out for delivery.
Yup, that was a lot of work and I never understood why she went thru all that trouble until I started making my own spice mixes. Y'all the flavor and smell you get from the freshly ground spices is second to none. Don't think I'll ever work as hard as my mom to make spice mixes but I do make my own at least. My sister did make my mom proud because she still makes and even sells a few of my mom's spice mixes (because they are so popular locally).
About this curry powder spice mix (Save/Pin)
There are a few things according to me that are worth taking note of. Unlike Moroccan food, Indians like to use fresh ginger in their food. So the use of ground ginger is kept to the minimum. Cinnamon does not belong in curry powder it belongs in garam masala. A strong flavor of cumin is very characteristic in Moroccan spices, not Indian curry powder. Coriander, however, is more Indian both in powder and fresh form. My mom's rule of thumb was one part cumin, one part turmeric, two parts coriander, two parts cayenne is a good basis for curry powder. Everything else is up for customization. Now in my previous post, we spoke about the differences between curry powder and garam masala so I think you have that information here as well.
So in this recipe, you will get my take on Indian curry powder spice mix. The blend is just right and not overpowering but the color is just what you want. A deep beautiful red color that begs to be eaten. Some of the most popular recipes on my blog that show off this curry powder beautifully are slow cooker Indian chicken curry, Beef mince curry, Slow-cooked lamb masala, slow-cooked Indian beef curry, Indian chicken curry in 15 minutes, Kidney beans curry. Ah well, I better stop but you can find my Indian recipes here
Useful Tips and Tools
- A coffee grinder or spice grinder if you plan to make these from whole spices. The food processor does not really grind spices very fine so if you choose to make these from whole spices please use a good coffee grinder. And if you make a larger quantity (for example to give as gifts) let the coffee grinder rest in between every 10 minutes. They usually have delicate motors. (I have broken two spice grinders so far- sigh)
- You will need mini bowls to measure the spices first. I prefer to have all the spices measured out first - cause once you start mixing there is no remembering which one is left out (don't ask me how I know that)
- Spice mixes are best stored in spice jars to ensure they stay fresh. Never leave them open on the counter.
- Measuring spoons are worth the investments. Trying to wing spices in a spice mix is never the best strategy.
How to make Homemade Indian Curry Powder Spice Mix (Save/Pin)
For the ground spices
- Measure all ground spices
- Combine them all in a small jar
- Close the lid and give it a good shake.
- Voila - your homemade curry powder spice mix is ready to use.
For the whole spices
- Have all your ingredients measured out
- Place a frying pan on low heat for a minute
- Once hot - add all the whole spices in a hot pan.
- Keep the heat on low and light shake the pan to toast them.
- You will start to get the spices to give out a beautiful aroma.
- Take it off the heat and let cool until barely warm.
- Place all the whole and powder spices in a spice blender (yes you need a spice blender or coffee grinder)
- Pulse it a few times until finely ground
- Pour them into a spice jar.
- Your curry powder is now ready for use.
Storage
- Always store the jar airtight to ensure the flavor of the spices is sealed in well.
- Ideally, these spices have a long shelf life as stated by the supermarkets - but it's best to make a note on the jar so you know when its time to make a new batch.
- Read the expiry date on the powders you used - choose the one with the earliest date as a guide.
Frequently asked questions?
Chili powder is just one spice but curry powder is a blend of many spices, so you won't get the same flavor and taste to your curry with just chili powder.
Yes, you can - for a quick curry with 500 grams chicken try
1 tbsp coriander powder,
1 tsp cumin powder,
1/4 tsp turmeric
1 tbsp sweet or hot paprika
Curry powder is a spice blend on its own. Garam masala is another spice blend made with warm spices similar to your gingerbread or pumpkin spice mix. This is added in addition to your curry powder. Adds flavor and warmth to the curry.
You can make a curry without garam masala spice but not without curry powder. So while having two of these are good. The garam masala though quite authentic can be omitted.
Quick often yes. The yellow would have more turmeric powder while the red will have more red chili or cayenne powder.
Absolutely, just substitute the chili or cayenne powder in the recipe with sweet paprika instead. That way you maintain the red color but much less spicy.
Paprika is ground red peppers usually made with one brand of peppers - sweet, mild, or hot.
Chili powder is usually made with a few different brands of chilies. Often a mix of sweet, smoked, spicy. The hot chili powder has more of the spicy chilly like the Indian Bedki while the sweet chili powder has more of the sweet chilly like Indian Kashmiri chilies. Some blends will emphasize more on the rich red colors. In India, we do get a large variety of chili powders.
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Indian Homemade Curry Powder Spice Mix
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Ingredients
From ground spices
- 2 tbsp (2 tbsp) Coriander powder
- 1 tbsp (1 tbsp) Cumin powder
- 1 tbsp (1 tbsp) Turmeric powder
- 1 tbsp (1 tbsp) Cayenne mild or hot
- 1 tbsp (1 tbsp) Smoked sweet paprika for color
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) Ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) Mustard powder
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) Cardamom powder
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) Pepper powder
From whole spices
- 3 tbsp Dry coriander seeds
- 1 1/2 tbsp Dry cumin seeds
- 1 tbsp Turmeric powder
- 2 large Dry whole paprika hot or mild
- 3 large Dry smoked paprika Sweet for color
- 1/2 tsp Ginger powder optional - I usually add fresh in my recipe
- 1 tsp Yellow or black mustard seeds
- 4 pieces Whole green cardamom
- 10 corns Black peppercorns
Instructions
For ground spices
- Measure all ground spices
- Combine them all in a small jar
- Close the lid and give it a good shake.
- Voila - your curry is ready to use.
For whole spices
- Have all your ingredients measured out
- Place a frying pan on low heat for a minute
- Once hot - add all the whole spices in hot pan.
- Keep the heat on low and light shake the pan to toast them.
- You will start to get the spices to give out a beautiful aroma.
- Take it off the heat and let cool until barely warm.
- Place all the whole and powder spices in a spice blender (yes you need a spice blender)
- Pulse it a few times until finely ground
- Pour them into a spice jar.
- Your curry powder is now ready for use.
Recipe Notes
- Always, store the jar airtight to ensure the flavor of the spices is sealed in well.
- Ideally, these spices have a long shelf life - but it's best to make a note on the jar so you know when its time to make a new batch.
- Read the expiry date on the powders you used - choose the one with the earliest date as a guide.
Equipment
Nutrition Information
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
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Liza from Butter and Radish
Thank you for this super informative resource, and for explaining the difference between curry powder and garam masala. Looking forward to creating my own blend!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you Liza
Paul
I think you have a typo in your instructions for making from powdered spices. You refer to pumpkin spice in step 4
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Paul. Just fixed it.
Helen
Love how this recipe sounds and would love to give it a try. I have no paprika or smoked paprika peppers available to me. Would you have any suggestions for substitutes that would still end up with a nice curry powder.
Thanks so much.
Helen
Veena Azmanov
Hey Helen. You may have some chily or cayenne perhaps. That would work too. The smoked paprika adds a nice color to the curry powder apart from the flavor. The hot paprika again can be switched to mild. Any chilly powder would work just as well.
Melissa
I love curry, like almost to a point of obsession (ha!). I would never have thought to make my own curry spice though, but I am going to print this and stick it in my pantry so I don't have to use store bought again 🙂 Also, what I would give to go to a traditional spice market in India!!!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Melissa. So happy you found this useful.
Valerie
It can be so frustrating to buy a spice from one brand expecting one thing and not have it taste like other brands you may have tried.
Veena Azmanov
I know what you mean Valerie. It really can be frustrating. Thanks
Alexis
Fresh spices are my absolute favorite and curry ranks right up there with the top. Thank you for sharing this blend!
Veena Azmanov
You are very welcome Alexis.
Kylee from Kylee Cooks
Oh myyyyyyyyyy - the color on that powder is to die for! I love making my own blends, this one looks fantastic!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Kylee. So happy you like it.
Julie Cohn
This curry spice mix is so easy to make, thank you! I love the addition of the cardamom, which I have not seen in other curry mixes. If I don't have a spice blender, could I use a coffee grinder and grind it in small batches?
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Julie. Yes, the cardamon gives a great flavor boost and is quite mild too. yes, a coffee grinder works great for spices in small batches.
Marisa Franca
Your spice combination sounds wonderful!! I would choose the whole spices over the ground, any day. I do the same with cumin -- I like to toast it a bit before using. Now, I don't have a spice grinder but works fantastic for me is a coffee grinder. You know, those small electric ones. They grind spices beautifully. Although, wipe it out before grinding coffee or spices. I'm pinning this.
Veena Azmanov
Thanks Marisa. Yes, I love making them from whole spices. Honestly, the shelf of powders is not very long so making a spice mix from powders is good for short term. Also, I love the smell of fresh spices when they are just ground. A coffee grinder works perfectly for spices.
Jyothi(Jo)
I always prefer homemade spice mixes. Weekends are mostly reserved for making different batches of spice mixes and i'm good to go for a week or two. I love the color of this curry powder
Veena Azmanov
Absolutely, Jyothi. I love making spices mixes on one day so I can do a few at a time.
Tatiana
Good quality spices is the secret to fantastic flavorful dishes. Homemade spice mixes are even better! I would love too try to make homemade Indian curry powder from scratch, hope i will find all the ingredients
Veena Azmanov
Absolutely, Tatiana. Good quality spices are the secret to good flavorful dishes. These spices are now easily available.
Denay DeGuzman
I love making my favorite spice blends at home. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful recipe for homemade Indian curry powder spice mix!
Veena Azmanov
You are very welcome Denay. I hope you make some and try. Thanks
Amy
I love curry and Indian food but never though of the idea of making a home-made mix. This sounds very interesting. Thanks so much for sharing your tips. I will definitely give it a try!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Amy. Yes, making these at home is the best thing you do to add flavor.
Claudia Lamascolo
This is a great resource. I am sure making your own spices that are fresh are 1000 times better than any store bought. I sure need to try this!
Veena Azmanov
Absolutely, Claudia. Fresh is so much better