21+ Amazing Recipes With Garam Masala (2024)

If you enjoy Indian cuisine, you must be familiar with garam masala. Wondering how to use this warm Indian spice blend? Here are 21+ amazing recipes with garam masala that you can make for dinner tonight.

Indian meals are not complete without the addition of wonderful spices. And garam masala is one of the most popular spice blends used in India. Several spices are combined to makeGaram Masala.

What is Garam Masala?

21+ Amazing Recipes With Garam Masala (1)

In Hindi,Garammeans “warm”, and Masala is basically a “blend of spices.” So Garam Masala translates to the warm spice blend.

Garam Masala is typically made by combining – cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black peppercorns, ginger, and nutmeg. The whole spices are toasted until fragrant and then blended to make garam masala.

To get the amounts for each spice, check the detailed recipe for garam masala powder. And also see easy-to-make substitutes for garam masala.

It is used in many Indian vegetarian and chicken curries and side dishes – likechickpea curry, chicken curry, or thissaag.

It can also be used to flavor meats in marinades and rubs. Check out this recipe forIndian tandoori marinade.

Let’s look at the popular Indian recipes where you can use garam masala.

Table of Contents

  • What is Garam Masala?
  • Chana Masala
  • Bombay Potatoes
  • Butter Chicken
  • Tandoori Cauliflower
  • Chicken Biryani
  • Mushroom Matar
  • Tandoori Chicken Wings
  • Chicken Tikka Masala
  • Vegetable Biryani
  • Aloo Gobi
  • Vegetable Korma
  • Spinach Dal
  • Palak Paneer
  • Keema
  • Paneer Frankie
  • Salmon Tikka Masala
  • Paneer Tikka Masala
  • Potato Curry
  • Indian Asparagus Stir Fry
  • Rajma
  • Curried Pumpkin Soup
  • Spinach Rice
  • Chicken Karahi
  • Common Questions
  • More Recipe Collections

Chana Masala

Punjabi Chole or Chana Masala is the favorite Indian chickpea curry. This healthy vegan and gluten-free curry is enjoyed with naan or fried Indian puffed bread called poori. It is the perfect way to cozy up on a cold evening.

Bombay Potatoes

If you like potatoes, this will be your new favorite –Bombay PotatoesorMasala Aloo. Baby Potatoes are cooked with aromatic spices as a one-pot dish. They are perfect for serving as an appetizer or a side dish.

Butter Chicken

Butter Chicken is the most popular Indian dish worldwide. Chicken cooked in mildly spiced tomato gravy with aromatic ginger, garlic, and spices.

This dish is a great way to delve into Indian cooking, as it is mild but still has a wonderful flavor with the addition of garam masala. Serve with naan or rice.

Tandoori Cauliflower

This Tandoori Gobi Tikka is so flavorful, golden, and crispy.It is tossed with a spiced yogurt marinade and roasted in the oven or air fryer. The whole family will love this easy and healthy cauliflower appetizer!

Chicken Biryani

This Indian chicken and rice dish is popular all over the world.

Thisone-pot Chicken Biryanihas fragrant rice cooked with tender, juicy chicken along with lots of warming spices and caramelized onions.

Mushroom Matar

21+ Amazing Recipes With Garam Masala (7)

Made with earthy mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, and aromatic spices, this Mushroom Masala Curry is a wonderful warm weeknight dinner that can be made in just 30 minutes.

Tandoori Chicken Wings

These smoky Tandoori chicken wings are marinated in Indian spices and yogurt and grilled to perfection.

The wings are succulent and juicy on the interior and crispy on the outside. Serve with a yogurt dip or Indian green chutney.

Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka Masala is a super flavorful and aromatic Indian chicken curry made with marinated tender chicken cooked in a creamy sauce.

One of the favorite dishes to order at Indian restaurants. Once you make it at home, you will not consider take-out again!

Vegetable Biryani

Fragrant basmati rice cooked with lots of vegetables and aromatic whole spices and herbs.

Vegetable Biryani has all the goodness of biryani but is made healthier and vegetarian. Pair with cooling cucumber raita for a well-balanced meal.

Aloo Gobi

A simple and delicious veggie stir fry, perfect for weeknights – Aloo Gobi.

Aloo is Potato, and gobi is Cauliflower, so this is a Potatoes & Cauliflower Stir Fry cooked with onion and tomato, along with aromatic spices such as turmeric & garam masala.

Vegetable Korma

This restaurant-style creamy vegetable korma curryis a perfect blend of vegetables with a creamy coconut-based sauce. A vegan & gluten-free curry that pairs perfectly with naan or rice.

Spinach Dal

Spinach Dal, popularly called Dal Palak in India,is a comforting lentil soup with spinach mixed in it for extra nutrition.

It is so easy to make it in the pressure cooker.A little garam masala at the end elevates the flavors of the dal. Enjoy it withbasmati riceor as a soup.

Palak Paneer

A North Indian favorite made with spinach and firm cottage cheese, Palak Paneer.

The one-pot recipe for Palak Paneer can be made in 20 minutes and is super easy and just as delicious as the traditional version.

Keema

Keema Curry is one of the most popular Indian & Pakistani dishes made with ground meat. It is an easy one-pot dish that can be made in just 30 minutes.

Keema or minced meat (goat, chicken, lamb, or beef) is cooked with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and aromatic spices, to make the most flavorful Keema recipe.

Paneer Frankie

ThisPaneer Frankie Roll, also known asPaneer Kathi Rolls, is a popular Indian street food made with flaky flatbread, covered with egg, and wrapped with spicy paneer and tangy toppings.

Perfect for packing for a grab-and-go meal or a special weeknight meal.

Salmon Tikka Masala

This Salmon Tikka Masala is super flavorful, warm, and creamy, perfect for satisfying those curry cravings.

Marinated salmon steamed along with tikka masala sauce in the pressure cooker. Pair it with basmati rice or naan for a comforting meal.

Paneer Tikka Masala

The vegetarian version of Tikka Masala, made with paneer, is just as amazing as the meat version.

Paneer Tikka Masalais a flavorful and aromatic curry made with marinated and grilled paneer cubes simmered in a rich onion tomato gravy and warm spices.

Potato Curry

This North Indian Potato Curry is popularly known as Aloo Rasedar. Aloo means potato, and Rasedar is a thin tomato-based gravy.

It is typically paired with puffed Indian bread, called puri. It is a budget-friendly meal that the whole family enjoys.

Indian Asparagus Stir Fry

Aloo Asparagusis a flavorful, spiced, and tasty Indian-inspired dish made with asparagus and potatoes.

Super quick and simple, this Indian Asparagus stir-fry is made with some basic spices and tastes absolutely delicious.

Rajma

Rajma Masala is an Indian Red Kidney Bean Curry, a favorite comfort food enjoyed with rice in Northern India.

Kidney beans are cooked with onions, tomatoes, and aromatic spices to make this vegan and gluten-free curry.

Curried Pumpkin Soup

You’ll fall in love with thisCreamy Vegan Curried Pumpkin Soup. This flavorful soup is made with coconut milk and flavored with warming spices. It is perfect for warming you up on a chilly day!

Spinach Rice

Spinach Rice is a wonderful one-pot side dish. Aromatic basmati rice is cooked with spinach and spices to make this Spinach Rice flavorful and healthy!

Chicken Karahi

21+ Amazing Recipes With Garam Masala (24)

A flavorful and aromatic Pakistani chicken curry made with chicken, earthy spices and fresh ginger.

This restaurant-style chicken curry is perfect to pair with naan or roti. It is so delicious you’ll want to dig in and relish every last bite!

Common Questions

21+ Amazing Recipes With Garam Masala (25)

When should you add garam masala to a curry?

Typically, garam masala is added halfway through or right at the end of cooking as a garnish to improve a dish’s flavor. You only need a small amount because of its strong flavor. It’s a great finishing spice.

What does garam masala taste like?

Garam Masala means “warm spices,” but it definitely doesn’t mean they’re hot/ spicy. Garam Masala is highly aromatic and has a subtle sweetness with an earthy undertone. It enhances the overall taste of the food.
Again, it depends on which region it is made in. Some garam masalas will be spicy, while others may be zesty.

More Recipe Collections

  • Indian Soup Recipes
  • Indian Side Dishes
  • Indian Salad Recipes
  • Indian Dessert Recipes

I hope you enjoy this amazing collection of recipes using garam masala. Comment to let us know your favorite.

Categorized as: Indian, Recipes

About Meeta

I strongly believe that each one of us has a chef inside us, we just need to explore the ingredients and create great food. My passion is to share easy, healthy, and wholesome recipes made using Instant Pot & Air Fryer, that are well tested, so you can cook with confidence.

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21+ Amazing Recipes With Garam Masala (2024)

FAQs

What can I use garam masala for? ›

My Favorite Uses for Garam Masala
  • Bake with it. Swap garam masala for some or all of the spices in your favorite pumpkin pie recipe. ...
  • Roast root vegetables with it. ...
  • Combine it with yogurt for the best chicken marinade. ...
  • Shake it on popcorn. ...
  • Make masala eggs. ...
  • Stir it into soups.
Nov 6, 2019

Why do Indians use garam masala? ›

Garam masala adds warmth, sweetness, floral notes, and a touch of heat from the black pepper. It is intended to be a fragrant spice as well as flavorful.

Are tikka masala and garam masala the same thing? ›

Tikka masala is pieces of meat or chicken marinated with spices, whereas garam masala is the term used for 'hot spices' that are not spicy but can keep the body warm. Garam masala powders may contain chilli and peppers, although they can be aromatic but are not spicy.

How healthy is garam masala? ›

Garam masala is rich in anti inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. This helps in restoring the health of the heart and reduces cholesterol. Conditions like arthritis are controlled well when one adds garam masala to the food.

Does garam masala go bad? ›

The aroma of masala found in powdered form evaporates if left in open and exposed to air for long. As a general rule, dry herbs remain fresh for about 4 years. If you keep garam masala for long, it may not taste bad (and will not cause any harm to eat), but it will lose the freshness and flavour.

Which spice is not used in garam masala? ›

Saffron is a spice but not used in garam masala. Black salt is an ingredient of garam masala but it is not a spice as it is not from plants.

What is garam masala called in English? ›

Garam masala (from Hindustani گرم مصالحہ/गरम मसाला garam masālā, "hot spices") is a blend of ground spices originating from the Indian subcontinent. It is common in Indian, Pakistani, Nepalese, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan and Caribbean cuisines. It is used alone or with other seasonings.

When should you add garam masala? ›

Dev Biswal explains: 'Generally, it's better to add garam masala at the end of the cooking process, as it works on an aromatic level, raising the whole nature of the dish. ' So stir a little into your curry just before serving to release all those fresh, vibrant aromas.

What's the difference between curry masala and garam masala? ›

There is some overlap, but curry powder is generally a blend of aromatic, earthy, and sometimes hot spices such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, and fenugreek, while garam masala is a blend of warm, sometimes slightly sweet spices such as cloves, cardamom, peppercorns, coriander, cumin, and cinnamon.

What is the difference between tandoori masala and garam masala? ›

These spice blends play a significant role in Indian cooking and share similar ingredients. But the difference between the two is that tandoori masala contains spice from the chili powder while garam masala has more of a mild taste. Some recipes for tandoori masala include garam masala.

Can you replace garam masala with curry? ›

While curry powder's aromatic qualities are different from garam masala, the former offers a similar complexity of flavors and aromas. Curry powder works well with a wide range of dishes, and includes some of the key ingredients of garam masala. To replace garam masala with curry powder in your recipe, use a 1:1 ratio.

Is tikka masala better than butter chicken? ›

Tikka Masala is the better option if you are looking for a lower-fat and calorie dish. However, suppose you are looking for a dish that is milder in spiciness and has a sweeter taste. In that case, Butter Chicken is the better choice.

Is a tablespoon of garam masala too much? ›

Garam Masala is great taste enhancer. But it is very GARAM (hot) for our body if taken excessively. Too much garam masala gives a slight bitter flavour, Also a lot of people do not like very strong flavours. That would be about 1/2–1 level teaspoon, depending on the dish.

What is a fun fact about garam masala? ›

The blend is thought to have originated in Northern India and some have traced its first use to the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. The number of Garam Masala variations is endless and each region in India has its own version which accompanies the cuisine and spices grown in that climate.

Can we eat garam masala during weight loss? ›

In essence, this is a blend of many spices, including clove, cumin, cinnamon, etc. Garam masala benefits for persons following a weight reduction programme since it promotes weight loss just like the rest of these spices do. Just a teaspoon should be added to your meals.

Should I use garam masala or curry? ›

Cooking with Curry Powder: Curry Powder enters the early stages of cooking, infusing dishes with its mild and comforting notes. In contrast, Garam Masala steps onto the scene towards the end, adding not just flavor but an aromatic crescendo that tantalizes the senses.

What is the difference between garam masala and masala powder? ›

It's at once utterly confusing and incredibly simple. Masala means mixture of spices. So, a mixture of warming spices roasted and then ground down to a fine powder is a Garam Masala. A mixture of spices that are slightly tart and perfect paired with chickpeas roasted and ground down is a Chana Masala.

Is garam masala the same as all spices? ›

Allspice has a comparable warming effect similar to garam masala, but it's not as strong. The flavor profile is pretty similar. To get the most accurate flavor without overpowering your dish, combine four parts of cumin powder with 1 part of allspice.

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