Curry powder is a warm, mildly spicy, and robust blend of spices that are packed with fresh aroma and flavor. It is typically made with Indian whole spices like coriander, cumin, mustard, fenugreek, and other seasonings. This homemade recipe for Curry Powder is one of the most simple and best ways to infuse the authentic flavors of Indian curries into your dishes.
But it's not just curries that can benefit from the addition of Curry Powder, it's also a great way to enhance the taste of roasted and baked vegetables, side dishes, pasta, and rice for a burst of bold flavor.
The recipe I am sharing with you is easy to follow and includes step-by-step instructions to make your own Curry Powder at home. I've also added a detailed video to guide you through the process and make it even more straightforward.
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What is Curry Powder?
Curry powder is a blend of spices that imparts a warm, earthy, and mild-spicy aroma to dishes. The traditional version is made with fresh whole Indian spices and curry leaves, which are toasted and ground into a fine powder. The term "curry" originated from the Tamil word "Kari," meaning both "meat" and "curry (sauce)" in Tamil. This homemade Curry Powder recipe is easy to make and is the perfect seasoning to achieve the authentic flavor of Indian dishes, particularly curries.
Contrary to popular belief, Curry Powder is not actually from India. In India, various spice blends are used depending on the dish. For example, sambar masala for sambar, chaat masala for chaats, chai masala powder for masala chai, pav bhaji masala for pav bhaji, and garam masala for non-vegetarian curries. These blends are unique in their flavor and enhance the taste of the dishes.
It was the British who attempted to mimic the flavor of Indian dishes and thus invented curry powder. The combination of spices used in curry powder can vary depending on brands, chefs, and home cooks. Additionally, the level of spiciness can also vary based on the amount of dry red chilies and other pungent spices used.
This recipe will guide you on how to make the best homemade Curry Powder from scratch. The homemade version delivers rich, aromatic, and well-balanced flavors that take the taste of Indian-inspired dishes to the next level. And the best part? Your kitchen will be filled with a mouth-watering aroma.
Ingredients
To create an aromatic homemade Curry Powder, you'll need a selection of basic Indian pantry spices that can typically be found at most Indian grocery stores. Here's a list of what you'll need:
- Coriander Seeds: These seeds boast a citrusy flavor and sweet aroma, and when ground, they offer a nutty and earthy flavor profile. They also form the base of this curry powder by adding volume
- Cumin and Fennel Seeds: Fennel seeds provide an earthy and mildly sweet taste to dishes, while cumin seeds add a rich, earthy, and warm flavor
- Cloves: These aromatic spices have a subtly sweet flavor and add warmth to dishes
- Cardamom: It has a complex flavor, with a fruity, piney, and menthol-like flavor
- Star Anise and Cinnamon Stick: Cinnamon has a sweet and woody flavor with citrusy undertones, while star anise has a sweet and licorice-like flavor
- Turmeric Powder: This ingredient gives a vibrant color to your dishes and is packed with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
- Dry Red Chili: This ingredient delivers mild heat, but increasing the quantity may result in a super spicy curry powder
- Peppercorn: Peppercorn adds a warm, earthy, and rustic flavor to your dish
- Mustard Seeds: These seeds have a mild aromatic and nutty taste
- Fenugreek Seeds: These seeds have a tangy and bitter taste, but when added with other spices, it will balance and enhance the flavor profile of your dishes
- Curry Leaves: This aromatic herb delivers a fresh and unique aroma to Indian curries
For a detailed ingredients list, please check out the recipe card below.
How to Make Curry Powder at Home?
The recipe shared here is for Homemade Curry Powder, a spice mix that brings the flavors of India. This recipe is made from scratch by roasting whole Indian spices and then grinding them into a powder. However, for those who do not have whole spices on hand, I have also shared a substitution using pre-ground spice powders in the substitution section.
Below are the high-level instructions for this recipe, but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and a video, please see the recipe card below.
- Add the spices - To make an aromatic curry powder, begin by heating a pan over medium-low heat. Add all of the whole spices and curry leaves listed in the recipe card, except for the turmeric powder
- Saute the spices - Next, saute the spices until they become aromatic. This process of toasting the spices on low heat helps to release their natural oils, which enhances their aroma
- Do not burn the spices - The key here is to keep an eye on the spices, as they can burn quickly. Therefore, it's important to be careful not to burn the spices, as this will change the taste and aroma of the final product.
- Cool Down - Once the spices are aromatic, turn off the heat and add the turmeric powder. Mix well and remove the spice mixture from the pan. Allow it to cool to room temperature
- Blend - After the spice mixture has cooled down, blend it in a blender until it becomes a smooth powder
- Use - You can use this curry powder in chicken curries, vegetable curries, or other non-vegetarian curries to achieve bold and unique Indian flavors
Substitute
If you don't have all the necessary spices to make your own homemade Curry Powder, don't fret. I've provided some substitutions below that mimic the flavor of curry powder. While using fresh whole spices and blending them yourself will give the best flavor and aroma to your curries, these substitutes are a great option for those who may not have access to all the spices. Here's how to make it:
- 2 tbsp Coriander Powder
- 1 tsp Cumin Powder
- ½ tsp Turmeric Powder
- ½ tsp Black Pepper Powder
- 1 tsp Chili Powder
- ½ tsp Mustard Powder
- ¼ tsp Cinnamon Powder
- ¼ tsp Ground Cloves
- ¼ tsp Cardamom Powder
- 1 tsp Dried Curry Leaves or curry Leave Powder, if available
Mix all of the spice powders together and store them in an airtight container. Use 2 tsp of this curry powder to season your curries, which will be enough for 4-5 servings. Note that some curry recipes may also call for chili powder and coriander powder in addition to this spice mix, so be sure to follow the recipe instructions you are working with.
Tips
- Use Quality Spices - To ensure the best aroma and taste in your dishes, use quality whole spices. While most Indian grocery stores carry good options, you can also opt for organic spices
- Temperature - Toasting whole spices in low-medium heat help release their natural oils, adding a unique aroma to your curry seasoning. This, in turn, will give your curries a rich, aromatic, and flavorful taste
- Curry Leaves - Curry leaves are a flavorful ingredient that should not be overlooked if you have access to fresh ones. They add a fresh aroma to your seasoning mix, which is essential for curry dishes. You can find both fresh and dried curry leaves at most Indian grocery stores
- Customize the Recipe - Customizing the recipe for this curry seasoning is easy and it can be made in small or bulk batches. However, I suggest not altering the spice ratios as the suggested recipe gives you a perfectly balanced curry powder. Any changes in the ratios may result in a hot, spicy, or pungent taste
Storage Suggestions
Store this Curry Powder in an airtight container for up to 6 months at room temperature. Make sure to keep it in a dark place without direct light to maintain its freshness.
Serving Suggestions
Use this Curry Powder in a variety of curry recipes to achieve a distinctly Indian flavor. For a 4-5 serving curry, 2 tsp of this spice mix is enough to deliver the perfect flavor. But, don't limit its use to just curries, add it to your roasted vegetables such as potatoes, cauliflower, and chickpeas for an extra kick of flavor. Also adding it to your masala pasta will deliver a flavorful curry pasta. Use it to make curried chicken drumsticks by adding them to baked chicken drumsticks.
Related Recipes
You could also find similar seasoning recipes below and more at dips and condiments.
Here are some of the best curry recipes that you can try incorporating this delicious spice mix.
- Chicken Curry
- Meal Maker Curry
- Kadala Curry
- Stuffed Brinjal Curry
- Egg Curry
- Thai Green Curry
- Thai Yellow Curry
- Panang Curry
- Thai Red Curry
Recipe Video
I have also shared a detailed video of this curry powder recipe below that I hope will help you make an aromatic spice mix at home. You can also find this recipe in story format.
📖 Recipe
Curry Powder
Ingredients
- 1 Cinnamon Stick, small
- 2 Star Anise
- 5 Cardamom
- 15 Cloves
- ½ tsp Fenugreek Seeds
- 1½ tbsp Whole Peppercorn
- ¼ cup Cumin Seeds
- 2 tbsp Fennel Seeds
- 1 tbsp Mustard Seeds
- 1 cup Coriander Seeds
- 8 Dry Red Chili
- 2 sprig Curry Leaves, fresh
- 1 tbsp Turmeric Powder
Instructions
To make Curry Powder
- In a pan with medium-low heat, add all the whole spices and curry leaves mentioned in the recipe card above, except for the turmeric powder
- Saute the spices until they turn aromatic. Toasting the spices in low heat helps to release their natural oils, which helps to release the special aroma from them. But make sure not to burn the spices, as this will alter the taste and aroma of the final product
- Once the spices are aromatic, turn off the heat and add the turmeric powder and give it a good mix. Remove the spice mixture from the pan and allow it to cool down to room temperature
- Now blend the spice mixture in a blender until it turns into a smooth powder. The aromatic Curry Powder is now ready to use in your recipes or to store for future use
To Use or Store
- You can use this Curry Powder in your chicken curries, veg curries, or other non-vegetarian curries to achieve bold and unique Indian flavors. You can store this Curry Spice Mix in an airtight container for up to 6 months at room temperature
Video
Notes
- Use Quality Spices - To ensure the best aroma and taste in your dishes, use quality whole spices. While most Indian grocery stores carry good options, you can also opt for organic spices
- Temperature - Toasting whole spices in low-medium heat help release their natural oils, adding a unique aroma to your curry seasoning. This, in turn, will give your curries a rich, aromatic, and flavorful taste
- Curry Leaves - Curry leaves are a flavorful ingredient that should not be overlooked if you have access to fresh ones. They add a fresh aroma to your seasoning mix, which is essential for curry dishes. You can find both fresh and dried curry leaves at most Indian grocery stores
- Customize the Recipe - Customizing the recipe for this curry seasoning is easy and it can be made in small or bulk batches. However, I suggest not altering the spice ratios as the suggested recipe gives you a perfectly balanced curry powder. Any changes in the ratios may result in a hot, spicy, or pungent taste
Nutrition
FAQ
Curry Powder is a warm, earthy, mildly spicy, fragrant spice mix. It is typically made with fresh whole Indian spices and curry leaves that are toasted and blended into a fine powder. The term "Curry" was derived from the Tamil word "Kari," which translates to "meat" as well as "curry(sauce)" in Tamil. This Homemade Curry Powder is one of the best and easiest to-make seasonings that is typically used to achieve the flavor of Indian dishes, especially in curries.
No, Garam masala is a blend of ground spices commonly used in Indian cuisine that includes a mixture of warm and fragrant spices and is usually added during and at the end of the cooking process. Curry powder, on the other hand, is a Western blend of spices used to mimic the flavors of Indian curries, and typically includes a mixture of turmeric, coriander, cumin, curry leaves, and black pepper. It is typically added during the cooking process.
This Homemade Curry Powder recipe shared here is mildly spicy, but it may vary from mild to high based on the amount and types of spices and red chili used.
I hope you found the recipe enjoyable and I would appreciate hearing about your experience with it.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment and I will do my best to respond promptly. Thank you for reading and happy cooking!
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