15 Flavorful Recipes Using Garam Masala (2024)

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15 Flavorful Recipes Using Garam Masala (1)Christina HerbstUpdated: Nov. 10, 2023

    Try one of these recipes that use garam masala for dinner tonight! Just a pinch of this aromatic spice will liven up your weeknight routine.

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    Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken

    This slow-cooker butter chicken recipe is similar to the Middle Eastern version I had in Malaysia. I spent several years there eating a variety of Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian food. Butter chicken was one of my favorite dishes while I was there! —Shannon Copley, Upper Arlington, Ohio

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    2/15

    Indian-Spiced Beefy Lettuce Wraps

    Since I love Indian flavors, I almost always have coconut milk, a jar of mango chutney and garam masala seasoning in my pantry. This recipe is one of my go-tos when I am short on time but want something that tastes spectacular. If you’d like to give this a different style of Asian flair, use hoisin sauce in place of chutney and Chinese five-spice powder in place of garam masala. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota

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    3/15

    The musical "Waitress"

    Cauliflower Tikka Masala

    I’m a vegetarian and I always find it challenging to find new recipes. This cauliflower tikka masala is my easy take on the original. It’s made healthy by the use of an air fryer and pressure cooker. —Garima Arora, Charlotte, North Carolina

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    4/15

    Here’s a hearty take on Mediterranean food, this time with sweet potatoes tucked inside. These unique pockets are delicious for lunch or dinner. —Beth Jacobson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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    5/15

    Moroccan Pot Roast

    My husband loves meat and I love veggies, so we’re both happy with this spiced twist on the beefy pot roast. With chickpeas, eggplant, honey and mint, it’s like something you’d eat at a Marrakech bazaar. —Catherine Dempsey, Clifton Park, New York

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    6/15

    Taste of Home

    Creamy Cauliflower Pakora Soup

    My husband and I often crave pakoras, deep-fried fritters from India. I wanted to get the same flavors but use a healthier cooking technique, so I made soup using all the classic spices and our favorite veggie, cauliflower! —Melody Johnson, DePere, Wisconsin

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    7/15

    Tandoori-Style Chicken with Cucumber Melon Relish

    We all need a quick meal that’s deliciously healthy. I marinate the chicken before I leave for work, and when I get home, I grill the chicken and make the relish. My husband loves the spicy flavor. To amp up the heat, add more crushed red pepper flakes. —Naylet LaRochelle, Miami, Florida

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    8/15

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    Easy Chana Masala

    I love this quick and healthy Indian-inspired dish so much I always make sure to have the ingredients stocked in my pantry. It makes weeknight dinners feel a little more special. —Janeen Judah, Houston, Texas

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    9/15

    Chicken Tikka Masala

    This Indian-style chicken tikka masala recipe has flavors that keep me coming back for more—a simple dish spiced with garam masala, cumin and gingerroot that’s simply amazing. —Jaclyn Bell, Logan, Utah

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    10/15

    11/15

    Butter Chicken Meatballs

    My husband and I love meatballs, and we love butter chicken. Before an appetizer party, we had the brilliant idea to combine these two loves, and the new creation got rave reviews! Want them as a main dish? Just serve with basmati rice. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta

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    12/15

    Quinoa Unstuffed Peppers

    This deconstructed stuffed pepper dish packs a wallop of flavor. I truly make it all the time, and I make sure my freezer’s stocked with single-serve portions to take to work. —Rebecca Ende, Phoenix, New York

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    13/15

    Vegan Butter Cauliflower

    I created this Indian butter cauliflower recipe for all the picky eaters in my family who love ethnic food. It’s also vegan-friendly. —Mihaela Metaxa-Albu, London, New York

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    14/15

    Brown Rice Chutney Salad

    A simple rice salad in a cafe inspired thoughts of adding Indian spices and chutney to this dish. To fire things up, mix in a small amount of hot chili oil, tasting carefully as you go. —Brooke Martin, Greenfield, Minnesota

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    15/15

    Taste of Home

    Creamy Curry Vegetable Stew

    Our family loves to eat Indian food, and this recipe is quick and easy to do with jarred korma sauce and fresh spring vegetables. If you want it hotter, add cayenne pepper to taste. Sometimes I add grilled chicken to the recipe. I serve this dish with naan bread, chutney and flaked coconut for condiments. So good!—Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

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    Originally Published: February 10, 2021

    15 Flavorful Recipes Using Garam Masala (16)

    Christina Herbst

    Christina is a Social Media Editor for Taste of Home. She enjoys trying out local restaurants and coffeehouses and adding copious amounts of garlic and cheese to any recipe she can get her hands on. In her free time, you can find her hunting down one-of-a-kind furniture pieces at thrift and vintage stores and DIYing trendy home decor crafts.

    15 Flavorful Recipes Using Garam Masala (2024)

    FAQs

    What can I use garam masala for? ›

    This Indian cooking staple can be used in sauces or marinades, as part of a dry rub on meats, cooked with onions as the base of a curry or soup, or sprinkle some over your vegetables before roasting them. Try these Masala Mixed Nuts or Masala Paneer Kathi Rolls to get started using this flavorful spice blend.

    What Flavour does garam masala give? ›

    What Does It Taste Like? 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. While cumin, coriander, and turmeric may remind you of curry, garam masala is generally not firey hot.

    Which masala make food tasty? ›

    Garam Masala

    India's most famous seasoning is Garam masala. It's actually a combination of dried spices including pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, cumin, coriander, tej patta, pepper, and some others. It is the used in many dishes, including Chana Masala.

    Can I use garam masala instead of whole spices? ›

    No. Garam Masala is a spice mix that is typically added to a curry or a dry dish right at the end of its cooking and mixed well. Many times, it is also sprinkled on the top after serving the dish. So, Garam Masala is not used to form the base of a curry or base spice mix.

    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.

    Can you sprinkle garam masala in food? ›

    For the best application of garam masala, it needs to be cooked (i.e., this is not the spice blend to sprinkle raw over cucumbers or dips). Begin by sautéing it with your aromatics at the start of cooking, add it midway to perfume the entire stew or braise, or do both.

    Why not to cook garam masala? ›

    Heating on high will only burn your spice, and you will be left with the burnt smelling masala. Add the garam masala in the end when it comes to putting your spice mix in your food preparation. You can, of course, experiment with the recipe and try adding it at other stages.

    Can you add garam masala at the end of cooking? ›

    It can be added at the start of cooking, but it's more usual to add it at the end or to sprinkle it over food just before it's served, a little like salt and pepper.

    How long does garam masala last? ›

    Store the garam masala in an airtight container in a cool, dry, dark place (such as a pantry or spice cabinet) for up to six months.

    Which masala is called King of masala? ›

    Rightfully called as the 'King of Masalas', the Kitchen King Masala can add truckloads of flavour to a splendid variety of curry based dishes.

    Which masala is best for meat? ›

    Chukde's meat masala can be used for spicing up various dishes, such as mutton and chicken gravy. It can also be used for grilling, roasting and frying chicken and mutton products.

    Which masala is king of masala? ›

    Kitchen King Masala brings authentic North Indian spice flavours to your dishes. It has spices like coriander, turmeric, and red chilli and more, making Kitchen King Masala, a must-have! Add Suhana's Kitchen King Masala to your curries, gravies and stir-fries to enjoy their true essence.

    Why do you put garam masala at the end? ›

    Fresh and fragrant

    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.

    Should you toast garam masala? ›

    At least the garam masala that I'm familiar with is like that. You should try toasting all your spices before you grind and mix them: It only takes a few extra minutes and it adds so much extra flavour, I really miss it when the spices aren't toasted.

    Can you use too much garam masala? ›

    Using too much garam masala: Garam masala is a strong spice blend, so a little goes a long way. If you use too much, your dish will be too spicy and overwhelming. Adding garam masala too early: Garam masala should be added towards the end of cooking, when the flavors have had a chance to develop.

    When should you add garam masala? ›

    Though spices are typically fried at the start of a recipe, there are also benefits to adding them later on. 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.

    Is it safe to eat garam masala everyday? ›

    Make sure you include garam masala in your regular cooking.

    Kitchen spices, besides adding flavour to our food, are known for their ability to fight a host of health issues. From curing digestive problems to boosting immunity, the antioxidants in them are extremely helpful for the body.

    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.

    Is it good to eat garam masala everyday? ›

    Enhances the process of digestion

    Consequently, give the spice mixture a try in daily meals if one wishes to reap this benefit. Additionally, some research implies that the warming effects of garam masala may also aid in boosting the body's metabolic rate. Health will unquestionably improve as a result of this.

    References

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