Create an Indian-inspired flavor explosion in just minutes with this easy homemade curry powder. No need to run to the grocery store - this blend of spices is made from 11 common ingredients you likely already have on hand in your pantry!
Have you ever wondered why curry dishes can sometimes taste so different? Believe it or not, there is no standard recipe for curry powder. Different brands create different blends, often using different ratios and sometimes even different ingredients!
I got a little tired of the inconsistencies that were changing the flavor profiles of certain recipes and decided I needed to take the reins with my own homemade spice blend. No more hoping for the best with store-bought curry powders - it's time to have a known quantity balancing sweetness, spice and warmth every single time!
Compared to other curry powder blends, this one is both sweeter and warmer. I scaled back the coriander a bit because it is so strong and went a little heavier on the cinnamon and cloves. The result is a spice blend with robust flavor while also not being completely overpowering. It's absolutely incredible in this roasted curried veggie bowl with jalapeño herbed tahini!
Also, I left out the spices that are often difficult to find (i.e., dry mustard, fenugreek seeds and ground caraway) to keep it simple so that anyone can make it without having to scour multiple grocery stores.
So grab those spices and some measuring spoons and let's quickly whisk up the best curry powder!
Why You'll Love Making Your Own Curry Powder
- Quick and easy - no spice grinder needed
- Can adjust the mix of spices to your liking
- Uses pantry staples
- Easily adaptable if you don't have some of the smaller ingredients
- Instantly adds great flavor to a simple weeknight meal or Indian cuisine
- Can easily store for a long time
Ingredients
This blend uses the 11 ground spices below. If you don't have them all, you're still fine! As long as you have the major ones at the top you'll still enjoy authentic curry taste.
- Turmeric - earthy, bitter and slightly sweet
- Cumin - savory, nutty and slightly smoky
- Cloves - warm, sweet and spicy
- Ginger - spicy, peppery and slightly sweet
- Cinnamon - sweet and slightly smoky
- Black pepper - sharp and slightly spicy
- Coriander - peppery flavor with a hint of citrus
- Cardamom - sweet, pepper and a little minty
- Garlic - savory and slightly spicy
- Cayenne pepper - strong, spicy and slightly sweet
- Paprika - slightly sweet but very mild flavor
See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for quantities.
How to Make Homemade Curry Powder
Simply whisk all the spices together in a small bowl and then pour it into an airtight container for storage. Done!
Alternatively, you can pour all of the spices into a small jar, seal the lid and shake until completely blended.
How to Adjust the Taste
The ideal curry powder blend is one where the only other seasoning you add to a dish is salt. You shouldn't need to add anything else as the curry powder should cover it all.
Here you have total control so you can consistently crank out delicious Indian dishes without any guesswork. Make your perfect blend and enjoy it for months. You can even adjust it after the fact!
To make it spicier: add more black pepper and cayenne pepper.
To make it sweeter: add more cinnamon and cloves.
Storage
Ground spices don't spoil like other food products but the intensity of their flavors will fade over time. Store this curry powder like you would other seasoning blends - in an airtight jar or container and in a dry area such as the pantry.
Use within a few months for best results. After that point, it is still perfectly fine to use but the flavors may be a little less potent.
Health Benefits of Curry Powder
Curry powder consists of multiple ingredients with known health benefits:
Turmeric
Turmeric contains curcumin, an orange-yellow compound that gives turmeric its vibrant color. It has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and research suggests that it can benefit those with arthritis, anxiety, hyperlipidemia and metabolic syndrome (source). In addition, curcumin can modulate the immune system which enhances antibody responses (source).
Ginger
Ginger has been used as an herbal medicine for thousands of years in Asia. While further research is still necessary, it has been shown to be effective in alleviating nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, improving digestive function as well as anti-inflammatory functions (source).
Garlic
Garlic is rich in vitamin C, manganese and antioxidants and is often used to boost the immune system. In addition, garlic contains compounds that may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, have anti-tumor effects and help with high blood glucose concentration (source).
When to Use Curry Powder
I use curry powder in essentially any Indian-inspired dish, so it's super convenient to have a homemade batch on hand. It can be stored for up to 6 months so I'll often make a double batch!
I often use this blend in soups (such as this creamy red lentil and carrot soup), stews and essentially any curry dish. You have to try it in this one-pot curried quinoa and chickpeas!
Fun fact: Curry powder was actually created for the British who had come to love Indian food while their soldiers were stationed there in the 18 century. Curry powder became a popular way to add Indian flavor to their cooking. It is not actually used in authentic Indian cooking!
I hope you love this easy homemade curry powder recipe! For more homemade spice blends, definitely check out my taco seasoning and BBQ seasoning!
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The Best Homemade Curry Powder (5-Minute Recipe)
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 14 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Create an Indian-inspired flavor explosion in just minutes with this easy homemade curry powder. No need to run to the grocery store - this blend of spices is made from 11 common ingredients you likely already have on hand in your pantry!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons ground turmeric
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1.5 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
- ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon ground garlic
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground paprika
Instructions
- Whisk all of the spices together in a small bowl. Use immediately or pour into an airtight container for storage.
Notes
Alternate method: Pour all of the spices into a small jar, seal the lid and shake until completely blended. Just make sure there are no clumps!
Storage: Ground spices don't spoil like other food products but the intensity of their flavors will fade over time. Store this curry powder like you would other seasoning blends - in an airtight jar or container and in a dry area such as the pantry. Use within a few months for best results. After that point, it is still perfectly fine to use but the flavors may be a little less potent.
- Prep Time: 5
- Category: Condiment
- Cuisine: Indian
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