Using Garam Masala: 4 Ways To Use Garam Masala In The Kitchen

Garam masala is one of the world's most well-known and used spice blends. Directly translated from Hindustani as ‘hot spices’, the garam masala blend often includes a mix of spices such as coriander, cloves, star anise, chilli, black pepper, bay leaves, nutmeg and cardamom. Don’t be fooled by the name though, garam masala brings a lot more to a dish than just heat, adding depth and complexity to a variety of dishes - not just curries! Whether you are a seasoned chef or just a beginner in the kitchen, correctly using garam masala in your food can help elevate your dishes to the next level. In this blog, we will explore our top four uses for garam masala, to help you understand the diverse ways in which this wonderful spice blend can be used.

1) Garam Masala Use In Marinades

If you are a lover of healthy Indian food, the chances are that at some point you may have tried a delicious grilled meat dish, such as chicken tikka skewers. But how can you infuse so much flavour into the meat? The secret lies in the marinade, and garam masala often plays a starring role in this.

Our delicious Indian Lamb Chops recipe is just one example of how garam masala can transform a simple marinade into a flavour-packed sensation, adding a warm yet slightly sweet kick to the meat once it has been cooked. Whether you're grilling lamb chops or paneer skewers, using garam masala as part of your marinade ensures that every bite is one to remember. Tandoori masala powder is another great spice blend to consider if you love cooking food on the grill.

2) Elevating Indian Sides & Snacks

Garam masala is a fantastic spice blend to elevate traditional Indian snacks into a true culinary delight. Whether it is samosas, bhajis or pakoras, all proper authentic Indian recipes will instruct you to use garam masala in the batter mix. Using garam masala in the batter improves the flavour profile of the fried snack, thanks to the complex medley of spices that are included in the blend.

Our Spicy Prawn Pakora recipe does just that, and the use of garam masala transforms the dish from a fried snack to an authentic Indian treat that's brimming with aromatic spices and flavour.

3) Effectively Using Garam Masala In Curries

Now this one probably doesn’t come as much of a surprise, but no conversation on garam masala uses would be complete without mentioning its role in curries. In combination with other wonderful ingredients, garam masala helps give many Indian curries their signature depth and complexity of flavour. When it comes to how garam masala is actually used when making curry, it boils down to two main processes.

Some recipes will encourage you to use this spice blend when marinating your protein or vegetables before cooking begins. However, the most effective way to use garam masala in curries is by adding it near the end of the cooking process, as this is best for bringing out its warm and aromatic flavours. Adding this spice blend towards the end of the cooking process ensures that the flavour remains more pronounced, which is key for creating a curry that is rich in traditional Indian taste.

This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t use it as part of a marinade before though; experiment with different recipes and processes until you find something that suits your taste preferences and cooking style.

4) Using In Sweet Treats

Garam masala is also a great spice blend to use in desserts and other sweet dishes. After all, who said that garam masala could only be used for savoury dishes?

Whilst this might sound a bit unusual, the sweet flavour profiles of nutmeg, cloves and cardamom can add a unique twist to some desserts, balancing perfectly with sugar and other sweet ingredients. Chaat masala powder is a more common spice blend to use in desserts, but don’t be afraid to experiment with garam masala as well!

Buy Garam Masala For Your Kitchen

For all aspiring cooks, Zouk has released our brand new range of traditional Indian spice blends. Our selection of versatile spice blends is made only using premium ingredients and blended in small batches in the UK, including our Garam Masala Spice Pot.

• Garam Masala Powder
• Biryani Masala Powder
• Tandoori Masala Powder
• Chaat Masala Powder

Once you’ve finished your spice pot, you can top it up using one of our refill bags, including our Garam Masala 60G Spice Refill Bag.