What can I use instead of Garam masala?

Curry powder + cardamom: 1 tsp curry powder + 1/4 tsp ground cardamom (or allspice). DIY blend: 1/2 tsp cumin + 1/4 tsp each coriander, cardamom, and cinnamon + pinch each of cloves and black pepper.

What changes when you substitute Garam masala?

Warmer, less complex. Fresher than any jar.

Substitute for Garam masala

What it does in a recipe: Warm North Indian finishing blend: cardamom, cinnamon, clove, pepper.

2 substitutes, ranked by what's already in your pantry. Amounts are dataset values — US and metric where a ratio exists.

Curry powder + cardamom

per 1 tsp garam masala

US1 tsp curry powder + 1/4 tsp ground cardamom (or allspice)

Metric2 g curry powder + 1/2 g cardamom

CommonBaking-safe ✓Alcohol-freeDairy-freeEgg-freeFish-freeGluten-freeNut-freePeanut-freeShellfish-freeSoy-freeVegan

Borrows the warmth; misses the citrus notes.

What changes: Warmer, less complex

DIY blend

per 1 tsp garam masala

US1/2 tsp cumin + 1/4 tsp each coriander, cardamom, and cinnamon + pinch each of cloves and black pepper

Metric1 g cumin + 1/2 g each coriander, cardamom, cinnamon + a pinch each of cloves and black pepper

CommonBaking-safe ✓Alcohol-freeDairy-freeEgg-freeFish-freeGluten-freeNut-freePeanut-freeShellfish-freeSoy-freeVegan

Toast and grind whole spices if you have them.

What changes: Fresher than any jar

Related swaps

Common questions

What can I use instead of Garam masala?: Curry powder + cardamom: 1 tsp curry powder + 1/4 tsp ground cardamom (or allspice). DIY blend: 1/2 tsp cumin + 1/4 tsp each coriander, cardamom, and cinnamon + pinch each of cloves and black pepper.
What is the exact ratio to substitute Garam masala?: Curry powder + cardamom (per 1 tsp garam masala) — US: 1 tsp curry powder + 1/4 tsp ground cardamom (or allspice). Metric: 2 g curry powder + 1/2 g cardamom.
What changes when you substitute Garam masala?: Warmer, less complex. Fresher than any jar.

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