An easy homemade tikka masala spice mix for the popular tikka masala sauce or curry and dry rub for vegetable kebabs or baked tofu.
I find making masala blends to be very agreeable. As called for in our previous tikka masala curry recipe, this spice mix not only gives a personal touch to the dish but it also makes it very unique.
For its symphony of flavours and aroma, tikka masala curry definitely beckons your own blend of spices. The mix can be made in advance and stored in air tight jars for a few months.
Whole spices, which you would need to roast, would undoubtedly yield a livelier and fresher spice mix. For this you would require a spice mill or coffee grinder to grind the spices to a fine powder afterward. But using the powdered version of each spice makes it more convenient if you do not own a spice grinder.
In this spice blend, paprika imparts the red colour which makes the dish appealing. However, Kashmiri chilli powder presents an ideal choice for the tikka masala mix. The best varieties are bright red and less pungent, lending a very vibrant red colour to the dish without too much heat. If you can’t find Kashmiri chilli powder, you may substitute it with paprika.
I left out any hot chilli powder in this blend; you can add your own to taste depending on what you are using the masala for.
This blend makes 3 tablespoons of spice mix, enough for 2 curry servings. You can make a larger amount and store for later use if desired. It also makes a nice rub for baked tofu or roasted vegetable kebabs.
Try this tikka masala in our
Watch making this Tikka Masala mix in a video.
HOMEMADE TIKKA MASALA SPICE MIX RECIPE
An easy homemade tikka masala spice mix for tikka masala sauces or curries and dry rub for vegetable kebabs or tofu.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon coriander powder
- 1 1/2 tablespoons paprika powder, or Kashmiri chilli powder
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Mix all the powdered spices together and store in an airtight container or use immediately.
Notes
Try this Tikka masala in our Red Kidney Bean and Eggplant Tikka Masala Curry
Try our Red Kidney Bean and Eggplant Tikka Masala Curry
Made this today for the vegan Tikka Masala recipe. It is an excellent spice blend. Thank you.
Going to try this since I am changing my diet for health purposes.
Hello! Can I substitute some of the ingredients for garam massala? And how much?
Hi Ria, garam masala blends vary greatly from different brands or even homemade versions. So, which spices to substitute and by how much will really depend on the list and proportion of spices in the particular blend, to be able to substitute it properly.
I think this recipe together with your instructions for making ginger paste will change my cooking forever! Such a delicious blend, thank you!
I wish to cook using the spice mix for the Tikka Masala. Do I add water or milk too?
There’s a recipe on the blog for tikka masala curry where coconut milk is used. You can find it here.