As a seasoned (har har) recipe creator who specializes in spice blends, let me give you a warning. Once you make your own curry powder, you’ll never want to go back to the sad yellow dust with the red lid. Keep a jar of this in your cabinet to breathe new life into your curry recipes!
The downside of making your own spices is that it’s REALLY annoying when you go to use it and you happen to be out. And then you have to make a new batch right then. Worth it though.
Thankfully this comes together quickly using pre-ground spices. If you’re feeling extra, I included a variation using whole spices that you grind in a spice/coffee grinder. Whether you want to nerd out with me or not you’ll end up with a curry powder you’ll love!
What is Curry Powder?
If you're new to using curry powder, it's a blend of spices that is typically used in Indian style cooking. The yellow curry powder that you see in the grocery store is actually madras curry powder.
Curry itself isn't a spice. The closest word that would describe it is "gravy". If you've had Indian cuisine, you've most likely had some sort of curry -- a blend of vegetables and meat (but sometimes meatless) simmered in a thick, heavily spiced sauce.
There are some high quality curry powders in nicer grocery stores, but I'd stay away from the most common one with the red lid. You know what I'm talking about.
Curry Spice Recipe Ingredients
This varies wildly, but most yellow curry powder has a base of cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Sometimes other spices are thrown. It's actually pretty adaptable. This particular combination is my favorite:
- Cumin
- Coriander
- Fennel
- Turmeric
- Clove
- Cinnamon
- Chili
How to make Homemade Curry Powder
There are a couple of ways to do this -- by grinding your own spices (highly recommended and best flavor for sure) or by using pre-ground spices. You'll get a great curry powder using pre-ground spices -- probably more flavorful than a basic store curry powder.
If you're going to grind whole spices, you need to get a coffee grinder. Or a second coffee grinder if you happen to use yours for coffee. Unless you want "spiced" coffee.
If you've never used one, it's like a super-strong mini food processor. For dry things. Don't try to make pesto or anything.
After toasting the whole spices in a skillet to deepen their flavor. Let them cool off and grind them in a coffee grinder.
My grinder is literally a super cheap one I got from the clearance rack at the grocery store after my nice, Cuisinart one died. Expensive isn't always better.
Then you add in the ground turmeric and cinnamon.
Using whole turmeric would involve grating and drying and pulverizing fresh turmeric. Even I have my boundaries.
Now it's ready to use! Store it like any other spice blend in your cupboard.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Ways to Use Your DIY Curry Powder
Indian-Style Butternut Squash Soup is a silky, paleo-friendly soup with hint of curry flavor!
We love Mulligatawny soup, too! It's another silky smooth soup with bits of chicken & rice added. Our kids love it.
For an easy, meatless dinner, try Vegetarian Chickpea Curry.
My kids will only eat cauliflower in the form of Curry Roasted Cauliflower.
Mango Chicken Curry is another great family-friendly meal.
How to Store Homemade Curry Powder
Store this curry powder in a lidded container or spice jar at room temperature for up to a year for best flavor.
If you make this recipe, be sure to post it to social media and tag me at @perrysplate or #perrysplate so I can send you some love!
DIY Curry Powder
If your experience with curry powder is the sad yellow dust with the red lid, stick around. I'll show you how to make homemade curry powder and it may change your curry life. You can grind it from whole spices or use pre-ground. I included instructions for both in the recipe notes!
Ingredients
- 1-4 small dried chilis
- 1 Tablespoon coriander seed
- 1 Tablespoon cumin seed
- 1 Tablespoon fennel seed
- 1 teaspoon green cardamom pods
- ½ teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 Tablespoon ground turmeric
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
<ol><li>Decide how spicy you'd like your curry powder and put 1-4 chilis into a small skillet along with the coriander, cumin, fennel, cardamom, and cloves. Toast over medium-low heat for a few minutes until the spices are warm and fragrant. Watch them closely since they burn easily.</li><li>Allow them to cool for 5 minutes and then grind everything in batches in a coffee or spice grinder. Transfer the ground spices into a small lidded jar.</li><li>Add the turmeric and cinnamon and shake well. Store at room temperature for about a year. </li></ol>
Notes
If you'd rather use all ground spices, here are the measurements:
- Pinch - ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoon ground fennel (if this is hard to find, just use more ground coriander)
- ¾ teaspoon ground cardamom
This recipe is slightly adapted from 101 Cookbooks.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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The Spice Way Fennel Seed - bulk whole seeds great for tea and cooking 8 oz -
The Spice Way Cardamom Pods- ( 4 oz ) Whole Green Cardamom Pod -
Organic Premium Grade Hand Picked Whole Cloves 3.5oz -
The Spice Way Coriander Seeds - 5 oz -
The Spice Way Cumin Seeds - whole cumin seed 8 oz resealable bag -
Microplane 45000 Gourmet Series Coarse Cheese Grater, 18/8, Silver -
Hamilton Beach Fresh Grind Electric Coffee Grinder for Beans, Spices and More, Stainless Steel Blades, Removable Chamber
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