Homemade Garam Masala-nut free

This homemade garam masala recipe is from my family. It is an authentic garam masala recipe which has been adapted by my mom and I to make it allergy-safe for our household. 

Garam masala is a staple in South Asian cuisine and one that we can still enjoy as an alternative to garam masala purchased at the store.  Homemade garam masala recipe is the first in our Flavors of Culture series.

A story about new beginnings

My parents immigrated to the United States from Pakistan.  At nineteen, my mom found herself as a new bride living far away from her family, friends and culture.

My mom cooked our meals from scratch almost everyday.  Initially, she had a hard time sourcing Pakistani ingredients but somehow she was always able to throw a meal together. I fondly remember rushing home on cold Chicago winter days, opening the door to scents of spices and onions frying in a warm pan. 

Cooking became a way for my mom to preserve culture and connect to her distant home. The kitchen became her sanctuary.  In time, she found a community of friends where gatherings always centered around food.

To hear more about my story and Dr. G weigh in on spices and food allergies, check out this episode of The Itch Podcast.

Hidden allergens in food

When I was a child, I didn’t know anyone with food allergies.  Now, 2 in 13 children in a classroom are estimated to live with food allergies. 

As my daughter’s list of allergens grew, dining in South Asian restaurants became unsafe.  Peanuts or cashews are often ground into curries and used as garnishes but not listed on a menu. Sesame is used as a topping for naan. I’ve found that restaurants often don’t have consistent practices when it comes to serving customers with food allergies and there can be hidden allergens in food.

Garam Masala is a bled of aromatic whole spices, usually first toasted to maximize flavor and then ground. You’ll never find the same set of spices in garam masala because it varies based on family, region and personal preferences.

The word “masala” means spices and “garam” means “hot”. However garam masala is not typically spicy just full of flavor.

An alternative to garam masala purchased at the store

Sometimes store bought spice blends are tricky for people with food allergies. Up until recent U.S. labeling laws, sesame is now a top 9 food allergen. But before this, it was not always clear if sesame may be hidden under “natural flavors” or “spices” in a spice blend.

Although typically, nuts are not used in garam masala, I have found that blends may sometimes use ground nuts or sesame.  

This homemade garam masala recipe is a nut-free spice blend and an alternative to garam masala purchased in the store. It is also free from the most common allergens including sesame.

Educating extended family about food allergies

My mom still enjoys cooking for us. Initially, she didn’t understand why we needed to be loyal to one brand of spices or that it wasn’t always safe for our family to purchase a spice blend.

My family eventually leaned in and listened to what we needed from them in order to keep our girl safe. We didn’t have to give up on the traditional foods from our culture because of food allergies. We’re still able to enjoy these foods with family and friends by planning ahead, researching products and getting creative in the kitchen.

Garam Masala ingredients list

When making homemade garam masala, every household has their own recipe and uses different ingredients for garam masala. It is best to get out all of the garam masala powder ingredients ahead of time so making this batch will take no time at all.

This homemade garam masala recipe is adaptable so if you are allergic to any of the spices or need a substitute for garam masala, use what you can eat!

Cooking with your homemade garam masala recipe

Garam Masala can be used to season a variety of South Asian dishes such as dal; often added at the end of cooking but not always. You can use your homemade garam masala recipe as part of a marinade by mixing in with yogurt and lemon juice, sprinkle on popcorn or roasted chickpeas, top yogurt, soups and dips.

For more on storing spices, check out this guide.

I’ll be sharing how to use this homemade garam masala soon, as part of our Flavors of Culture series. 

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Favorite Kitchen tools to make Garam Masala

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