This tandoori masala is the perfect spice combination for the ultimate tandoori masala to make delicious grilled appetizers. It is easy to make at home and needs spices that are pantry essentials without any artificial food colors. Jazz up your tandoori veggies and paneer or meat with this mighty, aromatic homemade tandoori masala.
About this tandoori masala
Homemade masalas aka spice powders are always fantastic both in flavors and aroma. They are the magic to any flavorful dish. Be it any spice mix, when it is made fresh the flavor power is exponential. Making the powders at home is easy. You'll need a powerful spice grinder to powder. I use my dry grind mixer, Vitamix. You can use any spice grinder, make sure to make a fine powder.
This recipe uses some spice powders and some whole spices. All whole spices can also be used. Salt is added here but you can add in the recipe marinade too. I have added some garlic powder, but that can be omitted too. A little extra garlic always extends the flavor and the marinade will also have ginger garlic paste. Garlic powder is optional, in case you want a no onion no garlic version. I have tried that too!
Ingredients
To make this aromatic tandoori masala you'll need:
Coriander Seeds
Cumin
Whole Black Pepper
Cinnamon
Mace
Whole Black Cardamom
Kasoori methi - dried fenugreek aka methi leaves
Cloves
Red chili powder
Kashmiri chili powder
Ginger powder
Garlic powder
Amchoor powder - powdered mango with a sour taste
Turmeric
Nutmeg powder
Notes about this spice blend
This recipe uses Kashmiri chili powder for mild heat and color. It acts as a natural food colorant. The color of the powder also depends on the chili powder you use. Food color is not added. You may if you prefer. During the pandemic times, I made this masala with spice powders that I had on my hand with whole spices and some powdered spices. From that time this recipe is the one that is constantly used here. Whole red chilies and Kashmiri red chilies can be roasted and ground and that would enhance the deep red color of this masala. I will do that soon and update the same in the near future.
I wanted to share this masala specifically as most of the time everywhere red food coloring is added to give the characteristic color. This recipe doesn't use any artificial food color and the color is derived from the mild Kashmiri red chilies alone. This masala will give the perfect satisfaction in flavors and you wouldn't miss what you were longing for!
Storage
This spice powder stores well in the freezer for 3-4 months. When you need to make tandoori paneer or any tandoori masala based food, mix the spice powder with some yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, marinate and grill them. You would be happy to make it again with this fresh homemade masala. This tandoori masala has an immense flavor and aroma that it need not be restricted to just tandoori items. Try this in a dressing like this Tandoori Ranch and this Rainbow Salad in Indian style is lip-smacking, pleasing, and satisfying one!
Recipes using Tandoori masala blend
Roasted Tandoori Spice Vegetables
Rainbow Salad with Tandoori Dressing
Paneer Tikka Masala
Paneer Tikka Biriyani
Cooking with Spice Blends
- Avocado Toast with Everything Bagel Seasoning from Art of Natural Living
- Beer Can Chicken with Spice Rub from Creative Cynchronicity
- Old Bay Seasoning Copycat from That Recipe
- Tuscan Pomodoro from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
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More Spice Powders
If you are like me and would love to make homemade spice blends, do try this fiery Kohlapuri Masala Powder. This will give ultimate flavors to vegie or paneer curry, Kohlapuri style! Simple Pepper Cumin Powder is an all purpose handy mix that can add flavor to curries like this broccoli curry or rasam. I always add this to rasam and check here to see different varieties, A-Z rasam varieties I am sharing this year and many more!
Tandoori Masala
Ingredients
- ½ cup Coriander seeds
- 2 tbsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- 2-3 Black cardamom
- 3 inch piece Cinnamon
- 4 Mace
- 1 tsp Cloves
- 2 tbsp Red chili powder
- 6-8 tsp Kashmiri chili powder
- 2 tbsp Ginger powder
- 1 tsp Amchoor powder
- 1 tsp Garlic powder optional
- 2 tsp Nutmeg powder
- 2 tbsp Kasoori methi
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Turmeric
Instructions
- Dry roast the coriander, cumin, cloves, cinnamon, whole black cardamom, whole black pepper, and mace over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until they turn a light golden color, and the aroma maximizes. Set aside to cool.
- Grind these cooled spices to a fine powder in spice grinder.
- Add the rest of the spice powders and blend. Sieve if necessary and blend the coarse ones again. Repeat till everything is smooth and fine.
- Store in air tight container.
Mayuri Patel says
Such a versatile and important spice mixture to have in the pantry. I make tandoori masala at home. Love to add it to tikkas and tandoori curries.
Priya Iyer says
Tandoori dishes have my heart! ❤️ Love your detailed recipe to make the tandoori masala at home. With all those spices going in, can imagine how fragrant and flavourful it would be!
jayashree says
Tandoori dishes are loved at home. This spice mix sounds so aromatic. Now, I can make the masala at home with your detailed recipe.
Priya Vj says
What an eye catching bright color of the tandoori maslaa ,the essential ingredient for marination. We love the tandoori masala coated grilled paneer and baby potatoes
Archana says
Absolutely delicious tandoori spice mix. I love this delicious recipe for making the spice mix at home.I have all the ingredients and will make some immediately. Thanks.
Anonymous says
Making a batch of tandoori masala at home, sounds brilliant ! Can imagine how flavorful amd aromatic the spice blend must have turned out.
Preeti Shridhar says
Tandoori Masala is so versatile. Can be added to a lot of dishes. Homemade masalas are always better, more aromatic. I also add beetroot powder to Tandoori Masala, which gives a nice color to the dishes.
Anonymous says
we love Tandoori kebabs or dishes a lot. Bookmarking your recipe for homemade tandoori masala , Radha!
Sasmita says
I can imagine how flavorful and aromatic the tandoori dishes will turn out after using this homemade spice blend.Absolutely delicious tandoori spice mix.
Anu says
I love tandoori dishes and usually use store-bought masala powder. Now that I have a recipe in hand, I should try to make one at home.
Sujata Roy says
So useful recipe. Tandoori masala powder also used in many other recipes. And homemade is always best. Loved your detailed recipe. I can imagine the aroma.
mildly indian says
I loved making my own tandoori masala with this recipe. Next up the tandoori ranch. That is a cool idea.
Anonymous says
We love Tandoori dishes. Home made tandoori masala is so aromatic and fresh. I love home made fresh spice powders. Your detailed recipe is so handy .-Preethi
Inger says
The color on this is amazing. Must be as healthy as it is tasty!
magicalingrdnts says
Homemade blends are always healthy and this gives a beautiful color and flavor. Thanks Inger.
Christie says
I have everything but the amchoor and the kashmiri chili powder. I'll have to see if my international grocery has those so I can try this! I love making spice mixes like this one.
magicalingrdnts says
Making at home is inexpensive and is very tasty. You can find these in Indian groceries or online. Thanks Christie.