Learn how to make Homemade Tandoori Masala Powder recipe with step by step pictures. Tandoori Masala Spice Mix can perk up any recipe and is a must have in your kitchen!

Today in my mini-series for Spice Powders & Masalas, I am sharing the recipe for Homemade Tandoori Masala Powder. Very different from the standard masala spice mixes and the commonly used Garam Masala or Pav Bhaji masala, this one has beautiful flavor to it. Tandoori masala is essentially added to the marinades for Paneer, Mushroom, Vegetables or Meat to perk up any preparation – be it a tikka, kabab or even gravy.

Homemade Tandoori Spice Mix

Tandoor is a special type of clay oven that is used to make fire grilled/roasted Tikkas, Kebabs and even Rotis. Traditionally the vegetables or meat or paneer are marinated a blend of special spices for them to absorb all the flavors before char grilling in the tandoor. At home, it is technically not possible to set up a tandoor grill/oven but we can get the same flavor by using this special Homemade Tandoori Masala Powder for marination and grilling our veggies/meat in an OTG.

Tandoori Masala Powder – Key Ingredients

The spices and aromatics used in Homemade Tandoori Masala Powder are similar to that of the Garam Masala Powder, albeit with a few differences. The base spices and condiments remain the same, but the proportion and combination plays a huge role in differentiating tandoori masala from garam masala.

In the past when I have made Paneer Tikka or other Tandoori recipes, I made a spice blend using spice powders. While that approach works for one-time use, having this tandoori spice mix made from scratch makes a lot of difference flavor-wise.

Here are the main ingredients used in making tandoori masala –

Coriander Seeds, Cumin Seeds
Cloves, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Black Cardamom
Dried Red Chillies, Black Peppercorns
Mace, Nutmeg
Fennel Seeds, Kasoori Methi
Turmeric Powder, Garlic Powder, Ginger Powder, Black Salt

As Tandoori masala is fiery red in color, usually artificial colors are added. I have avoided adding any colors, but next time I will add natural dried beetroot powder to make it bright!

Tips & Important Notes to making Homemade Tandoori Masala

Masala and Spice Blends can be made two ways. I chose to dry roast the spices on stove top and used my blender to grind it at home. But if we are making this in bulk, the spices can be sun dried and ground in a flour-mill.

The whole spices should be roasted only until they are fragrant and they should not change color. Let them cool down completely before blending.

Again, after blending the spices together it is necessary to cool it down completely before storing in an airtight container.

Always use a clean dry spoon and seal the container tight after using to retain the freshness of the spice powder.

Check out exciting recipes using Tandoori Masala -

Homemade Tandoori Masala Powder Recipe with Step by Step Pictures

In a thick bottomed kadai/pan, dry roast 2 tablespoon cumin seeds and ¼ cup coriander seeds until they are fragrant for about 4-5 minutes. Remove onto a plate to cool down.

In the same pan, add rest of the aromatic spices – 8- 10 Green Cardamoms, 3 Black Cardamoms, 2 Cinnamon Sticks, 2 Mace Flowers, ½ Nutmeg, and 2 teaspoon Cloves. Dry roast for about 4-5 mins on low flame. Remove from heat.

In the same pan dry roast 8-10 dry red chillies for about 2-3 mins on low flame, remove from heat.

In the same pan, add ½ tablespoon Fennel Seeds, 2 teaspoon Black Peppercorns and 1 tablespoon Kasoor Methi. Dry roast for about 2 mins. Remove from heat.

Let all the roasted spices cool down completely.

Add them to a blender and now add powders – ½ teaspoon turmeric powder, 2 teaspoon dry ginger powder, 2 teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon black salt.

Grind into a smooth powder.

Cool on a plate or newspaper before transferring to an airtight container. It is optional to sieve the powder to remove any coarse particles.

Store at room temperature in air tight container, use a clean dry spoon. Add it to your favorite tikka and tandoori dishes as recipe suggests. You will only need ½ tablespoon for about 1-2 cups of vegetables.

Recipe Notes

To enhance the color, it is recommended to use Kashmiri red chillies.
If it is your preference, natural color like dry beetroot powder or artificial red color can be also be added.
Recipe measurement for spices are suggestive and can be adjusted as per personal preference.
Tandoori masala is usually added in the marinade which helps absorb & enhance the flavor. But it can also be used in curries & gravies.

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📖 Recipe

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