Homemade spice mixes - Holy Cow! Vegan Recipes (2024)

Learn how to make authentic and easy recipes for homemade spice blends from around the world, including Indian garam masala, Moroccan ras el hanout, Thai green curry paste, Middle Eastern za'atar and so many more! Making your own spice blends gives you the best flavor and it is better for you, because you know exactly what goes in them!

Make a jar of one or more of these DIY spice mixes and keep on hand to add amazing taste and flavor to your favorite dishes. Most have multiple uses and some can even be used as seasoning blends.

You can use them to flavor stews, soups, curries, dals and salads. Some of the blends, like niter kibbeh, can even be used as dipping sauces!

Homemade spice mixes - Holy Cow! Vegan Recipes (1)

Table of Contents

Indian Spice Blends
African spice blends
Middle Eastern Spice Blends
Asian Spice Blends
Caribbean Spice Blends
How to store spice blends

Indian Spice Blends

Garam Masala

Garam masala is the most easily recognizable north Indian spice mix. This garam masala recipe, made with spices including cardamom and cinnamon, is authentic and simple but full of aromatic flavor. Make a batch and use it to take your favorite curries and side dishes to the next level!

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Indian Curry Powder Recipe

Curry Powder is an all purpose spice blend with south Indian flavors. It adds so much deliciousness to Indian dals, curries and sides. You can buy curry powder off the shelf but nothing beats the flavor of a homemade blend, and all you need is 15 minutes.

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Chai Masala Recipe

This chai masala not only adds exquisite flavor to tea but it also helps fight common ailments. This authentic recipe for a fragrant chai masala is made with just six simple spices. Use it to make the most amazing and authentic masala chai.

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Panch Phoron Recipe

Panch phoron is an Indian whole spice blend that adds a kaleidoscopic medley of flavors to dishes from eastern India, Nepal and Bangladesh. The recipe takes just five minutes to put together, with no roasting and blending needed!

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Sambar Powder Recipe

With a jar of sambar powder (sambar podi) on hand, you can easily cook up the most delicious south Indian style dals or kuzhambu. This dry spice mix is made by roasting and then blending together spices and legumes, which, together, add the most amazing flavor and create the perfect texture in the finished dish.

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Biryani Masala Recipe

With this homemade biryani masala you can make delicious Indian rice dishes like vegetable biryani, vegan dum aloo biryani and eggplant biryani. This aromatic spice mix takes minutes to make, and rewards you with amazing flavor.

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Tomato Onion Masala Curry Sauce Recipe

A basic Tomato Onion Masala Sauce that you can store and use to make quick and flavorful curries, like Methi Malai Paneer Tofu, Chana Masala, Palak Aloo or Palak Paneer. Recipe includes Instant Pot, pressure cooker and stovetop cooking options.

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Easy Indian Curry Paste Recipe

A blend of onions, tomatoes, spices that include turmeric, coriander and cumin, and a secret ingredient for umami, this Indian curry paste is a lifesaver for weeknights. Use it to quickly stir up delicious Indian curries in no time at all!

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Ginger Garlic Paste Recipe

Ginger garlic paste is a key ingredient in many Indian dishes, from curries to sabzis and everything in between. It adds savory notes and a heavenly aroma unique to Indian cooking. Make this easy, authentic ginger garlic paste so you always have it on hand when a recipe calls for it.

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Tikka Masala Paste Recipe

This aromatic and delicious Tikka Masala Curry Paste can be used to make quick and easy north Indian flavored recipes, including tofu tikka masala. Make a jar and store in the fridge for several uses!

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African spice blends

Ras el Hanout Recipe

This north African spice blend is most associated with Moroccan cooking, although it's also used in Tunisia and Algeria. It has intense, floral notes and it is a wonderful flavor to add to Moroccan inspired dishes and especially slow cooked stews.

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Berbere Recipe

Keep a jar of this smoky, spicy, highly aromatic berbere on hand to make tasty Ethiopian recipes like Doro Wat and Misir Wat. This spice blend has the mojo to magically transform vegetables and lentils into utter deliciousness.

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Vegan Niter Kibbeh Recipe

Niter Kibbeh (Nit'r qibe) is a spiced, clarified butter that builds amazing flavor in Ethiopian dishes like shiro wat and doro wat. This vegan Niter Kibbeh is made with olive oil and it is not only just as flavorful but it's also healthier!

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Middle Eastern Spice Blends

Harissa Recipe

Harissa is an aromatic and fiery red sauce or paste that adds a dash of delicious spice to north African recipes like Tunisian pasta and Moroccan chickpea stew. My easy harissa recipe is foolproof and takes no more than 10 minutes of hands-on time to make!

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Za'atar Recipe

With savory, nutty, salty, tangy and spicy notes, za'atar, a Middle Eastern spice and herb blend, adds exotic and addictive flavor to dishes like eggplant soup, Lebanese chickpea stew, roasted carrots and more. It takes under 10 minutes to make a jar!

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Asian Spice Blends

Vegan Thai Green Curry Paste Recipe

This vegan Thai Green Curry Paste gathers all of the world's most aromatic flavors in a single jar. The soothing citrus of lemongrass. The pungent nerve of ginger. The spice of coriander seed, the earthiness of cumin, the fire of green chili peppers and the lemony sass of cilantro. It's a feast for all senses!

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Caribbean Spice Blends

Amchar Masala Recipe (Trinidadian Spice Blend)

Amchar masala is a headily aromatic, six-ingredient spice mix used in Trinidadian cuisine. Take just 10 minutes to mix up a batch and use it to spice up your favorite Caribbean dishes!

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How to store spice blends

Homemade spice mixes should always be placed in airtight spice jars or glass jars and stored in a dark, cool spot out of direct sunlight, or in the fridge. That way they will last you a year or more.

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