Skip to Content

Homemade Hot Madras Curry Powder

Sharing is caring!

Take your curries to the next level with homemade hot Madras curry powder

You can use this homemade Madras curry powder in any recipe that calls for curry powder. You can use it in any of my Indian restaurant style curries instead of the mixed powder that is called for. 

It’s really good and you’ll be amazed at how much flavour you can add to a dish when your roast and grind your own spices.

So next time your planning a curry house feast with all those delicious curries, samosas, naans and chapatis and chutneys, don’t forget to make your own roasted curry powder. Read on to see how it’s done!

Homemade madras curry powder

Homemade hot madras curry powder

What is Madras curry powder?

A Madras curry powder is a spice blend like any curry powder that also has dried chillies in it to give it a spicy kick. So you could make this Madras curry powder recipe without the chillies and you would still have a great curry powder.

Why should you make your own curry powder?

The answer to that is quality! The flavour and aroma you get with this Madras curry powder is nothing short of amazing.

When you purchase curry powders, the spices are rarely if ever roasted as this would be too expensive for most producers. Add this to your curries or other recipes that call for curry powder and you will most definitely understand why shop bought blends just aren’t good enough!

What is the history of curry powders like this?

Commercially prepared mixtures of curry powder date back to the 18th century when spice blends were prepared by Indian merchants to sell to returning British army and government officials at the end of the British Raj.

Madras curry powder is still one of the most popular spice blends available in shops here in the UK.

Back then, returning British citizens wanted to be able to recreate the Indian dishes they had enjoyed so much while in India. In fact, the first UK curry restaurant chefs used imported curry powders to create their dishes as many of the whole spices used in the curry powders just weren’t available in the shops of the day.

What is the difference between curry powder and garam masala?

Garam masala translates as warming blend of spices. In a garam masala, there are only warming spices in the blend such as cumin, coriander, cinnamon, mace and black peppercorns. There are countless recipes for garam masala as the spice blends change depending on the recipe that is being prepared.

Curry powders, on the other hand, include other complimentary ingredients such as dried chillies, dried garlic, ginger and onions. They were developed so that you could literally add them to a stew and get yourself a curry.

In the Indian Subcontinent, curry powders are rarely used as they add fresh garlic, ginger and onions to their curries as we do now in the west too.

How long can you keep Madras curry powder?

Whole spices keep for years but once they are toasted and ground, their flavour begins to weaken quickly. 

You can keep your homemade Madras curry powder for at least three months with little loss of flavour. Store it in an air-tight container in a dark location.

Think about how long those shop-bought curry powders sit in warehouses and shop shelves before making their way to your cupboard! You just can’t get fresh madras curry powder like this unless you make it yourself. 

Step by step photographs. 

These photos are really just to show you what goes into a good Madras curry powder. At expensive restaurants, these spices are toasted separately as whole spices all have different smoking points.

For the home cook, you could just toast the spices together in the pan. Heat them until fragrant and warm to the touch but not yet smoking. You will get a delicious Madras curry powder that can be used in so many dishes.

Making curry powder

Be careful not to burn fennel. It cooks quite quickly.

Making curry powder

Fenugreek seeds pop all over the place when roasting.

Making curry powder

These have a similar flavour to fennel seeds. Break them up a bit before grinding.

Making curry powder

You can also use dried curry leaves. If using fresh, wash them thoroughly before drying them in the pan.

Making curry powder

Peppercorns don’t really need to be roasted but I do it anyway.

Making curry powder

Roast lightly until you can smell the magnificent aroma.

Making curry powder

Mustard seeds are a nice addition!

Making curry powder

These bay leaves are from the cassia tree and taste a lot like cinnamon.

Making curry powder

Freshly made curry powder.

Yield: 20

Homemade Hot Madras Curry Powder

Homemade Hot Madras Curry Powder
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons coriander seeds
  • 6 tablespoons cumin seeds
  • 4 tablespoons black peppercorns
  • 2 tablespoons fennel seeds
  • 2 tablespoons black mustard seeds
  • 1 x 5" piece of cinnamon or cassia bark
  • 4 x Indian bay leaves (leaves from the cassia tree)
  • 3 tablespoons fenugreek seeds
  • 3 star anise
  • 20 curry leaves
  • 15 cardamom pods
  • 2 tablespoons turmeric powder
  • 8 Kashmiri dried chillies
  • 2 tablespoons hot chilli powder (optional)

Instructions

  1. Roast each of the different whole spice types individually as different spices roast faster than others.
  2. In a dry frying pan, roast each spice until they become fragrant. The curry leaves need to dry out and become lightly browned.
  3. Transfer the spices to a bowl to cool.
  4. When cool, grind them together into a fine powder in a spice grinder. You can also use a pestle and mortar but spice grinders make things a lot easier.
  5. Add the turmeric powder and chilli powder to the blend and stir to combine.
  6. Store in a dark location in an airtight container and use as required.
  7. Use within three months.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

20

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 40Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 30mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 3gSugar: 1gProtein: 2g

Did you like this recipe?

Please join me on Facebook where I share all my latest recipes and videos. Just click that Facebook icon on the left and let's get to know each other!

I hope you enjoy this Madras curry powder recipe. If you do try it, please leave a comment. I’m also happy to answer any recipe questions you might have. 

 

Leone

Monday 30th of October 2023

Is the recipe using fresh curry leaves? Can dried also be used>

Dan Toombs

Wednesday 1st of November 2023

Don’t use dry ones as they have no taste. Just leave them out if you can’t get fresh ones. Thanks Dan

Jason

Thursday 4th of May 2023

Hi Dan,

just purchased your book and looking forward to making some good old British curries (expat living in Aus where the standard of curry is very poor).

I have some Roasted Sri Lankan curry powder from a recent trip there, do you think it would be ok to use this in some of the dishes (ie. Jalfrezi) or is the blend too different to affect the outcomes.

Cheers

Dan Toombs

Thursday 4th of May 2023

Thanks for buying my book. I think that curry powder should work but maybe add it gradually to taste. Dan

Shakil

Wednesday 19th of April 2023

Hello. Great looking recipe. Can you confirm that once the cardamom pods have been roasted- I need to take the seed out before crushing? Thanks.

Dan Toombs

Thursday 20th of April 2023

You don’t have to but there is no flavour in the pods. Take the seeds out if you feel like it but it’s not imperative. Dan

Erik

Friday 3rd of February 2023

Thanks for all the recipes. The curry base sauce was a revelation! I could not get my hands on whole Kashmiri chillies only powder. Could you add how much tablespoons 8 whole chillies would approx be? Could not find anything on the net how much a Kashmiri chilli weights on overage.

Dan Toombs

Tuesday 7th of February 2023

It’s really hard to say about how much chilli powder to add. I would add it gradually to taste so you get the desired heat. I am really glad you’re enjoying the base sauce recipe. Thanks Dan

Tom Stanley

Monday 24th of January 2022

Hi, I like your hot madras Cury powder recipe for myself. Can you please tell me how I can make a similar powder but in a mild version which will suit my partner. We have tried the brand 'East End' mild madras curry powder and she finds that about right but I'm sure your recipe will be much better. Thanks, Tom.

Dan Toombs

Monday 24th of January 2022

Hi If you want a milder version just use a very mild chilli powder instead of a hot one and reduce it a bit. Kashmiri chilli powder is quite mild. Put in fewer dried chillies too although they aren't too hot but try doing that too. Thanks Dan

Skip to Recipe

Sharing is Caring

Help spread the word. You're awesome for doing it!