Saint InnocentCurry powder is a vibrant blend of spices that is known for its spicy and aromatic flavors accompanied by its distinct yellow coloring. A major ingredient inside of mostly Indian, Thai, and Caribbean cuisines.
Don’t be mistaken, the curry powder isn’t just an ingredient on its own, but rather it comes from the blend and combination of different seasonings, spices, and herbs such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, cumin, chiles, cloves, ginger, fennel seeds, mustard seeds, fenugreek, curry leaves, and black pepper.
Generally, it happens to be one of the most common spices used in meat dishes, stews, marinades, and soups. However, on days when they are unavailable for you to use, there should be no cause for panic as there are some other reliable Substitutes you can always trust to come to your rescue.
Talking about substitutes, below have been highlighted 8 of the very best substitutes for curry powder.
Interesting Substitute For Curry Powder
1. Garam Masala
Garam Masala, as a substitute for curry powder, is one commonly found in Indian cuisine. Made up of ingredients such as cloves, cinnamon, black pepper, nutmeg, cumin, and cardamom, Garam; which are almost all ingredients that can be found inside the curry powder, the garam masala is indeed the closest match for a curry powder substitute.
As a substitute for curry powder, the only difference they both share is the fact that garam masala is primarily used to add flavor at the end of the cooking session, unlike curry powder where the reverse is the case, as it is added at the beginning of the cooking session to bring out the aroma.
Finally, it is also worth bearing at the back of your mind the fact that garam masala has gotten a flavor that is a bit more intense compared to that of curry powder.
2. Ground Cumin
On days when you might have run out of the curry powder but are still lucky to have the cumin at hand, then you have little or nothing to worry about as regards carrying on with your cooking session, though you should not expect the aroma to be the same.
Aroma aside, you can always put your trust in the ground cumin to offer the same warm, spicy, earthy, zesty, and intense flavors as the curry powder would have ordinarily offered.
But should you still desire something closer and similar to the curry powder with the ground cumin in hand, all that is expected of you to do is to pair them alongside black pepper and some chili flakes.
3. Curry Paste
Though it might appear to be deceiving that they are both the same, judging by the similarities they both share in their name, the truth is not quite so. Curry paste is an ingredient common inside of Thai dishes that is known for its bold aroma.
Made from the blend and combination of mixing chili, garlic, lemongrass, turmeric, shrimp paste, and sea salt; if there is anything the curry paste as a substitute for curry powder stands out for, it is for adding pungency and tanginess to dishes.
To get the right proportion of curry paste to swap in as a substitute for curry powder, you can always go for one tablespoon of curry paste for every tablespoon of curry powder. However, you should always have it at the back of your mind as well that the curry taste tends to be spicier than the curry powder.
4. Chaat Masala
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If you happen to be among one of the few individuals who have this cringe fantasy about Oriental cuisines, then the chaat masala is that very ingredient you should have as your choice of substitute for curry powder.
Made from the blend and combination of aromatic plants, herbs, and spices, such as cumin, coriander, Amchoor, ginger, black pepper, fennel, asafoetida, Kala Namak, red chili, tamarind, and green mango powder; trust that chaat masala to always bring its tanginess and savory flavor inside of any dishes it is prepared with.
5. Sambar Powder
Should you be a lover of Indian cuisine, you can never go wrong with having sambar powder as your substitute for curry powder in your kitchen, a choice of ingredient that is common in many South Indian recipes.
Produced from the blend and combination of cayenne pepper, ground coriander seeds, fenugreek, ground ginger, black mustard seeds, garlic powder, and clove powder. From its spices, with sambar powder in hand, you have a powerful substitute for curry powder.
Before proceeding to put the sambar powder into use, you should always be conscious of the fact that its flavor is spicier compared to that of curry powder due to the pepper inside of its content.
Read also, 13 Best Substitute For Spike Seasoning
6. Turmeric
Tumeric is generally a simplified version of whatever curry powder represents in terms of its flavor and fragrance notes, which can easily be swapped with that of curry powder, making it a perfect substitute.
Additionally, using 1 teaspoon of turmeric for every teaspoon of curry powder, you are also guaranteed to enjoy similar coloring as the curry powder in terms of making your recipes and dishes yellowish.
7. Coriander Seeds
Similar to the aforementioned turmeric, which is sometimes seen as an important ingredient in curry powder, coriander seeds fall next under our list of excellent substitutes for curry powder, obviously because of the fresh, minty, floral scent and subtle sweetness it has got to offer inside of dishes just like curry powder.
Coming in different varieties of toasted and grounded coriander seeds, to get the very best of results from sticking with this option of a substitute for curry powder, it is suggested that you pair and blend them alongside chili Peppers to arrive at something similar to authentic curry powder.
8. Tandoori Masala
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Commonly found inside Pakistani and Punjabi dishes, tandoori Masala as a substitute for curry powder is one which comes about from the blend and mix of ground coriander, ground cumin, garlic powder, ground ginger, ground cloves, ground mace, ground fenugreek, ground cinnamon, black pepper, ground cardamom, and ground nutmeg.
Known to be very powerful compared to curry powder, you should start with a pinch before contemplating adding more of it later on. However, you should always have it at the back of your mind that whatever quantity of it you choose to add at the end of the day will always give your dish that pink or reddish hue.
Conclusion
In conclusion, should you be faced with No curry powder in your custody or cabinet, you can always look up to any one of the aforementioned substitutes for curry powder to come through for you in a pinch.
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