How to Prepare Homemade Spice Powders Using a Mixer Grinder

In many homes, the smell of freshly ground spices is something people instantly recognise. It usually means something good is cooking. While ready-made masala powders are convenient, they don’t always give that same depth of flavour.

When spices are ground fresh, even in small quantities, the difference shows up immediately in the dish. The aroma is stronger, the taste feels fuller, and you also have the freedom to adjust spice levels to your liking.

The good part is, you don’t need any elaborate setup to do this. A regular mixer grinder at home is more than enough. Something like the Ultra Stealth Mixer Grinder or the Ultra Vario+ Mixer Grinder handles dry grinding comfortably, even for slightly harder spices.

You can explore the full mixer grinder range here:
https://www.elgiultra.com/mixer-grinder

Before getting into recipes, there’s one small habit that makes a big difference. Always roast your spices lightly and let them cool completely before grinding. It takes a few extra minutes, but the flavour improves noticeably.

Sambar Powder

Sambar powder is something that usually sits in the kitchen all the time. Most people make a batch that lasts a few weeks.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Roasting time: 10 minutes
Grinding time: 3 minutes
Makes: Around 1 cup

Ingredients

  • ½ cup coriander seeds
  • 2 tablespoons chana dal
  • 1 tablespoon toor dal
  • 8–10 dried red chillies
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon fenugreek seeds
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • Few curry leaves

Method

Start with a dry pan on low heat. Add coriander seeds first and roast until you get that warm aroma.

Add chana dal and toor dal next. Keep stirring so nothing burns. After a minute or so, add red chillies, pepper, fenugreek and cumin.

Curry leaves go in last. They crisp up quickly, so just a few seconds is enough.

Switch off the flame and spread everything on a plate. Let it cool fully.

Once cooled, transfer to the dry jar and grind to a fine powder. A sturdy dry jar helps break down coriander seeds evenly.

Recommended for this task

  • Ultra Stealth Mixer Grinder – works well for fine spice grinding in small to medium batches
  • Ultra Topp Mixer Grinder – suitable if you regularly prepare masalas in larger quantities

Rasam Powder

Rasam powder is usually made in smaller batches because it tastes best when fresh.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Roasting time: 6 minutes
Grinding time: 2 minutes
Makes: About ½ cup

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
  • 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 dried red chillies
  • 2 tablespoons toor dal
  • Few curry leaves

Method

Roast coriander seeds and toor dal first.

Then add cumin, pepper and red chillies. Stir gently until aromatic.

Add curry leaves last and switch off the flame.

Cool completely before grinding.

For rasam powder, a slightly coarse texture works better. Use short pulses instead of continuous grinding.

Recommended for this task

  • Ultra Stealth Mixer Grinder – the smaller jar helps get even grinding without over-processing

Garam Masala

Every home has its own version of garam masala. The idea is the same, but small adjustments make it personal.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Roasting time: 5 minutes
Grinding time: 2 minutes
Makes: Around ¾ cup

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
  • 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 cloves
  • 1 small cinnamon stick
  • 2 cardamom pods
  • 1 bay leaf

Method

Roast coriander, cumin and pepper first.

Add cloves, cinnamon, cardamom and bay leaf. Stir gently.

Let everything cool completely before grinding.

Grind into a smooth powder.

Hard spices like cinnamon need a bit more power to grind evenly.

Recommended for this task

  • Ultra Vario+ Mixer Grinder – handles tougher whole spices like cloves and cinnamon more efficiently

Curry Powder

Curry powder is more flexible and can be adjusted depending on your cooking style.

Prep time: 8 minutes
Roasting time: 8 minutes
Grinding time: 3 minutes
Makes: About 1 cup

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons coriander seeds
  • 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
  • 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
  • 6 dried red chillies
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon chana dal
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder

Method

Roast coriander seeds and chana dal first.

Add cumin, fennel and pepper next.

Add red chillies last and roast everything briefly.

Cool completely and grind into a fine powder.

Mix turmeric powder after grinding.

Recommended for this task

  • Ultra Topp Mixer Grinder – useful when grinding slightly larger batches
  • Ultra Stealth Mixer Grinder – good for everyday small batch grinding

A Few Small Things That Help

After doing this a few times, you start noticing small habits that make things easier:

  • Always cool spices before grinding
  • Grind in short pulses instead of running continuously
  • Use smaller jars for better consistency
  • Make smaller batches instead of storing for too long

Also, if you regularly prepare both chutneys and spice powders, having a mixer with multiple jars helps avoid mixing flavours.

Final Thoughts

Making spice powders at home is not really about effort. It’s more about getting used to doing it. Once you start, it becomes a quick routine.

The difference in flavour is quite noticeable, even in simple dishes. A fresh rasam or curry always tastes better with freshly ground masala.

With a reliable mixer grinder, the process becomes easy enough to fit into everyday cooking.

If you want to explore suitable options, you can check the full range here:
https://www.elgiultra.com/mixer-grinder

Over time, these small changes quietly improve the way food tastes at home.

Elgi Ultra Mixer Grinders

The Ultra range of mixer grinders are designed to provide healthy and nutritious food at the right texture and consistency

FITTED WITH METAL COUPLERS

Lasts a lifetime compared to ordinary rubber couplers

AISI 304 FOOD-GRADE STAINLESS STEEL

Rust-resistant food-grade stainless steel jars

STAINLESS STEEL METAL BODY

Sturdy, reliable and long lasting

SLOW JUICING FUNCTION

For thick, nutritious juice without crushed seeds

CHOPPER / KNEADER ATTACHMENTS

Tasks like chopping vegetables and kneading dough are made easier using extra smart attachments

ELECTRONIC SPEED SENSOR

Automatically corrects speed fluctuations and maintains the specified grinding speed to get the right texture & taste