What Is Curry powder and How Can I Use It?

Curry powder is easier to cook with than it looks. Here's how to choose, use, and store it, what to substitute, and 868 recipes to get you started.

What is curry powder?

Curry powder is a mixture of spices of widely varying composition based on South Asian cuisine. Curry powder and the contemporary English use of the word curry are Western inventions and do not reflect any specific Indian food.

The word curry is widely believed to be a corruption of the Tamil word kari meaning something like sauce but may instead be derived from the French cuire meaning "to cook".

In the Western world, curry powder mixtures tend to have a reasonably standardized taste, though many spice mixtures are used in Indian cuisine.

Indian cooks often have readier access to fresh spices than their foreign counterparts. Some curry cooks will have their own specific mixtures for different recipes. These are often passed down from parent to child.

Ingredients

Most recipes and producers of curry powder usually include coriander, turmeric, cumin, fenugreek, and red pepper in their blends. Depending on the recipe, additional ingredients such as ginger, garlic, asafoetida, fennel seed, caraway, cinnamon, clove, mustard seed, green cardamom, black cardamom, mace, nutmeg, long pepper, and black pepper may also be added.

Curry powder is a generic term for a blend of different spices. As with many things, curry powder can have more spices added to the mixture while cooking to suit the tastes of a particular individual.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find curry powder: Curry powder is usually found in the spices section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Curry powder is a member of the Spices and Herbs US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

咖喱粉

British (UK) term

Curry powder

en français

poudre de curry

en español

polvo de curry

How much does curry powder weigh?

Related

Spices and Herbs

Recipes using curry powder

There are 868 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Curried Pumpkin Soup

Curried pumpkin soup with sweet pumpkin puree, golden sauteed onions, warm curry powder, and a swirl of half-and-half. A silky, autumn-spiced soup garnished with pepitas or chives.

Borani Esfanaj (Spinach-Yogurt Salad or Dip)

Spinach yogurt dip with a touch of kick. Musky and sweet spices compliment the spinach and tangy yogurt.

Beefy Chunk & Cheese Chili

Curried beef and kidney bean chili topped with sharp cheddar and fresh scallions. The unexpected curry powder addition transforms a basic chili into something with serious depth and global flavor.

Mustard Seed & Papaya Chutney

A sweet and savory chutney perfect for veggie burgers or on the side along with curries.

Kukul Mus Thakkali or Chicken & Tomato Curry

Kukul Mus Thakkali, a Sri Lankan chicken and tomato curry with coconut milk, lemongrass, curry leaves, fenugreek and cardamom. Marinated and simmered for rich, layered flavor.

Kukul Mus Thakkali or Chicken & Tomato Curry

Kukul Mus Thakkali, a Sri Lankan chicken and tomato curry with coconut milk, lemongrass, curry leaves, fenugreek and cardamom. Marinated and simmered for rich, layered flavor.

Garlic Curry Burgers

Garlic curry burgers fold mild curry powder, fresh garlic, and sweet Vidalia onion right into the beef, with egg and evaporated milk keeping the patties tender on the grill. A spiced summer cookout twist.

Delicious Cream of Pumpkin Soup

Cream of pumpkin soup with coriander, curry powder, and a finishing drizzle of walnut oil. Smooth, golden, and ready in an hour using fresh or canned pumpkin.

Norma Koob’s Appetizer with Chutney

Aqua Aerobics regular, Norma Koob, has submitted this delicious appetizer recipe!

Best Curried Squash Soup

Curried squash soup made with pre-cooked butternut squash, garlic, curry powder, and chicken stock. A 40-minute warming bowl topped with sour cream and scallions for color and tang.

Gluten Free Butternut Squash Soup

Gluten-free butternut squash soup, naturally creamy and warmed with curry powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. A velvety, low-fat fall soup blended right in the pot.

False curry slice

500 g chicken breasts 1,5 tablespoons mustard 3 eggs 1 tsp spices mixture 1/2 tsp carry dust 1 tsp white pepper 4-5 teaspoons flour salt Mix together: eggs + spices + salt + spices mixture + mustard Cut the chicken breasts into strips and stir the egg mixture. Stir in enough flour to get a thicker sauce. Let the mixture stand for 3-4 hours. Heat oil in a frying pan. Put a spoonful of the mixture in hot oil.

Banana Curry Muffins

Unusual banana curry muffins flavored with curry powder, treacle, and sweetened condensed milk, plus mashed bananas and bran. A high-fibre breakfast muffin with a savory-spice twist.

Thai Lion's Head Meatballs

Ginger-spiked pork meatballs browned until golden, then simmered in curried coconut milk sauce and served on crisp lettuce with fresh basil and lemon zest. A Thai twist on the Chinese classic.

Chickpea Burgers

Packed with nutrients and the burger is also delicious. Serve these veggie burgers with whatever toppings you feel like.

Bob's Curried Carrot Soup

Low-fat curried carrot soup simmers carrots in chicken broth, then purees with curry powder and a dash of hot sauce. Four-ingredient pantry soup that's silky, vibrant, and surprisingly low calorie.

King Prawn Butterfly

This is a delicious starter from my book named 'The Curry Crunch' where mildly spiced king prawns are coated with bread crumbs and fried. The king prawns used in this recipe weigh approximately 50g each.

Vegetable Curry

Vegetable Curry recipe

Harvest Party Mix

This party mix is perfect for the holiday season or whenever you have company. It is subtly spiced with pops of sweetness from the raisins and combines corn, rice, and wheat boxed cereals for a flavor and texture combination that will surely be a hit at any gathering.

Favorite Curried Beef Stir-Fry

Curried beef stir-fry with soy-marinated sirloin, crisp cucumber, peppers, and celery in a glossy curry-spiked sauce. The unexpected addition of cucumber keeps the dish bright and crunchy. Ready in under 20 minutes.

Cheesy Curry Chili

Curry-spiked chili with ground beef, kidney beans, and a generous shower of sharp cheddar. A 30-minute weeknight pot that crosses Tex-Mex with Indian warmth.

Roast Chicken with Curried Honey Mustard Sauce

Roast Chicken with Curried Honey Mustard Sauce recipe

Curried Tofu Salad

This tasty curried tofu salad can be used in many ways, as a filling of whole wheat pita, or you can just spread them on top of the toasted bread.

Mary's Two Potato Soup

Creamy blended soup combining white and sweet potatoes with curry, turmeric and fresh mint, sautéed with leeks for a vibrant, high-fiber vegetarian soup.

Roasted Curried Cauliflower

Just made this roasted curried cauliflower for lunch, and it was very tasty. Loved how sweet the onions came out after the roasting with the strong caramelized flavor as well, yum. The cauliflower florets were tender with a little bit crisp, perfect texture :)

Szechwan Curried Chicken

Seventh heaven of taste, aroma and sight. Thanks, I could try it.. thumb up!

Curried Spinach Salad

A fresh take on spinach salad. This sweet and savory salad is a wonderful alternative to the bacon and tomato variety.

Best Apple & Butternut Squash Soup

Silky butternut squash and apple soup with warm curry and chili, the tart Granny Smith apples balancing the squash's sweetness. Pureed smooth and finished with cream for a cozy fall and winter bowl.

Very Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

Creamy vegan butternut squash soup blended with blanched almonds for a dairy-free silky texture, finished with curry powder and topped with pepitas, parsley and cherry tomato halves. No cream, no dairy, all velvet.

Deluxe Peas

Nice way to dress up peas. The mushrooms, water chestnuts and celery add some needed texture. Just a hint of curry adds some nice warmth but is not in any way overpowering and the chicken bouillon powder infuses the flavor.

Easy Chicken Curry

This easy version of chicken curry tastes delicious, and it only takes you about 25 minutes from the start to the finish.

Bee Hive Restaurant Chicken Curry

A savory dish that brings memories of India into your kitchen and onto your dinner plate.

Curry Pie Crust for Quiche

A savory curry-spiced pie crust made with whole wheat flour and cream cheese. Flaky, fragrant, and built for quiche.

Best Chicken Curry

Curry your chicken with this scrumptious dish that will invite a delicious aroma into your home.

Indian Chicken Curry - with Soda

Creamy Indian chicken curry with apples, raisins and a splash of soda for tang. Make ahead and reheat for deeper flavor. Serve over rice with coconut, peanuts and chutney.

Curried Corn & Crab Cakes

Tasty and good for you too. The mint, cilantro, crab and corn go very well together.

Curry Chicken Spread

This simple and quick spread is perfect to serve at any upcoming holiday party! It's chunk chicken, chopped apple, chutney and peanuts are bound with a curry-laced mayonnaise.

Sage & Garlic Roasted Potatoes

Sage leaves, garlic, olive oil and some Indian spices are mixed with these fingerling potatoes. Roast them in the oven and these golden, crispy and delicious potatoes will be a great accompaniment with any main course.

Light Tuna Salad

The addition of ingredients like curry powder and grated Parmesan make this salad special. Great for sandwiches, on crackers as an appetizer or served on lettuce leaves.

Curried Pumpkin & Ginger Scones

Curried pumpkin and ginger scones with warm curry spice, golden turmeric, and chewy bites of crystallized ginger. A savory-sweet fall bake that lands somewhere between brunch and tea time.

Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Chipotle Yogurt Dip

Instead of potato fries, try these oven baked sweet potato fries. They are sweet and creamy in the inside, golden and crispy on the outside. Dip them into this creamy and tangy chipotle yogurt dip, delicious.

Indian Samosas Easier

Crispy Indian samosas made easy with spring roll wrappers instead of homemade pastry. Spiced potato-pea filling wrapped and fried until golden.

Bbq Meatloaf Aussie Style

Aussie-style BBQ meatloaf with beef, sausage, and curry powder, basted with a dark, complex BBQ sauce featuring instant coffee, red wine, and Worcestershire. The meatloaf that earns its place at any cookout.

Indian Rice Pilaf

Indian vegetable rice pilaf with potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, peas, green beans, and cashews bloomed in mustard seeds, ginger, garlic, and curry powder. A one-pot oven-baked pilau ready in 35 minutes.

Roasted Root Salad With Carrot Vinaigrette (Thanksgiving)

Thanksgiving comes to mind! Healthy and interesting recipe. From my MIL's recipes but I think she got this from her SIL! This could be a salad or a side dish and could be made a day ahead and brought to room temperature before serving.

Lentil Bobotie

Lentil bobotie is a vegetarian South African curry bake with red lentils, golden raisins, and curry powder slow-baked in milk. A hearty, protein-rich plant-based main dish.

Singapore Satay (1 of 2)

Singapore-style chicken satay marinated in curry, cumin, coriander, garlic, and lemon juice. Bamboo-skewered grilled chicken bites for parties, served with peanut sauce.

Coconut Chicken Curry

I used very little green bell pepper (only had a half pepper on hand), but added frozen peas and sliced fresh mushrooms instead. I also ad libbed a little more by spicing it up with a good pinch of my homemade garam masala. Delicious.

Thai Grilled Chicken with Sweet Chile Dipping Sauce

This was a great recipe! I've made it several times.

Best Veggie Burger

Best veggie burger with bulgur, chickpeas, tahini, and grated zucchini, carrot, and apple. A vegan burger with real texture and Middle Eastern flavor that holds together on the grill.

All 868 recipes