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Home » African dishes

Best Pilau Masala Spice Recipe

Dated: September 10, 2020 . Modified: Dec 19, 2023 by Kate Hahnel

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Make the Best Pilau Masala Spice! Aromatic and quick to make, this is a recipe you will keep coming back to. Making your own homemade seasoning has never been easier!

Homemade Kenyan pilau masala spice.

*This post may contain affiliate links — as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

There are so many reasons to love this recipe!

  • ❤️Its easy to make.
  • ❤️It has no preservatives, making it healthier.
  • ❤️It makes a great gifts to give to loved ones.
Pilau Masala Spice

Is Pilau Masala the same as Garam Masala?

Garam Masala is a spice blend comprising green cardamoms, cinnamon sticks, fennel seeds, star anise, mace, coriander seeds, ground cumin, black peppercorns, and nutmeg.

Its preparation varies from region to region, with some garam masala recipes also including bay leaves, for the aroma. Garam Masala is used in making curries, in tikka masala recipes, lentil dishes, and soups.

Pilau spice comprises fewer ingredients - normally ground cumin, cardamon, black peppercorns, cinnamon sticks and cloves. It is used in making pilau rice, and occassionally stews.

Related recipes: For more tasty seasoning recipes, try our Chermoula Spice French Fry (Chip) Seasoning, Burger Seasoning or this Homemade Lemon Pepper Spice next!

Useful Tips

  • Process your spice mix coarsely for a balanced combination of textures and enhanced flavor.
  • Use 1 ½ - 2 tablespoons of spice per recipe, adjusting to your spice preference.
  • For low carb or keto diets, use the pilau masala with caulirice or konjak rice.
  • Optionally, add ground ginger for extra spiciness.

Store your pilau seasoning in an airtight container, in a cool and dry place, for up to 4 months. Always use a clean and dry spoon to scoop your spice mix, so as to avoid contamination.

Pilau masala spice in a spice container

Make These Other Tasty Recipes!!

Don't just stop here, make sure to check out our other African recipes! From Nigerian akamu, to Zobo drink and East African chips mayai, you will find so many other recipes to explore!

  • Kachumbari
  • Moroccan Chermoula Sauce
  • Samaki wa Kupaka
  • Nyama Choma
  • Kashata
  • Kuku Choma
  • Ugali

Enjoy making this recipe! Be sure to give it a review ⭐ below! Also don't forget to follow We Eat At Last on  Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and Tiktok!

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Updated on November 18, 2023: Certain parts of this recipe have been simplified to enhance clarity and readability.

📖 Recipe

Pilau masala spice in a spice container.

Best Pilau Masala Spice Recipe

Kate Hahnel
Transform your rice dishes with this homemade pilau masala spice recipe!
4.08 from 13 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 minute min
Cook Time 0 minutes mins
Processing Time 2 minutes mins
Total Time 3 minutes mins
Course Spice
Cuisine East African
Servings 7
Calories 85 kcal

Video

Equipment

A pan- to roast the spices
a wooden spoon or spatula - for mixing
airtight container - to store the pilau spice mix
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup cumin seeds (whole) approx. 100g
  • 2 tablespoon cardamom pods - green approx. 30g
  • 3 tablespoon black peppercorn seeds approx.90g
  • 5 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 tablespoon cloves (whole) approx. 30g

Instructions
 

  • Heat a pan over medium heat. Add cumin, cardamom, black peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, and cloves.
  • Reduce the heat to a low and roast the spices, stirring continuously until fragrant. Transfer the spices to a bowl to cool.
    Roasting the whole spices in a pan.
  • Blend the cooled spice mix into a powder and store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
    Pilau masala spice in a spice container.

Notes

  • Enhance the flavour of this pilau masala mix by adding 1 tablespoon of ginger powder and ½ teaspoon of nutmeg.
  • You will need about 2 tablespoons of this spice mix to make pilau rice (1 ½ cups of dry rice). Use more spice if you prefer your rice spicier.
  • This pilau spice mix can be stored in an airtight container in a cool and dry place for up to 4 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 85kcalCarbohydrates: 9.1gProtein: 3.5gFat: 3.2gSaturated Fat: 0gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0gMonounsaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgFiber: 4.1gSugar: 0g
Tried this recipe? I would love it if you could leave a rating by clicking on the stars above on this recipe card.Pin this recipe on Pinterest or tag me out on socials @weeatatlast. I love seeing your creations.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ta'Leah

    June 23, 2024 at 10:35 pm

    5 stars
    It makes the house smell so good when toasting. It gave the perfect amount of flavor.

  2. Kiheria

    March 31, 2021 at 6:22 pm

    What is the ratio of the pilau masala to rice

    • Kate Hahnel

      April 01, 2021 at 10:18 am

      I like to use one teaspoon for each cup of rice, but feel free to use more or less, if you prefer.

4.08 from 13 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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