Are you looking for substitutes for Chaat masala? Well, it is easier to replace one particular ingredient when the time calls for it.
However, for something as complex as Chaat masala, it could be as hard as anything.
Still, there are great replacements for Chaat masala when it seems you cannot have the ingredient in your wrack.
And in this guide, we shall reveal all the ingredients that you can easily use instead of Chaat masala.
So, let us learn!
Contents
What is Chaat masala?
Chaat masala is an ingredient that is notable for its spicy nature, as it takes the form of every ingredient used in preparing it.
Also spelled as chat masala, Chaat masala is an ingredient that originates from South Asia. Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Indian cuisines use this ingredient greatly.
The ingredient comprises of : Chili powder, dried mango powder, cumin, coriander, salt, black pepper, mint leaves, and citric acid.
All these ingredients make Chaat masala what it is.
What does Chaat masala taste like?
Chaat masala gas has this complex taste, tangy, spicy, and sour at the same time. So, most times it is difficult saying what Chaat masala tastes like.
However, adding Chaat masala to your recipe gives it some depth and flavor that enhances the taste.
So, therefore it is difficult to find a replacement for Chaat masala
But if you need to find a potential replacement, then you need to use ingredients that are spicy and tangy. Since finding ingredients in one ingredient seems impossible.
Let us help you find substitutes for chaat masala.
Substitutes for Chaat masala
Since it is about time to find substitutes, here are the few excellent substitutes we have for you.
1. Homemade Chaat masala
This is the best substitute for Chaat masala when it is time to get some spice for your recipe.
It is always important to have all the ingredients you can use to make chaat masala. So, when you run out of them, you can easily get yourself another spice in a moment.
It is much better to make your chaat masala because you are sure that the potency of the ingredients is not altered.
Grind all the ingredients and have them in your spice rack again. Use them when it is time to add some spicy flavor to your recipe. You can learn how to make chaat masala the right way.
2. Garam masala
Although many people believe that garam masala is nothing like Chaat masala and should not share or replace in recipes, garam, on the contrary, is a great substitute for Chaat masala.
Yes, they also have almost the same name. So, garam masala is from South Asia too! Little wonder they both share almost the same ingredients.
Ingredients in garam masala: there is black pepper, cumin, coriander, ginger, and red chili pepper. However, garam masala does not have salt and mango powder and these are the principal ingredients for Chaat masala.
So when it is time to use the ingredient, add some salt and mango powder.
3. Tikka masala
Tikka masala is another important spice that can replace your chaat masala in a pinch. And just like garam masala, it has some spices that you can see in Chaat masala. So, you can use Tikka masala in place of chaat masala.
Tikka masala contains these ingredients; black pepper, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and red chili powder. All these ingredients make up for a spicy taste. So if you want to have that complex taste too, add mango powder.
4. Harissa powder
Harissa powder is known for its spicy taste. And you can sure use it in a recipe that calls for chaat masala.
If you think, it does not have the entire flavor you want in your recipe. Add some flavors that are missing, so you can get your desired results.
5. Baharat
This spice can be best for when you want to make your salad. However, for other recipes that would require spicy, and tangy flavor, we advise adding some mango powder.
Baharat shares a similar flavor with some ingredients in chaat masala- black pepper and coriander notably. However, it is not enough to make up the spices for your recipe.
So, to get the best out of it, add extra flavors. This is another great substitute for chaat masala.
6. Curry powder
Curry powder is quite versatile and many kitchens, as well as cuisines, have this spice lingering around. If at all you have Curry powder in your home, now is the time to use it in place of chaat masala.
Note: of course, there will be many Curry blends in the stores, so we advise you to go for the one that best suits your needs.
Curry powder contains ginger, asafetida, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and chili powder. Quite enough to make up for Chaat masala.
However, since there is a bit of a color change, we advise you to add a little at a time. You can use black pepper powder to give curry powder a different color.
Helpful tips
Another way to replace spices with many flavors is to use one spicy ingredient and then a tangy ingredient as well. It will give you some simple and good spices.
So, you can use chili powder and mango powder to make up a spicy and tangy ingredient.
You can also use black pepper and mango powder to make up a unique spice. It will reward your efforts. To enhance the taste, the more add salt as you mix the ingredients.
Lime juice can come in as well for chaat masala. So, feel free to use what you have at hand.
Read: 5 Best Yuzu Shichimi Togarashi Substitutes
Frequently asked question
Is Chaat masala and garam masala the same?
Of course not, as you may know, they share almost the same ingredients. But garam masala and chaat masala are not the same.
The same things go with Tikka masala, although they share similar ingredients with chaat masala they are not the same.
Read: 7 Best Substitutes For Horseradish
Conclusion
It might seem tasky to find the right substitute for chaat masala since you might in most cases grind many ingredients to meet up the requirements.
However, you can certainly find the best replacement for chaat masala, especially if you have in mind to exclude some ingredients, but if not, you might get all the ingredients.
Homemade chaat masala is therefore the best substitute for Chaat masala.
But, if you are hoping to replace the spice without minding the ingredients, then our guide made provision for that.
