Achari Masala - Indian Style Pickling Spice Recipe

Achari Masala powder is an aromatic and spicy blend of Indian spices used to pickle dishes. Significantly, this pickle spice mix has a distinct flavour lending typical pickling taste to curries, starters, barbecues and stir fries. So, here is the best homemade achari masala recipe for you.  Say no to those crude store bought ones!

Indian homes are never short of various homemade spice mixes. In olden days, the masala powders were traditionally made at home in stone mortar and pestle. But, in today's modern world, everyone is in rush so much so that people find alternatives to every small thing, including food.

Even in my tied up routine, I try best to make masala mixes at home. Achari masala powder is one of them. Nothing, I mean nothing can beat the taste, flavour, and the essence of authentic homemade masalas ever.

Readymade spice mixes are easily available in the aisles of supermarket. But, the store bought masala can never replace the real magic of a homemade achari masala.

Achari Masala and It's Uses

The Achari Masala is an Indian style pickling spice mix that we use to pickle various ingredients or veggies to make achar. Not only in achar, but it also enhance  your everyday food like curries, rice or dals. It is a great addition to the dish if you are making dry sabji, starters or barbecues.

There are variety of ingredients that you can flavour using this achari masala. Namely chole or chickpeas, dal, paneer, chicken, meat, fish, beef, mushrooms, soya chunks and different vegetables.

It adds an amazing hint to the barbecues like tikkas or kababs and even steaks. Add it to your regular potato roast with some lemon or tamarind to make Achari aloo or in keema to make Achari keema.

Achari masala powder goes great with veggies like aubergines, gourds, cauliflower, okras. So, next time, whenever you want make something different than the regular curries, try adding this achaari masala to the dish.

Looking out for some Achari snacks for lunch box or kitties?  Then go ahead to make some Achari paneer kathi roll or Achari keema paratha. The versatility of this pickling spice recipe will never cease to amaze you.

Achari Masala Ingredients

This masala recipe has the blend of few specific spices. They are cumin seeds, mustard seeds, fennel seeds, fenugreek seeds, nigella seeds (black seed) and carom seeds.

Carom seeds if in case is not available in your part of the world, just skip it. However, it do add a refreshing twist to the masala. The other ingredient that we need is dry mango powder that give tangy taste to the spice mix.

Finally, we need good quality dried red chilies for this recipe. You can use any variety of mild to spicy chillies or a mix of both. But, do remember to use good ones that also impart bright colour to the masala.

Some people also add turmeric powder to the achari masala. Though I am not using it in this recipe, if you want to add, then go ahead with ½ teaspoon of it.

Some of the recipes you may want to try:

Chana Masala

Chicken tikka masala

Paneer Butter Masala

Tips to make best Achari Masala Powder

• Always dry roast the chillies and mix of seeds on medium low flame. Do not leave it un attended and keep stirring in between to avoid burning.
• Dry roast the chillies separately for better flavour enhancement
• For less spiciness but best colour in the masala, always  use Kashmiri red chillies. You can also use a mix of both spicy and mild chilies also. Or discard the seeds and use to reduce the spiciness completely.
• Always store the achari masala in a clean dry airtight container or jar in cool dry place or under refrigeration for longer shelf life. It stays very well upto 6 months in freezer.
• If you are willing to make pickle or achar, then add 1 tablespoon of coriander seeds along with ½ teaspoon of hing or asafoetida to the below recipe

How to Make Achari Masala Step by Step

To begin with, add cumin seeds, fennel seeds, fenugreek seeds, mustard seeds, carom seeds and nigella seeds in pan

Dry roast them on medium low heat until slightly brown and aromatic. Transfer it on a plate to cool

Add dried red chillies and dry roast on low heat until aromatic and dark but not burnt.

Transfer it onto a plate and allow it cool for few minutes

Add all the roasted ingredients into a blender along with dry mango powder.

Blend it to a coarse powder. You can grind it fine too. Achari masala is ready to store.