You Don't Need 20 Spices to Cook Indian Food
The biggest barrier to Indian cooking isn't skill — it's the spice cabinet. Most Indian recipes list 8–12 individual spices. If you don't already own them, you're looking at $40–60 in spice jars before you've even started cooking.
Pre-measured Indian spice blends solve this completely. One packet contains every spice you need for one dish, already measured and proportioned. You just add your protein or vegetable and follow the recipe.
Here are the best Indian spice blends to start with if you're new to Indian cooking.
1. Tandoori Chicken Masala — The Crowd-Pleaser
Best for: Your first Indian dish ever
Tandoori Chicken Masala is the most beginner-friendly Indian spice blend because:
- It requires minimal ingredients — just chicken, oil, and yogurt or tomato paste
- You can bake, grill, or air-fry — no special equipment needed
- The flavor is bold, smoky, and universally loved
- It's ready in about 45 minutes
If you've never cooked Indian food before, start here. The marinade-and-bake method is familiar to anyone who's made roasted chicken.
2. Chicken Curry Masala — The Classic
Best for: Learning the one-pot curry method
Chicken Curry Masala teaches you the fundamental technique behind most Indian curries: sauté onions, add protein, add spices, simmer. Once you learn this pattern, you can cook almost any Indian curry.
- One-pot dish — minimal cleanup
- Rich, earthy, warming flavor that's not too spicy
- Ready in 30–40 minutes
- Also works with chickpeas, paneer, or tofu
3. Aloo Rasedar Masala — The Mild, Vegan Option
Best for: Families, kids, and anyone who's spice-sensitive
Aloo Rasedar Masala makes a comforting potato curry that's naturally vegan and one of the mildest Indian dishes. It's perfect if you or your family prefer less heat.
- Mild, warming flavor — no chili intensity
- 100% plant-based
- Uses just potatoes, onions, and oil
- Ready in about 30 minutes — one of the quickest Indian dishes
4. Dahl Masala — The Comfort Food
Best for: Meal prep and budget-friendly cooking
Dahl Masala makes a creamy lentil dish that's the ultimate Indian comfort food. Lentils are cheap, packed with protein, and incredibly satisfying.
- One of the most affordable meals you can make
- High protein, naturally vegan
- Great for meal prep — reheats beautifully
- Ready in about 40 minutes
5. Chicken Wings Masala — The Game Day Twist
Best for: People who love wings but want something different
Chicken Wings Masala is Indian-spiced wings that replace vinegar-based hot sauce with aromatic, warming masala spices. If you already make wings at home, this requires zero new technique.
- Coat, bake, eat — same method as regular wings
- Works in oven, air fryer, or grill
- Bold, savory flavor that's not just "hot"
- Ready in 35–45 minutes
What to Look for in a Beginner Spice Blend
Not all spice blends are created equal. When choosing your first Indian spice blend, look for:
- Dish-specific blends — Avoid generic "curry powder." A blend made for a specific dish will always taste better than a one-size-fits-all powder. (Read: Curry Powder vs Masala — What's the Difference?)
- Pre-measured packets — One packet should make one complete dish. No measuring, no guesswork.
- Clean ingredients — No fillers, no MSG, no artificial additives. Just real spices.
- Organic spices — Higher quality spices have more essential oils, which means more flavor.
- Cooking instructions included — A shopping list and recipe on the package makes everything easier.
Starter Sets for Beginners
If you want to try multiple dishes without committing to the full collection:
- Best Sellers Set — Tandoori, Gobi, and Aloo Rasedar. The 3 most popular blends and the best first purchase for newcomers.
- Try It All Set — All 14 blends in two gift boxes. For the adventurous beginner who wants to explore everything.
- Indian Vegetarian Set — 9 plant-based blends for vegan and vegetarian cooks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest Indian dish to cook at home?
Tandoori chicken is the easiest Indian dish for beginners. You mix the spices with oil and yogurt, coat the chicken, and bake it. No special technique required. moji masala® Tandoori Chicken Masala makes it even simpler with pre-measured spices.
Do I need special equipment to cook Indian food?
No. A regular pot, pan, and oven are all you need. No tandoor oven, no pressure cooker, no special tools. Every moji masala® recipe uses standard kitchen equipment.
How spicy is Indian food?
It depends entirely on the dish and how you prepare it. Many Indian dishes are mild and aromatic rather than hot. Aloo Rasedar (potato curry) and Dahl (lentils) are two of the mildest. You can always reduce heat by adding yogurt, cream, or coconut milk.
What is the best Indian spice brand for beginners?
Look for a brand that makes dish-specific, pre-measured blends with organic ingredients and no fillers. moji masala® makes 14 dish-specific blends — each packet makes one complete dish serving 3–5 people, with a shopping list and cooking video included on every packet.
Is Indian cooking expensive?
No. Most Indian dishes use affordable ingredients — lentils, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and chicken thighs. A single moji masala® packet plus grocery ingredients typically costs under $15 to feed 3–5 people, compared to $50–60 for takeout.
Can I cook Indian food if I'm vegan?
Absolutely. Indian cuisine has more plant-based dishes than almost any other cuisine. Dahl, Aloo Rasedar, Gobi, Mushroom Masala, Baingan (eggplant), Palak (spinach), and Kitchari are all naturally vegan.
