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4 Best Curry Powders UK 2022 | Dunn’s River, Buy Wholefoods Online and More

If you’re looking for a satisfying meal, a hearty homemade curry is hard to beat. Rather than relying on supermarket sauces and pastes, which are often full of preservatives and lack authentic flavour, why not try making your own spicy recipe using curry powder and fresh ingredients? It’s a sure way to impress your family and friends, and it can be a much cheaper option in the long run.

Whether you fancy a creamy chicken korma or a fiery vegetable madras, we’ve prepared a list of the best curry powders to buy online from Asda, Tesco, and Amazon. Brands like Schwartz, Tropical Sun, and Alfez cover a range of cuisines from Caribbean to Indian, so there’s no chance that you’ll go hungry. Read on to discover our top tasty picks!
Last updated 14/07/2023
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Table of Contents

How to Choose a Curry Powder in the UK – Buying Guide

With so many delicious curry powders to choose from in the supermarket, you might be unsure about which one to take home with you. So, let’s explore the different blends you might see on the shelves and what kind of flavours they can add to your homemade dishes.
1

Knowing the Kinds of Cuisine You'd Like to Recreate at Home Will Make Your Choice Easier

Depending on the food you want to make, you’ll need a curry powder with a specific ratio of spices. Some blends will have more savoury spices, and others will have more sweet ones – this is so that they’ll pair well with certain meats or vegetables as part of a regional dish. Here, we’ll guide you through some cuisines that you can easily recreate at home.

South Asian Cuisine Is Fragrant as Well as Spicy

South Asian Cuisine Is Fragrant as Well as Spicy
Popular spice blends in Southern Asian countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh include garam masala, madras, and chaat masala. These vary greatly in their spice level so you’ll want to check that they’re suitable for your desired recipe.


Using garam masala, a fragrant mix of cardamom, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and peppercorns, will add a mild and sweet warmth to your curry. If you fancy something a bit hotter, the combination of ginger, black pepper, and cinnamon in a madras powder will do the trick – just make sure you have a glass of iced lassi nearby to cool your tongue down!


For a spicy snack, try sprinkling some chaat masala on naan bread or a bowl of roasted chickpeas. This tangy mix of kala nemak (black salt), fennel, and cumin is usually used as a garnish and can add a kick to pretty much any dish.

Coconut-Based Thai Curries Come in Vibrant Colours

Coconut-Based Thai Curries Come in Vibrant Colours
In Thai cookery, curry powder features brightly coloured ingredients and is added to a base of coconut milk or cream. This style of sauce tends to be paired with chicken or seafood, as well as crunchy vegetables like peppers and carrots.


To make a yellow curry, which is the mildest, you’ll want to use a powder that combines galangal, garlic, coriander, lemongrass, and coriander. For a red curry with a medium spice level, you’ll need a mix of red chilies, lemongrass, garlic, and turmeric. If you want to go for the hottest option, the green curry, opt for a blend of green chilies, garlic, coriander, kaffir leaf, and basil.

Caribbean Cooking Uses Scotch Bonnet Peppers for a Fiery Taste

Caribbean Cooking Uses Scotch Bonnet Peppers for a Fiery Taste
Curries from the Caribbean Islands, particularly Jamaica, use allspice as a main ingredient and are typically bright yellow (they usually contain lots of turmeric). Dried scotch bonnet pepper, nutmeg, thyme, and cloves are also key ingredients which make this type of curry super spicy. Serve with rice and peas or festivals (a type of fried dumplings) for a delicious Caribbean feast.

North African Cuisine Blends Sweet and Savoury Spices

North African Cuisine Blends Sweet and Savoury Spices
North African curry powders are used in all types of dishes – stews, rice, and marinated meats to name just a few. One of the most common blends is ras el hanout, which is popular in Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco.


A ras el hanout mix will typically include turmeric, fenugreek, peppercorn, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, and coriander. Although the exact ingredients can vary from region to region, any blend of these spices will mix add a sweet, aromatic warmth to your dishes.

2

Choose the Right Spice Level for Your Palate

Choose the Right Spice Level for Your Palate
Many curry powders will say “mild”, “medium” or “hot” on the packaging, to help you find the right spice level. However, as some might not specify one of these terms, you should also look out for particular ingredients which can help you determine how hot the powder is. Milder curry powders may include black pepper or ginger, while hot curry powders usually contain chillies or peppers.
3

Be Mindful of Your Dietary Requirements

Be Mindful of Your Dietary Requirements
Whilst most curry powders consist of only spices, some may include dried meat, fish, or dairy extracts. So, if you have any allergies or if you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you may want to double check the ingredients just to make sure. Allergens such as dairy and wheat are usually highlighted in bold so they should be noticeable, but meat and fish extracts can be harder to spot.
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The Best Curry Powders in the UK

Now that you know all about the amazing flavours and spices that curry powders can bring to a dish, it’s time to check out our favourite ones to buy online. From mild Indian mixes to fiery Caribbean blends, we reckon you’ll want to try them all!
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Key features
1

Alfez

2. Alfez Ras El Hanout Spice Mix

Alfez  2. Alfez Ras El Hanout Spice Mix 1枚目

A Versatile and Aromatic Mix of Moroccan Spices

2

Dunn’s River

3. Dunn’s River Hot Caribbean Curry Powder

Dunn’s River  3. Dunn’s River Hot Caribbean Curry Powder 1枚目

Perfect for Cooking up Caribbean-Influenced Curries and Stews

3

East End

6. East End Madras Curry Powder Mild

East End  6. East End Madras Curry Powder Mild 1枚目

A Cheap and Cheerful Mix That Will Liven up Any Meal

4

Tesco

10. Tesco Mild Tandoori Curry Powder

Tesco 10. Tesco Mild Tandoori Curry Powder 1枚目

An Affordable Way to Add a Little Spice to Your Cooking

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Alfez 2. Alfez Ras El Hanout Spice Mix

2. Alfez Ras El Hanout Spice Mix Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£2.49
Reference price
£2.49

A Versatile and Aromatic Mix of Moroccan Spices

If you want to add some Moroccan flavour to your cooking, try this delightfully aromatic ras el hanout blend by Alfez. In addition to spices, it contains vegetable bouillon, lavender flowers, rose petals, and galangal.

Mix it with oil and lemon juice to create a marinade for lamb, use it to flavour couscous, or stir it into a vegetable tagine for a rich and satisfying meal.
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No.2

Dunn’s River 3. Dunn’s River Hot Caribbean Curry Powder

Perfect for Cooking up Caribbean-Influenced Curries and Stews

This fiery blend by Dunn’s River is the perfect way to bring the taste of the Caribbean into your kitchen. With coriander, chili, garlic, and ginger, this moreish powder will taste amazing in a goat curry or a chicken stew.

As the lowest priced item on our list, it’s also extremely budget-friendly so is great if you don’t want to splash too much cash in your search for a delicious dinner.
No.3

East End 6. East End Madras Curry Powder Mild

A Cheap and Cheerful Mix That Will Liven up Any Meal

This flavourful mix by East End combines red lentils and ingredients such as cumin, fenugreek, and fennel to create a delicious madras base.

Although mild, it’s packed full of flavour and will liven up any dish – add to meat or vegetables and serve with some crunchy poppadums for an Indian feast. Plus, at just under £1 for 100g, it’s great value for money.
No.4

Tesco10. Tesco Mild Tandoori Curry Powder

10. Tesco Mild Tandoori Curry Powder Image 1
Source:tesco.com
Reference price
£1.00
Reference price
£1.00

An Affordable Way to Add a Little Spice to Your Cooking

This tandoori blend by Tesco will add a gentle hint of spice to your cooking. Paprika and tomato powder create a vibrant red colour, and the mix of garlic, cumin, fenugreek and ginger will be sure to warm you up.

This container holds approximately 10 servings so it costs about 10p per dish, which is great for those on a budget! However, it may be a little too bland for those who like a more flavourful curry.

Why Use a Curry Powder in Your Cooking?

Why Use a Curry Powder in Your Cooking?
Curry powder was invented by the British during their colonial rule over India, in an attempt to imitate the vast range of flavours found in Indian cuisine. Today, it usually contains a blend of spices such as cumin, coriander and turmeric, but can also have many different ingredients, depending on the type of cuisine.


So, why choose a powder over a sauce or a paste when you’re out shopping for spices? The main reason is that powder lasts for much longer – you can keep it for up to 2 years before it’ll start losing its flavour! Plus, as only a few teaspoons are needed for most dishes, it’s a cost-effective option if you want to make curries regularly.


A powder is also the best choice for recipes that need to simmer or marinade, such as stews and meat dishes, because the flavours will be milder. One thing to keep in mind though is the amount of turmeric in the ingredients – although this adds a yellow tinge to the curry, it doesn’t provide much flavour. So, look for a powder with a good mix of different spices and not too much turmeric.

Need Some More Dinnertime Inspiration?

Need Some More Dinnertime Inspiration?

Cooking is all about experimenting with new recipes and ingredients, but where do you start? Well, having a good variety of sauces and vinegars in your pantry at the ready is a good starting point. That way, you can add a dash of something here and there to see how you like the taste! Take a look at some of our favourite cooking essentials. 

Summary

Whether you’re looking to add a subtle bit of spice to your life or you want a full-on fiery feast, we’re sure that you’ll be keen to try at least one of our tasty recommendations. Jot down your favourites, it’s time to start shopping!


Author: Nicola McClements

Top 4 Curry Powders

No. 1: Alfez 2. Alfez Ras El Hanout Spice Mix

No. 2: Dunn’s River 3. Dunn’s River Hot Caribbean Curry Powder

No. 3: East End 6. East End Madras Curry Powder Mild

No. 4: Tesco10. Tesco Mild Tandoori Curry Powder

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