Here are seven substitutes you can use if you don't have garam masala.

Homemade garam masala can be made by toasting and grinding cumin, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper into a powder.

Curry powder, containing spices like coriander, cumin, turmeric, and fenugreek similar to garam masala, serves as a substitute with a slightly different flavor profile.

Chaat masala, an Indian spice blend with cumin, coriander, ginger, black salt, and amchur, adds complexity and tanginess to dishes distinct from garam masala.

Pumpkin pie spice, comprising cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and occasionally allspice, offers a warm, aromatic flavor akin to garam masala despite not being a traditional Indian spice blend.

Allspice, derived from dried berries of the Pimenta dioica tree, offers a flavor profile akin to a blend of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, making it a viable substitute for garam masala.

Baharat, a Middle Eastern spice blend featuring black pepper, cumin, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, serves as a flavorful alternative to garam masala in specific dishes.

Individual spices like cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and black pepper can be used alone or combined to mimic the flavor profile of garam masala.