What Is Cumin and How Can I Use It?
If cumin has turned up in a recipe or caught your eye at the store, here's what you need to use it with confidence and how to choose it, cook it, store it, what to substitute, and 2,087 recipes to try it in.
What is cumin?
Cumin is the dried seed of the herb Cuminum cyminum, a member of the parsley family. The cumin plant grows to 30–50 cm (0.98–1.6 ft) tall and is harvested by hand.
Cumin is the second most popular spice in the world after black pepper.
Although cumin seeds contain a relatively large percentage amount of iron, extremely large quantities of cumin would need to be consumed for it to serve as a significant dietary source.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 tbsp, whole (6g)Where found
Cumin is usually found in the spices section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Food group
Cumin is a member of the Spices and Herbs US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
How much does cumin weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 tbsp, whole | 6 grams |
| 1 tsp, whole | 2 grams |
Related
Spices and Herbs
| In Chinese: | 小茴香 | |
| British (UK) term: | ||
| en français: | cumin | |
| en español: | comino |
Recipes using cumin
There are 2087 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Zwiebelkuchen (Onion Pie)
A savory German onion pie featuring a yeasted crust topped with caramelized onions, crispy bacon, and a creamy sour cream custard. Perfect as an appetizer or main dish, especially during autumn or Oktoberfest celebrations.
Persian Swiss Chard & Dill Frittata
Get ready to whip up a vibrant, herb-packed dish that’s bursting with flavor and perfect for any meal of the day! This Persian-inspired frittata is a fresh twist on the classic omelet, blending tender Swiss chard, fragrant dill, and zesty scallions into a fluffy, golden masterpiece. Baked to perfection, it’s easy to make and even easier to love. Serve it with warm flatbread, a sprinkle of feta, or a side of crisp veggies for a delightful meal. Let’s dive into this green goodness!
Gobhi Paratha
Gobhi Paratha: Indian stuffed cauliflower flatbread made with whole-wheat dough and a spiced filling of cauliflower, cumin, turmeric and green chili. Pan-fried in ghee until golden.
Mom's Gazpacho
Fresh vegetable gazpacho with tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, and bell peppers. Quick cold Spanish soup ready in 10 minutes, perfect for summer lunches.
Yummy Gazpacho Soup
No-cook chunky gazpacho with crushed and diced tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and a triple citrus-vinegar punch. Vegan, gluten-free, ready in 10 minutes plus chill.
Beefy Chili
Beefy chili is a Texas-style chili made with fresh dried chili pod paste, ground beef, oregano, cumin, and red wine. No beans, no powder, just deep slow-simmered authentic flavor.
Tex-Mex Rice
Tex-Mex rice toasted in olive oil with garlic and onion, simmered in broth with cumin, and finished with diced red bell pepper. A flavorful Mexican-style side dish from scratch.
Buffalo-Style Chicken Wings
Crispy fried chicken wings tossed in a sweet-and-spicy sauce with French dressing, herbs, and hot sauce. Served with blue cheese dressing and crunchy veggies.
Dahi Bhalley
India is known for its delicious recipes. When it comes to food, there are umpteen kinds of dishes available throughout the length and breadth of the country. On the occasion of festivals such as Diwali, Dusshera and Holi, people relish on delightful delicacies. Especially in Holi, people indulge themselves in smearing color on each other, teasing their loved ones and relishing on scrumptious recipes like Gujia, Namak Pare, Kheer and Dahi Bhalle. In most of the North Indian homes, Dahi Bhalle is a must to make recipe. Made of Curd and Urad Dal pakode, Dahi Bhalle is liked by most of the people. Check out the article and get to know how to make Dahi Bhalle.
Borani Esfanaj (Spinach-Yogurt Salad or Dip)
Spinach yogurt dip with a touch of kick. Musky and sweet spices compliment the spinach and tangy yogurt.
Delicious Baba Ghannouj
Quick baba ghanoush with steamed eggplant, tahini, lemon, garlic, and a hint of cumin. The 13-minute version that skips the smoky char in favor of pure, clean eggplant flavor.
Paneer Tikka
Paneer tikka, cubes of Indian paneer marinated in spiced yogurt with tandoori spices, chaat masala, ginger, and garlic, then pan-fried golden and served with peppers and onions. A vegetarian Indian classic.
Moghul Style Mixed Vegetables with Paneer
Mughlai-style mixed vegetable curry with paneer, cream, pineapple, and golden raisins. A rich, mildly spiced North Indian dish that finishes with a sprinkle of fried nuts for royal-court flair.
Spiced Carrot & Orange Soup
Warm up a cool autumn day with this fragrant soup that is full of flavor in every spoonful.
Easy Gazpacho
Simple gazpacho with fresh garden vegetables in tomato or V8 juice. Classic cold soup that's vegan, gluten-free, and ready in 20 minutes with no cooking required.
Very Cheesy Casserole
Packed with healthy whole-grain and cheesy goodness. 3 cheeses, feta, cottage and parmesan cheese plus beans and brown rice. This hearty casserole is tastes great and is loaded with nutritious healthful ingredients.
Yummy Falafel
Crispy fried falafel balls with chickpeas, herbs, and warm spices. Classic Middle Eastern vegetarian patties served in pita with fresh vegetables and tahini sauce.
Hummus Me Tahini
Authentic hummus me tahini: chickpeas pushed through a sieve and whipped with tahini, lemon, olive oil, and garlic. Traditional Greek-Mediterranean method.
Baba Ghanoush No.1
Baba ghanoush blends roasted eggplant with garlic, cumin, and lime juice into a smoky Middle Eastern dip. Vegan, five-ingredient, and ready in 30 minutes. No tahini in this lighter version.
Red Pepper Hummus with Toasted Pita
Red pepper hummus blends chickpeas with sweet sauteed red peppers, tahini, lemon, and cumin into a smooth, smoky dip, served with crisp homemade garlic-salt pita chips. A fast, vegan appetizer.
Curried Squash Soup
Curried squash soup blends butternut squash with curry powder, cumin, garlic and chicken broth for a velvety low-fat fall starter. Naturally gluten-free, freezer-friendly, ready in under an hour.
Hamburger with Variations
Cheese-stuffed hamburger patties with four global variations: French with brie, Mexican with Monterey Jack, Italian with mozzarella, and Greek with feta. Grilled over charcoal.
Mom's Favourite Chili
Mom's chili stacks beef, kidney beans, tomatoes, and a quiet blend of cumin, oregano, and basil into a slow-simmered family-style pot. Old-school weeknight chili with a long-simmer payoff.
Brownsville Chili
Texas-style Brownsville chili with ground beef, dried pinto beans, jalapeños, and a hint of cinnamon. A border-town big-batch chili serving up to 32 with that distinctive sweet-savory backbone.
