What Are Fenugreek seeds and How Can I Use Them?
Fenugreek seeds rewards a little know-how: how to choose them, cook them, store them, and substitute in a pinch. Browse 36 recipes to cook with them.
What are fenugreek seeds?
Fenugreek is an aromatic Mediterranean plant coming from the Middle-East.
It belongs to the pea family and produces slender, long, curved pods that contain flattened brownish coloured seeds.
Fenugreek seeds have a slightly bitter taste that are roasted and ground and used for flavouring curries. The distinct flavour of Fenugreek is readily recognized in many curry powders and pastes.
The seeds are stone-like and very hard and requires use of a special grinder or heavy pestle and mortar.
Fenugreek leaves have a very strong aroma and in India, Turkey and various Arab countries are used either fresh or dried as a culinary vegetable or herb.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 tbsp (11g)Where found
Fenugreek seeds are usually found in the spices section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Food group
Fenugreek seeds are a member of the Spices and Herbs US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
How much do fenugreek seeds weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 tbsp | 11 grams |
| 1 teaspoon | 3 grams |
Related
Spices and Herbs
| In Chinese: | 胡芦巴种子 | |
| British (UK) term: | ||
| en français: | graines de fenugrec | |
| en español: | semillas de fenogreco |
Recipes using fenugreek seeds
There are 36 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Paneer Paratha
A chapti (whole-wheat roti) stuffed with paneer (farmers cheese) enriched with Indian spices.
Sindhi Curry
One of my favourite things to have for a meal is Sindhi curry with plain boiled rice accompanied by crispy vegetables. The Sindhi Curry is by far the nicest curry I’ve had. Sour, spicy and tangy – some of the flavours I’m especially biased towards. This is also good because I end up eating a variety of vegetables.
Frontier Chicken
Frontier Chicken is original from northern Pakistan, south Asian. It has become popular in the US, Canada and the UK. The unusual combination of flavors, spicy and the sweetness from the banana and peppers creates a unique balance.
Berbere
Toast whole spices and grind fresh for this fiery Ethiopian blend that transforms stews, roasted vegetables, and grilled meats with layers of heat and warmth.
Hot Spice Mix
Indian hot spice mix dry-roasted with cumin, dried chiles, peppercorns, cardamom, cinnamon, mustard seeds, and fenugreek. A homemade garam masala with serious heat.
Vindaloo (Goan-Style Hot & Sour Pork)
Pork vindaloo is the Goan classic where cubes of pork braise in a fiery spice paste of cumin, mustard, fenugreek, cinnamon, and red chilies bound with white wine vinegar. A hot-and-sour curry that gets better the day after.
Madras Curry Mixture
Madras curry mixture is a homemade South Indian curry powder built from coriander, ginger, hot chilies, black mustard, fenugreek, black pepper, and curry leaves. Bolder and fresher than store-bought.
Tamil Nadu Curry Powder
A fragrant South Indian curry powder toasted from whole spices: cumin, black mustard, fenugreek, curry leaves, dried chili, and urad dal, ground fresh. Keeps for four months in a jar.
Bombay (Mild) Curry Mixture
Homemade Bombay-style mild curry powder with roasted coriander, cumin, fennel, fenugreek, cinnamon, and chili, finished with garlic, turmeric, kokum skins, and curry leaves.
Sprout, Bean & Vegetable Stew
A South Indian-inspired sambar stew with Brussels sprouts and green beans simmered in a spiced yellow lentil purée with tamarind, mustard seeds, and fenugreek. Vegan, protein-rich, and served over rice.
Niter Kebbeh (Spiced Clarified Butter)
Niter kebbeh, Ethiopian spiced clarified butter infused with ginger, turmeric, cardamom, fenugreek, cinnamon, and cloves. The foundation of Ethiopian cooking.
Colin's Curry
Authentic slow-simmered Indian curry with freshly toasted and ground whole spices, served over fragrant cardamom-turmeric basmati rice. Use any pre-cooked meat for a deeply spiced homemade curry.
Maya's Potatoes
Indian-style fried potatoes simmered in a tomato curry with asafetida, fenugreek, fennel, mustard seeds, and turmeric. Bold, layered spice work over crispy potato cubes.
Meetha Kaddoo (Braised Butternut Squash with Jaggery)
Meetha Kaddoo with butternut squash braised in fenugreek, asafoetida, and coriander, then glazed with jaggery and mango powder. A sweet-spiced Indian vegetarian side.
Goan Style Hot & Sour Pork
Goan pork vindaloo built from scratch: whole spices toasted and ground, fried onion purée, ginger-garlic paste, and a sharp wine vinegar kick. The real coastal Indian version, not the curry-house imitation.
South: Mangalore Pineapple Curry (Mangai Kari)
Authentic Mangalore pineapple curry with dry-roasted sesame, fenugreek, coconut, and a mustard seed tadka. A sweet, spicy, and tangy South Indian side dish ready in under an hour.
Cauliflower & Potatoes with Black Mustard Seeds
Cubed potatoes and cauliflower sizzled with popping black mustard seeds, fenugreek, turmeric, and fresh serrano chiles. A bold, vegan Indian side dish ready in 30 minutes with a bright cilantro-lemon finish.
Coriander Fish (Bharia Machli)
Whole whitefish stuffed with a fiery coriander, ginger, and chili masala paste, baked until tender and finished under the broiler. Bharia Machli brings bold Indian spice to your dinner table.
Cucumber Pachadi
South Indian cucumber pachadi with tamarind, green chilies, and a sizzling tempering of mustard seeds, fenugreek, and asafetida. A tangy, spicy condiment served cold.
Garam Masala (Spice Mix - Mild)
Add some kick to your meal with this spice mix that can be used for almost anything!
Spicy Hyderabad-Style Curry Powder
Aromatic Hyderabadi curry powder with 14 dry-roasted spices including cardamom, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, curry leaves, and dried red chilies. Stores up to 6 months.
Spinach with Moong Dal
Spinach moong dal: tender yellow split mung beans simmered with spinach, tamarind and turmeric, finished with a sizzling tadka of mustard seeds, fenugreek and dried chiles. South Indian comfort food.
Whole Wheat Samosas
Whole wheat samosas with a sturdy, nutty pastry and a spiced potato filling bloomed with cumin, mustard, fennel and fenugreek. Fold, fill and fry these crisp Indian hand pies from scratch.
Authentic Curry Powder
Authentic curry powder from scratch with toasted cumin, coriander, fenugreek, and black pepper blended with whole cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, mace, and red chile. Homemade Indian spice blend that improves with keeping.
