What Is Fenugreek and How Can I Use It?

Here's everything worth knowing about fenugreek and how to pick it, what it is, how to store it, and what to use instead, plus 45 recipes to cook tonight.

What is fenugreek?

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

Where found

Fenugreek is usually found in the spices section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group

Fenugreek is a member of the Spices and Herbs US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

How much does fenugreek weigh?

Related

Spices and Herbs

Recipes using fenugreek

There are 45 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Kukul Mus Thakkali or Chicken & Tomato Curry

Kukul Mus Thakkali, a Sri Lankan chicken and tomato curry with coconut milk, lemongrass, curry leaves, fenugreek and cardamom. Marinated and simmered for rich, layered flavor.

Indian Mango Chutney

This delicious mango chutney is great with any kind of Indian dish.

Yummy Calabaza Soup

Caribbean calabaza soup pureed silky with coconut milk, scallions, garlic, fenugreek, cumin, and allspice. Vegan, naturally creamy, and full of warm island spice.

Mango Chutney #1

Barely ripe mangoes simmer with fresh ginger, garlic, cumin, and fenugreek in malt vinegar until the fruit turns translucent and the liquid thickens into sweet-tart Indian chutney perfect for canning.

Sri Lanka Nelum Ala (Curried Lotus Root)

Crunchy lotus root in a very flavorful and rich spicy coconut milk curry sauce, perfect over basmati rice. This recipe delivers huge flavor from some very simple ingredients.

Ramsay's Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus

A fantastic healthy dip perfect for the holidays or anytime you might have company coming. Butternut squash is roasted with an Arabic Ras El Hanout spice mixture. Based on a recipe by Gordon Ramsay.

Sri Lanka Pol Mallum

Pol mallum is a Sri Lankan coconut sambol made with grated coconut, tomatoes, onion, and curry leaves simmered with fenugreek and cinnamon. Finished with lime juice for a bright, zesty kick.

Kakuluwo(Crab Curry)

Kakuluwo (Sri Lankan crab curry) simmered in two stages of coconut milk with shallots, ginger, garlic, fenugreek, turmeric, curry leaves, and a finishing splash of lime. Bold, fragrant, deeply spiced.

You've Got To Be Kidding Beans

Red beans tossed in a bold balsamic-prune dressing with fenugreek, coriander, and chili-garlic paste. A chilled bean salad bursting with sweet, tangy, spicy layers.

Potatoes in a Thick Sauce

Indian spiced potatoes in a thick tomato sauce with ginger, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, and garam masala. A vegetarian potato curry with whole spice tempering and bold flavor.

Quick & Easy Curry Powder

Homemade curry powder blends cumin, coriander, fenugreek, mustard, turmeric, and ginger into a fresh, fragrant spice mix. Five-minute blender recipe that keeps for three months.

Mussel& Saffron Soup

Mussel and saffron soup with fresh mussels steamed in white wine, simmered in a leek, garlic, and fenugreek broth tinted golden with saffron and finished with cream.

Cajun Spice - Ornish

Homemade Cajun spice blend with paprika, filé powder, cumin, coriander, fenugreek, and fennel. Ornish-friendly with no added fat. Makes 2 cups in 10 minutes flat.

Cajun Lamb Curry

Cajun lamb curry blends Louisiana heat with Indian spice. Coconut cream, cayenne, jalapeno, ripe banana, and toasted pecans build a sweet-hot curry served over rice.

Sri Lanka Bola Curry Beef Balls with Curry Gravy

Sri Lankan beef meatballs spiced with curry powder, ginger, and cloves get deep-fried then simmered in coconut curry gravy with lemongrass and curry leaves.

Sri Lanka Kakuluwo (Crab Curry)

This Sri Lankan kakuluwo simmers blanched crab in a spiced coconut gravy thickened with grated coconut and ground rice. Fenugreek, curry leaves, and lime make it unmistakably island-style.

Sri Lanka Kakuluwo

Kakuluwo is a Sri Lankan crab curry simmered in two rounds of coconut milk with fenugreek, grated coconut, and curry leaves. Messy to eat, absolutely worth every bite.

Bengali Spinach

Fresh spinach slow-cooked with ghee, soaked almonds, shredded coconut, caramelized brown sugar, mustard seeds, cumin, fenugreek, ginger, green chilies, and nutmeg. A rich Bengali-style spinach side dish.

Sri Lanka Thosai Black Gram & Rice

Sri Lankan thosai are crispy lace-edged pancakes made from soaked black gram and rice flour batter with curry leaves, cumin, and chili. A naturally gluten-free flatbread for scooping up curries.

Blender Curry Powder

Homemade curry powder ground in a blender from coriander, cumin, fenugreek, turmeric, fennel, and a touch of saffron. A 14-spice blend with brighter, fresher flavor than store-bought tins.

Mussel & Saffron Soup

Mussel and saffron soup built on the briny steaming liquor with leeks, fenugreek, and a finish of cream. A French bistro classic with deep golden color and shellfish-rich broth.

Sambar Podi (Sambar Powder)

Homemade sambar powder (sambar podi) with toasted channa dal, coriander seeds, red chilies, fenugreek, and asafetida. An essential South Indian spice blend.

Cheesy Spanish Omelette

A hearty skillet omelette packed with bacon, red bell pepper, cabbage, and onion, spiced with fenugreek and coriander, then broiled under melted cheddar. This cheesy Spanish omelette feeds four in just 20 minutes.

Curry Powder #5

Homemade curry powder blend with 12 spices including cinnamon, cumin, coriander, turmeric, fenugreek, cardamom, and dried chili. A warm, aromatic base for Indian curries and stews.

Fancy Curry Powder

Homemade curry powder toasted in the oven with fenugreek, cardamom, coriander, cumin, mustard seeds, cloves, and cinnamon, then ground with turmeric, mace, and cayenne.

All 45 recipes