Dried Fenugreek Leaves

Table of Contents

• What are Dried Fenugreek Leaves?
• What are dried fenugreek leaves used for?
• What do Dried Fenugreek Leaves taste like?
• Dried Fenugreek Leaves Uses
• What is the difference between Fenugreek Leaves and Fenugreek seeds?
• How do I use Dried Fenugreek Leaves in cooking? 
• When to add dried fenugreek leaves to a curry
• Dried Fenugreek Leaves Flavour Pairings
• What spices go with dried fenugreek leaves?
• Herbs that pair with dried fenugreek leaves (fresh and dried)
• Popular spice blends using dried fenugreek leaves
• Everyday ingredients that pair with Dried Fenugreek Leaves
• Dried Fenugreek Leaves Substitute
• More ways to cook with Dried Fenugreek Leaves
• Dried Fenugreek leaves and Tomatoes
• Fenugreek Tomato Sauce Recipe (pictured above)
• Dried Fenugreek Leaves and Eggs
• Dried Fenugreek Leaves and Butter
• Recipes Using Dried Fenugreek Leaves

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What are Dried Fenugreek Leaves?

Fenugreek is a small green leafy plant believed to have its earliest origins in the Middle East, Europe and West Asia. The leaves are harvested and dried to produce dried fenugreek leaves. Nowadays, fenugreek (also known by the name Kasuri Methi leaves) is widely cultivated in India and most commonly linked with Indian cuisine.

What are dried fenugreek leaves used for?

Dried Fenugreek Leaves are used on their own or as part of a spice blend to flavour soups, sauces, curries, vegetables, bread, eggs and many other dishes. Apart from being used as a cooking ingredient, Fenugreek also has many historical health benefits (keep reading further down to learn more).

What do Dried Fenugreek Leaves taste like?

Dried Fenugreek Leaves have a slightly bitter and earthy taste compared with celery, and a sweet finishing kick similar to the taste of maple syrup. (Surprisingly, fenugreek extract is often used to flavour artificial maple syrup).

Dried Fenugreek Leaves Uses

The fenugreek plant is utilized in 3 ways. Each variant has its own use and flavour. The distinction between the three must be noted when applying to a recipe.

• Vegetable (fresh leaves) commonly used in salads, potato dishes or folded into fried batters

• Spice (small seeds) used in sauces, curries, stews, soups and brines

• Herb (dried leaves) used as a component in spice blends, mixed into soups, sauces, curries, vegetables or as a final dry garnish

What is the difference between Fenugreek Leaves and Fenugreek seeds?

Fenugreek seeds are intensely aromatic, have a much more bitter flavour than the dried leaves and are commonly used in Indian curries, condiments and sauces. The texture is extremely tough so they require time to be soaked, roasted and then ground down to mix with other spices.

Fenugreek leaves are ready to use, have a less bitter element and are so versatile they can instantly be added to curries, stews and soups as part of a spice mix or combined with melted butter as a baste or garnish for vegetables, meat, fish and homemade flatbreads.

How do I use Dried Fenugreek Leaves in cooking?

Dried Fenugreek leaves are essentially a herb so treat them in that way. Combine with spices when building stocks, soups and curries (try this delicious Smokey Chicken Curry recipe), dahl (Spinach Roasted Tomato Dahl recipe) and stews. Another popular use is in the very popular Indian potato dish, Aloo Methi

When to add dried fenugreek leaves to a curry

Dried fenugreek leaves can be added to a curry right before pouring in tomatoes / stock / liquid to begin the slow simmering cooking process. Check out Flaevor’s delicious Smokey Chicken Curry recipe for instructions.

Dried Fenugreek Leaves Flavour Pairings

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What spices go with dried fenugreek leaves?

Spices that pair with dried fenugreek leaves: cumin, cardamom, cloves, star anise, mustard seeds, black pepper, ginger, caraway, turmeric, cinnamon, fennel, bay leaf, cayenne pepper, paprika, chilli

Herbs that pair with dried fenugreek leaves (fresh and dried)

Parsley, basil, coriander.

Popular spice blends using dried fenugreek leaves

Madras curry powder, garam masala

Everyday ingredients that pair with Dried Fenugreek Leaves

• Dried Fenugreek Leaves + Meat: Chicken, turkey, rabbit, lamb, beef, fish, prawns, crab
• Dried Fenugreek Leaves + Vegetable: tomatoes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, garlic, fennel, broccoli, cauliflower, beans, celery, cabbage, aubergine, courgette (squash), pumpkin, spinach, red green and yellow peppers (paprika), parsnip, carrots, beetroot, chilli peppers, corn, mushrooms, cucumber, ginger, vegetable root, peas, chickpeas, red kidney beans, yellow lentils, rice
• Dried Fenugreek Leaves + Fruit: lemon, lime, apple, grapes
• Dried Fenugreek Leaves + Dairy: Paneer, ricotta, cream cheese, cottage cheese, feta, halloumi, yoghurt
• Dried Fenugreek Leaves + Nuts: peanuts, cashews, almonds, walnuts
• Dried Fenugreek Leaves + Other: Honey, maple syrup, chutney, dried fruits, eggs, pickles, mayonnaise

Dried Fenugreek Leaves Substitute

½ tsp dried fenugreek powder: to substitute 1 tsp of dried leaves. Dry roast whole fenugreek seeds and grind them down into a powder. Be careful not to add too much as the seeds tend to be more bitter than the leaves and can overpower a dish.

1 – 2 tablespoons of chopped celery leaves: Celery leaves have a similar bitter herbal taste. Chop the leaves finely and add to the dish as normal. 1- 2 tbsp will be equal to 1 tbsp of dried fenugreek leaves.

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More ways to cook with Dried Fenugreek Leaves

Trusted flavour combinations

Dried Fenugreek leaves and Tomatoes

Fenugreek and tomato is a match made in heaven. This amazingly tasty and versatile sauce inspired by Chef Josef Centeno, can be used on pasta with a squeeze of lime juice, mixed into a bean stew, spread on toast with crumbled feta, smeared on eggs or as a dipping sauce for bbq meats. 

Fenugreek Tomato Sauce Recipe (pictured above)

Fenugreek mixed with tomato-based sauces produces a wonderful unique herby kick. Try this unique tomato sauce recipe which pairs with pasta, meat, fish, vegetables, eggs or anything else you can think of: Combine 6 (crushed) garlic cloves, 1 tin of tomatoes, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 60ml water, 2 tsp red wine vinegar, 2 tsp brown sugar and cook down for 20 minutes into a thick sauce. Stir through 1 tbsp butter, a small handful of chopped basil leaves and 1 tbsp dried Fenugreek leaves.

Dried Fenugreek Leaves and Eggs

Also a great enhancement to scrambled eggs and omelettes lending a fresh herbal touch. Try this recipe: Beat 2 eggs with 1/2 tsp garam masala, 1/2 tsp fenugreek leaves, a pinch of chilli flakes, salt and white pepper. Frying 1 small chopped tomato and some minced garlic. Add eggs and either scramble or form an omelette. Serve with a dash of turmeric and lime juice (or Indian lime pickle) infused yoghurt. A very nice spicy breakfast.

Dried Fenugreek Leaves and Butter

Delicious garnish. Leaves can be dropped into melted butter for basting meat and vegetables or poured over dahl and bread. First, grind leaves into a powder using a mortar and pestle, then gently melt 30g butter. Remove butter from heat and add ground fenugreek power whilst the butter is still hot. Let it sit for 1 minute to infuse before using as a baste.

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Recipes Using Dried Fenugreek Leaves

Below you will find a variation of recipes using dried fenugreek leaves starting with an easy roast chicken oven bake, Indian spiced potatoes, a delicious dahl recipe and a warming fusion curry dish.