This post may contain affiliate links which are marked with *
Have you ever gone to make a recipe only to find you have one ingredient missing? Or been put off trying a new recipe because you don’t want to buy a jar of something you only need half a teaspoon of and might never use again? In this series of posts, I take a look at store cupboard ingredients that can be substituted for certain herbs and spices. Today we are looking at Fenugreek Substitutes and spices that are like fenugreek that can be used in its place.
What Is Fenugreek?
Fenugreek is cultivated worldwide and used in cooking, particularly in Asia.
Fenugreek leaves can be used fresh or dried. Fenugreek seeds are also used in cooking, where they are often roasted to make the flavour slightly less bitter.
Fenugreek has a distinctive smell that is very similar to maple syrup. This is because they both contain the chemical Sotolon.
In natural herbal medicine, fenugreek is used to treat diabetes.
What Is Fenugreek Used For?
Fenugreek leaves are often used in curries and sometimes in salads too. Fenugreek seeds are often ground and used to makes pastes, dal and various spice blends. Whole fenugreek seeds are sometimes used for pickling.
What Does Fenugreek Taste Like?
Fenugreek seeds taste both sweet and nutty. They have a burnt sugar flavour (similar to that of maple syrup) and are quite bitter tasting before they have been cooked.
Fenugreek leaves taste similar to celery but are much sweeter. Fenugreek is used to add sweetness to sauces and help give them a better depth of flavour.
Fenugreek Substitutes
One of the best overall substitutes for fenugreek is maple syrup. It has the most similar flavour. Only a very small amount is needed or you may find to dish becomes too sweet. Add the maple syrup at the end of cooking to prevent the maple syrup from burning.
Substitutes for Fenugreek Leaves
Here are some vegetables that make excellent substitutes for Fenugreek Leaves, either dried or fresh.
Celery Leaves as a Substitute for Fenugreek
Celery leaves make an excellent substitute for Fenugreek leaves as they have the same, slightly bitter taste although are not as sweet. If you don’t always use the leaves from your celery this could be a great way to get them used up. You could also use the leaves from Chinese, although the flavour is stronger so you may want to use less.
Spinach as a Substitute For Fenugreek
Spinach also works well as a substitute for Fenugreek. While it will change the overall flavour of the dish slightly, it won’t be so much that it feels like your eating something else entirely. If you have fenugreek seeds add a few of these along with the spinach for a better fenugreek flavour.
Fenugreek Substitute: Watercress
Watercress is another leafy green that can be used as an alternative to fenugreek.
Substitutes For Fenugreek Seeds
Here some substitutes for fenugreek seeds that can be used if you’ve run out of or don’t want to fenugreek.
Curry Powder
Curry powder makes an excellent substitute for fenugreek seeds as it often has fenugreek as one of the spices already within it. Masala curry powder is the best choice, but any will do.
Yellow Mustard Seeds as a Substitutes For Fenugreek Seeds
Yellow mustard seeds are a good alternative to fenugreek seeds. Toast the seeds slightly in a dry pan before adding them to the dish to get the closest flavour to fenugreek.
Fennel Seeds
You could also use fennels seeds as an alternative to fenugreek seeds, however, the strong flavour they have means they need to be used very sparingly. These are a good choice of substitute when pickling.
