Fenugreek Alternatives and 5 Best Dry Fenugreek Leaves Substitute

If you happen to be away from an Indian food store, it may be difficult to find a substitute for fenugreek.

The Indian name of fenugreek is “Methi” . This post clarifies the different types of fenugreek that is used in the cooking process in Indian cuisine with the best alternatives.

The primary focus of this article will be on dried fenugreek leaves substitute also known as ‘Kasuri Methi’ in Hindi.

But before we dive into the best fenugreek substitutes, let us find out what is fenugreek.

What Is Fenugreek

Fenugreek or “Methi” called in Hindi is a type of plant that is grown in India and in some Middle Eastern countries.

Apart from the culinary usage, the numerous health benefits of fenugreek has made it popular in the world of alternative medicine and has been used in Ayurvedic treatments for centuries.

If you typed “Fenugreek Substitute” then you may be flooded with many confusing answers as there is not just one form of fenugreek.

This post consolidates the different types of fenugreek used in cooking and their best corresponding alternatives.

Types And The Best Fenugreek Alternatives

There are diverse ways of using fenugreek plant for culinary, health and beauty purposes.

So what are the best fenugreek alternative when a recipe calls for a particular kind of fenugreek to be used in the dish. Below are the different types of fenugreek used in cooking and some of the closest substitute.

1. Fresh Fenugreek Leaves

Fresh fenugreek leaves is used as a leafy green vegetable just like spinach. It has a distinct slightly bitter taste with small green leaves.

Substitute To Fresh Fenugreek Leaves

Because of unusual taste there is no direct or best suitable alternative to fenugreek leaves. The closest substitute to fresh fenugreek leaves are

1. Dried fenugreek leaves (more on this in the below sections)
2. Spinach
3. Kale leaves
4. Mustard greens

2. Fenugreek Seeds

Another popular type of fenugreek used in cooking is fenugreek seeds or methi dana. They are the seeds of the fenugreek plant and is used whole primarily at the beginning while cooking the Indian masala.

They are loaded with health benefits and has in the recent years gained popularity in the beauty and health industry.

Substitute for fenugreek seeds

Fenugreek seeds has a nutty taste and is used in different cuisines as a pickling spice. Some of the best alternatives to fenugreek seeds are:

1. Carom seeds
2. Maple syrup
3. Fennel seeds
4. Fenugreek powder
5. Curry powder

3. Fenugreek Powder

Fenugreek powder is the ground version of whole fenugreek seeds. More bitter to taste and used during the cooking process as opposed to in the beginning.

If you are stuck on what to use instead of ground fenugreek powder then here are your options:

1. Dried fenugreek leaves crushed into powder.
2. Fennel powder
3. Curry powder

4. Dried Fenugreek Leaves

Dried fenugreek leaves, also known as ‘Kasuri Methi’ in Hindi, are the dried fresh fenugreek leaves that is crumbled over the dishes to give it a distinctive taste.

It is one of those secret flavour enhancing ingredient used in most Indian restaurants and home cooking.

Contrary to an assumption that the alternative to dried fenugreek leaves are fenugreek seeds is not completely correct, since both the seeds and the leaves have different culinary usage , flavour and taste.

Dried fenugreek leaves in used as a herb and fenugreek seeds as well as fenugreek powder are the spices.

This posts lists the top 5 best easy to replace fenugreek leaves substitute for when the recipe calls for it.

Best Dried Fenugreek Leaves Substitute

Being a typical ethnic spice it maybe hard to find dried fenugreek leaves in the usual stores.

The distinctive aromatic smell and flavour of kasuri methi makes it hard to find a perfect dried fenugreek replacement.

But there are some substitute for kasuri methi that you can use to try and replicate the flavour as close as possible.

Below are the best alternative to dried fenugreek leaves:

1. Fresh fenugreek leaves

Since different parts of the fenugreek plant is used for cooking purpose, one can be used for the other as an alternative. If you happen to have fresh fenugreek leaves you can chop a few into the dish as a replacement.

How much to use – 4-5 fresh fenugreek leaves stalks are good as 2 tsp of dried fenugreek leaves substitute.

2. Fenugreek powder

It is not the seeds that can be used as a substitute for fenugreek leaves instead powdered fenugreek comes closest to the flavour. You need to be careful when using fenugreek powder as a alternative to kasuri methi as the powder tends to be bitter.

How much to use – Use 1/2 tsp in the dish when making a serving of 4. If you have whole fenugreek seeds you can crush them and use them as well.

3. Maple Syrup

It may sound like a funny award alternative but maple syrup has a similar bitter sweet aroma like that of kasuri methi and can be used as a replacement in a dish.

How much to use – You can add 1 to 2 tsp of maple syrup to the dish to imitate the musky aroma however watch out for the sweetness as well.

4. Celery greens

Celery leaves is also a good fenugreek leaves alternative. Celery leaves have the same bitter taste, so just chop the leaves and use it in the dish instead.

How much to use – 1 – 2 tablespoon of chopped celery greens is enough for 1 tbsp of fenugreek leaves substitute.

5. Curry powder

Some curry powder blends have fenugreek powder in it making it a suitable alternative, although in my opinion not the best substitute for kasuri methi. You can check the ingredients list of the curry powder you tend to use or make a homemade Indian curry powder yourself.

How much to use – Since curry powder has other spices added to i, it is bestto use only a teaspoon of the powder in a serving of 4.

Where To Buy Dried Fenugreek Leaves

Buying kasuri methi maybe a bit tricky unless you happen to have an Indian grocery nearby.

However you can easily buy them online . My recommended online store for all your spice requirements is The Spice House.

You can buy kasuri methi by clicking on the image below:

RECAP

Here is a infographic to recap the best alternative to dried fenugreek seeds that you can use when looking for a substitute.