Fenugreek is an everyday spice that is commonly used in Indian cuisine. It adds a nutty, caramel-like flavour to curries, soups, and sauces. Fenugreek is a popular spice used in blends like garam masala and panch phoran to name a few. However, if you do not have this spice in your kitchen there are a few alternatives you can use in place of your fenugreek spice. Take note that to replace fenugreek seeds in a recipe combine mustard seeds and maple syrup. Other useful replacements include masala curry powder, curry powder, fennel seeds, or celery seeds. Mustard greens, celery leaves, or kale are also good options if you want to replace the fenugreek leaves.
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Yellow Mustard Seeds And Maple Syrup
One of the best replacements for fenugreek seeds are yellow mustard seeds with apple syrup. You can use yellow mustard seeds or brown mustard seeds as a substitute for fenugreek. These seeds provide a similar mildly bitter, earthiness that you also get from fenugreek. Mustard seeds are some of the most-used spices all over the world, and their usage completes with peppercorns. So if you run out of fenugreek there are high chances that you have mustards seeds in your kitchen. Yellow or brown mustard seeds work well with all types of meats, including pork, poultry, and seafood. Also, you can add mustard seeds in any dish that may requires fenugreek. In order to get the sweet, caramel flavour, add a little bit of maple syrup to your mustard seeds.
Maple Syrup
Maple syrup and fenugreek have the same chemical compound known as sotolone. This compound is responsible for its peculiar smell. Also, fenugreek is sometimes added to maple syrup to enhance its aroma. As such, you can use maple syrup as a substitute for fenugreek. There is no specific proportion but you can add a small amount to your dish. The aroma of maple syrup can fade quickly so you should add the maple syrup towards the end when preparing your meal.
Masala Curry Powder
Another decent alternative to fenugreek is masala powder. Masala curry powder is a good option if you are in a pinch to replace the fenugreek seeds. The powder is a good fenugreek substitute that can provide sweetness thanks to the addition of cinnamon. Also, the cloves give a pungency that provides some similarity to fenugreek. You can round off your masala with a sprinkle of toasted brown sugar for an extra sweetness. You can use masala powder in any dish that requires fenugreek.
Curry Powder
Also on our list of fenugreek substitutes is curry powder. Curry powder makes a good option if you want to replace the fenugreek seeds. This powder is not very different from masala. In fact, it can be considered as a British creation that has a similar flavour profile to masala. In most cases curry powder contains fenugreek as a part of its mix, making it well worth using as a substitute for fenugreek. Like with other fenugreek substitutes curry powder can be used in any dish that may require the addition of fenugreek.
Fennel Seeds
When it comes to a substitute for fenugreek that has a fresh flavour consider using fennel seeds. Fennel seeds can be one of your best substitutes for fenugreek but they can be over-powering so make sure that you do not add too much fennel seeds in your meals. It is important to note that fennel seeds have a characteristic taste which will not work well in every dish as a back-up. If you are making a meat rub or need to grind up a spice mix, then you can add some fennel seeds. The result of your dish will be different but still enjoyable. You can also add some lightly toasted, crushed mustard seeds to help balance out the sweetness of the fennel seeds.
Mustard Greens
Also on our list of fenugreek substitutes are mustard greens. Mustard greens can be one of your best options to use in place of fenugreek leaves. Mustard greens are a spicy, bitter-tasting leafy vegetable that you can use raw or cooked. Mustard greens are related to kale, cabbage, and collard greens, and they are the peppery leafy greens of the mustard plant. The vegetable is often used frequently in Chinese, Japanese, and Indian dishes. One of the best ways to substitute your fenugreek with mustard greens is by adding them in your curries and stir-fries.
Celery Leaves
Celery leaves are another useful substitute option if you also want to replace fenugreek leaves. Celery leaves are very delicious, nutritious, and are packed with intense flavour. The leaves offer a slightly bitter flavour that you can get from fenugreek. You can use the celery leaves in any dish that calls for fenugreek leaves as well. If you are preparing a spice mix, then celery seeds can also be an excellent choice. Chinese celery will work perfectly well if you have some, but it is not a common option for many people. The leaves are perfect as a herb, and can also be a replacement for other herbs such as leaf parsley apart from using them as a substitute for fenugreek.
Spinach
Spinach is a good option when it comes to substituting it for fenugreek. Spinach will slightly change the flavour of your meal but it can make a decent substitute for fenugreek leaves. Other than spinach, you can also consider collard greens. However, spinach is a much better substitute because it can resemble the texture and aroma of fenugreek plus it can be added to most meals that require fenugreek.
Kale
Lastly, you can use kale as a substitute for fenugreek. Kale, like celery leaves and mustard greens can be used to replace fenugreek leaves. It is a dark, leafy green that you can eat raw or cooked. All you need to do is to cook these kale before serving to reduce its bitter taste. Kale is also a good option for casseroles and curries that may need fenugreek leaves. Kale is also a common ingredient and side for a lot of dishes.