dried fenugreek leaves

What is Dried Fenugreek Leaves? Glossary, Benefits, Uses, Recipes with Kasuri methi Viewed 294304 times
Also Known as
Kasuri methi

What is kasuri methi, dried fenugreek leaves?


Kasuri Methi refers to dried leaves of the fenugreek plant. It is an herb with a bitter but addictive taste. Used as a spice in Indian curries, sabzi, parathas its strong aroma and distinctive flavour fascinate the taste buds!



How to select kasuri methi, dried fenugreek leaves


• You can prepare kasuri methi at home. To do this, sort the fenugreek leaves to remove rotten ones, then wash and pat dry the good leaves. Allow to dry in the sun for a few weeks, till all the moisture is gone.
• It is also readily available in the market. Choose a reliable brand, so ensure purity.
• Check the seal of the package, and the use-by date.
• Buy in small quantities, as the aroma will reduce if stored for too long.

Culinary Uses of kasuri methi, dried fenugreek leaves in Indian Cooking


Many cuisines in India utilize dried fenugreek leaves including Kashmiri, Punjabi and sometimes even Gujarati and Maharashtrian. A few mouth-watering subzis you can make are.


  • Paneer Tikka Masala – juicy peas and paneer, mixed with other veggies and spices makes a tantalizing Punjabi subzi. The kasuri methi, added right at the end, gives a nice nutty taste to the food.  
  • Kashmiri Dum Aloo – This dish is exploding in flavor! It baby potatoes are first marinated in chilli powder, cooked in an array of spices and then served in a curd based tangy gravy.
  • Masala Chawli – This chawli ki subzi is delicious and will make you fall in love with this lentil. Mixed with masalas, onion, ginger and tomatoes, you can have this subzi with roti or rice.
  • Kadai Gravy – This basic kadai gravy is made with dried red chillis, tomatoes, kasuri methi and other spices. You can add any vegetable to it to make a subzi of your choice.
Dals and Rotis using kasuri methi

  • Paneer Kulcha – This Punjabi roti is an absolute delight! The soft roti, is stuffed with paneer, laced with kasuri methi, can either just be had with butter or you can have  it with a subzi like Vegetable makhani
  • Dal Fry – This dal is a regular in almost every Indian home and it is definitely worth the hype. The addition of kasuri methi really brings together the whole dal, especially when you have it with a side of Jeera rice.

• Kasuri Methi is generally used as a condiment for flavouring various curries and subzis.
• It combines well with starchy or root vegetables like carrots, yams and potatoes.
• Add to whole wheat dough to make flavourful rotis and parathas.
• Add a teaspoon of dried fenugreek leaves to curries, as a spice, along with tomatoes.
• It is used popularly in handi recipes.
• It can also be roasted and crushed before adding to subzis, to enhance the flavour and aroma.

How to store kasuri methi, dried fenugreek leaves


• If kept refrigerated in an airtight jar, it can stay up to 6 months.
• Keep away from moisture.

Nutrition Count of Kasuri Methi (Dried Fenugreek Leaves)

RDA stands for Recommended Daily Allowance
1 tbsp of Kasuri Methi is 1 g

Energy – 4 calories
Protein – 0.2 g
Carbs – 0.6 g
Fiber – 0.2 g
Calcium – 0.8% of RDA
Iron – 3% of RDA

Health benefits of kasuri methi, dried fenugreek leaves


1. Kasuri Methi doesn’t pile on too many calories : It gives only 4 calories from a tbsp.. So it’s clearly indicative that it is safe to be added to low calorie meals.

2. Kasuri Methi is low on carb count : You get less than a g of carb from 1 tbsp.

Click here to know more about the 5 Benefits of Kasuri Methi.