It is commonly used in many dishes like curries, soups, and stews, and is often paired with other spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric.
Typically, Kasoori Methi has a somewhat bitter taste but when used in the right proportions, it can make a dish come to life with flavors to tingle your taste buds.
Sometimes, however, it may not be readily available, so you’ll need to look elsewhere for possible substitutes.
Whether you want to use something different from Kasoori Methi just to change things up, or you’re finding it hard to come by, we’re here to help.
In today’s article, we will be discussing the best alternatives to Kasoori Methi that you can try at home.
From our list, you can experiment with different Kasoori Methi substitutes to find the one that works best for your recipe and taste preferences.
What Is Kasoori Methi?
Commonly found in Indian cuisine, Kasoori Methi is a type of dried herb with a pungent, robust flavor. It is this flavor that can often add a depth of flavor to a range of dishes, such as parathas, Indian curries, and sabzi.
This herb is made from the dried leaves of the fenugreek plant, native to India and regions of North Africa. These leaves are first dried and then ground into a fine powder to make the final Kasoori Methi.
You can dissolve the herb in water to make a paste or add it directly to a recipe, whether it be a curry or a sauce. It can also be added to vegetables and meats to provide additional flavors.
If you can’t find it in your local grocery store, you should be able to come across it in Indian grocery stores.
Once you buy it, you should store Kasoori Methi in an airtight container, away from light. In this state, it can be stored for up to six months so you can use it for many dishes during this time.
1. Spinach
We start with what is considered a superfood by many – spinach. After being cooked, spinach tends to have a similar aroma and texture of Kasoori Methi making it an excellent alternative option.
For the tastiest replacement possible, though, we recommend adding some Fenugreek seeds with the spinach.
As with most alternatives, spinach will not give the exact same flavor and texture as Kasoori Methi but seeds from the Fenugreek tree will help you get a closer flavor-profile.
2. Dried Mustard Greens
Also known as curled/curly mustard, mustard greens sport a slightly spicy and bitter flavor but can be used as an alternative to Kasoori Methi.
The main reason dried mustard greens are an appropriate substitute is that they have a similar texture and taste to Kasoori Methi.
You can sprinkle these greens on different dishes in their raw form or after they have been cooked. They work particularly well in curries or dishes where you’re searching for a rich flavor and aroma.
3. Fenugreek Seeds
As Kasoori Methi is derived from the leaves of the Fenugreek plant, it will come as no surprise that Fenugreek seeds work well as a replacement.
However, these seeds are slightly different in that they are a version of spice, whereas Fenugreek leaves are considered herbs.
The Fenugreek seeds are loaded with beneficial nutrients, such as vitamin B, C, and K.
To get the most from these nutrients, you should add the seeds to your dish at the beginning of the cooking process, whether they be in their powder form, or cooked in oil.
Fenugreek seeds have a similar taste and aroma to Kasoori Methi, making them a great alternative.
You may find they do not provide as much bulk to recipes, though. In this case, you can add some watercress to thicken it out somewhat.
4. Collard Greens
You may not have heard of collard greens but these can act as very good substitutes to Kasoori Methi.
And, doing so is easy as you can replace one tablespoon of Kasoori Methi for one tablespoon of collard greens.
The same species as many common vegetables like broccoli and cabbage, collard greens tend to be much more bitter than Kasoori Methi.
That being said, they still make great substitutes and can be used in most recipes that call for Kasoori Methi.
5. Celery Leaves
Celery leaves can be used as an alternative to Kasoori Methi, but it’s important to note that they have a different flavor profile and may not provide the exact same taste.
Kasoori Methi has more of a distinctive, slightly bitter taste with a slightly sweet aroma, when compared to celery leaves, so you may need to adjust the amount you use accordingly.
Celery leaves typically have a fresh, herbaceous flavor with a slightly bitter and salty taste.
While they don’t have the same aroma as Kasoori Methi, they can add a similar depth of flavor to dishes, especially in soups, stews, and curries.
If you’re using celery leaves as a substitute for Kasoori Methi, it’s recommended to use them in moderation and adjust the quantity based on your personal taste preferences.
You can also experiment with combining celery leaves with other herbs and spices, such as cumin, coriander, and turmeric, to create a flavor profile that is similar to Kasoori Methi.
6. Mustard Seeds
We’ve already mentioned dried mustard greens, but did you know that mustard seeds also work well as Kasoori Methi substitutes?
It is worth noting, however, that both are two very different ingredients with distinct flavors and textures, meaning they cannot be used interchangeably in most recipes.
However, in some cases, mustard seeds can be used as a substitute for Kasoori Methi, depending on the recipe and the desired flavor.
Mustard seeds have a pungent, sharp taste that is quite different from Kasoori Methi’s slightly bitter, nutty flavor. But, like Kasoori Methi, mustard seeds are often used in Indian cuisine as a seasoning or a tempering agent.
Mustard seeds can be used to add a similar flavor and aroma to your dish as Kasoori Methi by heating some oil in a pan and cooking the mustard seeds.
Wait until they start to pop and sizzle, then add them to your recipe. This will give your dish a similar flavor and aroma to Kasoori Methi, although it will not be exactly the same.
7. Alfalfa
Alfalfa, also known as watercress, is a type of flowering plant. Because it has a similar taste to Kasoori Methi, alfalfa is a common substitute for the herb in kitchens worldwide.
Alfalfa contains a great deal of vitamins, minerals, and fibers, giving it a strong nutritional content. Together, the nutrients in this plant can benefit your blood sugar levels in the body.
It is also believed to help relieve some menopausal symptoms when taken over a certain period of time.
If you ever need to replace the true form of Fenugreek, alfalfa is considered one of the best options. Nevertheless, its taste and texture will not match either Kasoori Methi or the Fenugreek plant completely.
In truth, alfalfa is closer to celery in terms of its flavor and taste, but is still a good alternative to Kasoori Methi if ever needed.
In Summary
You have a range of possible alternatives to choose from when Kasoori Methi is either not available, or you want to try something different.
Whilst some can not be used interchangeably in all recipes, our selection above is a great place to start when looking for replacements.
Hi, I’m Aubrey, and I have been a chef for close to 8 years. Cooking has always been a passion of mine, as long as I can remember. I loved my play kitchen when I was a kid, and would offer my parents my own (albeit gross) cookie recipes to taste!
Here at ButterandSaltGatherings, I want to offer a wide range of ingredients, flavors, meals and recipes so that you can start living each day to the fullest, and enjoy only the best food.
