Dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi)

कसूरी मेथी / kasuri methi

Flavor and role

Dried fenugreek leaves with a bitter-sweet aroma like celery and maple syrup. Crush them between your palms and add at the end.

Typical dishes and uses

Butter chicken, paneer makhani, methi paratha, dal makhani. In this book: butter chicken.

Substitutes

Hard to replace. Leave it out, or use a little chopped celery leaf + a few drops of maple syrup. Fenugreek seeds are much stronger, so use just a pinch.

Storage

Airtight, away from light, at room temperature for 6 months to 1 year. Refrigerated, the aroma lasts longer.

Main countries

India · Pakistan

Used in this book

Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)Aloo Gobi (Spiced Potato and Cauliflower)Chana MasalaChicken Tikka MasalaGhormeh SabziMalai Kofta (Paneer and Potato Dumplings in Creamy Tomato Gravy)Palak Paneer (Spinach with Indian Cheese)Paneer TikkaRajma Chawal (Punjabi Kidney Bean Curry with Rice)Tandoori ChickenDhaba-Style Aloo Gobi with Pan-Fried FloretsLahori Bhuna Lamb Aloo KeemaDhaba-Style Aloo Paratha with Homemade White Butter and Mint RaitaButter Chicken Pie (Indian × Australian)Tandoor-Style Murgh MakhaniButter Chicken RigatoniButter Chicken Cheese ToastPindi CholePeshawari Hand-Chopped Chapli KebabCharcoal-Skewered Chicken Tikka MasalaDhaba-Style Double Tadka Dal with Coal SmokeRestaurant-Style Egg Masala with Cashew Tomato GravyButter Chicken EnchiladasOven-Braised Lamb Shank Ghormeh SabziGhormeh Sabzi Chicken Pot PieSabzi Crispy Rice BowlOven-Baked Saffron Kuku Sabzi with Buttered Barberries and Cucumber-Garlic YogurtShahi Malai Kofta in Saffron-Cashew GravyMalai Kofta Spaghetti in Makhani Tomato Cream (Indian × Italian)Malai Kofta Sliders with Makhani Mayo and Pickled OnionsTandoori Chicken Momo with Mint YoghurtSeared Paneer Palak with Garlic TadkaCharcoal-Smoked Paneer Tikka with Mint ChutneyMumbai Tawa Butter Pav BhajiDhaba-Style Rajma Masala with Ghee Jeera RiceCreole Rajma Red Beans and Rice (Louisiana × Punjabi)Charcoal-Smoked Tandoori Chicken with Mint ChutneyTandoori Chicken Tray Pizza with Mint Raita Drizzle

Updated 2026-10-10