Cumin

जीरा / jeera; cumin

Flavor and role

The seed of a plant in the parsley family, with a warm, earthy, intense aroma. Whole seeds are fried in oil (tempering); ground cumin is mixed into seasonings.

Typical dishes and uses

Indian curries, chili con carne, taco seasoning, hummus, Central Asian lamb skewers, North African dishes. In this book: butter chicken, pozole and white chicken chili.

Substitutes

1 tsp ground cumin = 1¼ tsp whole cumin. If you have none, use the same amount of ground coriander + a pinch of smoked paprika, or ½ tsp curry powder.

Storage

In an airtight container at cool room temperature, away from direct sunlight and moisture. For best aroma, use ground spices within 6 months to 1 year and whole spices within 2-3 years.

Main countries

India · Iran · Mexico

Used in this book

Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)HummusChicken Tagine with Lemon and OlivesTacos with GuacamoleBeef EmpanadasWhite Chicken ChiliPozole RojoAjí de GallinaBandeja PaisaBirria Tacos with ConsoméCampfire Skillet NachosChana MasalaChicken KarahiChicken Tikka MasalaChili con CarneDal Tadka (Tempered Yellow Lentils)Chicken Enchiladas RojasFalafelFul MedamesPork Gyros PitaIzgara köfteKoshariLahmacunLomo Saltado (Peruvian Beef and Fries Stir-Fry)Mercimek Çorbası (Turkish Red Lentil Soup)Nepali Chicken Momo with Tomato AcharPalak Paneer (Spinach with Indian Cheese)Pastel de ChocloUzbek PlovRopa ViejaAloo SamosaShakshukaChicken ShawarmaSlow-Simmered Ají de Gallina with Toasted PecansCharcoal baba ganoush with pine nuts and pomegranate molassesBandeja Paisa de Lujo with Carne en Polvo and Meaty ChicharrónBandeja Paisa Burrito with Hogao Salsa (Colombian × Mexican)Bandeja Paisa Loaded Fries with Avocado CremaShort Rib and Shank Quesabirria TacosBirria Ramen with Soy-Marinated EggBirria Grilled Cheese with Consomé DipLamb Bobotie with GeelrysDurban Lamb Bunny with Fresh-Ground MasalaChile Colorado Beef BurritoChicken Tikka Burrito with Mint RaitaCrispy Rice Burrito BowlButter Chicken RigatoniCarne Asada Nachos with Fire-Charred SalsaChorizo Chili Walking NachosPindi CholeChana Masala ShakshukaHyderabadi Chicken Dum BiryaniChicken Biryani BurritoBiryani Chicken Rice BowlDesi Ghee Chicken Karahi with Charcoal SmokeChicken Karahi TacosKarahi Chicken Cheese Naan MeltRoyal Chicken Machboos with Saffron Rice, Daqoos and Crispy OnionsChicken Nanban Tacos with Jalapeño-Lime TartareCharcoal-Skewered Chicken Tikka MasalaChicken Tikka Masala QuesadillasGuajillo-Ancho Chicken Chilaquiles with Crispy Fried EggTexas Bowl of RedGochujang Kimchi ChiliChili Mac and Cheese BakeMasala Cornbread with Green Chilli, Cumin and Coriander (American x Punjabi)Dhaba-Style Double Tadka Dal with Coal SmokeThai Red Curry Coconut Dal with Lemongrass TadkaSizzling Tadka Lentil HummusDoro Wat with Homemade Niter Kibbeh and Honey-Wine FinishTucumán-Style Knife-Cut Beef EmpanadasCrispy Tortilla Empanada Pockets with ChimichurriThree-Chile Enchiladas GratinadasChicken Enchilada Rice BowlFava and Chickpea Falafel with Parsley Tarator and Sumac OnionsFalafel Banh Mi with Quick Pickles and Sriracha Tahini MayoBaked Falafel Crunch BowlMexican-style fattoush with tortilla crisps and avocadoChipotle Feijoada ChiliSlow-Simmered Ful with Tahini and Garlic TashaFul Medames Huevos RancherosWhipped Ful & Tahini Toast with Za'atarGarlic Naan Pull-Apart BreadMacerated Gazpacho with Garlic CroutonsMexican-Style Jalapeño-Lime GazpachoGreen Curry with Hand-Pounded PasteStacked Gyros Loaf with Sumac Onions and Dill TzatzikiGyros al Pastor Tacos with Charred Pineapple and Lime TzatzikiSheet-Pan Gyros Nachos with Pita Chips and Whipped FetaChicken Harira Tortilla SoupHarira Chickpea Toast with Lemon YogurtHummus bil Lahme with Spiced Beef and Pine NutsIndian Tadka Hummus with Curry-Leaf GheeTiffin-House Idli with Fresh-Roasted SambarGreen Chile Lamb and Potato Stew (Irish × New Mexican)Slow-Simmered European-Style Beef CurryLamb Kabsa with Toasted Spices and DaqqusMasala Kartoffelpuffer with Mint Raita (German x Indian)Chiang Mai Khao Soi with Hand-Made Pasteİskender köfteSmash köfte burgerCairo Shop-Style Koshari with ShattaKhichdi-Style Koshari with Ghee TadkaCrispy Koshari Bites with Daqqa Tomato Dip24-hour cold-proved lamb lahmacunCrispy lahmacun bulgur bowlPrawn-Head Stock Curry LaksaPisco-Flambéed Tenderloin Lomo Saltado with Double-Fried PotatoesLomo Saltado Burrito with Ají Amarillo CremaLomo Saltado Loaded Fries with Huancaína SauceChorizo and Jalapeño Queso MacCrispy Dosa Chaat BowlSlow-Braised Beef Shin Massaman with Whole SpicesMenemen Breakfast TacosLokanta-Style Velvet Lentil Soup with CroutonsLentil Soup Shakshuka with Garlic Yogurt & Chili ButterMisir Wat with Homemade Niter KibbehJuicy Pork Jhol MomoMomo Smash Tacos with Achar MayoSeared Paneer Palak with Garlic TadkaPalak Paneer Green ShakshukaPalak Paneer Cheese Melt ToastPastel de Choclo with Knife-Cut Beef Pino and White-Wine ChickenKeema Pastel de Choclo (Indian-Spiced Beef under a Sweet Corn Crust)Pastel de Choclo Muffins with a Pino CentreKeema Pastitsio with Garam Masala BéchamelMumbai Tawa Butter Pav BhajiPeri-Peri Chicken TacosPhilly Cheesesteak Quesadillas with Chipotle CremaTashkent Wedding Plov (To'y Oshi)Spanish Chorizo and Chicken PlovCrispy Plov Rice Balls with CheesePozole Rojo Especial (Bone-In Broth and Chile de Árbol Salsa)Pozole Quesatacos with Red Consommé DipCrispy-Edge Pulled Pork with Beer-Braise GlazeRatatouille ShakshukaPadang-style dry rendangOven-Braised Ropa Vieja with MadurosChino-Cubano Ropa Vieja Lo MeinRopa Vieja Loaded TostonesMasala Rösti with Mint-Yoghurt ChutneySabich with Haminados Eggs and ZhugSabich Deviled EggsHalwai-Style Punjabi Samosas with Two ChutneysSamosa ToastieChicken Satay Tacos with Acar PicklesCharred Pepper and Merguez Shakshuka, Oven-BakedHarissa Shakshuka Fried Rice with Crispy EggTower-Roast Chicken Shawarma with ToumChicken Shawarma TacosKeema Shepherd's Pie with Bombay MashMasala Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Mint RaitaSaag Feta Phyllo SamosasSri Lankan Black Chicken Curry with Toasted CoconutSaag Aloo Stamppot with Tadka and PaneerMexican Street-Corn TabboulehCrispy Tabbouleh Fritters with Garlic YogurtTacos al PastorCrispy Smash TacosBaked Beef Yalancı Mantı with Brown Chili ButterCharred Poblano White Chicken Chili with Seared ThighsThai Coconut Lemongrass White Chicken ChiliWhite Chicken Chili Baked Taquitos with Lime Crema

Updated 2026-10-10