What Is Cumin and How Can I Use It?

If cumin has turned up in a recipe or caught your eye at the store, here's what you need to use it with confidence and how to choose it, cook it, store it, what to substitute, and 2,087 recipes to try it in.

What is cumin?

Cumin is the dried seed of the herb Cuminum cyminum, a member of the parsley family. The cumin plant grows to 30–50 cm (0.98–1.6 ft) tall and is harvested by hand.

Cumin is the second most popular spice in the world after black pepper.

Although cumin seeds contain a relatively large percentage amount of iron, extremely large quantities of cumin would need to be consumed for it to serve as a significant dietary source.

Types of cumin

Specific kinds of cumin and the recipes that use them.

Cumin seeds

Cumin is the second most popular spice in the world after black pepper.

Cumin can be found in some Dutch cheeses such as Leyden cheese, and in some traditional breads from France. It is commonly used in traditional Brazilian cuisine. Cumin can be an ingredient in chili powder (often Texan or Mexican-style), and is found in achiote blends, adobos, sofrito, garam masala, curry powder, and bahaarat.

Cumin can be used ground or as whole seeds. Cumin was also used heavily in ancient Roman cuisine. It helps to add an earthy and warming feeling to cooking, making it a staple in certain stews and soups, as well as curries and chilli.

Although cumin seeds contain a relatively large percentage amount of iron, extremely large quantities of cumin would need to be consumed for it to serve as a significant dietary source.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 tbsp, whole (6g)

Amount per Serving

Calories 22Calories from Fat 12

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 1.3g 2%

Saturated Fat 0.1g 0%

Trans Fat ~

Cholesterol 0mg 0%

Sodium 10mg 0%

Total Carbohydrate 2.7g 1%

Dietary Fiber 1g 3%

Sugars 0.1

Protein 1.1g

Vitamin A 2% Vitamin C 1%

Calcium 6% • Iron 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your caloric needs.

recipeland.com/nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find cumin: Cumin is usually found in the spices section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Cumin is a member of the Spices and Herbs US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese: 小茴香
British (UK) term: Cumin
en français: cumin
en español: comino

How much does cumin weigh?

Amount	Weight
1 tbsp, whole	6 grams
1 tsp, whole	2 grams

Spices and Herbs

Allspice 904 Allspice berries 37 Star anise 178 Aniseed 23 Bay leaves 2049 Caraway seeds 321 Cardamom pods 100 Cardamom seeds 317 Celery seeds 283 Chervil 65

Recipes using cumin

There are 2488 recipes using and its varieties.

Zwiebelkuchen (Onion Pie)

A savory German onion pie featuring a yeasted crust topped with caramelized onions, crispy bacon, and a creamy sour cream custard. Perfect as an appetizer or main dish, especially during autumn or Oktoberfest celebrations.

Persian Swiss Chard & Dill Frittata

Get ready to whip up a vibrant, herb-packed dish that’s bursting with flavor and perfect for any meal of the day! This Persian-inspired frittata is a fresh twist on the classic omelet, blending tender Swiss chard, fragrant dill, and zesty scallions into a fluffy, golden masterpiece. Baked to perfection, it’s easy to make and even easier to love. Serve it with warm flatbread, a sprinkle of feta, or a side of crisp veggies for a delightful meal. Let’s dive into this green goodness!

Gobhi Paratha

Gobhi Paratha: Indian stuffed cauliflower flatbread made with whole-wheat dough and a spiced filling of cauliflower, cumin, turmeric and green chili. Pan-fried in ghee until golden.

Always Loved Vegetarian Chili

Vegetarian Chili with bulgur and vegetables--Vegetarian chili: hot satisfying dish for fans of meatless mains.

Mom's Gazpacho

Fresh vegetable gazpacho with tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, and bell peppers. Quick cold Spanish soup ready in 10 minutes, perfect for summer lunches.

Yummy Gazpacho Soup

No-cook chunky gazpacho with crushed and diced tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and a triple citrus-vinegar punch. Vegan, gluten-free, ready in 10 minutes plus chill.

Beefy Chili

Beefy chili is a Texas-style chili made with fresh dried chili pod paste, ground beef, oregano, cumin, and red wine. No beans, no powder, just deep slow-simmered authentic flavor.

$Tex-Mex Rice$

Tex-Mex Rice

Tex-Mex rice toasted in olive oil with garlic and onion, simmered in broth with cumin, and finished with diced red bell pepper. A flavorful Mexican-style side dish from scratch.

Buffalo-Style Chicken Wings

Crispy fried chicken wings tossed in a sweet-and-spicy sauce with French dressing, herbs, and hot sauce. Served with blue cheese dressing and crunchy veggies.

Dahi Bhalley

India is known for its delicious recipes. When it comes to food, there are umpteen kinds of dishes available throughout the length and breadth of the country. On the occasion of festivals such as Diwali, Dusshera and Holi, people relish on delightful delicacies. Especially in Holi, people indulge themselves in smearing color on each other, teasing their loved ones and relishing on scrumptious recipes like Gujia, Namak Pare, Kheer and Dahi Bhalle. In most of the North Indian homes, Dahi Bhalle is a must to make recipe. Made of Curd and Urad Dal pakode, Dahi Bhalle is liked by most of the people. Check out the article and get to know how to make Dahi Bhalle.

Borani Esfanaj (Spinach-Yogurt Salad or Dip)

Spinach yogurt dip with a touch of kick. Musky and sweet spices compliment the spinach and tangy yogurt.

Avocado Tatar

A quick and easy way to enjoy garlic bread with this delicious avocado tatar!

Delicious Baba Ghannouj

Quick baba ghanoush with steamed eggplant, tahini, lemon, garlic, and a hint of cumin. The 13-minute version that skips the smoky char in favor of pure, clean eggplant flavor.

Pressure Cooked Chili Con Chickpeas

Pressure-cooked chickpea chili swaps beef for nutty garbanzos, building heat from toasted cumin seeds, chili powder, and a generous handful of fresh cilantro. A meatless one-pot weeknight chili.

Paneer Tikka

Paneer tikka, cubes of Indian paneer marinated in spiced yogurt with tandoori spices, chaat masala, ginger, and garlic, then pan-fried golden and served with peppers and onions. A vegetarian Indian classic.

Moghul Style Mixed Vegetables with Paneer

Mughlai-style mixed vegetable curry with paneer, cream, pineapple, and golden raisins. A rich, mildly spiced North Indian dish that finishes with a sprinkle of fried nuts for royal-court flair.

Aloo Mathar Paratha (Sides)

The quintessential Indian-Singaporean meal accompaniment. Unfortunately, all too often it is made using highly processed white flour and margarine. Here, the parathas are made with whole-wheat flour (you could also try using spelt flour) and stuffed with peas and potatoes, for a lighter but more wholesome take on the original. Serve hot with yoghurt and herbs.

Spiced Carrot & Orange Soup

Warm up a cool autumn day with this fragrant soup that is full of flavor in every spoonful.

Spicy, Tasty Chicken Tandoori

Chicken tandoori is basically a snack which can be eaten in the evening or at night. Chicken marinated in tandoori masala, grilled in the oven is a super tasty, mouthwatering dish. Try it now.

Easy Gazpacho

Simple gazpacho with fresh garden vegetables in tomato or V8 juice. Classic cold soup that's vegan, gluten-free, and ready in 20 minutes with no cooking required.

Very Cheesy Casserole

Packed with healthy whole-grain and cheesy goodness. 3 cheeses, feta, cottage and parmesan cheese plus beans and brown rice. This hearty casserole is tastes great and is loaded with nutritious healthful ingredients.

Chasing Chili

Chasing chili builds a slow-simmered base with ground beef chuck, lean pork, soaked pinto beans, and whole cumin seeds. A two-meat, scratch-bean chili built for a crowd.

Malabar Chicken Curry Recipe

Malabar chicken curry is a spicy and aromatic dish that hails from the Malabar region of India. This curry is made with a unique blend of spices that include cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and fennel, which gives it a distinctive taste and aroma. The tender chicken pieces are simmered in a rich and flavorful coconut milk-based gravy, making it a perfect dish for any occasion. The curry can be adjusted to your preferred level of spiciness, making it versatile for all tastes. Whether you're looking to explore new flavors or simply want to add a bit of spice to your meals, Malabar chicken curry is a must-try recipe for any home cook.

Yummy Falafel

Crispy fried falafel balls with chickpeas, herbs, and warm spices. Classic Middle Eastern vegetarian patties served in pita with fresh vegetables and tahini sauce.

Hummus Me Tahini

Authentic hummus me tahini: chickpeas pushed through a sieve and whipped with tahini, lemon, olive oil, and garlic. Traditional Greek-Mediterranean method.

Baba Ghanoush No.1

Baba ghanoush blends roasted eggplant with garlic, cumin, and lime juice into a smoky Middle Eastern dip. Vegan, five-ingredient, and ready in 30 minutes. No tahini in this lighter version.

Chicken a la goose

Czech beer-braised chicken with caraway and onions, roasted until golden. Dark beer creates rich gravy in this Central European comfort dish. Serve with red cabbage and dumplings.

Red Pepper Hummus with Toasted Pita

Red pepper hummus blends chickpeas with sweet sauteed red peppers, tahini, lemon, and cumin into a smooth, smoky dip, served with crisp homemade garlic-salt pita chips. A fast, vegan appetizer.

Falafel, Vegetarian Style

Vegetarian falafel with a clever bake-then-fry hybrid technique: oven-baked first to set, pan-crisped in olive oil to finish. Tucked into pita with cucumber, tomato, and yogurt sauce.

Lemon Rice & Pea Chapatis

Indian-style lemon rice and pea chapati wraps with brown rice, mustard seeds, cumin, turmeric, and a bright lemon-tamari finish. Vegan, ready in 25 minutes when rice is pre-cooked.

Hamburger with Variations

Cheese-stuffed hamburger patties with four global variations: French with brie, Mexican with Monterey Jack, Italian with mozzarella, and Greek with feta. Grilled over charcoal.

Best Black Bean Chili

Black bean chili built on home-ground spices and dried ancho chile. Vegetarian, vegan-adaptable, with toasted cumin and homemade chili powder. Serve over melted cheese with creme fraiche and roasted poblanos.

Mom's Favourite Chili

Mom's chili stacks beef, kidney beans, tomatoes, and a quiet blend of cumin, oregano, and basil into a slow-simmered family-style pot. Old-school weeknight chili with a long-simmer payoff.

Chicken Satay with Coconut Marinade

Chicken satay marinated in a fragrant coconut-turmeric paste with garlic, shallots, and cumin, then grilled on skewers until charred and juicy. Golden Southeast Asian skewers made for peanut sauce.

Amazing Cincinnati Chili

Cincinnati's iconic chili simmers with warm spices like cinnamon, allspice, and cocoa powder, creating a Greek-influenced meat sauce perfect for ladling over spaghetti.

Brownsville Chili

Texas-style Brownsville chili with ground beef, dried pinto beans, jalapeños, and a hint of cinnamon. A border-town big-batch chili serving up to 32 with that distinctive sweet-savory backbone.

Easy & Yummy Gazpacho

Classic gazpacho, the chilled Spanish tomato soup with fresh tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, garlic, and a bright lime-and-lemon finish. No-cook summer dish, ready after a 2-hour chill.

Spiced Hummus

Spiced chickpea hummus blended with cumin, coriander, ginger, turmeric, and tahini. Food processor makes it silky smooth. Chill before serving with pita or vegetables.

No-Tahini Herb Hummus with Sautéed Onion & Garlic

Bright, herb-forward hummus with no tahini needed. Sautéed onion and garlic blend with fresh parsley, basil, oregano, and coriander into silky chickpeas for a lighter Middle Eastern dip that skips the paste but keeps all the flavor. Ready in 25 minutes.