The black onion seeds are officially known as nigella seeds, and they are actually one of the oldest spices. These are small seeds with slightly bitter notes (the flavor is onion-like) and make a great addition to curries and other Indian recipes. Many people also sprinkle these seeds on the naan and add amazing flavor to French fries, savory scones, salads, and veggies. In addition, they help lower cholesterol level and regulates blood sugar. However, if you cannot get your hands on black onion seeds, you can try out the following substitutes!
Black Onion Seeds Substitutes
- Black Sesame Seeds
These are the best alternatives to black onion seeds and can be utilized in Middle Eastern cuisine as it has a similar flavor and aroma. The best thing about using these seeds as they are black and add a nutty and pungent flavor to the recipes. It can be added on top of naan, but you can use it in cooking recipes as well. Having said that, just use a 1:1 substitution!
- White Sesame Seeds
In case you are unable to find black sesame seeds in grocery stores, you can also opt for white seeds. It’s obvious that the appearance will be different, but the flavor is exceptionally similar. The white sesame seeds can be added to cooking recipes, and you can also sprinkle them on burger buns and bread. As far as the substitution ratio is concerned, you can go with a 1:1 ratio.
- Celery Seeds
Celery seeds are a well-known spice that’s made from wild celery seeds. However, you need to remember that the flavor is bitterer as compared to black onion seeds. The culinary experts recommend mixing the celery seeds with lemon juice and onion powder to cover the extra bitter tones. This spice is available in whole as well as ground forms in supermarkets, but we recommend using the whole celery seeds as they taste better and won’t be too bitter.
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- Cumin Seeds
Many people think that cumin seeds are similar to black cumin, but they are different, but the flavor is identical enough to use them interchangeably. The cumin seeds are readily available in the spice aisle of grocery stores and can be used to sprinkle on buns, bread, and bagels. In fact, you can utilize a 1:1 substitution ratio.
- Cumin Powder
In case you cannot use cumin seeds in place of black onion seeds in cooking recipes, you can use cumin powder. As the name says, cumin powder is prepared by grinding the dry and roasted cumin seeds – you can use a grinder for it. As far as the application is concerned, you can use cumin powder in warm recipes as well as on top of the bread. In fact, cumin powder can be used to flavor vegetable soups and curries, but many people add it to dipping sauces as well.
- Oregano
If you have tried Middle Eastern cuisine, you can use oregano to replace black onion seeds because oregano is known to have a similar aroma. It can be used in baking recipes as cooking recipes. On top of everything, oregano is easily available in grocery stores.
- Onions
One of the best substitutes for black onion seeds is to use fresh onion. This is because it has an extremely similar flavor, and you can use it in blended or grated form. In addition to using fleshy onion, you can also use onion juice to add flavor to warm dishes and salads.
- Caraway Seeds
In case you want to stick to using seeds, you can opt for caraway sees as well. These seeds are known for their earthy flavor and have pepper and citrus undertones. The caraway seeds can be used for baking recipes and actually tastes amazing in rye bread. In addition, you can use caraway seeds in tomato-based sauces, roasted potatoes, and baked apples.
- Fennel Seeds
These seeds are taken from the fennel herb and are dried before they can be used in the food. The fennel seeds tend to be greener and are a great substitute for black onion seeds. It can be used to baked veggies, rye bread, and curries. However, it’s recommended that you toast them before use to enhance the flavor but keep in mind that it has a pungent flavor.