The Spruce Eats: What Is Nigella Seed? Nigella seed is a black seed with nigella seeds substitute of onion, oregano, and black pepper. In India and the Middle East, it is used in breads, soups, and stews.

Danilo Alfaro has published more than 800 recipes and tutorials focused on making complicated culinary techniques approachable to home cooks. Nigella seed comes from the seeds of the flowering plant Nigella sativa, which is found throughout Turkey, Syria, and parts of Iraq. Nigella is sometimes referred to by other names, such as black cumin, black onion seed, and black sesame seed, which can lead to some confusion, as nigella is not related to any of these. Rather, it’s a member of the Ranunculaceae family, which also includes flowers such as the buttercup and delphinium. Nigella seeds have a strong aroma and a flavor profile that has notes of onion, oregano, and black pepper. The perception of these flavors can differ from person to person, and some may taste a slightly nutty flavor as well.

These characteristics contribute to why savory dishes make a great pair with these savory seeds. Nigella seeds are found frequently in Indian, Middle Eastern, and North African cuisines. This means you can find these seeds in curries and lentil dishes alike. Nigella seeds also pair well with root vegetable dishes, as well as squashes such as spiced butternut squash. Many Southern Asia meals can be found with Nigella sativa garnished on top or incorporated into their stir-fry. One way to start using nigella seeds is to incorporate them into pancakes or scones. Celery seed, cumin seed, poppy seed, black sesame seed, caraway seed, and fennel seed will all stand in adequately for nigella seed.

Another substitute is fresh or dried oregano. While not a seed, this herb will provide a similar flavor note to that of nigella seed. Likewise, onion powder will also provide some of the flavor of nigella seed, but not its essential seedness. One thing you can’t substitute for nigella, but might think you can, are true onion seeds, mainly because these are not available as a food. Recipes that call for onion seeds are actually referring to nigella seeds. You can purchase nigella seeds at many health food stores, whole food stores, and other specialty food stores, as well as from Indian and Middle-Eastern grocery stores.