Kuku Sabzi (Herb and Scallion Frittata)
Updated March 18, 2025

- Total Time
- 1 hour
- Prep Time
- 10 minutes
- Cook Time
- 50 minutes
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
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Ingredients
- 3bunches cilantro
- 3bunches flat-leaf parsley
- 2bunches dill
- 2bunches scallions (about 10), thinly sliced
- 1tablespoon dried fenugreek leaves
- 1½teaspoons kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal) or ¾ teaspoon fine salt
- 1teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1teaspoon ground turmeric
- 5large eggs
- ¼cup canola or grapeseed oil
- Barbari, lavash, pita or other flatbread, for serving
- Torshi (Persian pickles) or other savory pickled cucumbers, for serving
- Mast-o-khiar or plain yogurt, for serving
Preparation
- Step 1
Prepare the herbs: When preparing such a large quantity of herbs, wash them in batches to ensure any lingering sand or dirt is fully removed. Trim off the thick stems (about 4 inches from the bottoms) of the cilantro, parsley and dill. Grab a large handful of the herbs and, using a chef’s knife, finely chop. Repeat with the remaining herbs until you have about 4½ cups total. Transfer the chopped herbs to a large bowl and add the scallions.
- Step 2
Using your fingertips, pinch and grind the fenugreek, sprinkling it over the herb mixture. Add the salt, pepper and turmeric. Add the eggs and use a fork to break the yolks and then fully incorporate the eggs into the herb mixture. (It may seem like not enough eggs, but you want just enough to bind the mixture.)
- Step 3
Place an oven rack 5 inches from the broiler heat source and heat the broiler. Pour the oil into a 10-inch nonstick ovenproof skillet and place it over medium heat. When the oil begins to shimmer, give the kuku batter a final mix and then scrape it into the skillet. Using a spatula, spread the batter to the sides of the skillet. Cover and cook, rotating the skillet to ensure it cooks evenly, until the bottom has set and darkened to a very dark green, almost brown color, 10 to 12 minutes.
- Step 4
Remove the skillet from the heat and remove the lid. The top of the kuku will still be a touch wet but very green. Transfer the skillet to the broiler and broil, watching carefully, until the top is set, anywhere from 1 to 4 minutes. Slide the kuku onto a platter or cutting board. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with flatbread, pickles and mast-o-khiar.
Private Notes
Comments
Just in time for Nowruz this is the ultimate version of this dish for beautiful season of abundance and joy, spring! I love adding walnuts or barberries (zereshk) to mine! You can also make this dish with other veggies, shredded zucchini kuku is a favorite in our home. I have been immensely impressed by Persian mamas around Iran because of the variations of regional herbs, berries, nuts and veggies that ends up in their Kukus! I always recommend to my American friends to use herbs and veggies that grows local and experience with their own version of this dish! (P.s the stuff tastes better cold on some fresh baguette with pickles and tomatos during picnics and outings!)
My friend's mom still occasionally sends me a slice of her kuku sabzi because she knows it's one of my favorite things to eat. She puts walnuts in hers, and I love them! I can't wait to try to make my own at long last.
This recipe is in Andy’s cookbook (aka “The Good Book” in my foodie friend circle). I made it for a Labor Day weekend brunch and it is delicious. Give yourself plenty of time to wash and chop the mountain of herbs. It’s worth the effort! And don’t skip the bread and yogurt served with it. It’s a perfect combination of flavors and textures.
I will try this with Just Egg. I don't eat eggs, but even for those who don't mind eggs, Just Egg might be a great way to improve your environmental footprint while spending less on eggs. And to really spend less, look up chickpea eggs or mung bean egg.
Loved the cooking method. Much easier than other methods I've tried. Used a bunch each of cilantro, dill, basil, and mint. Can't lose!
@Soleil Perhaps that figure includes a generous estimate for time spent trimming the herbs! The extent to which one chooses to remove stems (and one's skill at doing so quickly) can have a big impact on the prep time. My first time prepping this recipe, I tried to do a balanced job of removing thicker stems while not being too precious about thin stems, and it took me about an hour to prep. I need to get faster so I can make this more often! :)