Kuku Sabzi (Herb and Scallion Frittata)

Updated March 18, 2025

Kuku Sabzi (Herb and Scallion Frittata)
Emma Fishman for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Rebecca Jurkevich. Prop stylist: Sophia Eleni Pappas.
Total Time
1 hour
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
50 minutes
Rating
5(153)
Comments
Read comments

Packed with an abundance of fresh herbs, kuku is a frittata-like Persian dish with many regional and household variations. This version, kuku sabzi, is the most herb-forward, allowing the greens to take center stage. While kuku is often flipped to brown on both sides, this version skips that step and allows the egg on top to set under the broiler, which helps retain its vibrant green color. Some families mix in walnuts or tart dried barberries for added texture and flavor, but this rendition keeps it simple, letting the herbs shine. Kuku is traditionally served with flatbread and can be enjoyed warm, at room temperature or even cold. For a perfect bite, wrap it in lavash with a dollop of yogurt, slices of salty feta and crisp radishes, which balance the richness with bright, fresh flavors. 

Featured in: 5 Herby, Bright and Brilliant Recipes for Nowruz

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: Give recipes to anyone

    As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.

  • Share this recipe

  • Print this recipe

Advertisement


Ingredients

Yield:6 servings 
  • 3bunches cilantro 
  • 3bunches flat-leaf parsley
  • 2bunches dill
  • 2bunches scallions (about 10), thinly sliced
  • 1tablespoon dried fenugreek leaves 
  • teaspoons 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 
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

210 calories; 14 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 3 grams monounsaturated fat; 7 grams polyunsaturated fat; 13 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 2 grams sugars; 9 grams protein; 377 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Powered by

Preparation

  1. 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.

  2. 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.)

  3. 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.

  4. 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

Leave a Private Comment on this recipe and see it here.

Ratings

5 out of 5
153 user ratings
Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

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! :)

Private comments are only visible to you.

or to save this recipe.