Jeera Aloo
Cumin-fried potatoes
Ingredients
- 600 g Potatoes
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds
- 2 tbsp Ghee
- ½ tsp Ground turmeric
- 1 Chili
- 1 tsp Salt
- 2 tbsp Cilantro (optional)
Method
- Boil the potatoes whole until just tender, about 12 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes, cool slightly, then cube.
- Heat the ghee over medium-high and let the cumin seeds sizzle for 15 seconds, then add the slit green chili.
- Add the turmeric and a splash of water, then toss in the potatoes with the salt and fry until the edges crisp, about 4 minutes.
- Scatter with cilantro and serve with roti.
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About Jeera Aloo
Jeera aloo is a quick, homey Indian side of cumin-fried potatoes, its name literally meaning cumin (jeera) and potato (aloo). It belongs to the everyday North Indian repertoire of dry, lightly spiced vegetable dishes that round out a thali, and it comes together in about twenty minutes with a short list of pantry staples. The dish is built on tempering: cumin seeds are sizzled in ghee until they release their toasty aroma, then a slit green chili and turmeric bloom in the fat before the boiled, cubed potatoes go in. That tadka technique is what separates jeera aloo from plain fried potatoes, infusing the ghee with flavor before the starch ever touches it.
The taste is earthy and warm, with the nuttiness of cumin, a mild hum of chili, and golden turmeric coloring the potatoes, all finished with fresh cilantro. Texturally it's the best of both worlds, soft and fluffy inside with edges that crisp against the hot pan. It's usually eaten with roti or as part of a larger meal, and it also makes a satisfying light breakfast or fasting-day dish. Because the recipe swaps ghee for oil easily, it flexes from vegetarian to vegan without losing its character, and boiling the potatoes whole before cubing keeps them from breaking down when they hit the pan.
Jeera Aloo: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Jeera Aloo?
A serving has about 187 calories — 3.6g protein, 27.9g carbs, 7.3g fat, 3.7g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is Jeera Aloo gluten-free?
Based on its ingredients, Jeera Aloo has no gluten-containing components, so it's naturally gluten-free — as always, check that any packaged ingredients you use are certified gluten-free to be safe.
Is Jeera Aloo dairy-free?
Not as written — it uses Ghee. Swapping it for a plant-based alternative makes it dairy-free.
How long does Jeera Aloo take to make?
About 20 minutes start to finish, but only around 9 of those are hands-on — the rest is cooking time. In the Homecooked app the timers and parallel steps are sequenced for you so the hands-on part feels even shorter.
Do I need every ingredient to make Jeera Aloo?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out cilantro — it's optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Jeera Aloo make?
This recipe makes 4 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.