Eshkeneh, Persian Onion Soup with Egg and Fenugreek

Eshkeneh, popularly known as Persian Onion Soup, is made with eggs and fenugreek. You can make Vegan Eshkeneh very easily, by leaving out the eggs and using only olive oil.

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Eshkeneh, Persian Onion Soup
Eshkeneh, Persian Onion Soup

An Ancient Recipe

Eshkeneh is an old, ancient recipe that dates back to Parthia, to around 250 BCE. The Parthian Empire, known also as the Arsacid Empire, being strategically situated on The Silk Road, was a major political and trade power. It stretched from what is now central-eastern Turkey, to Eastern Iran.

There is mention of onion soup in historical reports of military campaigns of Parthian soldiers, purportedly written by Marcus Gavius Apicius, a wealthy Roman merchant and epicure.

It would seem that Parthian soldiers dined on the battlefield on onion soup, thought to be the predecessor of the modern day’s Persian Onion Soup, or Eshkeneh.

Eshkeneh, Persian Onion Soup
Eshkeneh, Persian Onion Soup

Cold Weather Recipe

But, this is not a history blog, and so I shall return to the subject of soup, specifically Eshkeneh, the Persian Onion Soup. I adore soups and stews of all description, and tend to favour the heavy ones in autumn, and the lighter ones, like today’s Eshkeneh, in spring time.

And so do my Persian clients. Quite often, eshkeneh is asked for when I cater to Nowruz parties. Nowruz is the spiritual Persian New Year, that falls on the first day of spring. It is celebrated not just in Iran, but in many other Central Asian communities. You can read more about it here.

Eshkeneh is a very easy recipe to put together, and takes about 30 minutes. Although it is popularly known as Persian Onion Soup, there is more going on in there, with eggs and fenugreek sharing the spotlight.

You can make Vegan Eshkeneh very easily, by leaving out the eggs and using only olive oil. Let’s very quickly take a look at the ingredients in the Persian Onion Soup.

Fenugreek Leaves

How to Cook Eshkeneh

The Onions

Onions are the star of the show, so don’t skimp on them! I use 1 large onion for 2 people, and slice them, so they add to the body of the soup. White or brown onions are perfect for this, red onions just lose themselves when cooked, as far as I’m concerned. I tend to keep them for salads.

Fenugreek (Leaves) in Eshkeneh

Read more about it here. Traditionally, fresh fenugreek leaves (shanbalileh in Farsi, methi leaves in Hindi) are used to add colour and flavour to this soup.

Most people use half the amount of leaves that I do. But I rather like the hint of curry flavour in the soup, and so I use a large handful for a recipe for 2 people. This is something you can play around with, no?

But I totally get that they are not going to be the easiest thing to get for many in the West (or East!).

So, the next best thing? If you have access to online shopping, you know that’s the way to go, right?

Otherwise, if you can get your hands on dried fenugreek leaves (what the South Asians call kasuri methi) from an Indian/Middle Eastern grocer, that will work too.

Fenugreek Leaves Substitute

  • 1 large handful fresh fenugreek leaves = 2 Tbsp dried fenugreek leaves.
  • No leaves at all? Get yourself some fenugreek seeds, lightly crush them and add to the recipe along with the turmeric.
    1 large handful fresh leaves = 1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds.
    Then, add 2 handfuls of spinach, all chopped up, as the green.
  • No fenugreek, in any shape or form? Use 2 handfuls spinach, chopped up as the green, and add 1/4 tsp ground cumin or cumin seeds, along with the turmeric.

Grow your own Fenugreek Leaves

Fenugreek leaves are also very easy to grow. Since I can only get them online, it’s much simpler for me to grow them, but only in the summer. All you do is:

  1. Sow some fenugreek seeds.
  2. Pot them up into 9cm pots when they are seedlings with a multipurpose compost, preferably with added John Innes no. 1. Just google that last bit if you don’t know what it means :).
  3. Repot them into bigger pots when there are lots of roots showing at the base of the small pots above. Here, with added John Innes no. 2, if you like.

ps: fenugreek sprouts are pretty popular and healthy, but a word of advice, they can give a bad body odour!

Eshkeneh, Persian Onion Soup

Stock in Eshkeneh

You can use vegetable or chicken stock, whatever you prefer. Some people use just water, but I think using stock adds depth to your eshkeneh. If you make your own stock, great, if not, use a good shop bought stockpot or cube, no artificial anything.

We tend to have frozen homemade stock at home, but there are always some stockpots handy for when we run out, and because they are also very convenient. These are the ones I use.

One stockpot or stock cube is usually for 500ml (2 cups) of water. So for the amount of liquid here, 1 stock cube or pot plus half a tsp of salt is perfect. But taste it at the end and add more salt, as you like.

How much liquid to use in Eshkeneh?

In this recipe, anything between 625ml (2 1/2 cups) to 750ml (3 cups). To serve 2 people. It is a matter of choice. You can start with less, then, taste and add more water/stock before serving.

Eshkeneh, Persian Onion Soup
beautiful colour!

Eggs in Persian Onion Soup

Regular, ordinary, chicken or duck eggs will do. Small, medium large – whatever you have at hand. I egg per person is the way to go, but if you fancy more, hey, who am I to argue? Leave them out for Vegan Persian Onion Soup.

The traditional way of adding the eggs, is to stir them into the eggs, forming strands. I do this quite often, as it’s my husband’s preferred way. However, a more elegant way of adding the egg to Eshkeneh, is to gently poach them in the soup, towards the end.

The poached eggs look classy and egg yolk oozing into any dish is heaven on earth. I love it in noodles, rice and soups! The poached egg method is definitely my preferred way when I cater, especially when I’m serving Eshkeneh as an amuse-bouche to unsuspecting clients.

Sour Grape Juice (Abghooreh)

Sour grape juice is just the strained juice of young, unripe grapes, known a verjus or verjuice in the West. It is very sour, but also with a hint of sweet. If you have access to young grapes, you can make it as you need it. Specialist stores will stock them, and you will definitely find it online.

Substitute: lemon juice, white or red wine vinegar

The Colour of Eshkeneh

Eshkeneh can range from a light, yellowy green colour to a deep brown. Its colour will depend on

  • the amount of shanbalileh (fenugreek leaves) you use. Or not, if you can’t get them.
  • the amount of turmeric you use.
  • but most of all, in my experience, how much fat you use. The more oil/butter you use, the less the onions and turmeric will catch and brown, as you can see them doing in the video. So, you want a lighter colour soup, use a little more oil to fry the onions. Pretty simple, right?

Let’s get our aprons on!

If you like the recipe, don’t forget to leave me a comment and that all important, 5-star rating! Thank you!

And if you make the recipe, share it on any platform and tag me @azlinbloor, and hashtag it #linsfood

Lin xx

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Eshkeneh, Persian Onion Soup

Eshkeneh, Persian Onion Soup with Egg and Fenugreek

Eshkeneh recipe, popularly known as Persian Onion Soup, is made with eggs and fenugreek. You can make Vegan Eshkeneh very easily, by leaving out the eggs and using only olive oil.
Last Updated April 2023.
5 from 45 votes
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Course: Starter
Cuisine: Persian
Keyword: nowruz, persian, soups,
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 2
Calories: 250kcal
Author: Azlin Bloor

Ingredients

  • 1 large white onion
  • 1 small clove garlic
  • 1 fresh bay leaf
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • 1 large handful fenugreek leaves shanbalileh, methi
  • 1 medium potato
  • 1 Tbsp EV olive oil
  • 1 tsp salted butter
  • 625-750 ml (1½ cups – 2 cups) vegetable or chicken stock
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 Tbsp sour grape juice verjus or 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 eggs

To Serve

  • freshly ground black pepper
  • More sour grape juice verjus and lemon juice

Instructions

Prep Work

  • Halve the onion, then slice it thinly.
  • Finely chop the garlic.
  • Finely chop the fenugreek leaves, stopping short about 2 inches from the end of the stems.
  • Chop up the potato into little cubes, as in the video. You can peel the potato or leave it unpeeled, in which case, be sure to scrub it clean.

Let's Cook the Soup

  • Heat the oil and butter in a medium saucepan on medium heat, and sauté the onions for 2 minutes.
  • Add the garlic, fry for 30 seconds, followed by the bay leaf and turmeric, and fry for another 30 seconds.
  • Tip the potato cubes in and stir to coat.
  • Follow with the fenugreek leaves, stir, lower the heat all the way down, then cook for 2 minutes.
  • Add the stock and salt, increase the heat, then bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 8-10 minutes until the potato cubes are cooked.
  • Add the sour grape juice and lemon juice, stir and taste. Add a touch of salt if needed. Now, let’s add the eggs.

Method 1 – stirring the eggs in

  • Take the bay leaf out.
  • Lightly beat the eggs, pour them into the soup, heat still on low. Immediately, using a fork or ladle, swirl the eggs in swirls. It’ll only take a few seconds for the egg to cook. Turn the heat off and serve up. Do not overcook the egg.

Method 2 – poached eggs

  • Crack each egg into a small bowl or cup.
  • Gently lower the egg into the soup, one at a time, spaced out slightly.
  • Cover the saucepan and cook for 3-4 minutes, until the eggs are lightly poached. Serve up, ladling the soup into 2 bowls, and topping with the egg. Be gentle with the eggs.
  • Serve with some freshly ground black pepper with some sour grape juice or lemon juice on the side for more tanginess.

Video

Eshkeneh, Persian Onion Soup

Nutrition

Calories: 250kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 169mg | Sodium: 1925mg | Potassium: 581mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 966IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 5mg
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28 thoughts on “Eshkeneh, Persian Onion Soup with Egg and Fenugreek”

  1. 5 stars
    I love eshgene. Will cook it now for myself. I know the recipe a little different from my mum (without garlic or anything sour and with old bread instead of potatoes added later to the finished dish). My parents are from esfahan, maybe that’s why. And I had never seen fresh fenugreek leaves in the west . It’s so hard to buy here (Germany) and even harder to keep the taste while storing them. But I neeeeeeeed the fenugreek taste or it won’t taste like eshgene to me.

    Maybe I can make my mum grow them next year. I have a black thumb and can’t make anything grow .
    Thanks for sharing this recipe and making this dish known around the world.

    1. Hi Nafi, my pleasure. I hope you manage to find fenugreek from somewhere! There is bound to be a South Asian (Indian, Pakistani) store somewhere not too far away from you. Fenugreek is an essential ingredient in South Asian cooking, so they will always stock it. The fresh leaves can also be found frozen, in packs in Indian shops. I always have a pack in the freezer, just in case I can’t get it fresh from my local “ethnic” store.

  2. 5 stars
    I just lovelovelove your blog. Not only do you provide us with fabulous and hard-to-get food recipes but the friendly way you do it is refreshing! Not to mention the thoughtful way you address substitutes for any hard-to-get ingredients. Thank you!

    1. Thank you, Laurel! I’m so pleased to hear that, because sometimes I do wonder whether I should go more mainstream. Comments like yours make me stay the course! And you are very welcome! Enjoy your weekend.

  3. 5 stars
    I made this for dinner and it was absolutely delicious. This will definitely be making its way in to my regular rotation. I am so enjoying your blog and look forward to trying more of the recipes.

    1. I’m so pleased to hear that Joanne. And thank you for letting me know. I hope you enjoy the blog and if there’s anything you need, just give me a shout.

  4. 5 stars
    Just made this for myself and my parents. Great meal especially during the pandemic when fresh produce is hard to come by. My parents grew up in Iran but my mom had never had this, and my dad said he used to have it when he was little. I used dried fenugreek leaves and powder, and added spinach but didn’t have potatoes. Ate with noon sangak 🙂 We all loved it and I can’t wait to make it for the rest of my family when the quarantine is over. Thank you for the great recipe!

    1. I’m so happy to hear that, Sarah, and really pleased that you all enjoyed it, and that you managed to managed to make it with substitutes.
      I ordered some fenugreek seeds last month (specifically for sowing) and have a few seedlings on my windowsill already. Looking forward to the fresh leaves to make this.

  5. Blake Harris

    I just got 2 huge bunches of the leaves from the local Indian store. can’t wait to make this for brunch tomorrow! Cheers!

  6. Kombiz Salehi

    I just commented on someone else’s Eshkeneh giving her a single star. I called her recipe as man dar biari. Her Eshkeneh included mint, no lemon juice or grape juice, pomegranate sauce, which was more like Ashe Anar. I for one use quite a bit of pomegranate sauce, including my breakfast made of whole wheat with fruit and the sauce. However, a standard eshkeneh needs esfenaj, shanbalileh and lots of turmeric, onion, and lemon juice. I duplicated (in my critique of that recipe) your comment about adding the egg yokes at the end poaching it very gently when the soup is boiling. My aunt also taught me to add a bit of ketchup. I also, like you, add garlic. My guests take second and third dish because it is very delicious. One caveat about the shanbalileh that if it is added moire than neccessary, or a bit too much, it makes the soup bitter. I add potatoes. You did not pay me royalty for duplicating my recipe. Tell your husband to appreciate you to the fullest.

    1. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and methods.
      I don’t know the recipe you are talking about that you didn’t like. I’ve come to accept the fact that everyone has a different way of doing things, we may not all agree with the method or ingredients, but every family is different, depending on which part of Iran they’ve come from.

    2. elham taherian

      Adding mint is not “ man dar biari” this dish has different variations based on which part of Iran you came from. I guess adding ketchup is man darbiari too.

      1. Thanks for your input. And you are totally right. Not just Persian recipes, but any recipe The part of a country a family comes from, will determine how they cook a dish.

  7. What a lovely sounding soup, Azlin. I’m looking forward to trying, as it’s beginning to get cold here. Thanks for those substitution ideas.

  8. Sajad Kasemi

    Thank you for this wonderful soup. My dear mum used to make this for us everytime it got a bit chilly. We would have lots of bread on the side and it would make the perfect lunch! I love the poached egg idea too. I am going to share this with my wife (not Persian), and I think we’ll start making this regularly! Thank you, Azlin, for another great Persian recipe!

  9. This is simply amazing. I have bookmarked this recipe… I will skip the eggs though..Fenugreek is one of my fav greens. I would have never imagined it in a soup.. Totally amazing. Thanks for such a brilliant recipe

  10. Sabina Green

    What a fab recipe, Chef! I’m making it now for lunch. I don’t have fresh fenugreek leaves, but I do have fenugreek seeds and spinach, so am following your suggestion and doing that. Thank you!

  11. Elizabeth Hart

    This is simply amazing. Just came from the fenugreek page post. I like the idea of this soup, seems easy, the video is very helpful. Thanks Lin, I’ll attempt this and get back to you.

  12. I love onion soups of all kinds! Never heard of this before, so looking forward to making this. Thanks for all those substitution ideas.

  13. Fiona Kelly

    This soup looks really wonderful! I just love all the little snippets of information you provide in your recipes. And of course how detailed your posts are, with all the ingredients. I never have to scratch my head about substitutions. I have an Indian grocer near me, I am going to see if I can get some fenugreek leaves and make this soup this week. Thank you.

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