This Underrated Spice Transforms Roast Beef With Its Earthy Flavor

Seasoning food can be a real rollercoaster ride. We've all experienced food that was horribly underseasoned, and probably a few dishes that were heavily overseasoned. Every once in a while, however, you get to experience a seasoning combination that is completely unique — flavors that you've never put together before that work in such a compelling way, you can't imagine why you never tried it before. If you've never used cumin to season roast beef, this may be that moment for you.

While roast beef is often paired with rosemary, thyme, garlic, onion, and salt and pepper, cumin is also a perfect match for the meat. Cumin is a central element in many kinds of global cuisines, from Mexican to Indian and Middle Eastern. It brings a warm, earthy tone to beef, which is why it often appears in dry rub. It's front and center in any garam masala recipe and essential if you are making taco seasoning. A chili without cumin just seems wrong.

Cumin plays off the richness of beef, with the fat making the aromatic, almost nutty quality of the spice come to life. Whether you use cumin seeds or ground cumin, the spice's natural bitterness gives way to a bold flavor that is savory and smoky, with hints of pepper and even citrus. Paired with salt and pepper, or other ingredients ranging from spicy peppers to savory onion and garlic, it adds incredible warmth and depth to roast beef.

Although cumin is widely used today, it is not nearly as ubiquitous as salt and pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and other everyday spices. This is somewhat ironic given that cumin is a very ancient spice, with references dating back 5,000 years.

You can use cumin in its whole seed form or ground. Whole seeds are best toasted and added early in cooking so the oils inside can fully release. Saute the seeds with onions and garlic, sprinkle them into the pan during roasting, or use them as part of a rub. Ground cumin doesn't need toasting and works well in rubs or as part of a marinade.

The oils in cumin are an essential part of the flavor and aroma it brings to a dish. These oils interact with fats and proteins in beef, creating a more complex umami experience. This is part of the reason cumin is such a common component in complex spice blends. It helps act as a bridge between the main flavor component of your dish and the other seasonings you use. While onion and garlic alone would taste great with roast beef, cumin creates a more harmonious flavor balance.

When we covered 10 delicious seasonings for roast beef, cumin made the list. It's worth noting that nearly all of the other seasonings on the list pair with cumin, too. It works alongside sage to bring out earthy notes, while cumin and rosemary frequently appear together in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes. Paprika, brown sugar, mustard powder, and garlic can all be enhanced in roast beef dishes with cumin included. Try some cumin and roast beef yourself with this harissa roast beef recipe and see what you think.