Easy Turmeric Rice Recipe

Try this fragrant turmeric rice recipe, also known as yellow rice, for a quick and easy side dish that adds a burst of flavour to any meal.

The best part? You only need a few pantry staples to whip up this delicious recipe in less than 20 minutes, making it the perfect choice for those busy weeknights when you want something tasty and satisfying on the table quickly. You might also like my homemade pilau rice!

Turmeric rice is a delicious and healthy side dish that can be served with a variety of main dishes such as curries, stews, grilled meats or vegetables. It’s easy to make, budget-friendly and versatile, making it a great addition to mealtimes.

👩‍🍳 Did you know the traditional accompaniment of South African Bobotie is yellow rice?

Jump to:

• ✔️ Why should you try it?
• 🥘 Ingredients
• 🔪 How to make turmeric rice
• 💭 Top tips
• 🍴 Serving suggestions
• 📖 Variations
• 🥡 Storage
• ❓ FAQS
• 😋Related recipes
• Recipe
• 💬 Comments

✔️ Why should you try it?

• Health benefits: Turmeric is known to be a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that can boost your immune system and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
• Easy to make: This turmeric rice recipe is simple and easy to make, requiring just a few ingredients and minimal preparation time. It's a perfect side dish for any meal and can be made in large batches.
• Versatile: The dish can be served with a variety of meals, including curries, stews, and roasted vegetables. It can also be used as a base for rice bowls, salads, and wraps.
• Delicious flavour: It has a warm, nutty flavour that everyone will love.
• Affordable: It's an affordable and budget-friendly dish that can be made with basic pantry staples such as rice, turmeric, and spices. It's a great way to add variety and flavour to your meals without breaking the bank.

🥘 Ingredients

• Basmati Rice - fragrant basmati rice is the best rice to use for turmeric rice, although you could substitute it for long-grain rice.
• Turmeric - One teaspoon of turmeric gives the dish a vibrant yellow colour and aromatic flavour.
• Bay Leaf - adds a depth of the flavour to the dish.
• Garlic Powder - for a subtle garlic taste.
• Onion Salt - an optional extra that adds savoury flavour.
• Chicken Stock - made with a stockpot or stock cube. You can also use vegetable stock if you prefer.
• Sea Salt - for seasoning.

🔪 How to make turmeric rice

The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

1. Rinse the rice in cold water (place it in a sieve over the sink to do this) then put the rice in a large saucepan with turmeric, garlic powder, onion salt (if using), and the bay leaf.
2. Place on the hob and pour in the chicken stock. Bring to a boil.
3. Immediately turn down the heat to low and place a lid on the saucepan.
4. Cook for 12-14 minutes until the stock has been absorbed. Fluff the grains up with a fork, season with salt and serve!

💭 Top tips

• Rinse the rice before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent it from becoming too sticky.
• Use a heavy-bottomed pot with a tight-fitting lid to cook the rice evenly and prevent it from burning.
• Let the rice rest for a few minutes after cooking before fluffing it with a fork to allow it to absorb any remaining moisture.
• Adjust the seasoning to taste and add more salt, or other spices if desired.
• If you prefer, you can use water instead of stock for a lighter, vegan option.

🍴 Serving suggestions

Turmeric rice is a great side dish for curries such as lamb balti, mild chicken curry, chickpea and spinach curry, and beef keema.

It also goes well with grilled meat, chicken (especially air fryer chicken breast), fish (like air fryer salmon), and vegetables.

Or, why not mix it with some beans and salsa for a quick and easy vegetarian burrito filling?

📖 Variations

• Make spicy turmeric rice and add a pinch of chilli powder.
• Garnish with chopped coriander to add beautiful colour contrast.
• Add a handful of frozen peas and sweetcorn for the last 5 minutes of cooking to make yellow vegetable rice.
• Add some diced vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes, or peppers to the rice for a colourful and nutritious vegetable turmeric rice.
• Use coconut milk instead of chicken stock to make a creamy and fragrant coconut rice.
• Add some lemon zest and juice to the rice for a tangy and refreshing lemon rice.
• Sprinkle the yellow rice with nuts and raisins before serving for sweetness and crunch.

🥡 Storage

Store - Rice can be at risk of growing harmful bacteria if not stored correctly. Make sure you put any leftover rice in an airtight container and place it in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Reheat - Until piping hot and do not reheat more than once.

Freeze - The rice can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge before reheating in the microwave.

❓ FAQS

😋Related recipes

More delicious side dishes to try!

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