Turmeric rice is a flavorful rice seasoned with turmeric, garlic and onion. Make soft, fluffy and flavorful rice in just 30 minutes.

In a world full of flavorless and uninspiring rice dishes, turmeric rice stands out as a shining star. With its vibrant golden hue and rich, earthy taste, it not only delights the taste buds but also offers a plethora of health benefits. Packed with powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric rice can promote optimal health and well-being.*
The secret behind turmeric rice lies in the star ingredient: turmeric. This bright yellow spice has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its healing properties. Its active compound, curcumin, has been shown to have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects.
But turmeric rice is not just about health benefits. Its warm, aromatic flavor is a true delight for the senses. Each mouthful is infused with the subtle undertones of turmeric, complementing a variety of dishes.
Whether enjoyed as a side dish or as the main attraction, turmeric rice is a must-try for any culinary enthusiast.
How To Make Turmeric Rice
Ingredients needed
- Basmati rice
- Onion
- Garlic
- Turmeric powder
- Butter
- Chicken stock
- Parsely
- Cooking oil
- Salt & pepper
Quick tip before starting the recipe
This is a very simple recipe but there is one tip I need for you to remember. Do not add the turmeric powder in the pan until you are ready to pour into the chicken stock.
You’ll be roasting the rice first so the pan will be hot and spices burn very easily. You need to move quickly when you add the turmeric then pouring in the chicken stock to avoid burning anything. Besides that everything is a breeze.

Making the turmeric rice with ease
- First, prep all the ingredients before starting. You’ll need everything in arms reach especially when you add the turmeric into the pan.
- Now, sauté the onions and garlic together with some oil in the pan until they are soft and fragrant.
- Then, add in the rice and a little more oil and roast the rice in the pan. Very similar to how Mexican rice is prepared. Once the rice has turned a little toasty brown looking move to the next step.
- Toss in the turmeric and parsley. Mix these into the rice. Immediately when the rice has turned color and absorbed the turmeric add in the chicken stock.
- Add salt, pepper and butter into the pan as you raise the heat to bring the chicken stock to a boil. When it starts to boil turn the heat to low then cover for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes remove from the heat. Fluff the rice and mix the parsley back in because it will have risen to the top. Do the last taste for salt then serve.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does adding turmeric to rice do?
Turmeric is added for the color and the heath benefits of the rice. There are some earthy notes from the turmeric that balances with the other flavors as well. This makes a boring dish of plan white rice something much more exciting.
Can any rice be used for this recipe?
I would suggest sticking with a white rice for this recipe. You can use brown rice but the flavors will be lost because of the fiber flavor from the whole grains.
What to serve with turmeric rice?
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Turmeric Rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups basmati rice, dry
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 3/4 cups chicken broth
- 3 tablespoon butter
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- cooking oil as needed
Instructions
- First, prep all the ingredients before starting. You'll need everything in arms reach especially when you add the turmeric into the pan.
- Now, sauté the onions and garlic together with some oil in the pan until they are soft and fragrant.
- Then, add in the rice and a little more oil and roast the rice in the pan. Very similar to how Mexican rice is prepared. Once the rice has turned a little toasty brown looking move to the next step.
- Toss in the turmeric and parsley. Mix these into the rice. Immediately when the rice has turned color and absorbed the turmeric add in the chicken stock.
- Add salt, pepper and butter into the pan as you raise the heat to bring the chicken stock to a boil. When it starts to boil turn the heat to low then cover for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes remove from the heat. Fluff the rice and mix the parsley back in because it will have risen to the top. Do the last taste for salt then serve.
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.