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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Turmeric Rice

    Published: May 1, 2019 · Modified: Oct 27, 2020 by Kate Hackworthy · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe
    Turmeric rice is an aromatic and flavorful side dish. It's a quick and easy one-pot yellow rice recipe that's ready in just 20 minutes with just 6 ingredients. Low fat, vegan and gluten free. #vegan #yellowrice #turmericrice #vegancurry #rice #indiansidedish #turmeric

    Turmeric rice is an aromatic and flavorful side dish. It's a quick and easy one-pot yellow rice recipe that's ready in just 20 minutes with just 6 ingredients. Low fat, vegan and gluten free. 

    A serving bowl of yellow rice topped with fresh herbs.

    Turmeric rice is a quick and easy side dish that works with many meals and cuisines.

    It's super simple to put together, and the great taste and vibrant color make it extra special. 

    Turmeric and cumin give flavor to the yellow rice, and work beautifully with the sauteed onion and garlic.

    Just a few simple ingredients that turn rice into a tasty side dish. 

    Why you will love this recipe

    Ready in 20 minutes.

    6 easy ingredients.

    Perfect with curry or as a side dish.

    Quick and easy to make.

    Delicately spiced and full of flavor.

    One pot recipe.

    Turmeric has a lot of health benefits.

    A serving bowl of rice.

    Tips and tricks

    Make sure that the onions are really soft and golden when sauteeing them.

    Be sure to rinse the rice before adding it, to remove excess starch.

    Try topping your yellow rice with toasted cashews, almonds or seeds.

    Variations

    Swap the rice for quinoa or couscous for a different side dish.

    Add the juice of half a lemon and some lemon zest, and leave out the cumin for lemon turmeric rice.

    Use your favorite type of rice: basmati, brown, white, wild etc...

    For a different flavor, add in half a cup of any of these: raisins, frozen peas, corn, finely diced carrots, finely diced red bell peppers, spring onions/scallions.

    Bowl of rice.

    Serving Suggestions

    This turmeric rice has delicate aromatic flavor, so you can pair it with many dishes and cuisines!

    Try these tasty dishes with your rice. 

    Lentil daal (vegan)
    Spanish beans (vegan)
    Tofu curry (vegan)
    Air fryer tacos (vegetarian but easily vegan)
    Lentil stew (vegan)
    Chickpea Curry (vegan)

    How to make Turmeric Rice

    How to make turmeric rice step by step - sautee onion, add garlic and cook a further minute. Add spices and rice.

    1. Sautee the onion in oil (coconut, sunflower, vegetable...) until soft and translucent.
    2. Add the garlic and cook for a further minute.
    3. Add the turmeric, cumin and rice.

    How to make yellow rice recipe step by step: stir well, add broth, cover and simmer

    4. Stir it all together well.
    5. Add the vegetable broth (stock) and bring to the boil.
    6. Cover the pan, reduce the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes until cooked (be guided by the cooking time on your packet of rice). Sprinkle with cilantro/coriander and serve!

    Make it a full meal with these vegan Indian recipes!
    Tofu Curry (vegan, 10 ingredients, 20 minutes)
    Turmeric Rice
    Baked Vegetable Pakora (vegan, 6 ingredients, 25 minutes)
    Naan (vegetarian or vegan, 4 ingredients, 15 minutes)

    Get the Recipe

    Did you make this easy turmeric rice recipe? Please let me know how it turned out for you!
    Leave a comment and star rating below and share a picture with the hashtag #veggiedesserts. I love seeing your recreations of my vegetarian and vegan recipes and cakes.

    Thanks for checking out my recipe! I love hearing from my readers. You all allow me to do what I love and write this food blog, sharing vegetarian and vegan recipes, vegetable cake recipes, vegan cake and also easy vegan desserts.
    Kate x

    A serving bowl of yellow rice (turmeric rice recipe) topped with fresh herbs, shown with a vintage serving spoon and blue napkin.

    Turmeric Rice

    Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts
    Turmeric rice is an aromatic and flavorful side dish. It's a quick and easy one-pot yellow rice recipe that's ready in just 20 minutes with just 6 ingredients. Low fat, vegan and gluten free.
    5 from 7 votes
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    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American, Indian, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Servings 6
    Calories 203 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 tablespoon oil (coconut, vegetable, sunflower etc...)
    • ½ yellow/white onion diced
    • 2 cloves garlic finely diced
    • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
    • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 ½ cups (300g) long grain or basmati rice rinsed and drained (not ‘quick cook’ rice)
    • 3 cups (750 ml) vegetable stock (broth)

    To serve (optional)

    • chopped cilantro (coriander)

    Instructions
     

    • Heat the oil in a large pan, then add the onion and cook for a few minutes until soft, but not brown. 
    • Stir in the garlic and cook for a further minute. 
    • Add the turmeric, cumin and rice and combine well. 
    • Pour in the stock/broth, cover the pan, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for about 10-15 minutes or until all of the liquid has been absorbed.
    • Serve sprinkled with chopped cilantro/coriander
    • Note: be guided by the cooking time on your particular bag of rice.

    Video

    Notes

    • Make sure that the onions are really soft and golden when sauteeing them. 
    • Be sure to rinse the rice before adding it, to remove excess starch
    • For a different flavor, add in half a cup of any of these: raisins, frozen peas, corn, finely diced carrots, finely diced red bell peppers, spring onions/scallions
    • Try topping your yellow rice with toasted cashews, almonds or seeds
    • Swap the rice for quinoa or couscous for a different side dish
    • Add the juice of half a lemon and some lemon zest, and leave out the cumin for lemon turmeric rice
    • Use your favorite type of rice: basmati, brown, white, wild etc...
    Make it a full meal with these easy recipes!
    Tofu Curry (vegan, 10 ingredients, 20 minutes)
    Baked Vegetable Pakora (vegan, 6 ingredients, 25 minutes)
    Naan (vegetarian or vegan, 4 ingredients, 15 minutes)

    Nutrition

    Calories: 203kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 3gFat: 3gSodium: 220mgPotassium: 75mgVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 0.6mg

    The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

    More Side Dish Recipes

    • Mexican Quinoa Salad
    • Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes
    • Roasted Radishes
    • Broccoli and Cheese Sauce
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Becki

      June 14, 2020 at 5:23 pm

      5 stars
      We love this dish!! We've tried it 3 times now over the past few months and each time it's been better than the last. We have finally perfected the seasoning to our liking. Ended up adding an extra 1/2 tsp of cumin and 3/4 tsp of coriander along with some salt and pepper. It's a delicious side dish to our falafel with some diced grape tomatoes, cucumber and onion. Even tried it with a little sriracha last night. Yum! Thanks for sharing! It's quickly become a new staple for us!!

      Reply
    2. Dana

      May 03, 2019 at 7:53 am

      Shall try your recipe tonight. Greetings from Australia.

      Reply
    3. Sarah | Well and Full

      May 02, 2019 at 4:20 pm

      This rice looks so flavorful! And I love how versatile it is too 🙂

      Reply
    4. Jen

      May 01, 2019 at 5:50 pm

      5 stars
      I've been using turmeric in my drinks that it only makes sense in this rice! I can't wait to take my first bite. Love it!

      Reply
    5. Kristina

      May 01, 2019 at 5:37 pm

      5 stars
      Love using turmeric to add flavor and color to dishes and this one does not disappoint! Love how quickly it comes together too!

      Reply
    6. Beth

      May 01, 2019 at 5:27 pm

      5 stars
      I love this easy, healthy & so flavorful rice dish! It's posts like this one that make my life so happy!

      Reply
    7. Jessica Formicola

      May 01, 2019 at 5:20 pm

      5 stars
      I love turmeric, so I can't wait to try this rice with dinner tonight!

      Reply
    8. Sara Welch

      May 01, 2019 at 4:39 pm

      5 stars
      I love all the health benefits of turmeric! This is a great recipe for my kids so I can sneak in something healthy into their diet!

      Reply

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    Popular recipes

    • The BEST Easy Red Lentil Dahl
    • Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free)
    • Mini Baked Potatoes
    • Easy Lentil Soup

    Easter Recipes

    • Easter Rice Krispie Nests
    • Italian Easter Bread (Pane di Pasqua)
    • Mushroom Wellington
    • Nut Roast

    My cookbook

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    Check out my Veggie Desserts Cookbook, full of tasty desserts with vegetables!

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