Turmeric Rice

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. 

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.

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.

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

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.

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

📖 Recipe

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 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes 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.