Colourful Turmeric Rice is a quick and easy side dish that will bring extra flavour to any curry. Bursting with health benefits, this vibrant side will mean that rice never has to be boring again.
Rice is such an easy side dish, and goes with so many different meals. However, if you are just serving up plain boiled rice, then it can get boring pretty quickly. Adding some turmeric to the pan when cooking not only adds flavour and colour, but so many health benefits too.
Why should you try it?
- A colourful side dish
- Delicious with curry
- Anti-inflammatory
- Quick and easy
How To Make Easy Turmeric Rice - step by step:
One: Put the rice, turmeric and garlic powder in a saucepan.
Two: Add the vegetable stock and stir. Bring to the boil and then put a lid on it and turn down to a simmer for 15 minutes. Turn heat off and leave for 10 minutes before fluffing up.
What Is Turmeric?
Turmeric is a spice that comes from the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa) and is part of the ginger family. Turmeric is used predominantly in Asian cuisine to give flavour and a strong yellow colour to dishes.
The vivid yellow colour of turmeric comes from a chemical called curcumin, which is often used to colour foods as well as some cosmetics. Turmeric is widely used for its healthy benefits.
Health Benefits of Turmeric*
- The main active ingredient in turmeric is Curcumin, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory and a strong antioxidant. However, curcumin is not well absorbed by the body, so pair it with some black pepper. This contains piperine, a natural substance that can increase the absorption of curcumin by up to 20 times!
- A decrease in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a growth hormone that functions in the brain, can result in depression and Alzheimer's disease. Curcumin can help to increase levels of this hormone.
- Studies have shown that curcumin may help reverse many steps in the development of heart disease.
- Curcumin has been studied in cancer treatment and has been found to affect cancer growth, development and spread at a molecular level.
- The great anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin means it can help relive the suffering of arthritis.
What Else Can You Add To This Rice?
This is a really simple side dish, so it's best not to overly complicate it with anything else. However, you could heat some oil in a pan and gently cook some finely diced shallots and fresh garlic and then follow the rest of the recipe.
How To Store
We always think that it's best to cook any kind of rice dish fresh. However, if you have leftovers of this then you can store it in the fridge for 2 days. Make sure the rice cools quickly and then store in an airtight container in the fridge. You can reheat it by adding a little water to it and heating it through in a pan.
What To Serve It With
This rice is the perfect side to a curry. Why not try it with our Halloumi Curry (like pictured below) or our Three Bean Curry, Lamb Korma, Easy Lentil Curry, Slow Cooker Beef Curry or Mushroom Curry.
Extra Tips:
- You could cook some finely diced shallots and fresh garlic to add in to this rice.
- Add some spice with a sprinkle of red chilli flakes before serving.
- This rice is best cooked fresh, however it can be stored in the fridge in an air tight container for 2 days.
Turmeric Rice
Ingredients
- 180 g basmati rice
- 500 ml vegetable stock
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Put the rice, turmeric and garlic powder in a saucepan.
- Add the vegetable stock and stir. Bring to the boil and then put a lid on it and turn down to a simmer for 15 minutes.
- Turn heat off and leave for 10 minutes before fluffing up.
Notes
- You could cook some finely diced shallots and fresh garlic to add in to this rice.
- Add some spice with a sprinkle of red chilli flakes before serving.
- This rice is best cooked fresh, however it can be stored in the fridge in an air tight container for 2 days.
Nutritional Information
* You can read more in depth details about the health benefits of turmeric here.
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness
I have been making rice so often lately, so this version would be a nice change in my normal simple white rice. Bookmarked for later, thanks for the recipe :)
Anita
The color of the rice is so lovely, and it's perfect side dish for so many different meals.
Jacqueline Meldrum
I use turmeric a lot in my cooking but I've never added it to rice. I definitely will next time. Thanks Dannii :)
Romina
This Tumeric rice is perfect. I love it with a simple curry and vegetables!
Scarlet
I am trying to add more turmeric to my diet. It is so good for you! Thanks for the turmeric rice recipe. Sounds great.
Pam
Delicious and oh so beautiful! I can't wait to try this.
Erika
This rice is so good! I had all the ingredients on hand too, so it was perfect!
Heidy M
I made this the other day for my husband and me and was very impressed with the flavor. I will be saving this recipe for the future to make again.
Farah Maizar
We make this so often in the Middle East, but the addition of garlic powder is one I haven't seen before. Genius! I'll definitely try that next time!
Veena Azmanov
Simple Rice but full of flavor and the healthy benefits of Turmeric. Comfort meal option.
Jenn
I love turmeric - the flavor, the color - and am always looking for new recipes to use it. This looks like an easy enough dish for weeknight dinners. Fabulous!
Fran
I made this with your rogan josh and it was perfect. Just as good as any takeaway meal I have had.
Andrea Metlika
This is a perfect side dish and really like the idea of having it with curry. Yum!
Laura
I'm happy to have another rice recipe in my rotation. I make a lot of cilantro rice, but it gets boring. This turmeric rice is great and goes with everything.
Cookilicious
Turmeric rice is so flavorful. We make this all the time.
Michelle
I'm seriously craving this right now! That colour is stunning! We're having curry tonight, definitely making this rice to go with it.
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
I make a version of this turmeric rice at home and it's one of my family's favorites. Can't wait to try your recipe -- and isn't that color glorious?