Published: by Zen · This post may contain affiliate links.
Easy, simple turmeric recipes, that go beyond the typical curry. These delicious turmeric recipes range from sweet and savory to vegan: from samosas to curries, baked potatoes and tarts!
Jump to:
- What is Turmeric?
- Where to Buy
- Expert Tips
- FAQs
- Carbs
- Soups
- Meat
- Salads
- Curries
- Others
- Drinks
- Vegan
- 💬 Comments
What is Turmeric?
Turmeric is a member of the ginger family, and one of the most popular spices in South East Asia. Like ginger, it is a root. Turmeric has an earthy, warm and peppery taste, and turns dishes naturally golden.
Some people call it Indian saffron (click through to find out why.)
You may find it in Madras Curry Powder as well as dishes such as Turmeric Potatoes and Turmeric Ginger Tea. It's even used in Japanese curry rice (Golden Curry)!
Note: Watch out that it doesn't stain your clothes- wearing anything white and working with this rhizome is a huge no-no, unless you want to turn your white clothing yellow! (It is used as a natural dye in some parts of the world.)
Health Benefits
Turmeric is a warming spice that has been part of traditional Ayurvedic Medicine for a long time.
It has many health claims and purported medicinal properties, such as its anti-inflammatory properties, thanks to its curcumin content. Curcumin is an anti-oxidant that has been shown to prevent heart disease in rat by reducing clogged arteries.
However, more research needs to be done before we can confirm the health benefits of turmeric on humans' immune systems.
Do note that not everyone is suited for taking turmeric, especially if you're on certain types of medications. Always check with a medical professional if in doubt.
If you've run out of turmeric, you can substitute with curry powder or 1 of these best turmeric substitutes!
Fun fact: it is used in some versions of Chinese 5 spice blend powder. Scroll down for more dried and fresh turmeric recipes!
Where to Buy
You can find turmeric in fresh, dried or paste form, although ground, dried turmeric powder is the most commonly available outside of Asia. (You can find it in the spice aisle of most supermarkets or health shops.)
For fresh turmeric root, check out your nearest Asian grocery store as turmeric is a staple in South East Asian and Indian cooking, such as in these vegetarian South Indian recipes.
Note: For other recipes made with edible Asian herbs and veggies, such as kaffir lime leaf, curry leaves and lemongrass, click here.
Expert Tips
Tip #1: The flavour of turmeric is quite strong, so start with a small amount and increase as you become more confident cooking with turmeric. You can add a bit to almost any soup or smoothie, and it'll give it a nice golden hue. (Too much will turn the peppery flavor into a bitter taste.)
Tip #2: An easy way to include turmeric into your diet is to add a little to soups or tea, such as with this turmeric ginger cinnamon tea. (A teaspoon of turmeric powder goes much further than a teaspoon of fresh grated turmeric, so you can't substitute in a 1:1 ratio.)
Tip #3: Adding a pinch of turmeric to golden foods makes them look even more delicious. In fact, turmeric is added to yellow mustard to give it its bright yellow color.
Tip #4: The easiest and most cost-effective way (i.e. you don't waste too much of the good stuff) to peel off the skin is to use the back of a spoon, much like you do with ginger.
Tip #5: Flavors and aromatic spices that go particularly well with turmeric include: fresh ginger, black pepper, cinnamon stick, lemon juice, coconut oil etc
FAQs
How to store turmeric root?
Store fresh root in a cool and dark place. If you've cut into it, you can wrap the unused portion with clingfilm then keep it in the chiller for about a week. Toss if you see mold!
How long does turmeric powder last?
Ground turmeric powder can last for a few years if stored properly. Generally, dried spices don't go bad but they do lose their flavor and aroma with time.
Carbs
Roast Spiced Potatoes
The turmeric gives these roast potatoes a lovely vibrant color.
📋 Quick & Easy Turmeric Potatoes
These roasted turmeric potatoes are super quick and easy as the potatoes aren't parboiled before baking. Golden and spiced from the turmeric, they're nonetheless delicious- firm outside but warm and melt-in-your-mouth inside! (I also show you how to parboil them for a super crispy turmeric roast potatoes, if that's what you're looking for!)
Click here for the potatoes roasted with turmeric recipe.
Turmeric Rice
Add some turmeric and chicken broth to your cooker the next time you cook white rice. You'll be surprised by how delicious a simple basmati rice dish can be! You can also add coconut milk if you want something richer.
Variation: If you have them, throw in some pandan, lemongrass, ginger, and a bay leaf to make nasi kunyit, a turmeric rice recipe that is popular in Southeast Asia (and replace the chicken stock with water.)
Note: I've not tried this recipe with brown rice or cauliflower rice, though it should work with both.
Easy Turmeric Rice (One Pot, Rice Cooker)
This delicious and easy Turmeric Rice is a one-pot recipe that is made in the rice cooker. It has a tinge of sweetness from the raisins, crunch from the cashews and a gorgeous golden color from the turmeric! Plus all the main ingredients are from the pantry!
Click here for the golden rice recipe.
Instant Pot Rice
Instant Pot Briyani
This Instant Pot biryani by Share The Spice is packed with vegetables (it's vegetarian) and spices such as turmeric. Moreover, it only takes 5 minutes in the Instant Pot!
Rice Pilaf
Yellow rice & Pignoli
For a fancier rice, try this yellow rice pilaf by Garlic and Zest, which is ever so delicious with the pine nuts and raisins. Ready in 30 minutes, it makes a delicious side dish for meat and other roasts.
Turmeric Pasta
If you're not sure whether you can substitute pasta with noodles, click here.
Turmeric shrimp linguine with saffron sauce
A delicious golden pasta recipe by Giangis Kitchen, made with turmeric and saffron.
Soups
Corn Egg Drop Soup
Corn Egg Drop Soup (10-min)
Corn Egg Drop Soup is an easy but delicious Chinese soup that only takes 10 minutes to cook! Made with only simple ingredients that you can find in a regular grocery store, but so much better than takeout!
Click here for the Chinese egg drop soup recipe.
Pumpkin Soup with Turmeric
Pumpkin, carrot and turmeric soup
A creamy and healthy soup by The Clever Meal perfect for fall and winter that is on the table in 25 minutes.
Low Fat Seafood Soup
Spicy Fish soup for fighting colds
A low-fat, under 300 calories fish soup recipe by Flawless Food that is great for beating the flu and has a 5-star rating! For a vegan flu-busting soup recipe, check out this wanton soup recipe.
Meat
Black Pepper Turmeric Chicken
This turmeric roast chicken recipe is a great meal when you want something easy: you just rub the chicken with the spices, then pop it into the oven!
Turmeric Black Pepper Chicken (Roast)
This roasted Turmeric Black Pepper Chicken is an easy weeknight dinner. Tender, juicy chicken is combined with aromatic ground turmeric and black pepper to create a beautifully roasted chicken sure to impress your family and friends! (I use ground turmeric in my recipe as it's more easily found than fresh.)
Click here for how to make turmeric chicken.
Salads
Turmeric sauce
Mix this sauce with some greens and leftover roast chicken for an easy honey turmeric chicken salad!
Turmeric, honey and mustard dressing
A delicious, healthy, vegan golden salad dressing by Sunkissed Kitchen made with mustard, honey and turmeric. Awesome drizzled on salad or as a dip for chicken! P.S. See what I mean about the golden hue turmeric gives food? Makes it so much more appetising!
Moroccan Quinoa Salad
Moroccan quinoa and chickpea salad (Vegan)
This healthy and hearty salad by Sunkissed Kitchen is packed with veg and protein. The chickpeas are coated with turmeric and other spices- they're so delicious, you can eat them on their own and not just in this salad! (They remind me of a snack that we used to buy at the movies in Singapore when I was young, called kacang putter .)
Curries
Assam Fish Coconut Curry
Singaporean Tamarind Coconut Fish Curry
An 8-ingredient curry with flaky fish in a spiced, creamy curry sauce. The tamarind juice gives the flavorful Singapore Tamarind Coconut Fish Curry a delicious citrusy acidity (and makes sure there is no fishy flavor)- unusual for a curry, but makes for a super satisfying meal with white rice. (Dairy-free) (Stovetop)
Check out this Assam fish recipe.
Basa Fish Curry
Basa Fish Curry
Fish fillet marinated in yoghurt, garlic, ginger, turmeric and chilli- doesn't it sound delicious? (You can use any white fish for this Flawless Food recipe, so it's super versatile too!)
No Coconut Chicken Curry
Chicken Jalfrezi Curry
This chicken curry by Little Sunny Kitchen uses turmeric and other spices in its seasoning that goes beautifully with its tomato-based sauce.
Others
Samosas
Easy Baked Samosa Recipe
This Easy Baked Samosa Recipe can be made with both puff pastry and phyllo pastry. (I also show you how to make homemade dough, but I don't recommend it for baking, as it won't taste as good without all the oil and fat of deep-frying!)
Click here for the puff pastry Indian recipe.
Turmeric Eggs
Use coconut oil to scramble your eggs, then add a pinch of turmeric powder for a delicious twist on this traditional breakfast side dish!
Drinks
Turmeric Tea
For more warming Asian drink recipes, such as goji berry tea and jujube tea, click here.
Turmeric ginger cinnamon lemon honey tea
Easy, healthy, naturally golden and only requires 5 ingredients.
Golden Milk Latte Spice
This spice mix makes a great Christmas homemade food gift as it makes it super easy to make Turmeric Milk!
Golden Milk Spice
A spice mix for Golden Milk, also known as Turmeric Tea that can be made in advance and makes for a great gift. This The Fresh Cooky recipes needs 4-ingredients, 5-minutes and lots of health benefits!
Turmeric Latte
Ending the day with a Turmeric Latte, also known as Golden Latte, is a great way to relax before bed!
Ingredients
- 1 Cup whole milk, or a plant-based substitute such as almond milk, or cashew milk
- I don't recommend coconut milk because it tastes like a very weird, sweet curry!
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ¼ teaspoon ginger powder
- 1 Cinnamon stick or ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- maple syrup or a little honey, to taste (For non-sugar sweeteners, click here.)
Note: don't substitute ginger powder with fresh ginger as it may curdle the cow's milk (unless you have time to boil the ginger first!)
Instructions
- Heat all the ingredients in a pot gently.
- When hot enough, whisk till frothy then serve.
- Optional: make it coffee-house worthy by sprinkling cinnamon powder on top!
Vegan
Cauliflower Soup
Golden cauliflower soup
This creamy cauliflower soup by Our Salty Kitchen is vegan and whole30. It's loads with spice, making it perfect for warming up on cold days.
Desserts
A pinch of turmeric powder is the perfect way to give vegan sweet treats the golden hue that usually comes from egg yolks! (It's also used in a vegan cheese recipe for the same reason.)
Lemon Tart
Vegan lemon tart
Like many vegan egg desserts, this 6-ingredient light and creamy vegan lemon tart get its beautiful golden hue from turmeric. Don't use too much as turmeric has a strong flavor. This vegan dessert by Rainbow Nourishments has a 4.89 rating so don't forget to try it!
Egg Tarts
Vegan Chinese egg tarts
A vegan take on traditional Chinese egg tarts by Rainbow Nourishments, with a pinch of turmeric to make them look more enticing.
Easter Egg Dessert
Vegan Giant Creme Egg
Although I didn't want to include too many vegan desserts, I couldn't resist this gorgeous Easter egg by Addicted to Dateswhich only requires 5 ingredients! Judging from its 4.89 star rating, neither could the other readers!
Which of these simple turmeric recipes was your favourite? Let me know if you think I've missed out on something that absolutely should be included in this turmeric recipes round-up!
I have other recipes you may like here! :)
- 9 Best Eggplant Substitutes (+Worst)
- 17 Date Night Chicken Recipes (Asian)
- 7 Best Doubanjiang Substitutes (+Worst)
- 11 Chinese Herbal Teas: Complete Guide
Reader Interactions
Comments
No Comments
