Easy Turmeric Rice

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?

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

1. 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!
2. 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.
3. Studies have shown that curcumin may help reverse many steps in the development of heart disease.
4. Curcumin has been studied in cancer treatment and has been found to affect cancer growth, development and spread at a molecular level.
5. The great anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin means it can help relive the suffering of arthritis.

You can read more in depth details about the health benefits of turmeric here.

What else can be added 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.

More rice recipes

Do you want to be kept up to date on more delicious posts like this? Please subscribe to the blog mailing list (it takes 30 seconds).
Click here to sign up.

If you’ve tried this turmeric rice recipe, or any other recipe on the blog, then let us know how you got on in the comments below, we love hearing from you!
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - we love sharing photos when people make our recipes. You can use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

DON’T FORGET TO RATE THE RECIPE ↓

Recipe

Turmeric Rice

Turmeric Rice is a quick and easy side dish that will bring extra flavour to any curry. This vibrant side will mean that rice never has to be boring again.

Low Fat

Vegan

4.92 from 23 votes

Pin Print

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Indian

Prep Time: 1 minute

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 16 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 157kcal

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

UK Metric Measures - US Customary Measures

• ▢ 180 g basmati rice
• ▢ 500 ml vegetable stock
• ▢ 1 teaspoon turmeric
• ▢ 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

• Put the rice, turmeric and garlic powder in a saucepan.
  180 g basmati rice, 1 teaspoon turmeric, 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 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.
  500 ml vegetable stock
• 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

Serving: 1portion | Calories: 157kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 503mg | Potassium: 64mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 266IU | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

Have you tried this recipe?Mention @hungryhealthyhappy on Instagram and tag #hungryhealthyhappy!

DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.