This Turmeric Rice comes together in about 20 minutes and is made all in one pot for a quick and easy weeknight meal that your family will love! Switch up the veggies and proteins or use it as a “clean out the fridge” dish to make the most of those odds and ends you have lying around. Trust me, this rice is not only delicious but super versatile too!
Ingredient Breakdown
Let’s dive into the ingredients you need for this easy turmeric rice. You probably have most of these items in your pantry already, which is always a huge win in my home!
1 cup rice
2 cups water
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, finely chopped
Salt to taste
Got all that? Great! Let’s get cooking!
Let’s Get Cooking!
Melt the butter (or olive oil) in a medium pot over medium heat. The smell of butter melting is heavenly! It takes about 30 seconds.
Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally for about 3-5 minutes, until it becomes translucent. You gotta keep an eye on it and stir occasionally so it doesn’t burn.
Now add the minced garlic, cooking until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Oh man, this is where it starts to smell divine!
Stir in the turmeric; the color will start turning bright and merry. Cook it for another 30 seconds, just to wake up those flavors and release that warm aroma.
Add the rice, stirring frequently for about a minute or so until it gets a bit toasty. Seriously, toasting rice might sound fancy, but it’s a super simple trick to enhance the flavor!
Pour in the water (or broth), and a couple pinches of salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the rice is fluffy and the water has been absorbed.
Once it’s done, remove it from the heat and keep it covered for another 5 minutes. This helps steam the rice just a little longer for that perfect fluffy texture!
Fluff it with a fork, taste it, and adjust the seasonings if needed. Enjoy! This rice is amazing on its own, as a side dish, or even as the base of a hearty bowl with veggies and protein.

My Go-To Recipe for Comfort and Flavor
You guys, this Turmeric Rice is literally my go-to recipe when I’m juggling a busy week and need something comforting that the family will devour. It’s such a comfort food, loaded with flavor and color, and can brighten up even the blandest dinners! I’m a real sucker for recipes that let me use what I have on hand. Seriously, leftovers are no problem here, and the best part is you can customize it!
Need to use up some leftover veggies? Toss them in! Want to add some protein? Perfect! This is my favorite weeknight meal, it’s quick, easy y’all, the whole family will love it.
Have some leftovers? Let me tell you, this is amazing the next day, reheated with a little drizzle of olive oil or a sprinkle of fresh herbs. You honestly won’t be able to stop yourself from going back for seconds…or thirds!
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my Andy’s Homemade Mexican Rice, my Pineapple Rice, or my Crispy Rice Bites!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
Comes together in under 20 minutes! Perfect for those busy weeknights when you need something fast.
One Pot
Minimal cleanup required! Who doesn’t love a meal that you can just toss in one pot? We all have enough dishes to wash as it is!
Budget-Friendly
Uses affordable, everyday ingredients. You likely have all of these in your pantry or fridge already, making it a meal-friendly option for those tight budgets.
Customizable
This recipe is a blank canvas. You can use whatever ingredients you have on hand, which makes it easier to adapt to your family’s taste or what you need to finish up before grocery day.
Comfort Food
Loaded with tons of flavor, it’ll leave you feeling cozy no matter the season! Seriously, this rice has that warm, comforting vibe that you crave after a long day.
Serving Suggestions
So, want to know what to serve with this delicious turmeric rice? Here are some ideas:
- Pair it with grilled chicken or shrimp for a lovely main dish!
- Serve it as a base for a veggie stir-fry.
- It goes perfectly alongside roasted vegetables or a fresh salad!
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer Friendly: Yes! You can freeze it for up to 3 months. Just be sure to let it cool before transferring to freezer-friendly bags or containers.
- Reheating: The best method is to warm it up in a pan with a dash of water to steam it back into its fluffy gloriousness. You can also pop it in the microwave!
Final Thoughts
Oh man! If you think this dish will be a solo star, just wait until you try it as a side for some protein-packed dishes or mixed into a hearty salad. It truly resonates with simplicity and comfort, and that’s my kind of meal!
Want to step outside the box? This is also delightful with slivers of fresh ginger, a squeeze of lemon, or even some nuts for added crunch. Lastly, remember each time you make this, you’re not just cooking; you’re creating memories around the dinner table.
So next time you’re in a pinch, remember: this turmeric rice is there for you, ready to deliver comfort and joy with just a few ingredients. Until next time, happy cooking! For more Recipes Follow Us in our Pinterest.
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Turmeric Rice
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This vibrant Turmeric Rice comes together in about 20 minutes and is made all in one pot for a quick and easy weeknight meal that your family will love!
Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (or jasmine/basmati/brown rice/quinoa)
- 2 cups water (or chicken/vegetable broth)
- 2 tablespoons butter (or olive oil)
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt the butter (or olive oil) in a medium pot over medium heat, about 30 seconds.
- Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-5 minutes until translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Stir in the turmeric and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add the rice and stir frequently for about 1 minute.
- Pour in the water (or broth), and a couple pinches of salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Let simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let it sit covered for another 5 minutes.
- Fluff with a fork, taste, and adjust seasonings if needed. Enjoy!
Notes
Great as a side dish or as a base for a hearty bowl with veggies and protein. Can be customized with leftover ingredients.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg



