This garlic turmeric rice is soft, fluffy and easy to make. It’s aromatic and absolutely delicious. All you need is some garlic, onion, and butter to form the base of this delectable flavor palate. It’s a one-pot Middle Eastern rice extravaganza! Perhaps best of all, you’ll only need about 20 minutes on the stovetop to get this yellow rice together!

What Is Turmeric Rice?
Turmeric rice is also known as middle eastern rice or Indian rice. It’s made in many Asian countries and in various Asian communities around the world. There are plenty of regional variations, too.
In this recipe, we’re adding ground turmeric to the rice to add plenty of color and flavor. Turmeric is a key ingredient in a lot of Indian meals. It’s earthy and a little bitter in flavor, and is linked to a broad array of health benefits, too.
We’ll only need a teaspoon of this powerfully flavored spice to add a touch of delectable earthy flavor to the rice. This works in symphony with the garlic, butter, and onion to form the flavor palate of this delicious rice recipe.
Garlic Turmeric Rice Recipe
By fragrancing this recipe with these awesome aromatics and some chicken stock, we create a wonderful-tasting rice dish. The rich, garlicky flavors will elevate and complement even the most powerfully flavored curries, meats, and other dishes.
Our favorite thing about this recipe, however, is how quickly and easily it all comes together. It needs only twenty minutes in a single pot to take your rice game to the next level. It’s so easy and so quick you’ll be wondering why you haven’t been making rice this way all along!
This turmeric rice is really versatile. It pairs well with pretty much any dish, but especially so with any Indian or Middle Eastern style dishes. Our recommendation is a marinated chicken kebab or Air Fryer Chicken Legs. It goes really well with tofu, veggies, Sautéed Mushrooms, and really any dish you can think of.
What Do I Need To Make Turmeric Rice?
The best part of this recipe is how well it uses simple kitchen staples to make something truly special.
- We’re using ghee or butter to add flavor to the rice. It also helps us to achieve that perfectly soft, fluffy texture we all love about rice. We believe unsalted butter works best in this recipe, but you can use salted butter if you’re happy to reduce the amount of salt you’re using to taste.
- Our key aromatics are onion and garlic. We’re sauteeing these pantry classics in butter to maximize their flavor and aroma before we add them to the rice.
- We’re also using turmeric powder, a pungent, yellow powder that is responsible for this rice dish’s flavor and color. This is a key ingredient in the recipe, and you could use saffron if you prefer. Saffron is far more expensive than turmeric, however.
- Chicken stock (or vegetable stock) ensure that every grain of rice is imbued with plenty of flavor. It makes a huge difference to your end result.
- Salt and pepper are here to season the rice to your personal preference.
- Lemon juice really helps to add more flavor.
How to Make Turmeric Rice
- In a medium saucepan or pot, melt butter or ghee over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes or until softened. Then, add the garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant.
- Add turmeric powder and stir to combine. Mix in the rice and stir to combine. Cook for about 1 minute or until lightly toasted.
- Add the stock, salt and pepper. Mix well and bring to a boil. Once it starts to boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until the water has been absorbed. Remove from the heat and set aside for 5 minutes before fluffing the rice with a fork.
- Drizzle with lemon juice and garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro leaves.
Tips and Tricks For The Best Yellow Rice
This turmeric rice recipe is SO easy and so fun to make. Like any recipe, there are a few tricks you can deploy to truly take it to the next level.
- Rinse the rice prior to cooking. So many cooks forget to rinse their rice! This helps remove any extra starch from the rice grains. This starch can cause your rice to stick together and become claggy rather than fluffy.
- To rinse your rice, use either a bowl or a colander. The colander method requires you to put your uncooked rice in a colander and rinse it under cold running water until the water runs clear, or at least less cloudy.
- The bowl method requires you to put your uncooked rice in a large bowl. Add enough water to cover all the rice, stir it, and pour out the water. Do this until your water runs clear or less cloudy, drain in a colander, and your rice is good to go.
- You should saute your vegetables before adding them. Sauteeing your garlic and onion in butter really helps to bring out all the aromatic goodness. You want to be able to smell the heavenly aroma of cooking garlic and onion. An easier method of doing this is to use powdered alternatives, but we strongly recommend that you use fresh garlic and onion. You won’t be able to do this with a rice cooker, but it’s worth the effort!
- Cook your rice in a stainless steel sauté pan and taste the difference for yourself.
- Be sure to let your rice rest for five minutes before fluffing with a fork. What you’re going to do is, when your timer goes off, remove your rice from heat and leave covered for about five minutes. Then fluff the rice with a fork. This allows your rice grains to absorb any residual moisture rather than leaving the moisture on the outside of the rice. This helps it get softer and fluffier.
- Resting is a really important step in cooking the perfect rice dinner. In fact, rice cookers build a resting period into their cooking process! That’s why rice from the cooker often tastes so fluffy and delicious.
This garlic turmeric rice recipe really is as easy as it is tasty. Armed with these tips, why not try it for yourself?
Storing Instructions
- Fridge: Store this yellow rice in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: This turmeric rice freezes well in a freezer-safe container for up to 4 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat in the microwave.
More Delicious Rice Recipes
How to Cook Brown Rice in Instant Pot
Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice
If you make this garlic turmeric rice be sure to leave a comment or give this recipe a rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐! I will be happy to hear from you!
PrintGarlic Turmeric Rice
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
This garlic turmeric rice is soft, fluffy and easy to make. It’s aromatic and absolutely delicious. All you need is some garlic, onion, and butter to form the base of this delectable flavor palate. It’s a one-pot Middle Eastern rice extravaganza!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or ghee
- 1 medium onion, finely diced ( about 1 cup)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 2 cups ( 370 g) basmati rice or any long-grain rice, rinsed and drained
- 3 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Fresh parsley or cilantro leaves for garnish
Serving
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan or pot, melt butter or ghee over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes or until softened. Then, add the garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant.
- Add turmeric powder and stir to combine. Mix in the rice and stir to combine. Cook for about 1 minute or until lightly toasted.
- Add the stock, salt and pepper. Mix well and bring to a boil. Once it starts to boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until the water has been absorbed. Remove from the heat and set aside for 5 minutes before fluffing the rice with a fork.
- Drizzle with lemon juice and garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro leaves.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Rinse the rice prior to cooking. This helps remove any extra starch from the rice grains. This starch can cause your rice to stick together and become claggy rather than fluffy. To rinse your rice, use either a bowl or a colander. The colander method requires you to put your uncooked rice in a colander and rinse it under cold running water until the water runs clear, or at least less cloudy. The bowl method requires you to put your uncooked rice in a large bowl. Add enough water to cover all the rice, stir it, and pour out the water. Do this until your water runs clear or less cloudy, drain in a colander, and your rice is good to go.
You should sauté your vegetables before adding them. Sautéing your garlic and onion in butter really helps to bring out all the aromatic goodness. You want to be able to smell the heavenly aroma of cooking garlic and onion.
Cook your rice in a stainless steel sauté pan and taste the difference for yourself.
Be sure to let your rice rest for five minutes before fluffing with a fork. What you’re going to do is, when your timer goes off, remove your rice from heat and leave covered for about five minutes. Then fluff the rice with a fork. This allows your rice grains to absorb any residual moisture rather than leaving the moisture on the outside of the rice. This helps it get softer and fluffier.
Resting is a really important step in cooking the perfect rice dinner. In fact, rice cookers build a resting period into their cooking process! That’s why rice from the cooker often tastes so fluffy and delicious.
Storing & Reheating
Fridge: Store this yellow rice in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: This turmeric rice freezes well in a freezer-safe container for up to 4 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat in the microwave.
- Prep Time: 3 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Side dishes
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Calories: 372kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 691mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 121g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: turmeric rice, garlic turmeric rice, yellow rice
First time to cook this and it was delicious and very easy to follow. Thank you.
★★★★★
Hey, Monica! I am glad you liked this yellow rice recipe!
This was delicious and my kids enjoyed it too! Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
That is amazing to hear, Tatsi! Glad you enjoyed this yellow rice recipe.
Looks so delicious and what a beautiful presentation!
★★★★★
Thank You, Erin!
This meal is delicious, fairly quick and easy. Great recipe!
★★★★★
This was an awesome recipe and pretty simple to make. Came out really good. My family was pleased.
★★★★★
Thanks so much for the great review!❤️ Glad you liked the recipe!
Loved it. Added it to my menu list, I will definitely make it again!
★★★★★
Thank you, Kesha!
This is a hit at my house, everyone loves it. Will definitely be adding this to my "routine" dishes. Thanks for the great recipe!
★★★★★
This is a hit at my house, everyone loved it. Will definitely be adding this to my routine dishes. Thanks for the great recipe!
★★★★★
That makes me so happy to hear Allison, thanks so much for the great comments!😀
This meal was easy to make and absolutely delicious! I made this for my husband and kids and we all loved it! Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!❤️ I am glad you liked the recipe!
Love this recipe! It came out perfect and was so easy to prepare!
★★★★★
Thank you, Emily! I am glad you liked this recipe)).
I made this exactly as directed and it was a hit! Super flavorful!
★★★★★
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!❤️ I am glad you liked the recipe!
I love how tasty and comforting this is! Quickly became a favorite at my house! Thanks for a go to recipe!
★★★★★
This was absolutely incredible! The family really enjoyed this dish! It will now be a staple in my household.
★★★★★
Thank you, Corinne!
I just made this and I love it! Thank you for this recipe!
★★★★★
Thank you Chiara!
I prepare this dish on a regular basis and it is loved by everyone!
★★★★★
Thank you Kyra! I am glad you liked the recipe.
Made this tonight and it was fantastic! Highly recommended!
★★★★★
Hey, Florencia! I am glad you liked the recipe and thank you for sharing your experience!
I have been making this regularly for a while now and it has become a family favorite.
★★★★★
Hey, Bethany! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!❤️ I am glad you liked this recipe!
I followed your recipe tonight and it came out perfect! I definitely recommend this recipe!!
★★★★★
Hey, Carmushka! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!❤️ I am glad you liked this yellow rice recipe!
Excellent every time! It has became a favorite in our family.
★★★★★
Thank you, Mila!
I made this last night for dinner. Everyone loved them. So easy and with ingredients already in the house.
★★★★★