With its warm spices and substantial aromas, this easy ginger turmeric rice is a lovely side or base to grain bowls and salads. Add a drizzle of lemon, raisins, and fresh mint leaves, and you’ve got it all!
With the colder days ahead, what’s better to warm us up with a delicious, aromatic rice? Directly inspired from Indian and Asian cultures in general, this yellow rice has some fantastic aromas that makes you want to come back for more.
I added my little twist here and there, making my very own version with raisins and fresh mint leaves. The result is surprisingly delicious. Served as a side, it adds some vibrance and bold yet gentle flavors to a dish. Turmeric rice can also be served alongside vegetarian dishes or be used as a base to grain bowl and salad recipes. Let’s make it together!
Ingredients for Ginger Turmeric Rice
- Basmati rice. You can also use another long-grain rice, such as Jasmine rice.
- Fresh ginger. I recommend fresh ginger over ground ginger for this recipe for bolder flavors.
- Turmeric powder. To keep it simple, use turmeric powder. If using fresh turmeric root, use 2″- 3″ of peeled turmeric
- Garlic. I use 2 minced garlic cloves for the recipe. You can use more or less depending on your tolerance to garlicky food.
- Olive oil. You could also use coconut oil and, if you’re not vegan, some butter.
- Raisins. I used sultana raisins, but any kind of raisin would do. You could also replace with dried cranberries or with dried apricots, diced.
- Mint leaves. Paired with warm spices, mint leaves bring some fresh flavors to the recipe. Alternatively, you could replace them with fresh cilantro.
- Pine nuts. Use them toasted (see my note under recipe card to learn how to toast them).
How to make turmeric rice?
In under 20 minutes and very little effort, you can have this beautiful yellow rice ready to eat. This is such a rewarding recipe, and slightly addictive too. Here’s how to:
- Sauté garlic, grated ginger, turmeric and salt in some olive oil, until fragrant.
- Add 1 volume of rice, and cover with 1,5 its volume of water (no more).
- Bring to a boil on medium-high heat, then reduce heat, cover with a lid and let simmer for 15 minutes or until all water is absorbed.
- A few minutes before rice is finished cooking, add raisins.
- Remove from stove and keep covered for 5 minutes. Fluff, adjust seasoning, and voilà!
Just before serving, add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice all over if you wish. Then sprinkle toasted pine nuts all over and a few mint leaves (minced or not).
Health benefits of turmeric
The use of turmeric in this rice recipe somehow makes it healthier. Indeed, turmeric is known for being a natural anti-inflammatory full of antioxidants that has been used as a natural remedy in Chinese and Indian culture for centuries. Among other properties, it eases digestive discomfort, boosts your immune system and also helps to clean and heal the liver.
What to serve with Ginger Turmeric Rice?
This yellow rice comes as a side but it can also serve as a base for nourishing vegetarian dishes. You can for instance add it to salads to make them more satisfying, build a grain bowl, serve along with a curry or with roasted vegetables, or also use it to stuff vegetables. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Serve along with a comforting cauliflower lentil curry, with an easy chickpea curry or with this easy tomato red lentil stew
- Serve with lemon roasted cauliflower steaks, with with harissa cauliflower steaks or with roasted Brussels sprouts
- Replace quinoa with turmeric rice in this spiced chickpea sweet potato buddha bowl or in this tabbouleh salad
- Use yellow rice to stuff vegetables (butternut squash, eggplant, zucchini…)
Other recipes using turmeric or curry:
- Roasted Delicata Squash with Quinoa and Mint Pesto
- Carrot and Turmeric Hummus
- Curried Cauliflower Grilled-Cheese Sandwich
Easy Ginger Turmeric Rice
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Plant-based
- Cuisine: World Cuisine
- Diet: Vegan
With its warm spices and substantial aromas, this easy ginger turmeric rice is a lovely side or base to grain bowls and salads. Add a drizzle of lemon, raisins, and fresh mint leaves, and you’ve got it all!
Ingredients
- 1 cup (200g) basmati rice
- 1 ½ cup (350 ml) water
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and grated*
- 2 teaspoons turmeric powder*
- ½ teaspoon salt, to taste
- ½ cup (80g) dried raisins
- 1 handful fresh mint leaves
- ½ lemon, juice (optional)
- ¼ cup (35g) pine nuts, toasted**
Instructions
- In a saucepan, heat one Tablespoon of oil. Once hot, add minced garlic and sauté for a few seconds until fragrant. Add grated fresh ginger, turmeric powder, salt, and stir to combine.
- Add basmati rice***, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and gently simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes or until all water is absorbed. A few minutes before rice is finished cooking, stir in the dry raisins.
- Remove from heat and keep covered for 5 minutes. Fluff, taste, and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon over the rice (optional), then add some fresh mint leaves and toasted pine nuts. Enjoy!
Notes
* Fresh ginger and turmeric versus powdered: I strongly recommend the use of fresh ginger over ginger powder to bring more aromatic flavors to the rice. As for the turmeric, you can go either for fresh, grated turmeric or for turmeric powder.
** How to prepare pine nuts: Toast pine nuts in sauté pan on high heat with no addition of oil or butter, shaking often, until slightly golden on all sides. This can be ready in less than one minute.
*** Tip about the rice: Give your rice a rinse before using it as this can help remove some starches from the rice.
Did you make this recipe?
Lastly, if you make this Easy Ginger Turmeric Rice, be sure to leave a comment and give this recipe a rating, letting me know how you liked it. And of course, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Thank you and enjoy!
Lars Leonard
Can I use ground turmeric instead of turmeric root? I can’t find it at the store.
Delphine Fortin
Absolutely!