How do you add turmeric to cooked food?

Turmeric is a bright yellow spice that comes from the turmeric plant. It is commonly used in South Asian and Middle Eastern cooking. Turmeric has an earthy, bitter, slightly peppery flavor. It is also known for its vibrant yellow color, which can turn foods like rice and chicken a golden yellow hue.

Why Add Turmeric to Cooked Foods?

There are several reasons you may want to add turmeric to cooked dishes:

Flavor – Turmeric adds an earthy, slightly bitter, peppery flavor to foods.
Color – The vibrant yellow pigment of turmeric adds visual appeal and an appetizing golden color to foods like rice, chicken, vegetables, lentils, etc.
Health benefits – Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Adding turmeric to dishes may provide health benefits.

Preservation – Turmeric has natural antiseptic and antimicrobial properties that can help preserve foods.

How Much Turmeric Should You Use?

The amount of turmeric you use depends on your taste preferences and the dish you are seasoning. Here are some general guidelines for how much to add:

For rice or vegetable dishes: 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per cup of rice or 4 servings of vegetables

For curries or lentils: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per 3-4 servings
For meat or chicken: 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per pound of meat or 4 servings chicken/fish
For soups or stews: 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per 4 servings

Start with less turmeric and add more to taste. The flavor of turmeric intensifies the longer it cooks.

When to Add Turmeric to Food

The timing of when you add turmeric depends on whether you want the flavor mellowed out or intensified:

At the beginning: Add turmeric early on as you sauté aromatics like onions and garlic to mellow out the flavor.

Midway: Add turmeric along with other spices midway through cooking to balance and blend flavors.
At the end: Add turmeric toward the end of cooking if you want a stronger, more pronounced turmeric taste.

How to Add Turmeric to Common Dishes

Rice

Turmeric is commonly added to rice dishes like biryani or pilaf to give the rice a bright yellow golden hue. To add turmeric:

In rice pilaf: Sauté the rice with onions, garlic, and a bay leaf. Add 1/2 tsp turmeric and toast briefly. Then add water or broth and cook the rice.
In cooked rice: Add 1/4-1/2 tsp turmeric per cup of rice and mix gently. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes for the rice to absorb the color.
In rice flour: Add a pinch or two of turmeric to rice flour when making rice flour flatbreads like dosa.

Chicken and Meat

Turmeric adds both color and flavor to chicken and meat dishes. Here are some tips for adding it:

In curries: Add 1/2-1 tsp turmeric with the other curry spices as you sauté the chicken or meat.
In stews: Add 1/4-1/2 tsp turmeric when sautéing the aromatic ingredients at the start.

In marinades: Mix 1/4 tsp turmeric into yogurt, oil, or other ingredients when marinating meat or chicken.
In roasted meats: Rub a mixture of 1/4 tsp each of turmeric, cumin, coriander over meats before roasting.

Vegetables

Turmeric provides a pop of color and enhances the flavor of roasted, sautéed, or stewed vegetables. Ways to add it:

In roasted vegetables: Toss vegetables with olive oil and 1/4-1/2 tsp turmeric before roasting.
In sautéed veggies: Add a pinch or two of turmeric midway through cooking.
In vegetable curries or stews: Add 1/4-1/2 tsp turmeric early on as you sauté the aromatics.

In vegetable rice: Mix in 1/4 tsp turmeric when cooking rice with vegetables like peas or carrots.

Lentils and Beans

The earthy flavor of turmeric suits hearty lentil and bean dishes. Use it in the following ways:

In dhals: Add 1/2 tsp turmeric when cooking lentils or split peas.

In bean curries or stews: Use 1/4-1/2 tsp turmeric in the spice mix for bean curries or chili.
In roasted chickpeas: Toss chickpeas with 1/4 tsp each of turmeric, cumin, coriander, and oil before roasting.

Soups and Stews

Turmeric adds warming flavor and color to soups and stews. Add it in these ways:

In broth-based soups: Add 1/4-1/2 tsp turmeric to the sautéed aromatics.
In creamy soups: Whisk in a pinch or two of turmeric as you add any cream or coconut milk.
In stews: Add 1/4-1/2 tsp turmeric along with the initial sautéed ingredients.

In chili or tomato-based soups: Use 1/4 tsp turmeric in the spice mix.

Seafood

Turmeric brings out the flavor of fish and shellfish beautifully. Use it by:

Adding 1/4-1/2 tsp turmeric to seafood curry spice mixes.

Sprinkling a pinch or two of turmeric over fish or scallops before baking or sautéing.
Mixing 1/4 tsp turmeric into marinades for shrimp, fish, or calamari.
Adding 1/4 tsp turmeric when cooking seafood-based rice dishes like shrimp biryani.

Eggs

Turmeric adds warm, earthy flavor to egg dishes. Incorporate it by:

Adding a pinch to a simple omelet or scrambled eggs as they cook.
Whisking 1/4 tsp turmeric into egg salad or deviled egg filling.

Mixing 1/4-1/2 tsp turmeric into egg fried rice.
Using turmeric, cumin, coriander, and chili powder in a spice mix for curried eggs.

Yogurt, Dals and Chutneys

Turmeric mixes well into creamy, thick ingredients. Add it to:

Yogurt raita – whisk in a pinch or two of turmeric.
Chutneys – add 1/4 tsp when cooking chutney made from parsley, cilantro, mint, coconut, etc.
Dals – add about 1/4 tsp turmeric when simmering yellow split peas.

Hummus – mix in a pinch of turmeric for color and flavor.

How to Store Turmeric

To retain the freshness and maximum flavor of turmeric:

Store ground turmeric powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. It will keep for up to 1 year.

Store fresh turmeric rhizomes in the refrigerator, tightly wrapped in plastic, for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze fresh turmeric for up to 3 months.
Cook with turmeric within its expiration date printed on the packaging.

Tips for Cooking with Turmeric

Follow these tips when adding turmeric to your dishes:

Add black pepper. The piperine in pepper helps increase curcumin absorption.
Use healthy fats like olive or coconut oil. Curcumin is fat soluble so fats increase absorption.
Combine with onions and garlic. Onions and garlic contain compounds that increase curcumin bioavailability.

Heat turmeric in oil briefly to intensify its flavor.
Watch out for staining. Turmeric can temporarily stain hands, countertops, and clothing.

What Dishes Can You Add Turmeric to?

Turmeric is very versatile. It can be added to both savory and sweet dishes across cuisines. Some ideas include:

Curries – add it to any type of curry from Thai green curry to Indian curry.
Rice dishes – use it in rice pilaf, biryani, rice noodle dishes, etc.
Vegetable and lentil dishes – sprinkle on roasted vegetables, add to dals.

Meat and fish – rub on meat before grilling, add to seafood curries.
Soups and stews – incorporate into brothy or creamy soups.
Salad dressings and marinades – add to vinaigrettes or yogurt marinades.

Pickles – add to pickled vegetables, fruits, eggs.
Baked goods – add to cake, cookie, or bread dough and frostings.
Smoothies – sprinkle into fruit or vegetable smoothies.

Golden milk – mix into warm milk with honey as an herbal drink.

Quick Tips to Add Turmeric to Food

Food	How to Add Turmeric
Rice	Stir into cooked rice or add when sautéing rice before cooking.
Chicken	Mix into marinades or sprinkle over chicken before roasting.
Vegetables	Toss with fresh or roasted vegetables.
Lentils	Add when sautéing aromatics or stir into cooked lentils.
Soups	Add when cooking soup base or stir into finished soup.
Seafood	Stir into seafood curries or sprinkle over fish before baking.
Eggs	Mix into scrambled eggs or add to egg salad.
Yogurt	Whisk into raita, marinades, or dressing.
Baked goods	Add to doughs, batters, frostings, or sprinkled on top.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turmeric stain?

Yes, turmeric can temporarily stain porous materials like plastic, wood, countertops and clothing. To avoid stains, work carefully and wash any surface that turmeric contacts right away before the stain sets.

What does turmeric taste like?

Turmeric has a bitter, earthy, slightly peppery flavor. The taste is strong and distinctive. Turmeric’s flavor profile pairs well with spices like cumin, coriander, cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper.

Is turmeric the same as curry powder?

No, turmeric is just one spice that is frequently used in curry powder blends. Curry powder contains many spices including coriander, fenugreek, cinnamon, cumin, ginger, and chili powder – not just turmeric. Turmeric imparts its own unique flavor.

Can you use fresh turmeric instead of powder?

Yes, you can substitute fresh turmeric in place of dry powder. Use about 1 inch of fresh turmeric for every 1/2 teaspoon of powder. Fresh turmeric has a more intense, gingery flavor.

Is turmeric spicy?

No, turmeric on its own is not spicy. However, it is commonly combined with other spices like chili powder, cayenne, and black pepper that add heat. But turmeric alone has an earthy, slightly bitter and peppery taste, not a spicy one.

Conclusion

Turmeric is a versatile spice that adds vibrant color, earthy aroma, and potential health benefits to both sweet and savory recipes. It pairs well with ingredients like rice, chicken, fish, lentils, vegetables, eggs, and yogurt. Add turmeric at the beginning, middle or end of cooking depending on if you want mellow or intense flavor. Use 1/4 to 1 teaspoon per 3-4 servings. To get the most out of turmeric, consume with black pepper and healthy fats. With its distinct yellow color and flavor, turmeric is a great way to give dishes an appetizing golden hue and extra zing.