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An overhead view of a skillet with yellow turmeric rice.
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4.79 from 23 votes

Yellow Rice Recipe (With Turmeric)

A fragrant, flavorful yellow rice with a golden hue for your holiday feasting table or for a Middle Eastern kick to your everyday white rice. Garnished with toasted pine nuts and raisins for a nutty flavor and a bit of sweetness.
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time25 mins
Total Time35 mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Western
Diet: Gluten Free, Halal
Servings: 5 servings
Calories: 179.5kcal
Author: Amira

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (185g) Basmati rice soaked in enough cold water with a pinch of salt for 15 minutes. Note1
  • 1 ½ liter tap water. 6 cups water.
  • 1 Tablespoon oil.
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric.
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper.
  • 1 Tablespoon ghee or butter. Note2
  • 1 (90g) small onion.
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste.
  • ¼ cup hot boiling water.

Spices: Use any combination available (Note3)

  • ½ teaspoon ground cardamom.
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves.
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon.

Garnish with:

  • Roasted nuts, raisins and fresh parsley

Instructions

  • Drain rice and set aside.
  • In a pot, over medium heat pour the tap water and bring to a rapid boil.
  • Add turmeric, oil, spices you are using then rice.
  • let it cook for another 6-7 minutes then drain rice.
  • In the same pot add ghee then sauté onion for 2 minutes until it turns light yellow.
  • Add rice back, salt and the boiling water.
  • Reduce heat to minimum, cover the pot with a paper kitchen towel then put the lid on. Note4
  • Keep on cooking for another 10-15 minutes until the rice is cooked.

Video

Notes

  • Washing and soaking Basmati rice is essential for this method of cooking.
  • Soaking time differs between brands so read the label first, if not sure then soak for 10 minutes.
  • Some like adding garlic powder,  minced garlic clove or diced green bell pepper to the onion so you might try that as well.
  • Use any or a combination of the spices above it all adds up to authentic flavorful rice but if you do not have any of the spices you will still have tasty fragrant rice.
  • Turmeric powder is a key ingredient so be sure to at least have that.
  • Other spices used may contain cumin, oreganoو a couple strands of saffron and fennel seeds. 
  • Please watch out and be very careful using this technique as the paper towel might catch fire if not properly watched.
  • While using ghee gives this rice authenticity and aroma, you can use butter or use olive oil if you are making it vegan.
  • Serve With:
  • Leftover and storage:
    • Cooled leftover can be put in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Please note that frozen rice tend to break a bit but it will not affect the taste.
    • To reheat: place rice in a pot with a couple of tablespoons of water and reheat thoroughly on medium-low.
Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.

Nutrition

Calories: 179.5kcal | Carbohydrates: 30.1g | Protein: 2.7g | Fat: 5.6g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 58.4mg | Potassium: 43.4mg | Sugar: 0.8g | Vitamin A: 0.8IU | Vitamin C: 2.4mg | Calcium: 0.7mg | Iron: 1.7mg