Bright yellow turmeric rice with butter and green peas is a colorful and tasty side dish for Chicken Tikka Masala, or pretty much any other stir fry dinner.
Turmeric Rice
Turmeric is the spice that gives Indian curry its distinctive color and flavor, but it plays nicely with many other flavors.
Despite the very bright color, the flavor is surprisingly subtle in this dish. My boys requested seconds on this rice and they ate every single bite. I’ve also served this rice with roast beef and oven baked chicken.
Turmeric Rice Recipe
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this recipe:
- Basmati or Jasmine rice
- kosher salt
- ground turmeric
- water
- frozen peas, optional
- butter
- fresh cilantro or Italian parsley, for serving
As written, the recipe below is made on the stovetop. However, it can also be made in a rice cooker. Simply add all the ingredients to the cooker, stir, turn it on, and walk away.
How To Make Turmeric Rice
Combine all ingredients in a large flat-bottomed skillet or saucepan. Turn the heat under the pan to high, cover the pan, and bring it to a boil.
After it boils, stir the rice and reduce the heat to low. Cover again and simmer for about 16-17 minutes, until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender.
Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and the frozen peas. The heat of the rice will melt the butter and warm the peas.
Stir to mix the melted butter throughout the rice. Serve warm with a sprinkling of cilantro.
Rice with Peas
There’s something extra fun about the pop of baby peas alongside rice, pasta, or potatoes. I rarely resist the urge to add them to any number of recipes.
Easy to make and versatile, Asian rice with peas is another side dish that you’ll never get tired of; it makes the perfect accompaniment to any Asian-inspired meal.
This fried rice with chicken and bacon just begs for a generous scoop of peas to make it perfect. That fried rice has been established in our home as the best “unplanned and amazingly delicious” meal ever.
Creamy pasta with chunks of savory ham and tender sweet peas come together in less than 30 minutes for this pasta night favorite.
Creamed peas and potatoes is a delicious side dish that is wonderfully simple to make. The tender pop of English peas adds a wonderful texture to the softness of baby potatoes in this recipe.
Creamy homemade ranch dressing coats every bite of pasta and vegetables in this Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad. Sprinkled throughout with bacon, peas, and cheddar cheese, my kids go absolutely nuts over this salad.
Turmeric Butter Rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups Basmati or Jasmine rice
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon ground turmeric
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup frozen peas optional
- ¼ cup butter
- chopped fresh cilantro or Italian parsley for serving
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large flat-bottomed skillet or saucepan. Turn the heat under the pan to high, cover the pan, and bring it to a boil.
- After it boils, stir the rice and reduce the heat to low. Cover again and simmer for about 16-17 minutes, until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and the frozen peas. The heat of the rice will melt the butter and warm the peas. Stir to mix the melted butter throughout the rice. Serve warm with a sprinkling of cilantro.
Notes
Nutrition
{originally published 8/31/12 – recipe notes and photos updated 7/26/23}
recipe lightly adapted from and with thanks to Pastor Ryan
Jenn says
Gorgeous and delicious…how can you go wrong there?? The perfect compliment to the Tikka Masala too!
Debbie says
That looks so good. I love curry and turmeric, hubby not so much!
Athena @ Lifes Abundant Adventures says
Oh my! Look at all the butter, yes! You're a woman after my stomach/heart, this looks super-yummy! 🙂
Gloria says
yes look delicious Mary:))
The Slow Roasted Italian says
Lovely rice, there are so many possibilities with rice. I love to change it up too and really compliment the dish we are making.
Angie's Recipes says
A very flavourful rice. Love the colour turmeric gives to this rice dish.
Allison Preiss says
It looks yummy! I think me and the little one will enjoy some of this tonight 🙂
Amy Andrews says
Yummy! That looks amazing. Will try it! Love turmeric – I buy it in 8oz. bags from Penzey's. 🙂
Amy Andrews says
Yummy! That looks amazing. Will try it! Love turmeric – I buy it in 8oz. bags from Penzey's. 🙂
Kathy says
Oh this looks so wonderful! Turmeric gives such a pretty color to rice. Love it!!
Words Of Deliciousness says
I have never cooked with Turmeric before. Looks like a great side dish.
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) says
Love this gorgeous idea! And much cheaper than using saffron for a mild flavored colored rice.
Joyce says
Did exactly what the recipe says it came out mushy. 🙁
Gay says
Made this for dinner tonight I liked the texture but found it a little bland. I will make it again but will add more salt and definitely pepper. I also thawed the peas before adding to rice.
Christina Peter says
This was really delicious thank you. I used some ghee instead of butter and only used 2 tsp of tumeric. And it was lovely also used some peas as well. I made it was a salmon curry it was a nice pair.
Margaret Girgrah says
This would be even better if you cooked some chopped onion and added some cumin seeds then add your rice and all other ingredients, lovely flavour
Mary Younkin says
Sounds delicious as well, Margaret!
katy judy says
Could you use brown rice ?
Mary Younkin says
Hi, Katy! I haven’t tried that before, but substituting brown rice would probably work in the recipe. The flavor will be noticeable different, though. Either way, I hope you love the turmeric rice!