This turmeric basmati rice recipe brings together turmeric and black pepper for lots of flavor. This easy yellow recipe is an amazing side dish!
This post contains affiliate links; this means if you purchase an item linked, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Click here to learn more about my disclosure policy.
This Persian inspired rice is the perfect side to my turmeric grilled chicken (or your favorite chicken dish), a simple cucumber salad and some greek yogurt.
The peppery spices, onions and garlic give the basmati rice a deliciously earthy and sweet flavor. This easy side dish quickly became a go-to for hosting in our household for it's simplicity and impressive color!
If you like this recipe, you should check out this one pot Puerto Rican rice and beans with sofrito. It's a similarly hearty Puerto Rican dish with rice with gandules (pigeon peas).
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make this rice:
- onion
- turmeric
- freshly cracked black pepper
- ghee (or olive oil or butter)
- garlic
- a small red chili pepper, minced finely
- basmati rice, rinsed
- water
- salt to taste
How to Cook Fluffy Basmati Rice
In a nonstick saucepan or pot, add your chopped onion, chili pepper and ¾ of the ghee or olive oil.
Saute for 2-3 minutes on medium heat before tossing in minced garlic and continuing to cook for another minute.
Add in rice, black pepper and turmeric and mix to coat. Add water and bring to a boil.
Cover, lower to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
Fluff cooked rice with remaining ghee or oil (optional) and salt to taste. Enjoy!
Turmeric
Turmeric has been a popular spice for some time now.
People are mixing it into their coffee, milk and smoothies. They’re using it to season veggie bowls and even taking it in capsule form.
This super adaptable spice has been used by Middle Easterners for centuries.
It has a sweet and spicy flavor that I really love to use with veggies like onions, carrots and sweet potatoes.
Additionally, it's what gives this turmeric black pepper golden rice it's beautiful golden color.
Turmeric Basmati Rice Recipe (Light & Fluffy)
This yellow basmati rice recipe brings together turmeric and black pepper for lots of flavor. It's a simple stovetop recipe and a perfect rice side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 3-4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Steamed
- Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients
-2 tbsp ghee (or olive oil or butter)
-1 onion
-a small red chili pepper, minced finely (optional)
-2 cloves garlic
-1 cup basmati rice, rinsed
-1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
-1 tsp turmeric
-1 ½ cups water
-salt to taste
Instructions
- In a nonstick saucepan or pot add three fourths of the ghee (or olive oil), chopped onion, and chili pepper.
- Saute for 2-3 minutes on medium heat before tossing in minced garlic and continuing to cook for another minute.
- Add in rice, black pepper and turmeric and mix to coat. Add water and bring to a boil.
- Cover, lower to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
- Fluff cooked rice with remaining ghee or oil (optional) and salt to taste. Enjoy!
Keywords: turmeric basmati rice recipe