My Mama, Lynn, AKA Gigi to my kiddos, is the queen of coming up with flavor-packed meals and sides. If you’re new to AK, add her Puerto Rican chicken and rice and rice and beans to your menu ASAP. Growing up I learned so much about cooking from her and my Grandma, Gloria, and I love nothing more than sharing their recipes with my family (and with all of you!)
This beautiful garlic turmeric rice recipe is one of her creations that I’ve made countless times because it’s so easy, flavorful, and a great way to sneak in some extra veggies at any meal. Customize this rice with literally any veggies you have on hand — fresh or frozen! I’m all about stocking up on frozen veggies to use in quick, nourishing meals during the week.
Pair this delicious rice with your go-to proteins, and make a double batch to have on hand all week long.
Everything you’ll need to make this turmeric rice
This easy turmeric rice is made with super simple ingredients — beautiful veggies, a few fresh herbs and spices, and jasmine or basmati rice. Here’s everything you’ll need:
- Olive oil: you’ll need a little olive oil to cook down the veggies for the rice.
- Vegetables: we’re adding a yellow onion, red or orange bell pepper, frozen peas and carrots (or your fav frozen veggie mixture) and fresh spinach. The perfect way to use up the veggies lurking in your freezer!
- Rice: feel free to use jasmine rice or basmati rice in this recipe.
- Water or broth: you can use water or broth to cook the rice. Vegetable broth, chicken broth (or chicken stock) will all work well!
- Herbs & spices: we’re adding fresh ground turmeric for tons of anti-inflammatories, plus garlic, salt and pepper. I love garnishing the rice with fresh cilantro as well.
Wait, what is turmeric?
Turmeric is actually in the same plant family as ginger and is a wonderful spice to add to your cooking. The health benefits of turmeric come from the naturally occurring compound called curcumin, which is both an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. When you combine turmeric with black pepper, it allows the curcumin to be absorbed in your body! That’s why I love adding it to soups, stews, veggies, and of course, this beautiful rice.
Delicious ways to customize this turmeric rice
- Add ginger. I love adding fresh ginger to this garlic turmeric rice. I recommend adding in 1 tablespoon of grated fresh ginger with the turmeric if you happen to have it on hand.
- Use your fav veggies. This recipe is very versatile. Stir in any extra leftover cooked vegetables you have in your fridge, or whatever frozen veggies you’d like.
The key to fluffy rice
Remember to let your garlic turmeric rice steam after it’s done simmering. You’ll want to leave the lid on your pot, remove the whole pot from the heat and leave it be for about 10 minutes. This will let the rice steam, reduce any leftover liquid and create the best texture.
How to make the best turmeric rice
- Rinse your rice. I always recommend washing your white rice before cooking it to remove the excess starch, dust, and debris. This will result in cleaner, less sticky rice!
- Cook the veggies. Saute the veggies until the onions are soft, then stir in the garlic and freshly grated turmeric.
- Add the rice. Stir in the uncooked rice into the veggie mixture along with salt and pepper, then add in your water or broth.
- Cook it all together. Bring the rice to a gentle boil, then cover, reduce the heat to low, and let the rice simmer until it’s nice and tender.
- Add extra veggies, steam & serve. Remove the rice from the heat, stir in your fav frozen veggies and fresh spinach, then replace the lid and let the rice steam for an additional 15 minutes so that it gets nice and fluffy. Taste and add more salt and pepper if you’d like, then garnish with cilantro and serve!
Serve this turmeric rice with these recipes
- Oh So Good Chicken Meatballs in Pumpkin Coconut Curry Sauce
- Thai-Inspired Peanut Coconut Cauliflower Chickpea Curry
- Grilled Jalapeño Cilantro Chicken
- Slow Cooker Yellow Chicken Curry
- Honey Lemon Garlic Salmon
- Sticky, Sweet & Spicy Grilled Ginger Chicken
Storing & freezing tips
Turmeric rice is the perfect side dish for meal prep because it’s super easy to store and you can even freeze it for later!
- To store: let the rice cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or bag. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days, and simply reheat it in the microwave before serving.
- To freeze: let the turmeric rice cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe, airtight container or bag. Freeze the coconut rice for up to 3 months. To reheat, let the rice thaw in the refrigerator before reheating it in the microwave. If the rice appears dry, simply reheat with a bit of water.
More side dishes you’ll love
- Crispy Smashed Potatoes
- How to Make My Favorite Coconut Rice
- Caramelized Garlic Carrots with Spicy Cilantro Yogurt Sauce
- How to Make Green Rice
- Arroz con Gandules (rice with pigeon peas)
Get all of my side dish recipes here!
I hope you love this veggie-packed garlic turmeric rice! If you make it be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
Gigi’s Veggie-Packed Garlic Turmeric Rice
Ingredients
- For the rice:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or butter)
- ½ large yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 red or orange bell pepper, finely diced
- 6 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons of fresh grated turmeric (if you don't want yellow hands wear gloves)
- 1 cup uncooked jasmine or basmati white rice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups of water or broth
- 1 cup of frozen peas and carrot mix (or frozen mixed vegetables)
- ½ cup finely chopped fresh spinach
- To garnish:
- Fresh chopped cilantro, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Generously rinse your rice in a large sieve and set aside.
- Place a medium pot or deep pan over medium heat and add in olive oil. Once oil is warm add in onions and peppers and saute for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and golden. Next stir in garlic and fresh grated turmeric and saute for an additional minute until fragrant, stirring frequently.
- Stir 1 cup of the uncooked rice, kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to the veggie mixture. Saute, stirring frequently for 1 minute until rice is evenly coated. Next stir in 2 cups of water.
- Bring rice to a gentle boil over medium-high heat for 1 minute, then immediately cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 15 to 18 minutes until rice is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork and stir in the peas/carrots and spinach, then replace the cover and allow rice to steam for 10 to 15 additional minutes. Taste and add more salt and pepper, to taste.
- Sprinkle with cilantro and enjoy immediately or allow to cool then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
This rice was incredible! Even better the next day reheated. My kids loved it. I didn’t have fresh turmeric so I used one tablespoon of the powder. I also left out the peas. So so good! Will definitely make this again.
Perfect! So glad the kiddos enjoyed!
Wonderful recipe, I made it in the Instant Pot. Sautéed vegetables (except for the peas and extra veggies) then added rice (used rice setting) once cooked added peas and extra veggies let sit for a bit and voilà it was ready. Thank you
Perfect! Glad you enjoyed!
Made this tonight because I had leftover tumeric in fridge. Added in fresh ginger as well. Super easy and everyone including the 3 year old gobbled it up.
Amazing! Glad it was a hit!
Looks amazing! Could you sub cauliflower rice instead of regular rice?
Hi! I haven’t tested this out with cauliflower rice but I think it may work. Let me know if you give it a try!
This looks delicious! Pinned for trying this week since it’s freezing cold and this looks like just what we need to warm up.
Amazing! Hope you love it!
Sounds delicious! Any main course vegetarian dishes you’d serve w this? Or what does it lair well with.
Absolutely! Try my Thai-Inspired Peanut Coconut Cauliflower Chickpea Curry, my Vegan Slow Cooker Tofu Tikka Masala, or my One Pot Butternut Squash Yellow Curry!
Cant wait to make this soon for me i never had veggie packed garlic turmeric rice before perfect for my after office meals love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work
Do you have to use fresh turmeric? Can you use tumeric from the spice jar?
Sure! Feel free to use 2 teaspoons (not tablespoons) if you’re using dried.