Skip to Content

22 Best Turmeric Recipes

Turmeric comes from a plant, a root specifically, and is a part of the ginger family. It is known to have a whole host of health benefits ranging from anti-inflammatory to antioxidant effects.

22 Simple and Healthy Turmeric Recipes

Turmeric is an easy spice to mix into just about any food you would like to reap some of these benefits, but it’s helpful to have turmeric-focused recipes to get the flavor pairings right.

This list has everything from vegetarian recipes to drinks, side dishes, main dishes, and quick dinners.

There are many health-focused recipes here as well, so if you’re looking to increase the nutrients in your daily life, these recipes are a great start.

There’s even a healthy dessert here! Easy turmeric recipes were my goal with this roundup. I hope that by providing all of these delicious recipes, you’ll be inspired to start sneaking turmeric into your life on a more consistent basis!

1. Turmeric Rice

This is the perfect side dish for any meal. It goes with any vegetables you prefer or any protein you like: tofu, chicken, fish, beef.

Anytime you want rice as a side, instead of making simple steamed rice, make this instead!

It doesn’t require much extra effort, but it adds antioxidants and yields breathtaking colored rice. The onion, garlic, and chicken broth really ramp up the flavor.

If you want to make this vegan-friendly, use vegetable stock instead. This turmeric rice will change your mind about plain rice. It’s wonderful!

2. 15 Minute Turmeric Chicken

This recipe would be perfect to pair with the turmeric rice mentioned above!

It also uses the magic of turmeric but instead uses it along with cumin and cayenne to coat bite-size chicken pieces and then pan sauté them until they’re crisp.

This is a great, easy protein option to make any night of the week.

Pair it with rice and some roasted vegetables and top with some fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon. Yum!

3. Detox Turmeric Lentil Soup

Using turmeric in dishes for an added kick of health is one of the best ideas because the flavor is very mild and can go in an array of dishes.

It’s added to this lentil soup to help with detoxification. There is a ton of vegetables in this soup as well to pump up those nutrients.

This recipe calls for almond milk but feels free to substitute coconut milk instead.

The herbs like thyme and parsley add that fresh flavor you’re sometimes missing in a soup.

Even if you don’t feel like you need a little detoxification, make this soup anyways. It’s delicious and healthy!

4. Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower

Cauliflower is a completely underrated vegetable. Charring cauliflower, either by roasting or grilling, is one of my favorite ways to prepare it.

This recipe does just that by tossing cauliflower in a spice blend with turmeric, cumin, and paprika and then roasting it until it has that toasty flavor and a slight char.

I love to make this for kids! The color makes them much more likely to munch the cauliflower florets down, getting in those vegetables. Choose cauliflower for a weekly vegetable. It’s affordable and delicious!

5. Ginger Turmeric Carrot Soup

Ginger and turmeric recipes are like peanut butter and jelly. They go together!

This ginger turmeric carrot soup is easy to throw together and perfect to make on a cool fall evening.

The leek and fennel add a twist of flavor you wouldn’t expect, and the coconut milk gives it that smooth creaminess.

The recipe calls for grated fresh ginger, but don’t worry if you don’t have any. You can use ground ginger instead.

Butternut squash gives it a sweetness that pairs with the carrot delightfully. Toast some sourdough bread for dipping and enjoy this meal!

6. Turmeric Sweet Potato Hummus

I love to have a delicious dip around my house, so if I get hungry for a snack, I can dip some crackers or nuts into it for a balanced treat.

This white bean-based hummus has become a favorite of not just mine but my whole family! It’s perfectly sweet, tart, and smokey.

It does take a little more time than a normal hummus, but that time is worth it because this hummus is heavenly!

The turmeric and the sweet potato give this hummus a wonderful color that my kids love to dip into.

7. Golden Milk

Golden milk is a creamy drink that comes from Ayurvedic medicine. It relies on turmeric and highlights all the benefits that come from it.

It’s slightly sweetened with honey and mixed in almond milk for that smooth, creamy mouthfeel.

Even though this drink is good for you, it’s become one of the best drinks to have in the morning in place of coffee or even before bed as a nightcap.

The black pepper adds the slightest kick of spice, and you can add some fresh ginger slices or ground ginger if you want to add a bit more spiciness. This drink is sure to become a staple in your routine.

8. Ginger Turmeric Vanilla Cashew Cookies

Who would have known turmeric would be a great addition to a cookie?

These golden cookies are healthy too! Bananas replace any added refined sugar, and instead of all-purpose flour, it uses oat flour.

Ginger and turmeric add some antioxidants, and the icing is made of cashews, vanilla, and maple syrup. A sprinkle of turmeric on top gives these the perfect finishing touch.

Who knew cookies could be this delicious and healthy at the same time?

9. Coconut Curry Turmeric Chicken

Turmeric is the secret ingredient to a vibrant curry you see in photos. Recipes with turmeric often are very often curried recipes because they go so well together.

This recipe also includes some delicious vegetables like onion, cauliflower, and bell pepper.

Fish sauce is included, which I know may sound odd, but don’t skip this ingredient! It doesn’t make your meal taste like fish; it adds a wonderful umami flavor.

If you want the flavor of seafood, try swapping the chicken for some shrimp or white fist.

10. Veggie Quinoa Bowls with Miso Turmeric Vinaigrette

I love to make a large batch of this recipe for delicious lunches throughout the week.

While the combination of quinoa and vegetables is healthy and tasty, the dressing is what makes this dish magical!

The combination of white miso, ginger, sesame oil, and rice vinegar gives you the perfect balance of savory and tanginess.

The dressing drizzled over the top of the mushrooms and broccoli is a scrumptious pairing, but you can make this dressing and put it on anything you want to add flavor too!

11. Anti-inflammatory Turmeric Tonic

Healthy tonics are a great addition to your daily routine, especially fresh turmeric recipes.

They allow you to add a good dose of antioxidants that are purported to help with inflammation.

Coconut water provides electrolytes for hydration and is combined with carrot, turmeric, ginger, orange, and carrot juice.

If you like a tarter juice, substitute a lemon instead of an orange. Unlike some less tasty juices that use wheatgrass, this tonic shot is delicious. You’ll have to give it a try!

12. Coconut Turmeric Quinoa with Cashews

Quinoa is a superfood I think everyone should get in their diet here and there.

This recipe turns plain quinoa into a special meal with ginger, garlic, onion, and turmeric.

Adding coconut milk makes this very creamy, and the cashews add a delicious crunch to every bite.

If you can’t eat cashews, I like to eat this with pumpkin seeds as well. Eat this with some crispy tofu on top and some steamed broccoli for a vegetarian plant-based meal.

13. Turmeric Rice Salad

If you’re looking for a light but filling salad, this recipe is for you. This salad is easy and perfect for a weeknight meal.

The kalamata olives and feta cheese make this salad delicious, thanks to their tangy flavors.

This recipe is great as a vegetarian meal. The rice and chickpeas make a complete protein.

If you can’t find pomegranate molasses, swap for honey instead.

The turmeric makes the rice a beautiful color while also providing all the benefits of turmeric. Include this recipe in your salad rotation!

14. Turmeric Tea

This recipe is similar to the golden milk but leans more towards a chai latte.

You can use any plant-based milk you like; I prefer coconut or almond. There is still turmeric and ginger, but this recipe adds the warm spice of cinnamon, making it feel perfect for the fall and winter months.

Sometimes I also like to add a tiny pinch of nutmeg as well. Honey adds the perfect sweetness, and you can adjust this as much as you need to.

Make this next time you’re going to cuddle up next to a fire for a movie night for a healthier alternative to hot cocoa.

15. Honey Mustard Chicken with Turmeric

This is one of my favorite recipes using turmeric! Can you go wrong with crispy chicken thighs? I love the flavors that mustard, turmeric, and honey provide: sweet and slightly spicy.

If you don’t have both whole grain and Dijon mustard, use whichever you have.

Pro-tip: make a double batch of this sauce and dip your vegetables in it as well. It’s amazing!

Serve this with roasted vegetables and some steamed rice for a fully balanced meal.

16. Roasted Butternut Squash with Turmeric and Paprika

Most people start dreaming of pumpkin recipes as soon as fall starts to set it. I start dreaming of butternut squash!

Butternut squash soup, muffins, hash; anything butternut squash I love!

This roasted butternut squash is no exception, and it’s very simple and quick to throw together as a side for dinner.

The paprika adds a special smokiness, and the turmeric makes the already bright squash even brighter.

I love to make this with chicken thighs and steamed rice for a healthy meal.

17. Healing Carrot Soup with Turmeric and Ginger

Carrot and ginger are two ingredients that naturally pair with turmeric beautifully.

Many vegetarian turmeric recipes utilize these ingredients because their flavors mesh together so well, and all three are a wealth of nutrients.

This soup is velvety smooth thanks to blended parsnip, and by roasting the vegetables first, you get that toasty flavor.

Topping this soup with yogurt is amazing. The tartness contrasts the sweet carrot perfectly.

Serve this next time you feel like you need a boost of vegetables.

18. Uri Buri Lemon Turmeric Salmon

If you have the time to read through the story behind this recipe, please do! It makes fixing this recipe special and gives you insight into the flavors and culture.

I love to include salmon in my dinner rotation because it’s a great source of nutrients.

This salmon is so simple but still manages to pack in a lot of flavors. The lemon and herbs add an amazing freshness, and the turmeric gives it that amazing color.

This salmon is buttery and perfectly flakey. Your whole family will enjoy it!

19. Immunity Boosting Turmeric Soup

Cooking with turmeric is a great approach to food in general, especially if you need an immune system boost.

This recipe utilizes turmeric as well as other immune-supporting foods like ginger and vegetables.

I love to make this soup whenever I’m starting to feel under the weather.

It’s easy to throw together, and you can make a big batch to eat throughout the day.

This soup is nourishing and healthy; make sure to save this recipe!

20. 2 Minute Creamy Turmeric Salad Dressing

If there’s one recipe you take from this list, I think this should be it! It is so quick, and you can drizzle over anything to add flavor and creaminess.

I’ve had this on everything from salad to sandwiches to ground chicken and rice.

It’s perfectly balanced between tahini, honey, and lemon juice. The grated ginger and turmeric add a special zing as well as a beautiful color.

You can throw this together in two minutes and have a delicious dressing to pour over anything and everything!

21. Turmeric Chicken Curry

If you’re looking for turmeric recipes for weight loss, look no further! This recipe is low carb and uses lean protein.

Using cauliflower rice instead of rice not only lowers carb content but also sneaks in a nutrient-dense vegetable.

The lime juice and cilantro add a nice freshness, and the coconut aminos provide the sweetness needed for a good curry.

If you don’t like cilantro, use parsley instead. This is a great recipe to batch cook for a few days of meals.

22. Simple Turmeric Falafel

I love a falafel pita! Falafel has this rich yet light flavor with a crunchy outside and soft, pillowy inside.

This falafel uses turmeric as both a flavoring and to give it its beautiful color.

Tahini is the secret here; it gives these little chickpea dumplings their sumptuous flavor. I love to make a yogurt sauce to drizzle over the top or dip these in.

If you want to make these a full meal, eat them in a pita pocket with some vegetables, and you have a full, balanced lunch or dinner!

22 Simple and Healthy Turmeric Recipes

22 Best Turmeric Recipes

Yield: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Turmeric is an easy spice to mix into just about any food you would like to reap some of these benefits, but it’s helpful to have turmeric focused recipes to get the flavor pairings right

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp peeled and minced fresh turmeric root
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1/2 c dry white wine
  • 1/2 c heavy cream
  • 1/2 c low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add butter to the pan. Once melted, add onion, fresh turmeric, pepper, and salt and sauté until onions are softened and spices are fragrant about 5 minutes.
  2. Lay chicken out on a plate or sheet pan and season with ground turmeric and salt.
  3. Push softened onions to the outside of the pan so there is a large empty space in the center. Add chicken to the center of the pan, seasoned side down, without crowding it, and season the other side. Sear the chicken without moving it until it is browned, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Flip the chicken and sear the other side for 2 minutes. Add wine to the pan and scrape the flavorful browned bits off the pan leftover from the chicken. Simmer the wine for 1 minute and then add the cream and broth.
  5. Drop heat to medium-low and cover the pan. Cook until the chicken is at least 165 degrees F and tender, about 18-22 minutes.
  6. Serve with steamed rice, making sure to include the sauce, and top with chopped cilantro.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Skip to Recipe