What Is Turmeric and How Can I Use It?

Turmeric is easier to cook with than it looks. Here's how to choose, use, and store it, what to substitute, and 803 recipes to get you started.

What is turmeric?

Turmeric is a spice made from grinding the roots of the Curcuma longa plant, also called curcumin. It is a prime ingredient in curry powder and figures heavily in Asian cuisines. Because it imparts a vivid yellow color to the food it is cooked with, it is often used to color as well as flavor condiments, rice dishes and sauces.

Recently turmeric is gaining a lot of attention for its potential medicinal properties. Traditionally it has been considered a good digestive aid, and some cultures use turmeric as a dietary supplement for this reason.

Since those cultures also traditionally have a lower incident of certain cancers, such as cancer of the prostate,turmeric is now being actively studied as a cancer treatment and/or preventative, particularly for environmental cancers.

Nutrition

Food group

Turmeric is a member of the Spices and Herbs US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

How much does turmeric weigh?

Related

Spices and Herbs

Recipes using turmeric

There are 803 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Gobhi Paratha

Gobhi Paratha: Indian stuffed cauliflower flatbread made with whole-wheat dough and a spiced filling of cauliflower, cumin, turmeric and green chili. Pan-fried in ghee until golden.

Mattar Paneer (Peas & Cheese)

Matar paneer is a popular Indian dish consisting of paneer (a type of fresh cheese) and peas (matar) cooked in a spiced tomato-based gravy. It combines the soft, creamy texture of paneer with the sweet pop of green peas, all enveloped in a rich, aromatic sauce.

Borani Esfanaj (Spinach-Yogurt Salad or Dip)

Spinach yogurt dip with a touch of kick. Musky and sweet spices compliment the spinach and tangy yogurt.

Natural Easter Egg Dyes

Learn how to make natural Easter egg dyes such as Spring Chicken Yellow and Easter bunny brown natural Easter egg dyes. Quick and easy egg coloring.

South Indian Vegetable Biryani

Hi friends this is my first recipe hope you all like it.

Moghul Style Mixed Vegetables with Paneer

Mughlai-style mixed vegetable curry with paneer, cream, pineapple, and golden raisins. A rich, mildly spiced North Indian dish that finishes with a sprinkle of fried nuts for royal-court flair.

Aloo Mathar Paratha (Sides)

The quintessential Indian-Singaporean meal accompaniment. Unfortunately, all too often it is made using highly processed white flour and margarine. Here, the parathas are made with whole-wheat flour (you could also try using spelt flour) and stuffed with peas and potatoes, for a lighter but more wholesome take on the original. Serve hot with yoghurt and herbs.

Spicy, Tasty Chicken Tandoori

Chicken tandoori is basically a snack which can be eaten in the evening or at night. Chicken marinated in tandoori masala, grilled in the oven is a super tasty, mouthwatering dish. Try it now.

Malabar Chicken Curry Recipe

Malabar chicken curry is a spicy and aromatic dish that hails from the Malabar region of India. This curry is made with a unique blend of spices that include cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and fennel, which gives it a distinctive taste and aroma. The tender chicken pieces are simmered in a rich and flavorful coconut milk-based gravy, making it a perfect dish for any occasion. The curry can be adjusted to your preferred level of spiciness, making it versatile for all tastes. Whether you're looking to explore new flavors or simply want to add a bit of spice to your meals, Malabar chicken curry is a must-try recipe for any home cook.

Yummy Falafel

Crispy fried falafel balls with chickpeas, herbs, and warm spices. Classic Middle Eastern vegetarian patties served in pita with fresh vegetables and tahini sauce.

Garlic & Fava Beans Soup

A soup which is a combination of Mediterranean garlic soups with a 17th century East European fava beans soup. Quite good.

Lemon Rice & Pea Chapatis

Indian-style lemon rice and pea chapati wraps with brown rice, mustard seeds, cumin, turmeric, and a bright lemon-tamari finish. Vegan, ready in 25 minutes when rice is pre-cooked.

Chicken Satay with Coconut Marinade

Chicken satay marinated in a fragrant coconut-turmeric paste with garlic, shallots, and cumin, then grilled on skewers until charred and juicy. Golden Southeast Asian skewers made for peanut sauce.

Spiced Hummus

Spiced chickpea hummus blended with cumin, coriander, ginger, turmeric, and tahini. Food processor makes it silky smooth. Chill before serving with pita or vegetables.

Andy's Murgh Kurma (Chicken Curry)

Andy's murgh kurma: Indian chicken curry with a yogurt marinade, whole cardamom and cloves, and a deeply spiced tomato sauce. Serve with rice and chapati for a fragrant home-cooked dinner.

Quick Lemon Rice Soup

A vibrant, healthy lemon rice soup with kale and aromatic spices, ready in under 20 minutes. Perfect for a light, flavorful meal. Vegan, low-fat, and packed with nutrients.

Tikka Chicken

Chicken pieces marinated in spiced yogurt with ginger, garlic, turmeric, and coriander, then grilled on skewers until charred and tender. Authentic Indian chicken tikka at home.

Instant Idli Dhokla

Here's a delicious, tempting dhokla recipe that can be made within no time and served to your guests. Learn how to make instant dhokla.

Gulai Daun Singkong Tumbuk(Grilled Fish with Greens)

Indonesian grilled fish simmered in a fragrant coconut milk curry with turmeric, ginger, lemongrass, and fresh greens. A traditional Gulai recipe that brings bold Southeast Asian flavors to your table in 35 minutes.

Betty Carter's Refrigerator Pickles

Betty Carter's refrigerator pickles use a no-cook cold brine of vinegar, sugar, salt, celery seed, mustard seed, and turmeric. Five days in the fridge and they're ready. Last a year in the jar.

Green Lentil Dhal with Tomatoes & Cinnamon

Aromatic dhal with soaked green lentils, fresh tomatoes, and cinnamon sticks simmered in spiced ghee for a warming vegetarian curry that pairs perfectly with naan.

Indian Stuffed Tomatoes

Stuffed tomatoes or bharva tamatar is a good recipe for potlucks, picnics and very easy to cook. They look very pretty and delicious. These go well with naan, plain parathas or pulao (aromatic fried rice)and some raita as a side dish

Tomato Chutney

Mango chutney sounds very familiar with us, but you can make tomato chutney as well, and the savory flalvor goes well with all kinds of dishes. Here it is.

Banda Kopir Tarkari (Vegetables Stir Fried with Spices)

In Bangladesh, cabbage is usually available in the market during the winter season, as are tomatoes, peas and carrots. So this dish appears quite frequently at Bengali dinner tables during the winter. In the markets where such vegetables are available year round, banda is a popular standard.

Thai Curry Squash Soup

This delicious Thai curry soup is packed with goodness and great flavour. It warms you up instantly. Perfect for a cold winter supper when served with a bowl of rice.

All 803 recipes