Liven up your side dish game with this vibrant, flavorful yellow rice recipe. You can make this easy turmeric rice recipe on the stovetop in less than 30 minutes.
The full recipe with ingredients/instructions is available on the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Important tips/tricks are also included in the blog post.
Rice is such a staple in most people's homes, but that doesn't mean it has to be boring! I love adding flavor to my rice, and this yellow rice is a delicious and easy side dish that is perfect for any occasion.
You season this yellow rice with turmeric, garlic, and onion, and it takes no longer to make than plain boiled white rice.
It's great to serve alongside all your favorite dishes and a tasty way to add some color to your plate!
For more rice recipes, check out my kale rice and cajun rice.
Ingredients needed for yellow rice
Ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Rice—I prefer to use long-grain white rice in this recipe, but basmati or Jasmine rice would also work well.
- Liquid - I use water, but feel free to use a low-sodium chicken broth for more flavor.
- Seasonings and Oils - Olive oil, turmeric, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
How to make yellow rice
Gather your ingredients.
Place water, olive oil, turmeric powder, kosher salt, garlic powder, and onion powder in a medium heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Allow the mixture to come to a boil.
Stir in rice, reduce heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and cook for 18 minutes.
Once 18 minutes are up, remove the pot from the heat and cover the rice for an additional 5 minutes.
Open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Serve and Enjoy.
Make this turmeric rice in your Instant Pot
This yellow rice can easily be made in your electric pressure cooker, too, and the results are equally delicious!
- Add the ingredients to the pressure cooker insert. Press the rice button, and the rice will be cooked for 12 minutes at low pressure.
- Once the pressure cooker time is up, allow the machine to naturally release for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure.
- Open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Serve and enjoy.
- If your pressure cooker does not have a rice button, cook on high pressure for 6 minutes, then naturally release.
Make this in your rice cooker
I like to simply add the ingredients to my rice cooker and follow the instructions of my rice cooker. Then I fluff and proceed.
Can you make it ahead of time?
Yes! You can make a big batch of this rice and enjoy it throughout the week. The cooked rice will keep well in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
When it sits, the rice can start losing some of its moisture, so when you reheat it, add a tablespoon or two of water to loosen it back up.
The rice can be reheated on the stovetop at low heat or in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds at full power.
Can you freeze it?
Freezing is a great option if you have made too much rice. It will keep well for a couple of months. Freeze the rice solid on a baking sheet, then transfer portions into freezer-safe bags.
You can reheat the frozen rice in your microwave. Just break it into pieces, place it in a bowl, and cover. Heat on high for 2 to 3 minutes, then fluff with a fork to serve.
What do you serve it with?
This yellow rice works great with so many mains. It's a great accompaniment to curries and stews and is great to serve up with grilled fish, chicken, and meats. Try it with:
- Teriyaki Salmon
- Brown Stew Fish or Chicken
- Steak Kebabs
- Lamb Chops and Chimichurri Sauce
- Peruvian Chicken and Green Sauce
- Lamb Meatballs
Tanya's Recipe Notes and Tips
- Turmeric has quite a strong flavor, so don't be tempted to add more than the recipe states.
- You can make this with brown rice if you prefer, but you must adjust the cooking time per the package instructions.
- You can bloom the ground spices for a bit of extra flavor. Preheat the pot over medium heat and add the oil. Then add the turmeric, garlic powder, and onion powder and stir for 10 seconds. Then add the water, and stir in the rice. Proceed with the recipe as written.
I hope you enjoy this yellow rice recipe as much as we do. Looking for more easy side dishes? Try these out:
- Oven Baked Rice
- Seasoned Asparagus
- Buttery Green Beans and Potatoes
- Southern Sweet Potatoes
- Air Fryer Carrots
- Rice and peas
If you have tried this or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Easy Yellow Rice Recipe (Vibrant and Delicious)
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups water*
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 ½ cups long grain rice rinsed and drained
Instructions
StoveTop:
- Place water, olive oil, turmeric powder, kosher salt, garlic powder, and onion powder in a medium heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Allow the mixture to come to a boil.
- Stir in rice, reduce heat to low, cover with tight-fitting lid and cook for 18 minutes.
- Once 18 minutes is up, remove the pot from the heat and allow the rice to remain covered for an additional 5 minutes. Open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Serve and Enjoy.
Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker Instructions:
- Add the ingredients into the insert of the pressure cooker. Press the rice button, which will cook the rice for 12 minutes at low pressure.
- Once the pressure cooker time is up, allow the machine to naturally release for 10 minutes. Release any remaining pressure.
- Open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Feel free to sub the water with chicken or vegetable broth for more flavor.
- Turmeric has quite a strong flavor to it, so don't be tempted to add more than the recipe states.
- You can make this with brown rice if you prefer, but you will need to adjust the cooking time as per the package instructions.
- You can bloom the ground spices for a bit of extra flavor. Preheat the pot over medium heat and add the oil. Then add the turmeric, garlic powder, and onion powder and stir for 10 seconds. Then add the water, and stir in the rice. Proceed with the recipe as written.
Nutrition
This post was originally published on February 23, 2021. It has been updated with new photos and information.
Mz. Bumpy2u says
Thanks for sharing.
Ellen says
Looking forward to making in the IP, thank you. I think I'll double it and freeze half.
Looks great!
Tanya says
Thanks, Ellen! Such a great idea to freeze half of it.
Marianne says
I plan on making this today. Is the water listed the correct amount! Usually water is double the amount of rice so I am just checking.
Thanks!
Tanya says
Hi Marianne, yes, that's how much water I used to get the texture that's reflected in the photos.
Diane says
Would you email me the name, model of the instant oil you use? Thanks
Yvonne says
I added kidney beans to this recipe. Very easy, thank you.
Tanya says
Thanks Yvonne, so glad you liked it 🙂 Love the addition of beans.
Gracie says
Another great recipe from My Forking Life! Very flavorful and easy to make. Will definitely be a staple in my house!
Tanya says
Thank you Gracie 🙂 So glad you like the recipe.
ANTONIO CARBONELL says
Add a touch of sophistication with a pinch of saffron ... it’ll add a darker yellow hue to the turmeric while introducing a flavor unique to saffron..
Tanya says
Love that idea! thanks!
Sue Howell says
oh yum! tried it because always looking for ways to get turmeric in our diet. Next time thinking about upping the garlic and adding peas and carrots. LOL..we just aren't big fans of rice without lots and lots of flavor but was good!
Tanya says
Thanks Sue! I love the idea of adding peas and carrots. Ironically, we had cilantro rice yesterday with peas and carrots...and my kids loved it! Think I'll need to start adding to all our rice.
Jeanett says
Thank you so much,I love it,😋😋
Patricia Tingley says
Living alone I cut the recipe in half because i would not want to give my dog onion or garlic with his rice portion. And I don’t know whether turmeric is good for him.
Nancy Aitken says
I absolutely adore your recipes....along with great suggestions for main and side dishes. Very well done and complete. Thank you!
Tanya says
Thank you so much 🙂
Jana Hunter says
Thank you for this recipe, Tanya! I love yellow rice (though I usually buy the Mahatma one which has saffron, not turmeric. I am definitely going to give this a try! I prefer Basmati rice over others. Would this rice work with this recipe?
I have yet to make rice in my instant pot because I have a little rice cooker that does a great job. If I were to make this in that cooker, would I need to make any changes to the recipe quantities?
Thank you!
Jana Hunter
Tanya says
Hi Jana, Basmati would work fine. I'm sure it would work in the rice cooker, just use the amounts of the ingredients and cook the rice like you normally do. I hope you enjoy it 🙂