Turmeric Butter Yellow Rice Recipe

Introduction

Yellow rice is a vibrant and flavorful side dish that brightens any meal. Made with fragrant basmati rice and infused with turmeric and spices, it offers a subtle savory taste that’s perfect alongside chicken, fish, or vegetables.

Two wooden bowls filled with bright yellow rice layered fully to the top, garnished with small green herb flakes sprinkled evenly over the rice. A silver spoon rests inside the bowl in the foreground, partially buried in the rice on the right side. The bowls sit on a flat white marbled surface with a few green herb pieces scattered around. In the background, there is a blurred bunch of fresh green herbs. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • 2 cups basmati rice (or jasmine rice, rinsed and drained)
  • 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 2 teaspoons turmeric
  • 1 cube chicken bouillon
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Step 2: Stir in the rice to coat it well with the butter and cook for 2 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Add the chicken broth, turmeric, chicken bouillon, garlic powder, onion powder, sweet paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well and bring to a boil.
  4. Step 4: Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a lid, and simmer the rice for about 15 minutes until fully cooked. Avoid opening the lid during cooking.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat, fluff the rice gently with a fork, and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

  • For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit the chicken bouillon cube.
  • Add a handful of frozen peas or diced bell peppers during the last 5 minutes of cooking for extra color and nutrition.
  • Use jasmine rice if you prefer a stickier texture.

Storage

Store leftover yellow rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, sprinkle a little water over the rice and warm it gently in a covered pan or microwave to retain moisture.

How to Serve

A deep white bowl is filled with bright yellow rice that looks fluffy and soft in texture. The rice grains are long and separate, with some light brown toasted bits mixed throughout, adding a slightly crispy look. Small pieces of fresh green herbs are sprinkled on top and scattered evenly across the rice, giving a fresh contrast to the yellow. The bowl is set on a white marbled surface with some herbs casually placed around, creating a simple and clean setting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular white rice instead of basmati or jasmine?

Yes, you can use regular white rice, but the texture will be slightly different. Basmati and jasmine rice provide a more fragrant and fluffy result.

What gives yellow rice its color?

The bright yellow color comes primarily from turmeric, which also adds a mild earthy flavor to the rice.

Print

Turmeric Butter Yellow Rice Recipe

This vibrant and flavorful Yellow Rice recipe is a simple yet delicious side dish made with basmati rice, butter, and a blend of aromatic spices including turmeric, garlic, and paprika. Cooked in chicken broth for a rich taste, this easy-to-make rice pairs perfectly with a variety of meals, delivering a comforting and colorful addition to your table.

  • Author: Daniel
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Rice and Broth

  • 2 cups basmati rice (or jasmine rice, rinsed and drained)
  • 4 cups chicken broth (low sodium)
  • 1 cube chicken bouillon

Spices and Seasonings

  • 2 teaspoons turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
  • salt and pepper (to taste)

Fat

  • ¼ cup butter (unsalted)

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter – In a large saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat until fully melted and gently bubbling.
  2. Coat the rice – Add the rinsed and drained basmati rice to the melted butter, stirring well to coat every grain evenly. Cook for 2 minutes to lightly toast the rice.
  3. Add broth and spices – Pour in the chicken broth along with the chicken bouillon cube and all the spices: turmeric, garlic powder, onion powder, and sweet paprika. Stir all ingredients together thoroughly and bring the mixture to a boil.
  4. Simmer with lid – Reduce the heat to low to allow the rice to simmer gently. Cover the saucepan with a lid and do not lift it during cooking to retain steam and heat.
  5. Cook until tender – Let the rice cook undisturbed for about 15 minutes, or until the liquid is fully absorbed and the rice is tender.
  6. Fluff and serve – Remove the lid and fluff the rice gently with a fork to separate grains and release steam. Serve immediately as a colorful and flavorful side dish.

Notes

  • Rinse and drain the rice thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent clumping.
  • Do not stir the rice during simmering to avoid mushy texture.
  • You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version but omit the chicken bouillon.
  • Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper at the end to your taste preference.
  • For a richer flavor, consider using ghee or olive oil instead of butter.
  • Make sure to keep the lid closed during cooking to trap steam for perfectly cooked rice.

Keywords: Yellow Rice, Turmeric Rice, Side Dish, Basmati Rice, Easy Rice Recipe, Flavorful Rice, Butter Rice

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