How to Add Turmeric As a Spice

The turmeric is the bright, yellow powder next to a bowl of uncooked lentils. The two flavors pair well.

Turmeric is a key component in curry powder spice blends. It transforms plain, white rice into a colorful and fragrant yellow rice. Turmeric pairs well with lightly colored, bland foods, such as potatoes, rice, lentils and cauliflower. It also appears in curry dishes and chutneys for adding color. Commonly seen in Indian cooking, turmeric has uses in both uncooked foods, such as pickles, and warm foods. Heating it in oil before adding it to the food brings out the savory flavor of turmeric, but it has a tendency to burn if cooked too long.

Things You'll Need

• 1 tbsp. canola oil
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric
• Skillet
• Spatula

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat.

2. Add the turmeric to the skillet and cook until you start to smell it. Stir the spice in the skillet as it cooks to prevent burning. Add other spices for your recipe to the skillet with the turmeric to combine the flavors. Discard the spices and start over if they begin to smell burned.

3. Add the food for cooking, such as rice, potatoes or cauliflower to the skillet and cook according to your recipe.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also use turmeric in pickles or chutneys. Add 1/2 tsp. of powdered turmeric to the spice mixture before adding to the fruits or vegetables in the jar.

References

• Help With Cooking: Turmeric
• "Chicago Tribune": Turmeric - A spice for a healthy life