Name: Easy Yellow Rice Recipe (Vibrant and Delicious)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 23 min
Ingredients: 2 ¼ cups water*; 1 Tablespoon olive oil (optional); 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)

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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.

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Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the
recipe card at the bottom of the post.
You can find important tips/tricks 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 and zest 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 of your favorite dishes, and it’s 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. 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 tight-fitting lid and cook for 18 minutes.

ingredients in saucepan for yellow rice with whisk in it

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.

Make this turmeric rice in your Instant Pot

This yellow rice can easily be made in your electric pressure too, and the results are equally delicious!

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.
If your pressure cooker does not have a rice button, cook on high pressure for 6 minutes, then naturally release.

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 to lose some of its moisture, so when you reheat it, add a tablespoon or two of water to it to loosen it back up.

The rice can be reheated on the stovetop on a low heat or in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds on full power.

Can you freeze it?

Freezing is a great option if you have made too much rice and 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 rice from frozen in your microwave. Just break it into pieces, place in a bowl and and cover. Heat on high for 2 to 3 minutes then fluff with a fork to serve.

yellow rice in bowl wirh spoon sticking out

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:

Recipe Notes and Tips

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.

Yellow rice on a white plate next to fresh cilantro.

I hope you enjoy this yellow rice recipe as much as we do. Looking for more easy side dishes? Try these out:

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!

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5 from 7 votes

Easy Yellow Rice Recipe (Vibrant and Delicious)

Liven up your side dish game with this vibrant and flavorful yellow rice recipe. This easy turmeric rice recipe can be made on the stovetop in less than 30 minutes.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword seasoned rice recipe, turmeric rice

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 18

Total Time 23

Servings servings

Calories 288kcal

Author Tanya

Ingredients

2 ¼ cups water*
1 Tablespoon olive oil optional
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.

Nutrition

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Although myforkinglife.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Under no circumstances will myforkinglife.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.

This post was originally published on February 23, 2021. It has been updated with new photos and information.