Recipe Roundup

31 Turmeric Recipes to Brighten Your Nights

Like a cozy dal, a golden hot toddy, and an antioxidant-rich chicken soup.
Photo of bavel turmeric chicken with toum on a plate with naan and parsley.
Photo by Nicole Franzen

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In the throes of winter and all its greyness, these turmeric recipes are bound to brighten your cooking. The golden hue of this deeply colored spice not only radiates off the plate (or from a mug), but it’s also rich in antioxidants like Vitamin C. The health benefits of turmeric make it a popular dietary supplement, particularly its anti-inflammatory properties, which is why many turn to it as an aid for joint disorders, allergies, and infections.

Our best turmeric recipes are equal parts nourishing, delicious, and visually striking. They include cozy weeknight recipes like dhal, bright yellow beverages that soothe the soul, and bold, brothy soups. If you only have dried turmeric powder on hand, but your recipe calls for fresh, consult this conversion guide to make the substitution (roughly one teaspoon of powdered turmeric for every tablespoon of the fresh kind). Whichever dish you choose will lend a welcome dose of sunshine to a season sorely lacking it.

  • Photo of a skillet of Chicken with Turmeric Lemon Cabbage and peas.
    Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton
    1/31

    Crispy Chicken Over Turmeric-Lemon Cabbage and Peas

    In this turmeric recipe, crispy skin-on chicken thighs nestle over a pile of silky cabbage to finish in the oven. Coriander and cumin seeds join in to round out the flavor, while a squeeze of lemon juice adds a bright finish.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou
    2/31

    Turmeric-Cumin Margarita

    Turmeric adds a bright, peppery punch to this cocktail, melding beautifully with the smoky flavors of the cumin salt on the rim.

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  • Photo by Martin Poole
    3/31

    Tadka Dhal

    This popular Indian lentil dish dish is based around garlic, ginger, and chile, but it’s the turmeric that gives it the eye-catching color and some of the wholesomeness.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
    4/31

    Torshi Tareh

    This Northern Iranian dish, made with braised spinach, a ton of herbs, and marbled eggs, has a texture similar to saag paneer or green shakshuka. This version’s vibrant tang comes from lime juice.

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  • Tara Donne
    7/31

    Grilled Butterflied Prawns With Sriracha-Lemongrass Butter

    Yellow means "proceed with caution." It's entirely appropriate for these turmeric- and chili-sauce-coated prawns, which are every bit as spicy as they look.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton
    8/31

    Turmeric Hot Toddy

    This golden-hued hot cocktail is wonderfully savory, thanks to the combination of nutty Amontillado sherry and earthy turmeric. We particularly like this turmeric tea with bourbon, but the recipe invites you to choose any spirit.

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  • Photo by Aubrie Pick
    9/31

    Turmeric–Black Pepper Malawach

    In this spin on malawach, a pancake-like Yemenite flatbread, turmeric and black pepper are worked into the buttery dough. The dish is topped with a light tomato salsa and a custardy, jammy egg.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Judy Mancini
    10/31

    Golden Milk

    Unlock the comforting properties of fresh turmeric root by infusing it into steaming coconut milk scented with the warm, spicy notes of cinnamon, fresh ginger, and black pepper.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Ali Nardi
    13/31

    Fire Cider Tonic

    Use fresh turmeric or dried powder for this tonic, which can be prepped ahead and doled out as a healing elixir or turned into a bracing cocktail.

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  • 14/31

    Turmeric Rice Pongal With Eggs and Beet Acharu Pickle

    This warm breakfast employs a base of traditional pongal, a dish dear to Tamil people, with a less traditional pairing of a soft-boiled egg and bright Sri Lankan pickles.

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  • 17/31

    Turmeric-Ginger Tonic With Chia Seeds

    In this bracingly refreshing mocktail, black peppercorns and turmeric combine to provide ample heat. Don’t underestimate the former—it’ll sneak up on you.

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  • Photo by Nicole Franzen
    18/31

    Turmeric Chicken With Toum

    A spiced yogurt marinade brines the chicken, tenderizing the meat and making it even juicier than a normal roasted chicken. The delicate flavors of turmeric, fennel seed, coriander, orange peel, and orange blossom taste incredible on the extra-crispy skin.

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  • Alex Lau
    19/31

    Iced Turmeric Latte

    This silky latte is made bracing by both fresh turmeric and ginger. The fresh kind lends itself to the best texture and amplifies the root’s medicinal properties. It’s dairy-free too, thanks to cashew milk.

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  • Photograph by Peden + Munk, food styling by Diana Yen, Prop Styling by Hannah Ferrara
    20/31

    Sizzling Turmeric-Dill Fish Tacos

    Tuck crispy chunks of turmeric-slicked white fish into tortillas and top them with a sweet, salty, funky nuoc cham salsa in this mash-up between fish tacos and Chả Cá Lã Vọng (a Vietnamese dish featuring a sizzling platter of ginger-turmeric fish).

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  • Photo by Alex Lau, Styling by Chris Morocco
    21/31

    Gluten-Free Coconut Turmeric Pie

    Inspired by the flavors found in the Ayurvedic Indian drink haldi doodh, this dairy-free cream pie is made with coconut milk, turmeric, and honey. The crust is a blend of ground coconut flakes and almonds, making it totally gluten-free.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Emily Eisen
    22/31

    Turmeric-Coconut Curry with Pork

    White rice is always suitable for a bright and saucy curry, but feel free to experiment with any grain. Try a mix of white rice, millet, and/or quinoa, which have roughly equal cook times.

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  • Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Judy Kim, prop styling by Nicole Louie
    23/31

    Roasted Cauliflower With Turmeric Sauce

    Level up a basic roasted veggie side dish with this savory coconut-milk-based sauce and crispy, crunchy toppings. Turmeric provides an earthiness that sings when paired with ginger, garlic, honey, and a dash of fish sauce.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou
    24/31

    Turmeric Salmon With Coconut Crisp

    Coat salmon fillets in olive oil laced with ground turmeric. Then, use more spiced oil to fry coconut flakes with shaved garlic and serrano chile. The crispy topping adds a pop of heat to the simple stewy dish.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Aneta Florczyk, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou
    25/31

    Crispy Turmeric-and-Pepper-Spiced Chicken Wings

    Starting these baked wings in a cold oven allows the fat to render slowly so they get even crispier. Pour off the infused fat and save for stir-fries or cooking crispy eggs.

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  • Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Micah Morton
    26/31

    Turmeric Caramel Cod

    The sticky, savory, and sweet condiment draped across this fish is inspired by Vietnamese fish sauce caramel. This sauce uses a heap of turmeric, so seek out a high-quality product like Spicewalla, Diaspora Co., or Burlap & Barrel.

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  • Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Amy Wilson
    27/31

    Coconut Rice Noodles With Ginger and Turmeric

    This curry comes together fast—like in the time it takes to boil water for the noodles. A handful of pantry ingredients make it possible.

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  • Photo by Peden & Munk
    28/31

    Tropical Carrot, Turmeric, and Ginger Smoothie

    Taken first thing in the morning, this spicy and sweet smoothie will throw, toss, and twist a spring in your step. Use ground carrot, ginger, and turmeric to give it a savory note.

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  • Photo by Peden & Munk
    31/31

    Miso-Turmeric Dressing

    Use this zingy turmeric recipe (reminiscent of the dressings you’ll find at many Japanese restaurants) with soba noodles, a grain salad, or even a batch of diced hard-boiled eggs.

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