Easy 30-Minute Instant Pot Turmeric Rice Recipe

This Turmeric Rice is an easy side dish that is made quickly in one pot! It’s a delicious rice with such a vibrant color that is perfect to serve alongside Indian cuisine!

Easy Turmeric Rice Recipe

Welcome to my first recipe featuring an Instant Pot! This easy rice dish has anti-inflammatory properties due to the turmeric powder. We love this yellow rice as a flavorful side dish or add some protein and greens to it and serve it for dinner.

I served the Turmeric Rice with my Brown Lentil Dahl recipe featured in my 30-Minute Healthy Vegetarian Family Meals recipe book and it paired perfectly! This rice is also great with Red Lentil Curry With Sweet Potato and Spinach.

What You’ll Love About This Recipe

• Fast – This rice dish takes 30 minutes, but the majority of it is completely hands-off! Plus, a one-pot dish means easy cleanup!
• Flavorful –  This golden rice is so flavorful thanks to the turmeric powder, coconut milk, and ghee!
• One-Pot Recipe –  Throw all the ingredients in the Instant Pot and let the Instant Pot do the work!

Recipe Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this Turmeric Rice Recipe:

Ingredient Notes

• Brown Jasmine Rice: I used Brown Jasmine Rice, but you can use brown rice, white rice, or white basmati rice for this recipe.
• Coconut Milk: Be sure to use full-fat coconut milk.
• Ghee: Feel free to use unsalted butter, olive oil, or coconut oil instead of ghee.
• Vegetable Stock: You can use chicken stock if preferred.

How to Make Turmeric Rice: STEP-BY-STEP

For the full recipe with the exact ingredients, scroll down to the printable recipe card below!

STEP 1:

Add rice, ghee, coconut milk, vegetable broth, fresh garlic, salt, and ground turmeric to your Instant Pot. Close the lid securely.

STEP 2:

Use the Pressure Cook feature with a High-Pressure level selected and set it to 5 minutes.

STEP 3:

Naturally allow pressure to release for 10 minutes.

STEP 4:

Then, carefully quick release the pressure and fluff before serving.

Recipe Tips & Tricks

• Top with cilantro – After the rice has cooked, top with fresh chopped cilantro.
• Serving to kids – You can call this “golden rice” to get your kids interested. My kids are not big rice eaters, but I served this on the side of dahl and pita so they could have the choice to try it!
• Freeze for later – I love freezing half of the rice for an easy side dish another day! I use this 2-cup Souper Cube Tray to freeze my rice!
• To cook on stove top: Combine all of the ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil. Cover, then reduce heat to low for 10 minutes (without lifting the lid). Allow the rice to sit for 10 minutes (don’t lift the lid during this time) and then fluff with a fork before serving. Note that the cook time may vary depending on what type of rice you use. 
• Add a squeeze of lime juice: Add a little lime juice after the rice is done cooking to add more flavor!

Storage & Reheating

• Fridge: Store leftover rice in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. 
• Freezer: Let the rice cool completely and then transfer it to an airtight freezer-safe container. I love to use Souper Cubes Trays to freeze rice! Store the rice in the freezer for up to 3 months. 
• Reheating: Reheat the frozen rice in a microwave-safe bowl with a little bit of water added to it until heated through, about 5 minutes or so.

Additions & Substitutions

Additions:

• Greens: You can add greens to the rice such as kale or spinach!
• Tofu/tempeh: Add a protein source, along with some greens, and make this a main dish!
• Sautéed onions:​ After the rice is done cooking, add some sautéed onions for extra flavor!

Substitutions:

• Jasmine Rice: I used Brown Jasmine Rice, but you can use brown rice, white rice, or white basmati rice for this recipe.
• Ghee: Feel free to use unsalted butter, olive oil, or coconut oil instead of ghee.
• Vegetable Stock: You can use chicken stock if preferred.

How to Serve Coconut Turmeric Rice

• As a side dish: This is the perfect rice to go with dahl or lentils. It would pair great with Tofu Tikka Masala or if you eat meat, Chicken Tikka Masala or Tandoori Chicken.
• In a salad: This rice would be so yummy in this Roasted Chickpea Salad With Tahini Dressing!
• Pita Wraps: Add some falafel or roasted chickpeas for protein, along with some veggies like cucumber and tomatoes with this Turmeric Rice and you have yourself a delicious wrap!
• Stir Fry: You could use this rice to make Fried Rice!

Frequently Asked Questions

Tools For This Recipe

• Instant Pot

I hope you love this Turmeric Rice! If you make it, be sure to leave a rating below so I know how you liked it! Enjoy!