What can I substitute for ground turmeric?
Running low on ground turmeric? Here are the best verified substitutes, including how to adjust your measurements.
About ground turmeric
Ground turmeric is a bright golden-yellow spice made from the dried and powdered rhizome of the Curcuma longa plant. It has a warm, earthy, slightly bitter flavour with subtle peppery and musky notes, and is a staple in South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Middle Eastern cuisines. Its most distinctive quality is its intense yellow-orange pigment, which colours curries, rice dishes, and golden milk, and is largely due to the active compound curcumin.
Best substitute
fresh turmeric root
Fresh turmeric root is the unprocessed source of ground turmeric and delivers the same earthy, warm flavour with a slightly brighter, more peppery edge. Peel and grate or finely mince before use; it will colour and flavour dishes in the same way.
Use 1 tbsp freshly grated turmeric for every 1 tsp ground turmeric
curriesrice dishesstewsgolden milkNot suitable for: dry spice rubsNot suitable for: spice blends
Alternative
ground saffron
Saffron provides a similar golden-yellow colour to turmeric and a warm, slightly floral flavour, though it is far more delicate and less earthy. Dissolve in a small amount of warm water before adding to dishes to extract maximum colour.
Use a generous pinch (about ¼ tsp) of saffron dissolved in warm water for every 1 tsp of turmeric — note the flavour profile differs significantly
rice dishessoupssaucesNot suitable for: curriesspice blends
What is ground turmeric called in other countries?
| Country | Name |
|---|---|
| Australia | ground turmeric |
| IN | haldi powder |
| United Kingdom | ground turmeric |
| United States | ground turmeric |
Common names for ground turmeric
turmeric powderhaldicurcuma powderyellow ginger