Turmeric (ground)

हल्दी / haldi; turmeric

Flavor and role

The dried, ground root of a plant in the ginger family, with an earthy, slightly bitter taste and strong yellow colour. Fry it briefly in oil to remove the raw taste; it stains clothes and chopping boards easily.

Typical dishes and uses

Indian curries, dal, biryani, Moroccan tagine, Indonesian nasi kuning, curry powder. In this book: butter chicken, biryani and paella (instead of saffron).

Substitutes

When you only need colour, use a pinch of saffron or paprika. 1cm fresh turmeric = ¼ tsp ground turmeric.

Storage

In an airtight container at cool room temperature, away from direct sunlight and moisture. For best aroma, use ground spices within 6 months to 1 year and whole spices within 2-3 years.

Main countries

India

Used in this book

Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)Chicken Tagine with Lemon and OlivesChicken BiryaniAloo Gobi (Spiced Potato and Cauliflower)Aloo KeemaAsh Reshteh (Persian Herb, Bean and Noodle Soup)Ayam Goreng (Indonesian Fried Chicken)Ayam Masak MerahAyam PenyetBánh Xèo (Vietnamese Crispy Sizzling Crêpes)BobotieBunny Chow (Durban Chicken Curry in a Loaf)Burmese Chicken Curry (Kyet Thar Hin)Chana MasalaChatamariChicken KarahiChicken Machboos (Emirati Spiced Chicken and Rice)Chicken PastillaChicken Tikka MasalaDal Bhat Tarkari (Nepali Lentils, Rice and Vegetable Curry)Dal Tadka (Tempered Yellow Lentils)Egg Curry (Anda Curry)Fesenjan (Persian Chicken in Pomegranate-Walnut Sauce)Fish Amok (Amok Trey)Ghormeh SabziHaleemHariraJamaican Beef PattiesJerusalem Mixed Grill (Me'orav Yerushalmi)Chicken KabsaKhao SoiKik AlichaKottu RotiKuku SabziCurry LaksaMadroubaMalai Kofta (Paneer and Potato Dumplings in Creamy Tomato Gravy)MandiMasala DosaMohinga (Burmese Fish Noodle Soup)Nepali Chicken Momo with Tomato AcharSeven-Vegetable CouscousNan Gyi Thoke (Burmese Thick Rice Noodle Salad)NihariNum Banh ChokOhn No Khao Swe (Burmese Coconut Chicken Noodles)Palak Paneer (Spinach with Indian Cheese)Paneer TikkaParippuPav BhajiRajma Chawal (Punjabi Kidney Bean Curry with Rice)RawonBeef rendangRoti CanaiRoti Jala with Chicken CurrySamlor KorkoSekuwaShan Noodles (Burmese Tomato Chicken Rice Noodles)Chicken ShawarmaSosaties (Cape Malay Lamb Skewers)Soto AyamSri Lankan Chicken Curry (Kukul Mas Curry)Tandoori ChickenThukpaDhaba-Style Aloo Gobi with Pan-Fried FloretsAloo Gobi Tortilla Española (Spanish × Indian)Crispy Aloo Gobi Bites Tray with Lemon-Coriander YogurtLahori Bhuna Lamb Aloo KeemaGoan Coconut-Curry Seafood Rice (Portuguese × Goan)Classic Ash Reshteh from Dried BeansAsh Reshteh Minestrone (Persian × Italian)Ayam Goreng Lengkuas (Galangal-Crumb Fried Chicken)Ayam Goreng Tacos with Sambal Matah (Indonesian × Mexican)Ayam Goreng Popcorn Chicken with Kecap Manis Butter GlazeKenduri-Style Ayam Masak Merah, Double-Fried with Coconut FinishMasak Merah Chicken Parmigiana (Malaysian × Italian)Masak Merah Chicken Puffs with Sweet Chilli MayoAyam Penyet KremesAyam Penyet Ssam with Sambal SsamjangCrispy Mekong-Style Bánh Xèo with Mung Beans and Coconut CreamKimchi Bánh Xèo with Pork Belly and Gochujang Dipping SauceCrispy Bánh Xèo Shrimp Salad BowlBissara Tadka Dal with Mustard Seeds and Curry Leaves (Moroccan × Indian)Beef Rendang Bitterballen with Sambal Mayo (Dutch × Indonesian)Lamb Bobotie with GeelrysBobotie LasagneBobotie Puff Hand PiesDurban Lamb Bunny with Fresh-Ground MasalaBurmese Chicken Curry with Shallot Oil, Lemongrass and Crispy ShallotsBurmese Chicken Curry Doria (Burmese × Japanese)Burmese Curry Chicken Egg Palata Rolls with Lime-Onion SlawBombay Potato Breakfast Hash with Masala Eggs (Indian × American)Fire-Charred Pepper Chakalaka with Toasted Whole SpicesChana Masala ShakshukaChana Masala Cheese ToastieSoaked-Rice Chatamari with Timur Keema and Roasted Tomato AcharHyderabadi Chicken Dum BiryaniChicken Biryani BurritoDesi Ghee Chicken Karahi with Charcoal SmokeRoyal Chicken Machboos with Saffron Rice, Daqoos and Crispy OnionsBlack Lime Chicken Machboos Paella (Emirati x Spanish)Crispy Machboos Popcorn Chicken with Black-Lime YogurtChicken Tikka Masala Cheesy Baked RiceMasala Cornbread with Green Chilli, Cumin and Coriander (American x Punjabi)Slow-Braised Curry Goat with a Fresh-Toasted Curry BlendThakali-Style Black Lentil Dal Bhat SetNepali Dal Risotto with Timur Butter (Nepali x Italian)Crispy Dal Bhat Rice Cakes with Tomato-Timur AcharDhaba-Style Double Tadka Dal with Coal SmokeThai Red Curry Coconut Dal with Lemongrass TadkaDoro Wat with Homemade Niter Kibbeh and Honey-Wine FinishRestaurant-Style Egg Masala with Cashew Tomato GravyMasala Shakshuka (Indian × Middle Eastern)Masala Egg PuffsEgusi Chicken Korma (Nigerian x North Indian)Smoked Sausage Snert Dal with Cumin TadkaKeema Escondidinho with Cassava Mash (Brazilian × Indian)Silky Amok with Toasted Kroeung and Coconut CreamAmok Moules Marinière with BaguetteBaked Amok Fish Toasts with Lime MayoCharcoal Turmeric Gai Yang with Charred-Shallot JaewGenfo with Homemade Niter KibbehOven-Braised Lamb Shank Ghormeh SabziGhormeh Sabzi Chicken Pot PieSabzi Crispy Rice BowlShahi Haleem with Bone-In Shank and Ghee BagharHaleem Shepherd's Pie (Pakistani × British)Chicken Haleem Rice BowlSaffron Lamb Harira with Egg RibbonsChicken Harira Tortilla SoupHarira Chickpea Toast with Lemon YogurtTiffin-House Idli with Fresh-Roasted SambarRough-Puff Jamaican Beef Patties with Braised Scotch Bonnet BeefJerk Chicken Puff Patties with Mango-Lime DipJerusalem Mixed Grill with Homemade Amba and Charred OnionsJerusalem Mixed Grill Yakitori (Israeli × Japanese)Jerusalem Grill Golden Rice BowlLamb Kabsa with Toasted Spices and DaqqusKabsa Arancini with Daqqus DipMasala Kartoffelpuffer with Mint Raita (German x Indian)Chiang Mai Khao Soi with Hand-Made PasteKhao Soi Fried RiceKik Alicha with Homemade Niter KibbehCoconut Kik Alicha with Mustard Seed Tadka (Ethiopian × Indian)Crispy Kik Alicha Patties with Berbere Yogurt DipKontomire Saag Paneer (Ghanaian × Indian)Khichdi-Style Koshari with Ghee TadkaChicken Kottu with Handmade Godamba RotiOven-Baked Saffron Kuku Sabzi with Buttered Barberries and Cucumber-Garlic YogurtHerb Kuku Jeon with Soy-Vinegar Dip (Persian x Korean)One-Pan Kuku Sabzi Egg Toast with Feta and Pomegranate MolassesPrawn-Head Stock Curry LaksaSaffron Madrouba with Bone-in Chicken and Crispy OnionsCrispy Madrouba Patties with Dried-Lime Yogurt DipSpiced Samneh Malawach with Jammy Eggs and Fresh ZhugSlow-Roasted Lamb Mandi with Lamb-Juice BasmatiSmoky Mandi Chicken Tacos with Daqqus Salsa (Mexican × Yemeni)Smoky Mandi Chicken Rice BowlMysore Masala DosaCrispy Dosa Chaat BowlMisir Wat with Homemade Niter KibbehMohinga with Fish-Bone Broth, Toasted Rice and Crispy ShallotsMohinga Ramen with Soy-Marinated EggMohinga Fried Rice with Toasted Chickpea CrunchJuicy Pork Jhol MomoLamb Seven-Vegetable Couscous with TfayaNan Gyi Thoke with Turmeric Shallot Oil, Garlic Chips and Jammy EggsNan Gyi Thoke Curry Abura Soba (Burmese × Japanese)Nan Gyi Thoke Noodle Salad Jars with Chickpea-Peanut CrunchNasi Lemak with Spiced Fried Chicken (Ayam Goreng Berempah)Sambal Fried Chicken Nasi Lemak BurgerNalli Nihari with Homemade Spice BlendNihari Puff Pastry Pot Pie with Lemon-Chilli YogurtKroeung Fish Tacos with Coconut-Lime Crema (Cambodian × Mexican)Kroeung Fish Cakes with Coconut Curry Dip and Herb WrapsOhn No Khao Swe with Toasted Chickpea Flour and Crispy Noodle CrownOhn No Khao Swe Coconut Curry Tteokbokki (Burmese × Korean)Ohn No Khao Swe Wonton NachosSeared Paneer Palak with Garlic TadkaPalak Paneer Green ShakshukaRoasted Curry Powder Parippu with Crispy ShallotsParippu Coconut Lentil Ramen (Sri Lankan × Japanese)Parippu Cheese Rice GratinKeema Pastel de Choclo (Indian-Spiced Beef under a Sweet Corn Crust)Keema Pastitsio with Garam Masala BéchamelMumbai Tawa Butter Pav BhajiDhaba-Style Rajma Masala with Ghee Jeera RiceRawon Iga (Beef Short Rib Rawon) with Sambal TerasiRendang beef tacosCrispy rendang wingsTandoori-Spiced Roast Turkey Thighs with Cranberry-Mint Chutney (Indian × American)Masala Rösti with Mint-Yoghurt ChutneyRoti Jala with Fresh Rempah Chicken CurryBulgogi Roti Jala Wraps with Gochujang Mayo (Malaysian × Korean)Crispy Roti Jala Cups with Coconut Curry Chicken SaladKroeung Pork and Roasted Pumpkin Rice Bowl with Toasted Rice CrunchSamosa ToastieSatay Chicken Rice Bowl with Crispy ShallotsCharcoal Dharan Sekuwa with Sesame-Radish AcharChicken Sekuwa Crispy Chiura Bowl with Cucumber-Sesame AcharTihar Ghee Sel Roti with Aloo AcharShan Noodles with Slow-Cooked Tomato Pork and Crispy ShallotsShan Tomato Chicken Spaghetti with Garlic-Peanut Pangrattato (Burmese x Italian)Shan Tomato Chicken Lettuce Cups with Crispy Rice NoodlesTandoori Chicken Shashlik with Mint Chutney (Uzbek × North Indian)Keema Shepherd's Pie with Bombay MashCharcoal Lamb Leg Sosaties with Apricot Glaze and Mint YogurtSosatie Chicken Pita Pockets with Apricot Yogurt and Crunchy SlawSoto Ayam Lamongan with KoyaSoto Ayam RamenSoto Fried Rice with a Golden Broth ShotMasala Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Mint RaitaSri Lankan Black Chicken Curry with Toasted CoconutSri Lankan Coconut Chicken Curry UdonSaag Aloo Stamppot with Tadka and PaneerSaag Stoemp with Masala Fried Eggs (Belgian × Indian)Lamb Tagine with Prunes and AlmondsBeef Thukpa with Hand-Pulled Noodles and Timur Chilli OilCoconut-Lemongrass Chicken Thukpa (Nepali × Thai)Masala Toad-in-the-Hole with Curry Onion Gravy (British × Indian)Sukuma Saag Paneer with UgaliMilk-Dough Vetkoek with Cape Malay MinceCurry Leaf Mojo Yuca (Cuban × Keralan)

Updated 2026-10-10