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    Home » Seasonal Recipes » Fall Recipes » How to Use Fresh Turmeric Root

    How to Use Fresh Turmeric Root

    Jan 8, 2016 · by Valentina · 7 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Once you know how to use fresh turmeric, you'll always want it at the ready. It's easy to work with, beautiful, and can be used in dozens upon dozens of recipes -- both sweet and savory.

    Pile of fresh turmeric root on black surface.

    Turmeric is probably most known for giving curry its gorgeous golden color.

    Widely used in Indian and other South Asian cuisines, this versatile ingredient is also known for having numerous health benefits.

    How to Use Fresh Turmeric in Recipes

    The skin of turmeric root can easily be removed with a vegetable peeler or a paring knife.

    Fresh turmeric root with some of the skin peeled off.

    Once peeled, it looks similar to a carrot.Peeled Turmeric root that looks like a carrot, with peels.

    Grate turmeric with a microplane zester — it creates tiny, soft shreds which are easily incorporated into recipes.

    Pile of freshly grated bright orange turmeric rood with microplane zester.

    Fresh turmeric root can also be sliced. This is a great way to add it to puréed soups.

    Pieces of the turmeric can be cooked with the other soup ingredients, and then blended with them to create a stunning soup.

    Sliced turmeric root that looks like a carrot, on dark wood board.

    What does turmeric taste like?

    Not only does it impart its stunning, vibrant golden color to whatever it's cooked with, it also adds its lovely peppery, warm and subtly bitter flavor.

    Uses for Fresh Turmeric Root

    There are so many delicious and healthy ways to use turmeric . . .

    • Steeped into teas.
    • Blended into smoothies.
    • Sautéed into stir-fries.
    • Added to marinades.
    • Puréed into soups, stews and sauces.
    • Mixed into cakes.
    • Or even mixed into cocktails!

    (See recipes using turmeric below!)

    What are the Health Benefits of Turmeric?

    • The health benefits seem endless.
    • Turmeric is said to be a natural anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant.
    • It has also been linked to improving brain function, and aid in treating arthritis, depression and Alzheimer’s Disease.

    I'm certainly not an authority on nutrition or medicine, so here's some great information about this.

    Now let's start cooking with this beautiful ingredient.

    Small pile of grated and sliced turmeric root.

    Recipes that use Fresh Turmeric Root

    Upside Down Blood Orange Turmeric Cake

    Slice being removed from Blood Orange Turmeric Pound Cake

    Turmeric Coconut Basmati Rice

    Purple bowl with yellow rice with rice with sliced jalapenos on top.

    Best Vegetarian Cabbage Stew with Fresh Turmeric

    Large ceramic mug with tomato-based cabbage stew, with an orange flower behind it.

    I hope now you find this amazing ingredient less daunting and easy to use. Have fun with it!

    Fresh turmeric root with part of the skin being peeled off

    How to Use Fresh Turmeric Root

    Valentina K. Wein
    Fresh turmeric root is easy to use, beautiful, and can be applied to dozens upon dozens of recipes -- both sweet and savory.
    Print
    Prep Time 1 minute min
    Course Ingredient
    Cuisine Indian
    Servings 8
    Calories 26 kcal

    Equipment

    • microplane zester
    • paring knife
    • vegetable peeler

    Ingredients
      

    • about 4 ounces fresh turmeric root

    Instructions
     

    • Use a vegetable peeler or a paring knife to remove the skin from the turmeric root.
    • Then use a microplane zester to grate it finely. It's very easily added to all sorts or recipes in this form. (If you don't have one, you can finely chop it with a Chef's knife.)

    NOTES

    Nutritional information is only an estimate.

    NUTRITION

    Calories: 26kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 0.001mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 0.1g
    Keywords aromatic ingredients
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Patricia@FreshFoodinaFlash

      January 08, 2016 at 4:22 pm

      Thanks for your thoughts on turmeric Valentina. I have some to use and I've not gotten as creative as you have with it yet.

      Reply
      • valentina

        January 08, 2016 at 8:07 pm

        Thanks, Patricia. I've been loving it. Tonight I blended it into cauliflower soup. Such a pretty color and delicious. 🙂

        Reply
    2. David

      January 10, 2016 at 6:48 am

      I started using fresh over dried turmeric several years ago when I found it an an Asian market here in Tucson. It has so much more flavor than its dried counterpart- I just can't go back! Looking forward to some fun ideas from you, Valentina!

      Reply
      • valentina

        January 10, 2016 at 9:09 am

        Hoping to deliver, David. 😉 I have a huge container of it so I'm determined to go through it via new recipes.

        Reply
    3. Leo Miele

      July 05, 2017 at 10:01 am

      Thanks for the instructions here! Turmeric is an absolute miracle worker.

      Reply
    4. Sue Mulivrana

      August 24, 2017 at 12:25 pm

      Have just purchased first raw turmeric at doctor's suggestion for husband's chronic pain. Thanks for pictures on how to peel/grate but no idea how to use in recipes. Suspect must use sparingly as he does not like curry. Appreciate any help.

      Reply
      • valentina

        August 24, 2017 at 4:18 pm

        Hi Sue, I'm happy to help! And I do hope turmeric helps your husband. Please let us know if you think it's effective. Here are a couple of recipes using the fresh turmeric . . . .
        VEGAN TOMATO TURMERIC CABBAGE STEW
        SPICY TURMERIC COCONUT BASMATI RICE
        10 IDEAS ON HOW TO USE FRESH TURMERIC ROOT IN COOKING
        And your probably not going for a dessert, but just in case, here's a recipe for ORANGE-TURMERIC UPSIDE DOWN POUND CAKE
        Enjoy! ~Valentina

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Valentina, certified chef, owner, recipe developer and photographer at Cooking on the Weekends. I'm also a mom of two boys and a Los Angeleno. I use seasonal whole foods to create unique and comforting recipes for casual entertaining.

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