Turmeric is used in kitchens all around the world because it can be used in a variety of dishes and offers a great taste. If you are looking for a substitute for turmeric because you ran out of it or aren't able to use it in this dish, it is important to find the best alternative. If you are looking to buy turmeric powder, you can read our article about the best turmeric powder.
Turmeric is so common around the world because of how versatile it is to use it in a variety of different dishes. It is known as one of the most common ingredients in the world because of its flavor as well as its anti inflammatory properties.
It is important to keep your kitchen stocked with turmeric powder but it is possible that you will eventually run out. Look at the health benefits of Turmeric that WebMD have listed.
Product: | Recommendation: |
|---|---|
  | Saffron |
  | Curry Powder |
  | Ginger Powder |
If you ever run out of your turmeric or aren't able to use it in a dish that you would typically use it, then it is important to find a substitute for turmeric.
Thankfully there are multiple alternatives that will spice up your meal and provide you with everything you need to create a dish that is filled with flavor. Below are the best alternative for turmeric if you ever run out of the anti inflammatory spice.
5 Best Turmeric Substitute Options
We have found five alternatives that will be able to provide your dish with flavor as well as other health benefits. If you don't have fresh turmeric, then these are our favorite turmeric substitutes.
Saffron
If you are looking for a good substitute, then saffron is one of the best options. Saffron is known as one of the spices with the most health benefits but this also comes with a steep price point. It is one of the more expensive spices on the market which makes it difficult to use for many people, but it also comes jam packed with antioxidants, anti inflammatory properties, and other health benefits such as improved mood, reducing PMS symptoms, boosting weight loss goals, and other benefits.
Saffron will give a similar taste and orange color as turmeric but because of the price point it can be difficult to justify using it for some. The flavor of saffron is similar to turmeric because it is subtle and it provide and floral like aroma to the dish.
Saffron is often used as an ingredient for creating golden paste. This is a great alternative for turmeric if you have the means to use it. Saffron is one of the most popular turmeric substitutes and can be compared to the highest quality of fresh turmeric.
Curry Powder
Curry powder is used most commonly in curry based dishes but it is also used in a variety of other dishes because of its distinct flavor. The powder is made up of a mixture of various spices and ingredients which actually contains turmeric in it.
This makes it a great choice if you have run out of turmeric because it is one of the main ingredients in curry powder. It can be beneficial to use curry powder as you won't have to use any spices or herbs if you use curry powder because of the complete mixture.
Ginger
Ginger is a great turmeric substitute because of how common it is within most kitchens. This means if you run our of turmeric you can hopefully find ginger in your kitchen without having to go to the store. Ginger and turmeric are similar in their organic chemistry which gives them similar health benefits.
Ginger is commonly recommended as an antioxidant as well as to help with an upset stomach. The only major difference between the two is that ginger is used in the form of a root, while turmeric is used in a grounded up powder form.
Cumin Powder
Cumin and turmeric are often used in the same dishes as they have complementing flavors. However, cumin is known to have a much stronger flavor so it is important to only use a small amount if you are replacing turmeric with cumin. Cumin is a spice that is part of the parsley family because it comes from the dried Cuminum plant.
Mustard Powder
Mustard powder may not seem like a great alternative for turmeric but it provides a similar color, although this powder has a stronger yellow color and flavor. If you are looking to add a bit more color and more flavor to your dish, mustard powder can be a great choice.
What Is Turmeric?
Turmeric is one of the most popular spices in the world. Turmeric comes from the turmeric plant that is ground up into a clean powder. Turmeric is most commonly found in Asian food and is one of the main spices used in curry which is how it got so popular. Turmeric provides a mild spice and warm flavor that many people crave.
What Food Can I Use A Turmeric Substitute On?
Turmeric powder is most common used in curry but there are a wide variety of different ways to eat turmeric. It is commonly added to rice to give it more flavor and spice. But turmeric can be put in nearly any food such as scrambled eggs, fajitas, roasted vegetables, soup, and can even be put in smoothies or tea.
Benefits of Turmeric
Turmeric is used to spice up the flavor of food but it is also known for the health benefits that it provides. If you are looking to reduce inflammation and improve your overall health, then the benefits of turmeric are exactly what you need. Below are a few of the most well known benefits of turmeric:
- Reduce joint pain.
- Reduce joint inflammation and arthritis.
- Improve the symptoms of heat burn and acid reflux.
- Improve digestive inflammation such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Colitis.
- Turmeric can help to lower cholesterol levels.
Can I Take Turmeric Daily?
Yes you can take turmeric or turmeric supplements on a daily basis. By taking turmeric on a daily basis you can begin to see daily health benefits from it.
How Much Turmeric Per Day?
When looking at the health benefits of turmeric and what scientific studies have to say about how much turmeric per day it seems that the recommended range is roughly 500 mg - 2,000 mg of turmeric per day. This range can change depending on your health profile as well as the health benefits you are looking for.
Often times to find out how much turmeric per day that works best for you it will take some trial and error. You may want to start close to 500 mg of turmeric each day and then can slowly increase the amount you take per day.
Final Thoughts On Our Favorite Turmeric Substitute
If you are looking for a turmeric substitute then most experts recommend saffron because of the similar taste as well as similar color qualities to turmeric. Our team also believes that any of these five ingredient will give you the best substitute for turmeric.
They may not give you the exact same flavor or yellow color that you are used to, but they will give your dish the added flavor you need. Next time you find out the you have ran out of turmeric or can't use it in your favorite dish then you can rest assured that your dish will be saved by these added ingredients.
