Updated on March 31st, 2023
You’re making a curry and you realize you don’t have turmeric — the distinctive, aromatic yellow spice that delivers tons of flavor to curries, noodle dishes, and grilled chicken. So what else can you swap into your recipe as substitutions for turmeric?
Below are seven good substitutes for turmeric that you can use in a pinch (pun intended), plus useful background on what turmeric is and why it’s so distinctive. You can lean on that info for cocktail party conversations with your foodie friends.
Best substitutions for turmeric
1. Turmeric paste
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Yes, it’s obvious. You can swap in turmeric paste for powdered turmeric. Chances are, if you don’t have the powder, you won’t have the paste either. But if you find yourself asking a neighbor for this ingredient, you might as well inquire about turmeric paste or powder.
Here’s why. Most people keep turmeric powder in the pantry, while turmeric paste lives in the refrigerator. Checking both places may reveal that you (or your neighbor) actually do have turmeric on hand.
Note that turmeric paste and powder aren’t the exactly same thing. Your recipe may need some adjustments as a result. Turmeric paste includes turmeric plus added ingredients including oil, pepper, and other spices. You will need to use more paste than powder to get the turmeric-intensity the recipe needs. But those other ingredients will impact flavor too.
For best results, start by substituting turmeric paste in the same quantity as powder. Taste, and add more paste until you like the result.
2. Mustard powder
- Strong and pungent flavor to use for ground sausage, burgers, and salads
- Great for making your own hot mustard or chipotle seasoning for an extra kick
- Made in a dedicated gluten-free facility and shipped in a standup, resealable pouch to ensure freshness
- Ingredients: Organic Yellow Mustard Seed Powder
- Since 2009, Judee’s has been dedicated to providing fresh, allergy-conscious ingredients, great for your recipes and even better for your family
Mustard powder is another great substitute for turmeric. This is another vibrant yellow powder that’s often used alongside turmeric in many eastern dishes.
You won’t get the same turmeric flavor from mustard, unfortunately. But the mustard’s sweet and spicy character should blend nicely with other eastern ingredients.
Start by swapping in mustard with a 1:2 ratio (that is, use half the amount of turmeric advised in the recipe). Then taste and add more mustard as needed.
3. Saffron
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Marco Polo’s comparison of turmeric to saffron was spot-on. Sweet and floral saffron makes a nice turmeric alternative — at least according to taste. Saffron is the world’s most expensive spice, so you may not want to make this substitution for economic reasons.
Still, if you have extra saffron lying around, it has a full flavor profile that’s suitable for many cuisines and dishes. It is more subtle than turmeric, so you may need to use more of it. Start with the recommend measurement for turmeric and then add more saffron to suit your taste.
4. Ginger
- GINGER ROOT – Our Ground Ginger Root is a potent and flavorful spice made from real ground ginger root. With its warm, aromatic, earthy, and spicy-sweet profile, this spice is anything but mellow.
- BEST USES – Perfect for enhancing baked goods, curries, stir-fries, and beverages. Sprinkle on desserts, blend into smoothies, or incorporate into marinades for a burst of authentic ginger taste.
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Often used in conjunction with turmeric, ginger is another spice that’s ubiquitous — if you cook a lot, you probably have some lying around. (BlogChef pro tip: Keep fresh, peeled ginger in the freezer so it’s always on hand!)
Ginger, like mustard powder, is a mainstay in many eastern dishes that also call for turmeric. It’s spice level and taste are unique — and comes from a chemical compound called gingerol that’s found only in ginger.
Whatever your recipe calls for, add half the quantity of ginger when substituting for turmeric.
5. Paprika
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Paprika is made from dried red pepper — specifically the ground fruit pods of the Capsicum annum species of pepper. It adds a lovely red color, plus a nice spice to your dish. There are also smoked paprika powders that layer the spice with an intense smokiness.
Portion the paprika more liberally than turmeric as its flavor is more subtle.
6. Curry powder
- McCormick Curry Powder contains 11 herbs & spices, perfectly blended
- Blends earthy depth with sweet spices for bold Indian flavor and golden color
- No need to buy spices separately and measure out your own mix
- Non GMO
- Add to curries, pilafs, vegetables, deviled eggs and chicken or lamb dishes
Curry powder (or curry paste) is a blend of spices used for thousands of years on the Indian subcontinent. It contains turmeric, but not as a primary ingredient. Many curry powders are a mash-up of cardamom, coriander, cumin, fennel, garlic, ginger, mace, and cinnamon.
For spicy meat dishes, curry powder is a natural turmeric substitution. However, the flavor profile of curry is more complex than that of turmeric. So be conservative to start when swapping in curry powder for turmeric, then use your taste to achieve the right flavor.
7. Annatto seeds
- Top quality producy by Badia
- Ideal to have in your kitchen
- Perfect size
- They have been used to color food and cosmetics
Annatto seeds come from the achiote tree native to tropical regions in the Americas. This is a last resort substitute as annatto is quite different from turmeric. It’s sweet, peppery, and nutty. That combo will spice up your dish, but not in the same way as turmeric. This is a good substitute if you don’t need spice, but still want whatever you’re making to be full of flavor.
When you don’t have turmeric
When you don’t have turmeric on hand, there are still options. Although ubiquitous in many cuisines, it isn’t absolutely essential when it comes to spicing up your cooking or adding coloring. With some creative thinking, you can make the best of what’s already in your pantry.
Turmeric FAQs
What is turmeric?
Known for its distinct yellow color, turmeric is a great universal spice for cooking. Turmeric’s first documented use was 4000 years ago in India’s Vedic culture. It was even used for religious purposes. It spread around the world over the ensuing millennia, eventually being traded in China and the West Indies. In the 13th century, the famous explorer Marco Polo compared its qualities to those of saffron.
Does turmeric have health benefits?
Turmeric is full of antioxidants, which can be beneficial for health. Turmeric has played a significant role in traditional medicine. Its compounds are also being studied in modern medicine, with 3000 research papers about compounds found in turmeric being published in the last 25 years.
The Cleveland Clinic reports that turmeric may offer these seven health benefits:
1. Reduces inflammation
2. Improves memory
3. Pain reduction
4. Antioxidant properties
5. Lowers risk of heart disease (by minimizing inflammation and oxidation)
6. Combats depression
7. Slows cancer growth
What does turmeric taste like?
Turmeric has a unique and pungent flavor. It has a warm and bitter taste, with earthy and peppery undertones. Some say turmeric’s flavor is like ginger’s but more bitter. The bitterness can be reduced or balanced by adding other spices such as cumin, cinnamon, or coriander.
Also, cooking enhances turmeric’s natural flavor. Use it in savory dishes for a depth of flavor that can highlight other ingredients and add a beautiful complexity to your dish.
You can also use turmeric in sweet treats. The yellow spice adds an interesting twist to cakes and cookies.
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