This skillet Turmeric Fried Rice (Indonesian Nasi Goreng Kunyit) recipe is a quick 30-minute meal that’s easy to make, flavorful, and only requires one pan. Great weeknight meal the entire family will love!
If you ask me for a recipe for a newbie, fried rice will be my answer. It’s one of the easiest dishes to cook after instant noodles, and you can’t go wrong with that. Plus, you will find so many variations of fried rice. The famous yang chow fried rice, scallop fried rice, tom yum fried rice, and so much more! And here I am with turmeric fried rice or Indonesian nasi goreng kunyit.
What is turmeric fried rice
Let me introduce you to one of our favorite dinners – this one-pan turmeric fried rice. Turmeric is a member of the ginger family and often used in South Asian cuisine to make curry dishes a distinctive yellow color and earthy, bitter flavor. As much as I cook curry quite often, I never put turmeric as the main spice in my cooking.
So, I was surprised at how delicious this fried rice was when my mom introduced it to me. And since then, I’m completely hooked! Plus, it’s budget-friendly and somewhat healthy, depending on what you add here.
Ingredients to make turmeric fried rice
- Cooked chilled rice. This is exactly what you should make when you have leftover rice. Not a fan of rice? Try using quinoa or cauliflower rice
- Turmeric. Using turmeric powder instead of fresh turmeric
- Proteins. You can add your favorite protein or whatever you can find in the fridge, such as egg, chicken, shrimp
- Vegetables. Adding vegetables like peas, carrots not only make this fried rice more delicious but also colorful
- Sauce or Seasonings. I use fish sauce in this recipe; however, you can also use low-sodium soy sauce
- Onion, garlic, and shallots. These two are considered basic ingredients in cooking Indonesian food – diced onion, freshly minced garlic, and thinly sliced shallots
When adding peas to this fried rice, always use frozen peas instead of fresh or canned peas as they will change the texture and color.
Easy turmeric fried rice variations
- Meaty fried rice. Use chicken, beef, ham, or spam
- Seafood fried rice. I like adding shrimp just like this recipe or crab meat
- Vegetable fried rice. I like to make a vegetarian option and add medium-firm tofu, broccoli, green beans, or mushrooms
Type of rice that works well for fried rice
There are many types of rice and I’ve tried cooking with brown rice also. It works; however, not the best. Hence, I suggest using Jasmine rice – either medium or long works.
Everyone is sure to be impressed with this fried rice. If “cook once, eat twice” is your motto, then this turmeric fried rice recipe is perfect for you! It is the very best way to take your leftovers and turn them into something special. As always, I’m always so eager for your feedback when you try this turmeric fried rice recipe.
Turmeric Fried Rice (Nasi Goreng Kunyit)
Ingredients
- 2 cups leftover white rice
- 1.5 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- 2 shallots thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup diced onion
- 1 cup shrimp
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce more to taste
- White pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons oil
- Thai chilies to taste
Instructions
- In a wok, add oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 3 minutes. Add garlic, shallot, chilies, and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Add shrimp to the wok and cook for 30 seconds – 1 minute or until no longer pink. Set aside the shrimp.
- Add white rice to the wok and break apart the lumps. Add fish sauce and turmeric, and mix through. Scrape the bottom of the wok to ensure it doesn’t stick.
- Add peas to the wok and stir for 2 minutes before adding the shrimp back to the wok.
- Add white pepper, mix, and enjoy.
Heather says
Love fried Rice but never thought to add turmeric! So easy and delicious!
Allyssa says
Thank you so much for this recipe! My fam really loves it and it’s really easy for me to make!
GUNJAN says
just made this lunch and my family loved it. thanks for sharing.
Loreto and Nicoletta says
Wow! I love fried rice, however never had done one with turmeric!😋🥰👍😁❤ Sounds intriguing and dabulous!😛🥰❤
Farrukh Aziz says
My family loves fried rice, and adding turmeric to it gave it a really nice flavor! And its easy too!
Julia says
Wow, this was one of my favorite things to eat when I was in Bali over 3 years ago. So glad I can make this at home!
Anna says
It’s such a wonderful and so flavoursome dish, I don’t think I will be ordering any takeout for a while, now I’ve tried this! Easy to make and even the fussy eaters in our house enjoyed this!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
We use turmeric powder in pretty much all the curry recipes in India. I have never made a rice stand alone with turmeric flavor and this was a winner recipe. Loved using jasmine rice along with turmeric. The flavors blended so well and now I can’t wait to give it a try with fresh turmeric as well.
Amy Liu Dong says
One of my favorite fried rice in the world. It’s delicious and healthy!
Amy Casey says
We loved this recipe! I am always looking for recipes for the leftover rice in our fridge and this one was delicious!